Caught in the Spotlights

Caught in the Spotlights

John 8:2-12

Early Morning Students

Who is this?No one ever

spoke like this man!

Religious Leaders

Who does He think He is?

We will examine Him

and His claims.

An Adulterous Woman

She was caught in the act of

adultery.What should we

do?

Time OUT

Did anyone else see that margin note?

What do those

brackets mean?

Does this story belong here?• Textual criticism and evaluation– It is not in the oldest MSS– It is full of variants– It is placed differently in gospel texts– It follows a pattern

established in John– It follows a pattern of Jesus

Tricky Arguments

This is what the Law says. She is

guilty.This is another

trap!

Gracious Response

• He writes on the ground• He confronts the leaders regarding

their sin• He writes on the ground• He confronts the woman regarding

her sin

I Am…

the Light of the World

Does this story belong here?• The dangers of this story– How will justice and mercy be

harmonized?– Won’t this kind of “blanket

forgiveness” lead to looseness?– Are we supposed to judge

sin or not?

What does this story teach us?

• Call people to repentance with the same kindness, forbearance and patience that God shows (Rom 2:4)

• Examine your own life for facades of righteousness (Rom 2:21, 22)

• Enjoy the “condemnation-free” life by not sinning more (Rom 8:1, 6:1-2)