DEVOTIONAL THOTS: John 8

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery John 8:3 (GW) The first thot that comes to mind regarding this verse is where did the Pharisees know where to find this woman so readily? Where is the man she weas having the affair with? He should have been there for sure. This was a set uo pure and simple. The footnote in the Life Application Study Bible regarding 8:3-6 states that the religious leaders had broken the Law by not arressting the man. The Law required both to be present (Lev.20:10;Duet 22:22). If Jesus said the woman should not be stoned Jeus would be guilty of breaking God's Law. If He said she should be stoned then He would be guilty of breaking Roman Law (18:31). Jesus' way out of this trap was to say that only those without sin could stone the woman. They all left because each knew in their hearts they were not sinless. Jesus looks at the woman and asked her were her accusers were, had she been condemned? She replied all her accusers had left without condemning her. Jesus' reply was “I don't condemn you either. Go! From now on don't sin.” John 8:11 (GW). The one thing that many wondered about is what did Jesus write in the sand? Some speculate He wrote out the commandment about not committing adultery. Others have speculated He wrote "God is love", We will never know that was between God and the woman. Here is a difficult challenage and that is to love and forgive those who have wronged us especially those we are not close to.

The Pharisees said to him, “You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony isn't true.” John 8:13 (GW). Charles Swindoll in his book SWINDOLL'S NEW TESTAMENT INSIGHTS which is based on John's Gospel gives five reasons why the people rejected Christ. (the 5 reasons are Mr. Swindolls the thots are mine. skypiklot
1. A lack of knowledge (8:14) Jesus replied to them, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is true because I know where I came from and where I'm going. However, you don't know where I came from or where I'm going. John 8:14 (GW). Many people do not have adequate info about God or His Word. Paul writes, 14 But how can people call on him if they have not believed in him? How can they believe in him if they have not heard his message? How can they hear if no one tells {the Good News}? 15 How can people tell the Good News if no one sends them? As Scripture says, “How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News.” Romans 10:14-15 (GW). In Acts 8:25-38; 2 Tim.3:15-17 is another example of the need for the importance of knowledge.

2. Lack Of Preception (8:15,23). You judge the way humans do. I don't judge anyone John 8:15, 23 Jesus said to them, “You're from below. I'm from above. You're from this world. I'm not from this world John 8:23 (GW). The religious leaders gained their knowledge from observation, expermentation and experience. They lacked spiritual dimension in their thinking. People reject Christ (God for that matter) because they can't see Him, they can't touch Him, can't test Him in their labs. People believe that nothing exists beyond the the tangible, everything to them must be reduced to a resonable, rational, quantiable, scientific explanation. This is not just a mere lack of knowledge but a choice to reject the reality of anything supernatural. Spiritual truths have absolutely no meaning to them. See John 20:29

3. Lack Of Appropriation (8:37). 37 I know that you're Abraham's descendants. However, you want to kill me because you don't like what I'm saying. John 8:37 (GW). Mr. Swindoll states that the Jewish priests & Scribes never allowed the spiritual truths of God leave the page they were written on and enter their hearts see Psalm 119:105. Years ago a woman told me her grandfather could recite the Bible from cover to cover. Any passage you asked him he could recite from memory. However, he knew not God. Years ago there was a talent show and during this show two men recited the 23rd Psalm. The younger man (in his early 30's) recite it with such eloquence and passion that when he finished he received a standing ovation from the auduience. The older man (in his 80's) recited the Psalm in a cracked, halting voice. When he was done there was no standing ovation just silence. Yet, when he left the stage there were few eyes that were dry. The young man came on stage and told the auduience,"I know the Psalm, that old gentleman knows the Shepherd." As the Psalmist wrote in 119:105 that God's Truth lives within him. Paul wrote,"For me to live is Christ, to die is gain." Phil.1:21.

4. A Lack Of Desire (8:44). You come from your father, the devil, and you desire to do what your father wants you to do. The devil was a murderer from the beginning. He has never been truthful. He doesn't know what the truth is. Whenever he tells a lie, he's doing what comes naturally to him. He's a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 (GW). Many set aside God rather than their self-interests

5.Lack Of Humility (8:52-53). The Jews told Jesus, “Now we know that you're possessed by a demon. Abraham died, and so did the prophets, but you say, ‘Whoever does what I say will never taste death.' 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets have also died. Who do you think you are?” John 8:52-53 (GW) Such arrogance! What make you better than me? What makes your beliefs, your faith better than mine? You are wrong, I am right! Ever heard that said? Many people, like the Pharisees, have outgrown their need for a Saviour, Christ Jesus. They worship their religion more t than the Author and Finisher of their faith, their salvation. Many worship the Book more than its Author. Years ago I had a Bible study with a woman who belonged to a certain church and spite of this had never yielded her life to Christ. As we studied she told me that even though what we were studying was true she was determined to follow her own beliefs because they were taught to her by her mother. She further said that where her mother was she was determined to go. At about the same time I studied with a family who wewre very interested in the Gospel but were not willing to give up a non-Biblical view of a certain passage and unless they were convinced they were wrong they would not yield to God's Truths. When we became Christians did we need yield unconditionally to Christ? Did we not committ ourselves to live for Christ, to serve Him daily unconditionally and with humility?