It Happened Where They Lived                                           6/26/49

 

Scripture:  John 8: 1-11

 

Text:  John 8: 11;  “ --- Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.”

 

There is more to the story read in this morning’s Scripture - much more - than the questions of what to do with an adulteress -- or an adulterer.

 

Something might be said as to the probable reasons why the woman in that story had broken the established ethical code of her people: 

 

1)   Economic factors;   below-subsistence wages for women dependent on their earnings.

 

2)  Sociological factors

            a.  No opportunity for friendship between man and woman

                        in some European countries until man calls at home of

                        woman with intention of marriage.

            b.  Little offered in recreational facilities without liquor etc

 

3)  Psychological factors

            Insecurity

            Lack of affection

            boredom

            Poor up-bringing (children of mothers who must work outside the home for a pittance.)

 

But back to the story:

            Crowds dragged the culprit to Jesus before execution.

                        No need for him to be asked for judgment.

                                    Guilty: Taken in the act.  Witnesses.

                                    Law was clear.  “Teacher, Moses in the law

                                                commanded us that such should be stoned.”

                                    Not question of law but of what they could get

                                                Jesus to say.  And this tripped them up.

                                    Could have enjoyed throwing heavy stones against her breast, head, back until she died.  (Sadistic satisfaction justified by law.)

 

                        `           But could they punish Jesus by forcing him into a position inconsistent with his teaching or in contravention of the law?

 

Jesus - silent.   Stooped over and wrote [only time] in the sand [doodles?] as though he heard them not.

            Questions continued ---  taunting, perhaps infuriated.

 

“He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.  And again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.”

 

            Now, silence in another quarter!

                        one -- embezzled funds

                        another -  workmen underpaid

                                                violated law of Moses last Sabbath

                                                overcharged customer

                                                beaten family without mercy

                                                cheated brother out of inheritance.

 

“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the eldest even unto the last.  And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

 

Jesus opportunity?

            Reasons for being virtuous?

            Wages of sin is death?

            Eternal punishment?

            He could have advised her freely without the caution for the danger of being trapped by schemers.

 

But - just two question:  “Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned you?”  He didn’t need information.  He knew!  But she needed to know.  And all we need to know.

 

Her meek answer:  “No man has condemned me.”

 

Jesus:  “Neither do I condemn thee.  Go and sin no more.”

 

            He didn’t repeal the law.

            He wasn’t perverting justice.  He was interested in more                                                                                                 than justice.

 

 

Law sometimes supersedes the person.

            Why are laws made?  (often - very often - to control “the other fellow”  (seldom to control me!)

            The Scribes and the Pharisees, the condemners, were also sinners;  Are not we all?

            Jesus understood them, too - so devoted to the forms of the religious law that they lost the personal touch.

            Jesus had sympathy.  He himself lived under the law.  But he could see how it can harden one unless he has the love of God in his heart.

            He had compassion on all of them.  He brought their consciences face to face with God as they walked away from this picture of shame and misery.

 

This is the point at which the picture has its deepest significance for Christians of today.

 

Our religion may get in the way, inside or outside the church.

            “That sermon gave it to those fellows today!”

            But how about me?  Most sermons touch us all.

            Every real exposition of truth does touch us all.

            We are all sinners and stand in need of God’s mercy.

            We all stand in need of showing mercy to others.

 

This is the point at which every Christian must live not only within the moral law, but beyond the law - in humble repentance for the sins of self, with trust in God, in love and mercy toward others also in some kind of moral need.

 

 

A man was congratulated on his Christian living.  “You must owe it to your Mother” -- best Bible student in town.  Very active in some type of church work.  Very acceptable public prayers.

 

“No; Mother had no charity in her soul.  I owe it to my father.”

 

Our world owes what righteousness it has not to the zealous legal niceties of the Scribes and Pharisees, but to the Lord who once said, “Neither do I condemn thee.  Go and sin no more.”  That spirit is the whole burden of the message of Christ to our erring lives.  His love is our hope.

 

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Delivered in Wisconsin Rapids, June 26, 1949.