John 8:1-20 has Jesus back in the Temple. “Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them”. So much for staying under the radar. He was in the Temple and people were flocking to hear God’s truth. The truth always draws people. It is magnetic to everyone – to know that which is always right and true. The Pharisees try to trap Jesus as they “led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery”. They wanted to know what Jesus would do with her. After all, according to the Law she should be stoned.
So they pressed Jesus as to what they should do. He didn’t say a word but rather just stopped and bent down to write something in the dirt. “They kept at him, badgering him”. Evil never gives up trying to get at us. The enemy is constantly trying to get us to make a rash statement or decision. But Jesus kept His composure and made one simple statement. “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone”. How brilliant. Jesus has pointed out that sin is sin, and only He that is without sin is able to judge another.
One by one the Pharisees walked away. They had been outwitted at their own game. And Jesus shows us how the Law has been changed. He spoke directly to the woman saying that He also would not condemn her for what she had done. But he also said “From now on, don’t sin”. That is the charge given to each of us. We are to walk in the light. Jesus reminds us “I am the world’s Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in”. The secret to walking in the light is to know Him. We need to understand His Words and know the truth.
The Pharisees challenge Jesus on the topic of truth. They want to go back to the Law, which they knew very well, but Jesus tells them that He has provided light and God’s truth. They don’t understand Jesus’ explanation of God as His Father. But we learn a very important lesson here about the Trinity. “If you knew me, you would at the same time know the Father”. Want to know God? Then get to know Jesus. Want to walk in the light? Then get to know Jesus. Want to have eternal life? Then make Jesus your Savior and Lord. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to know God except through Him!
Arlin Sorensen's Thoughts on Scripture 