Last time we looked at whether we can read John 7:53-8:11 with any confidence that it is the reliable Word of God. My answer to that question is - 'yes we can'.
There are a variety of reasons as to why the story of the woman caught in adultery might struggle to find a home in the early church - and grace might be one of those reasons. In a young church that is trying to find its way within the Roman empire - that is trying to teach what it means to be a Christian in a world that is largely pagan - that is trying to promote a godly understanding of sex and right relationships - this story may not have been appreciated as helping much.
The early church would have shied away from public stonings, but there were plenty of other ways of making a public spectacle of those caught in certain sins - as a deterrent to others. But thanks to Jesus, this woman seems to get away with it - scot free.
This is not a passage that teaches that unless we are sinless we should not respond to sin when we encounter it in the church. But these men were not interested in the woman, there was no sense of wanting to see her restored - they were only interested in trapping Jesus - and whatever happened to her - well, so be it.
What we take from this story will depend on whose shoes we fill. Are we amongst those who judge - but whose own hearts and motives are not right before God? Those who want to punish but not to restore or forgive.
Or do we stand with the woman, knowing that we have nothing to say in defence of our sin, knowing what the law says, but who nevertheless hear Jesus say, 'then neither do I condemn you - go and leave your life of sin'.
As Paul says in Romans 8:1, 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus'.
We don't deserve it. We can't earn it. It's grace. It's a gift.
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