April 30, 2012 – John 8 – 8:30

The story of the woman to be stoned seems out of place when looking at the things surrounding it.  The thing I am listening to says that it was thrown in and is not chronological.  He says that the teachings on the Light of the World and being the Ambassador for the Father are still during that final day of the festival.  Remember that the main themes of the festival are in regards to water and light, so a discourse on being the light of the world seems to fit. 

A couple of thoughts on the Woman’s story.  It says that they were trying to trap Jesus.  But have you thought of how they were trying to trap Him.  You can see that they thought He would have 3 options.  1 – He could tell them to go ahead and stone her.  We don’t know all that they caught her doing but we don’t see the guy they caught her with or whether they had a trial, which they would have needed witnesses.  For Jesus to just go along with them would make Him just like the leaders and the crowd would leave.  2 – He could say that they should not stone her.  Then they would accuse Him of not following Moses’ law.  3 – He could just ignore them.  This would show that He either doesn’t care for rules, people, or is unable to really bother with tough decisions.  Much like in the situation where they ask Him if they need to pay Caesar, He answers them in a way where they are given no way to condemn Him and look foolish themselves. 

I have also wondered what Jesus was writing in the sand.  I have heard that He was writing the names of the people that brought the woman to Him.  I have also heard that He was writing the sins of those men.  I wonder if it might have been a combination.  The first time He wrote the names of the questioners.  The second time, He wrote their sins, or better yet, the name of the person they were adulteress with.  Imagine holding the stone to throw at someone for being adulteress, then seeing your name on the ground there and the name of your mistress.  That would make it pretty hard to throw that rock.