Lesson 129 - Junior

Memory Verse

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (Psalm 32:1).

Notes

Scheming Against Jesus

Many of the Jews did not like Jesus and His teachings. No doubt they were condemned for their sins as they listened to Him. They tried to scheme against Him that they might give Him over to the authorities. "And they watched him, and sent forth spies . . . that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor" (Luke 20:20). Perhaps they were filled with jealousy as they saw Him perform miracles to help others. "And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus" (Luke 6:11). They had failed in their attempts to turn Him over to the governor. "The Jews sought the more to kill him" (John 5:18).

At one time the chief priests and Pharisees had sent officers to arrest Jesus. God did not permit them to do so at that time. "Some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him" (John 7:44). When questioned why they had not taken Jesus, they answered, "Never man spake like this man" (John 7:46).

The other people had gone to their homes. Jesus went to the mount of Olives, no doubt to pray. In many places the Bible tells that Jesus went alone to pray ([MAK:1:35]; [LUK:5:16]; [LUK:6:12]; [LUK:22:41]). Jesus knew that the Jews were scheming against Him. That did not cause Him to stop His teaching and good works. There may be times when sinful people would try to tempt you. You can be like Jesus. Pray that God will help you. Like Jesus, your words and deeds can silence and condemn them.

Jesus went again to the Temple to continue His teaching. Many people gathered around to hear Him as He sat in their midst. The scribes and Pharisees thought that there was their chance to catch Jesus. They took a sinful and unfaithful woman to Him. They were witnesses against her for they had taken her in the act of committing sin. In front of all the people, they asked Jesus how to punish her. The law of Moses demanded that one in adultery should be put to death.

Under Grace

Jesus did not destroy the Law. He came to fulfill it ([MAT:5:17]). Jesus' teachings hold a higher standard than the Law. He taught that men should love the Lord with all their hearts, their neighbours as themselves ([MAT:22:37-39]), and to love even their enemies ([LUK:6:27]). Under the Law it was permissible for one to do harm to a person who harmed him ([LEV:24:19-20]). "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:38, 39). Jesus taught also in the Sermon on the Mount to "judge not, that ye be not judged" (Matthew 7:1).

Accusers

These scribes and Pharisees were eager to put Jesus to death. They had hoped that through this incident they could trap Jesus in breaking the Law, and have Him put to death. If Jesus had said that she should be put to death according to the Law, they could have said that it was not according to His teachings. If Jesus had said that they should spare her, they could have accused Him of teaching against the Law. However, Jesus surprised them: "This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not" (John 8:6). He knew their evil intentions. No doubt they thought that they had trapped Jesus. They continued to ask for His answer. Instead of tricking Jesus, their own words and actions trapped them.

A Guilty Conscience

Perhaps they thought that their sins were all covered from any man. They found that the Lord keeps a good record.

"You cannot hide from God, You cannot hide from God, Wherever you go, Whatever you do, You cannot hide from God, His eye is fixed on you, You cannot hide from God."

When they insisted on an answer, Jesus told them that the one who had no sin should throw the first stone at her. Jesus did not mention any particular sin in their lives. Their conscience told them that they were guilty. One by one they slipped away until all were gone who had accused her. They had been caught in their own trap.

In the days of Queen Esther lived a selfish, proud man by the name of Haman. At the suggestion of his friends he built a gallows upon which he hoped to hand a Jewish man, Mordecai. His plan failed when the king was informed that Haman was the guilty man ([EST:7:6]). Mordecai had done good, so he was rewarded by the king, and Haman was hanged upon the gallows he had built for Mordecai ([EST:7:10]).

There are some people today who scheme to get others into trouble. They are quick to report another. At the same time there is sin in their own lives. Sometimes by their reports concerning others they try to cover up in their lives a thing which displeases God. In planning to harm another, beware lest the trick turn. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19).

Guilty but Forgiven

The woman was left alone with Jesus, for her accusers fled. We do not read that she tried to excuse herself, or even that she tried to mention some good thing in her life. She stood before Jesus, guilty and condemned, no doubt with her head bowed in shame. Jesus said, "Go, and sin no more." Those words imply that He forgave her sins and gave her the power to sin no more.

What joy and peace must have filled her heart! She had been taken by the crowd to be killed. Between her and death was Jesus who changed it all. She was given life instead of death, peace in place of condemnation, victory over sin where there had been bondage. Jesus gave her those good things. He took only her sins. She must have gone away rejoicing, for the old life of sin was gone. No longer would her sins loom up before her. They were forgiven, cast into the sea of Jesus' forgiveness, to be remembered no more against her forever ([MIC:7:19]; [PS:103:12]; [JER:31:34]). She could look forward to a new life ([ROM:6:4]). The old things had passed away and all things became new ([2CO:5:17]).

Salvation

Those who have sin in their lives are as guilty as this woman. There is judgment of death pronounced upon the sinful. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). Jesus changes that death sentence when He for-gives a sinner. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). What joy and peace fill the heart of one who repents! He feels clean, for the Blood of Jesus cleanses him from all unrighteousness when he repents ([1JN:1:7]). He can look forward, too, to a life above sin. As Jesus told the woman to sin no more, so He expects those who are saved today, to sin no more. What a good feeling to know that God will give one power to keep sin out of his life! "The God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people" (Psalm 68:35). "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee" (Isaiah 42:6). "The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil" (II Thessalonians 3:3). "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Questions

1. Where was Jesus teaching?

2. Who brought the sinful woman to Him?

3. Why did they take her to Jesus?

4. What was their question?

5. What was Jesus' answer?

6. Why did the accusers leave?

7. Why did Jesus say, "Sin no more"?

8. How can one have his sins forgiven?