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)