The apostle John wrote how, “Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what say you?”, and in chapter eight and verse six of his book John shared how the Pharisees said this, “tempting him, that they might have to accuse him” where we read:
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.
The verse reads, “This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.” John began with the words, “This they said” which means “the scribes and Pharisees uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked Jesus what He would say about the woman caught in adultery being stoned”, “tempting him” or “endeavoring to maliciously test, solicit to sin, examine and prove Jesus”, “that they might have to accuse him” which means “so the scribes and Pharisees could hold, own or possess a reason and cause to charge Jesus with an offense”. John shared how the “religious leaders” known as the “scribes and Pharisees” asked Jesus what He thought should be done with the woman caught in adultery because they desired to find a cause to charge Him with an offense.
The verse continues, “But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” John added the words, “but Jesus” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “stooped down” or “bowed His head and bent forward”, “and with his finger wrote on the ground” which means “and with Jesus' physical finger He delineated and formed letters upon the ground”, “as though he heard them not” or “like He was without the endowment of hearing, did not perceive, understand, notice or discern the scribes and Pharisees' question”. John shared how Jesus “bent down” and began to “write” on the “ground” as though He did not hear what the “scribes and Pharisees” asked Him.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus was not moved by the accusation, arrest and reference to the Moses' law brought to Him by the “scribes and Pharisees”. Because the “religious leaders” believed they had a certain case against this woman, they thought they could use this circumstance to bring a cause against Jesus. Jesus knew their desire, and He acted like He didn't even hear them. Jesus came to “save” people from their sins, and because they were already “condemned” (See John 3:17), He came to extend mercy and forgiveness to all who believe and trust in Him. God loves people, and even when they are “caught” in the wrong, when they turn to Him, humble themselves and ask for forgiveness, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life with Him. Let all who read these words note the calmness and purpose of Jesus as they yield to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time John shares, “when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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