Romans 8: 37
Background
The time of the Gospel of John Chapter 8 is the celebration scheduled for the approaching Feast of Tabernacles. This feast commemorated God’s spiritual deliverance, provisional livelihood, and guaranteed safe passage during Israel’s 40 year wilderness experience after bondage in Egypt for 435 years. This upcoming feast is also known as Sukkot and highlights the autumn harvest. This coincided with September or October with our calendar. During these festivities the people focused on the “temporal” or waiting period, living in booths reminding them of their times of “waiting in the wilderness” before entering the “promised land” due to their disobedience. They were to focus during these activities on remembering that only God’s provisional care and guidance would eventually lead them to their future Messiah. However, it was here in Egypt coincidentally, that God’s people grew in number from 70 of the family of Jacob to over 2,000,000 in the Exodus unto Mount Sinai where they became a force to be rendered with, and recognized as a nation in 1948.
John 8: 1-2
Jesus takes his disciples to the Mount of Olives for instruction. While there he takes them to the temple. In the previous chapter 7, Jesus’ presence creates confusion as to his source of knowledge, power to accomplish his good works, and his eventual purpose for the common people. The people are curiously hopeful that he is the deliverer of their problems relating to the Roman government. The chief priests, scribes, and members of the Sanhedrin have other intentions in mind, however. They fear losing the control of the people to Jesus’ doctrinal teaching. Sensing that Jesus is increasing in popularity, a devious plan was established to entrap him before a public gathering discrediting him.
John 8: 3-4
A woman caught in the act of adultery was brought unto Jesus for him to offer judgment. The accusers detailed the Law according to their interpretation, omitting some specific information. This is undoubtedly why they stated to Jesus what the Law said! They hoped that Jesus did not know the Law or simply would not catch the omitted details that both offenders were to be present and they had only brought the woman.
John 8: 5-6
The accusers quoted the Mosaic Law as to what the only obvious judgment Jesus would be obligated to answer, stoning. What they were not aware of was Jesus knew the Law required accusers to have been eyewitnesses to the affair, and they as witnesses were required to warn the couple before the act of their most serious consequences. Jesus knew whether or not these accusers may have been eyewitnesses or if so, had warned the couple previously to the punishment. Their entrapment falls apart with each declaration made by them. The Bible states in Proverbs 26: 4 that we are not to answer questions of a fool. However, Proverbs 26: 5 suggests that one should only answer a fool if the intent is to show his folly to disclose that he may think he is wise in his conceit. This is what Jesus did here.
John 8: 7-8
Notice that Jesus does not make a decision of judgment for the woman accused (John 12: 37). Since the accusers have stated what needed to be done, Jesus tells them to go ahead and execute judgment. He is aware, however, the Law stipulates requirements that these accusers could not meet. None of the accusers could be justified with, “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone”.
John 8: 9-10
The accusers continue to “pound the same mislaid allegations. Seemingly ignoring the accusers, Jesus dropped to the ground and began to write in the dust. It cannot be positively identified as to what Jesus wrote. However, Jesus’ knowledge of the Scriptures may infer his writing in the dust was relative to Jeremiah 17: 13, stating that “O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth (dust), because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of the living water”. By the exiting of the accusers beginning at the eldest, it is highly likely that Jesus wrote their names in the dust which those accusers, having knowledge of Jeremiah 17: 13 would be aware of the inference.
John 8: 11-12
As “court” is over with the disappearance of accusers with no ruling or judgment rendered, Jesus simply makes a “point of view” as encouragement to the woman. I do not condemn thee. Go and sin no more. He does not say she is innocent or guilty. He simply quotes from the Scripture or the Whole Armor of God from our point of view. There are times in our lives that we are to confront and solve hard problems. There is an answer for every question or challenge in the Bible that we as Christian believers are to find a solution. Christians are commanded to put on the Whole Armor of God and learn Scriptures to combat the enemy when pressed with unbearable temptations (Heb. 12: 1) (1 Cor. 10: 13).
Relevance to the 21st Century
The people were celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles because God wanted them to remember some important occurrences and events from their past. There are times in our own lives that include occurrences and events when something special happened and we are better off to remember these times also. Times that God’s grace was sufficient to have brought us through past crises will always be worthwhile remembering to utilize these same successful strategies again (2 Cor. 12: 9).
Many times in our daily lives we cross paths with other people who for no particular reason, seem to be having a “bad day” and want to share it with us. We learn through experiences, patience and tolerance, will often help us to diffuse and not just confront these encounters (1 Cor. 10: 13).
Proverbs 29: 18 states that where there is no vision, the people perish. To be anchored in the knowledge of God’s Scriptures is essential for making better decisions, enhancing personal growth, improving relationships, and managing emotions effectively. The accusers here thought only of how to destroy the Lord. People who primarily focus on tearing down others are often products of selfish pride, arrogance, and hypocrisy Rom. 12: 17-21) (Prov. 20: 3) (1 Thess. 5: 11).
Believers who encourage others by following Christ in the fields of harvest will always be more than conquerors for the Lord of the Harvest still says that laborers are still too few (Matt. 9: 37-38). Christian believers are encouraged to prepare for the Lord’s work for the day cometh when time for work will be over (John 9: 4). Believers are urged to serve through learning the Word, fellowship with the brethren, and labor with prayer in the field of spiritual harvesting. The Lord says repeatedly that the harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Most Christian believers realize that the Lord God is broken-hearted about the harvest being so great. Are we heartbroken enough to believe that the Lord is most disappointed regarding the laborers being too few? Consequently, will the Lord have “some fish to fry” when he meets some copycat fishermen at Judgment (John 21: 1-14)?
Sower's Field by L. Michael Schoonover 