God’s Renewing Word of Wisdom
Introduction
John 8:1-20: The religious leaders bring to Jesus a woman caught in adultery and seek to test him by asking for his judgment in the matter. Jesus once again confounds them with his response. Jesus declares that he is “the light of the world.”
Scripture Reading
The Woman Caught in Adultery
8 Then everyone went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early the next morning he went back to the Temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and began to teach them. 3 The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery, and they made her stand before them all. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. 5 In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say?” 6 They said this to trap Jesus, so that they could accuse him. But he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger. 7 As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.” 8 Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they all left, one by one, the older ones first. Jesus was left alone, with the woman still standing there. 10 He straightened up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she answered.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”]
Jesus the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”
13 The Pharisees said to him, “Now you are testifying on your own behalf; what you say proves nothing.”
14 “No,” Jesus answered, “even though I do testify on my own behalf, what I say is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going. 15 You make judgments in a purely human way; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I were to do so, my judgment would be true, because I am not alone in this; the Father who sent me is with me. 17 It is written in your Law that when two witnesses agree, what they say is true. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me also testifies on my behalf.”
19 “Where is your father?” they asked him.
“You know neither me nor my Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
20 Jesus said all this as he taught in the Temple, in the room where the offering boxes were placed. And no one arrested him, because his hour had not come.
Today’s Key Verse: John 8:12b
“I am the light of the world,” [Jesus] said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”
Reflect
The Law of Moses required that, in matters of adultery, two witnesses were needed (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). Thus the Pharisees were in violation of the legal requirements in not presenting witnesses. What is your reaction to how Jesus handled the matter? What did he say to the woman? How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees when they asked him about his father (verse 19)?
Pray
Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. Teach me to live in the light of your love. Thank you for your love and mercy, and for the chance to live a new life in you. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 8:21-30: The religious authorities continue to challenge Jesus.