INTRODUCTION

I.     Our first  reaction in any incident is usually not the wisest.

II.    Take the time to think before taking action, especially if its in criticism of
        somebody else.

III.   The Jews were too quick to judge, but they were wise enough to leave well
        enough alone in the end.

BODY
I.   Quick to judge/accuse.                                      [8: 3-5]
       A.   The Jews were not so much interested in a verdict for the adulterous
              woman as in catching Jesus on some "technicality."
              1.   They knew that if Christ's teachings prevailed, it would be the
                    "end to their places of preference before the people."
                    (Woods, p. 162)
              2.   Designed to embarrass Christ and hinder His influence.
              3.   The cold way they did this is evidence of their lack of
                    understanding of the nobler principles of the law.
              4.   They insensitively blew her "sin" out of proportion.
                     a.   Not for the good of her soul.
                     b.   For their own selfish ambitions.
                     c.   For everybody to see, when they did not need to.

       B.   How am I any different when somebody goes forward to confess a
              public sin?
              1.   Do I make "good gossip" by informing everybody?
              2.   Do I give the penitent soul mercy/compassion?
              3.   Do I give them the benefit of the doubt?
 

II.   Quick to pick up stones.
       A.   They were quick to find a cause against the woman to get at Jesus.
       B.   They were thinking (of how to destroy Jesus), but they were not
              thinking deep enough.
       C.   Inherent in evil hearts.
              1.   Jesus knelt down and drew in the sand to ignore their hate.
              2.   This deliberate silence was to let them know that their question
                    & hate was not worthy of a reply.
                     a.   We sin or get in trouble by thinking we must speak.
                            i.   N.A. culture seems to like chatter-boxes.
                            ii.   Congregations have this sickness to varying degrees.
                     b.   Evil does not like silence, it likes loud confusion.

       D.   Over and over (Greek verb suggests) they asked Jesus to respond.
              1.   They were so insistent on enforcing the law which they so often
                    violated!
                     a.   What hypocrisy.
                     b.   They were so busy "bludgeoning"  [Mt 7: 3-5; Lk 6: 41-2]
                            her for her sin, that they neglected to see their own.
              2.   Am I as insistent about preaching God's Word as they're hating?
                     a.   Just as they were willing to project (blame!) on her many
                          sins, we are just as eager to project our responsibility to
                          share God's Word on "others!"
                     b.   That is exactly why we need the ONLY objective and just
                          judge - God's Word!  It pricks our hearts.   [A 2:37]

       E.   Jesus handled the hateful Jews wisely, but how about the critical Jews?
              1.   Jesus played the legalist among the legalists!
                     a.   Jesus would not play "priest" nor "civil authority."
                     b.   He threw their unrighteousness back into their faces.
              2.   Clean off your own back porch first, then clean others'.

III.   Quick to forgive?
       A.   Jesus was merciful, showing kindness to the adulterous woman.
              1.   There was room for mercy under the Old Law.
              2.   It was NOT His work to execute, but to save!    [Woods, p. 164]
                     a.   He condemned the sin while showing compassion for the
                           sinner.
                     b.   Christians seem to get these confused; condemning the
                           sinner and having compassion or disregard for the sin.
                     c.   The world does not seem to care about either.

       B.   The greatest critics were "convicted by their conscience."              [8: 9]
              1.   The sinners' guilty convicted them.
                     a.   There is hope for everybody.
                     b.   We so quickly write people off as being "unsaveable!"
              2.   The elderly, more experienced, were 1st to depart.
 

CONCLUSION
I.   Salvation is possible for all sinners.
       A.   But they must sin NO more.                        [8: 11]
       B.   We must confront ourselves and others to bring an end to sin.

II.   Christ's compassion for the worst of humanity shows His tenderness of heart.
 

INVITATION
I.   God is just and rebuking, but He is also merciful, kind, and compassionate.

II.   When was the last time I gave the other person the benefit of the doubt,
       before I decided to stone them?

III.   We invite you to come and share in God's great kingdom.
 

Copyright 1999 by Neil C. Prokop may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.