The power of forgiveness | John 8:1-11

Introduction

Good evening, It's such a blessing to gather together on this Wednesday night to delve into the Word of God and to seek His wisdom and guidance in our lives. Tonight, we're going to focus on a passage that speaks volumes about forgiveness, redemption, and the boundless love of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

I recently heard a story about a baseball coach who was livid with a player because he thought he was getting the wrong sign, but in reality he forgot his own signs and was signaling the wrong thing.

What is Hypocrisy?

Hypocrisy - The characteristic of acting in way that is inconsistent with one’s character, belief system, or speech.

Hypocrisy is Hideous. What cancer is to the body, hypocrisy is to the church. It is a killing agent. Unfortunately, hypocrisy is also addictive. And even though Jesus reserved His most severe words of condemnation for the hypocrite, we still seem to prefer that lifestyle to truth and authenticity.

—John R. W. Stott, Sermon on the Mount

John Stott

Guys I want to be incredibly real with each of you tonight. In our world today, some people love to point fingers at others. Even people within the local church do this.

Where is your heart tonight?

Turn with me in your Bibles to the Gospel of John, chapter 8, verses 1-11. This passage tells the story of a woman caught in adultery, brought before Jesus by the religious leaders, intending to trap Him. These men had a heart problem that needed to be addressed. Let's read it together:

John 8:1–11 CSB

1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he went to the temple again, and all the people were coming to him. He sat down and began to teach them. 3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, making her stand in the center. 4 “Teacher,” they said to him, “this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. 5 In the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 They asked this to trap him, in order that they might have evidence to accuse him. Jesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger. 7 When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. 9 When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center. 10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus. “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”]

Isn't it amazing how Jesus responds to this situation? The religious leaders were trying to test Him, to catch Him in a dilemma. They wanted to see if He would agree with the stoning of the woman, as was prescribed by the law of Moses, or if He would go against it and undermine His own teachings.

But instead of getting caught in their trap, Jesus does something profound.

Did anyone catch what Jesus did?

He bends down and starts writing on the ground with His finger. Now, we're not told exactly what He wrote, but whatever it was, it caused those accusers to leave, one by one, starting with the older ones. Perhaps it was a reminder of their own sins, their own imperfections, prompting them to drop their stones and walk away.

Then Jesus, in His infinite wisdom and compassion, turns to the woman and asks her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She responds, "No one, Lord." And Jesus says to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."

What a powerful moment of grace and mercy! In a culture where this woman could have been condemned to death by stoning, Jesus offers her forgiveness and a fresh start. He doesn't excuse her sin, but He extends His love and gives her the opportunity to turn away from her past and live a new life.

There are several lessons we can learn from this passage:

Firstly, we see the importance of not judging others.

Why do you think the religious leaders were so quick to judge her?

The religious leaders were quick to condemn the woman, but Jesus reminds us that none of us are without sin. Before we point fingers at others, we must examine our own hearts and acknowledge our own need for grace.

Secondly, we see the power of forgiveness.

Why do you think Jesus was so determined to save her?

Jesus didn't just forgive the woman; He also empowered her to change her ways. He didn't say, "It's okay, keep doing what you're doing." No, He told her to go and sin no more. True forgiveness leads to transformation.

And finally, we see the unconditional love of our Savior.

Jesus didn't wait for the woman to clean up her act before He offered her forgiveness. He met her right where she was, in the midst of her sin and shame, and offered her grace.

So, let us take this lesson to heart. Let us be quick to show love and compassion to those around us, knowing that we ourselves have been forgiven much. And let us strive to live lives that honor God, turning away from sin and walking in the light of His truth.

Thank you, youth, for joining me tonight. May God bless you and keep you until we meet again. Amen.