Wednesday | Week 7

John 8 begins with “…but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.” You have to read the end of chapter 7 to learn why the “but” is there. Jesus had been teaching in the temple courts and had once again claimed to be the Messiah. This sent the chief priests and Pharisees into a tizzy, and they discussed among themselves what to do about him. 

And then they all went home—everyone, that is, but Jesus. He went to the Mount of Olives.

Why? John doesn’t tell us but, knowing Jesus, we must assume it was to pray. And most likely, to sleep. He needed both rest and the Father’s guidance for what was to come next.

Apparently, in their discussion before they went home, the religious leaders had planned a trap for Jesus. Bringing the accused woman before him—again in the midst of the crowded temple courts—was designed to bring maximum embarrassment to her, and to him. But Jesus was their only real target—they cared nothing for her, nor for true righteousness. The woman was merely their instrument to use against Jesus, to show him to be either indifferent to the laws of Moses, or compassionless towards her.

But then the remarkable happened: Jesus stooped down. No outburst of anger at the Pharisees, no rebuke of the woman for her sin. A considered response, placing himself on her level, identifying with her humiliation and shame. 

When Jesus finally stood and spoke, the religious leaders had no choice but to leave. Their desire to punish the sin of another, while ignoring their own sin, had been exposed. And just like that, the accused woman had gone from sin and death, to forgiveness and life. With Jesus’ words, “Neither do I condemn you” (v.11), she had words to hang on to for the rest of her life.

This is an extraordinary narrative; in it you see the Gospel in full, astonishing clarity. God would not break his own law against sin, but he would show me love and grace. So he identified with me. Jesus, who was here from the beginning, who has all power and authority, the Lord of all creation; yes, that Jesus—for me, he stooped down.