The Uncomfortable Jesus: The Adulterous Woman
John 8:1-11
Consider the woman….
She would be forever branded by the worst thing she ever did: “the adulterous woman”
She was guilty and everyone, including her, knows it. And yet….Jesus loves her.
Consider the religious leaders…
-An authority issue
They saw their role as authorities in the law, standing watch, investigating, watching, ready to pounce with unforgiving punishment.
Any authority which is solely concerned with punishment is a wrong authority.
-An attitude issue
They didn’t see a person, but rather a thing. To them, the woman had no name, no story, no feelings.
The love of Jesus compels us to see people first…In spite of their past, and no matter what they’ve done.
A GOSPEL OF GRACE AND TRUTH
John 1:14
GOSPEL OF GRACE
Jesus is not dismissing sin, He is withholding judgement.
Jesus is always interested NOT in what you have been, but in what you CAN BE.
It’s not that the past doesn’t matter, but just as you have had a past, you HAVE a future.
GOSPEL OF TRUTH
Jesus didn’t pretend that what she did was okay.
Jesus simply said, “go and sin no more.”
He is speaking a vision over her life that she didn’t even know was possible.
Psalm 103:10-12
All are welcome to the table as Jesus says “Go and leave your life of sin”