Summary
A Mystery
Human beings love a good mystery. We chase the unknown in crime stories, in science, in our daily attempts to make sense of the world. That same instinct follows us into the life of faith: we want to know the why, the how, and the what of God's dealings with us. The account of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:2–11 is shrouded in such mysteries, and Scripture answers them by leading us straight to Christ.
The first mystery is the intention of the accusers. The scribes and Pharisees knew the Law of Moses well. Deuteronomy 22:22 required that both the man and the woman be put to death, and Deuteronomy 19:15 required two or three witnesses. Yet they bring only the woman, and they bring her openly, as though her sin had been staged for discovery. John tells us plainly why: "they said this to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him" John 8:6. If Jesus rejected the stoning, He could be charged with contempt of Moses; if He approved it, His ministry of mercy to tax collectors and sinners would collapse. It was a trap.
The second mystery is the silence of Jesus. He bends down and writes on the ground. He is not cornered, not afraid, not unsure. Their intentions were no mystery to Him, nor was the woman's sin, nor was the sin hidden in the hearts of her accusers. When they press, He rises and says, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her" John 8:7. With one sentence He removes the righteous ground from beneath them. They walk away, beginning with the eldest, because the Law that condemned her condemns them too.
This is the Law's work in every one of us. Genesis 6:5 testifies that the inclinations of the human heart are evil continually, and Romans 3:10–12 declares that no one is righteous, not one. Romans 2:1 warns that when we judge another we condemn ourselves, for we do the same things. None of us can stand on our own righteousness; the holy ground crumbles beneath every accuser who is himself a sinner.
Then comes the great mystery — the mystery of forgiveness. Left alone with the woman, Jesus asks, "Has no one condemned you?… Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more" John 8:10–11. How can the Holy One pronounce a sinner uncondemned? Paul tells Timothy, "Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory" 1 Timothy 3:16. The mystery of godliness is Christ Himself. God took on flesh, bore the false charges of our sin upon the cross though He had no sin of His own, and was raised again — justified, vindicated, victorious over death. The how of this exchange remains beyond us this side of heaven, but the why is spelled out: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16. God poured out His wrath upon Himself so that He could pour out His grace upon us.
One mystery remains — the mystery of the Christian life. Jesus does not merely absolve the woman; He sends her: "Go, and from now on sin no more." Paul answers the obvious question in Romans 6:1–4: shall we keep sinning that grace may abound? By no means. Those baptized into Christ have been baptized into His death and raised with Him to walk in newness of life. The forgiven sinner is not abandoned to old habits but empowered by the Spirit who dwells in the baptized. You do not stand before the Lord Jesus condemned; you stand loved, washed, and righteous, now and forever. That is the mystery solved at the cross — and it is for you "A Mystery" 1-14-24.
Video citations
- "A Mystery" 1-14-24 — If you would please open your Bibles to the Gospel of John the 8th chapter, if you're using a Puedition of Scripture, you can find this on page 87 in the New Testament, we're in the Gospel of John…