Mercy & Justice
For the Lord’s Day:  the 23^rd of April 2006 

John 7:53 – 8:11

Introduction:  Today, we have a difficult passage to consider.  Almost every commentator will agree, that these verses have been amended late to the Gospel of John.  Very many liberals would encourage us to dispense with this passage and relegate it to advisory notes alone.  However, most conservatives would agree that since this is how we have received the text, we are obliged to consider the teachings and admonitions contained therein seriously.

Interestingly enough, the liberality of thought, which could discourage any societal application of this text, would have a profound impact upon how church and society has dealt with the problem of adultery over the centuries in the Christian era.  Any conservatives who might argue for a proper application of every Old Covenant Law would thereby be relieved from the biblical restraint gained from reading this text.  As we ordinarily understand this text, the death penalty for the all too common crime of adultery has been set aside.  God will reserve final punishment of this sin to Himself.

Now, we are not saying that adultery should remain unpunished, even though our media, courts and social conscience would ignore the sinful aspects of breaking the marriage covenant in our day and time.  Calvin argues against “the Popish theology, that in this passage Christ has brought to us the Law of grace, by which adulterers are freed from punishment.”  All I am saying is that, the crime is understood to no longer require a sentence of death in those areas of the world where English Common Law holds sway.  I would certainly agree that the death penalty is appropriate for heinous crimes of rape, especially of children and those young enough to have their innocence destroyed.  I have counseled several women, whose whole life was affected by a gross lustful imposition upon their bodies, minds and emotions.  Part of their ongoing pain, I believe - is a general failure of society to properly punish and contain this damnable eroticism run amok in the last few decades.

Time was, in my home county – when it had been seventy-five years since a reported rape.  Since then, as everywhere – we have a growing problem of sexual offenders, who years ago would have been executed, thereby eliminating multiple offenses and restraining others who might want to escape loosing their life over any wanton desires of a moment.

Development:  So much for generalities, there are several more lessons to be drawn out of the text in front of us.  R.V.G. Tasker gives us a telling point on this passage.  And given our starting point, it would be good to counter the liberality of our understanding with the certainty that the crime was not forgiven.  The end of verse eleven reads tersely:  “Go, and from now on sin no more.”

Tasker observes that one reason the story was long in finding a settle place in the record is the “fear lest it should be misunderstood.”  Certainly Calvin spills more than a little venom against the “Papists” with “their unbridled lusts,” in his day and age.  This leads us to our second and absolutely vital point – just because the Lord God of heaven and earth has chosen to punish this crime in His own way and time, does not excuse society from considering escapades of eroticism as America’s favorite indoor sport.  Desperate Housewives and all it’s tabloid kin are an affront to any culture that expects better behavior from naturally randy humans.  One of the classic liberal objections to the waging of war in the Middle East is that the very fact of American presence multiplies mad bombers and enrages the general population.  If they were to play the blame game fairly, then they would have to consider the content of the wanton media escapades packaged as entertainment and exported around the globe as a window upon the very soul of America.

I hate to say it, but every solid conservative and responsible citizen could agree with the Muslim clerics who rail against the depredations of our own media.  All we have to realize in this regard is the high regard which absolute trash is praised and awarded in Hollywood.  So much social headway has been made to legitimize every perversion that weaker brothers and sisters even within the church have become enamored and led away from their first loves into perverse lusts and relationships.  “Go, and from now on sin no more.”  Jesus advises the woman who was caught in the act of adultery and almost stoned for the crime.

The Church must stand fast for family values to use a contemporary phrase.  In more old fashioned terms, we must remember what sin is, call it such and suspend those from communion who would wallow in the worldly excesses.

At the same time, like Jesus treated the woman of Samaria – we must remember that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is in the business of forgiveness when sinners realize their shame and turn away from the wanton lusts of the flesh.  And to that end we must always be holding up the worldly in prayer, that they may realize their sin and like the prodigal return to their father’s house.  So this is our third point for today, we are never to presume the staid and stolid holiness of the Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’ time.  Like the crowd of clerics who brought the woman to Jesus – we must always be reminded, that there but for the grace and protection of God goes every person who might make the most of any opportunity.

To work and circulate in public is to drive and walk where temptations of every kind abound.  Whether it be the crude eroticism of advertisement, the accidental perversion of the internet – or even the approaches of a growing band of worldly persons who would lead us all away if they could: these and other opportunities too numerous to mention – do indeed assault the senses which inform our minds and bodies.  “Once I was lost, now I am found,” goes the old hymn.  Thankfully, the God of grace and mercy found us and by the power of His spirit restrains our thoughts and desires.  Holding us back from being all that we might want to be – He keeps us safe from our worst selves.

Application:  With all of those essential points made, we can read the passage to realize the immediate context in the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our last point to be drawn out from this passage is simply the political intrigue involved in a sad attempt to trap the Lord of all the earth between the essential truths of heaven and the worldly laws that regulate every society.  My commentators are careful to explain that the Jewish leaders really have no care at all for the case in question.  Instead, like those who sought to impose abortion on demand, any old Jane Roe will do, and as we know better today – the facts of the original case were so badly twisted that the person behind the facts barely understood what was happening at the time. 

Tasker outlines for us the sordid details. 

1.  it is clear from the evangelist’s comments in verse six that the question they put to Jesus was prompted not by religious but by political motives.” 
2.  “They hoped, as in the case of the tribute-money, to put Jesus in a dilemma; and by making Him uphold the validity of the Jewish law about stoning to cause Him to challenge the Ropman authority which had reserved for itself the sole right to inflict a capital sentence.”
3.  “Ready at all times to class as sinners all who cannot or will not keep the law, they fail to see that their own self-righteousness is sin.”

Yes, there is more than mere politics involved here, certainly Jesus was astute enough to see through their nefarious plans.  But, He also knows the hearts of men, especially those who were crowded around him.  If the first century Jewish Church was anything like the Catholic Church of Luther’s time – there would have been a multitude of sin for self-conviction.

However, I am thinking that since they want Him to challenge the authority of Rome, He is simply returning the political favor.  If they truly desire a confrontation with the Roman authorities – let them be the first to break the Roman law.  And if their political intrigue is just, then let them risk death and destruction for their faith and country?

It was all very simple after all, if their case was solid, and it certainly appears to be so, then let them follow the letter of the law and take their chances with the Legionnaires of Rome on the field of battle.  Realities make cowards of us all, Shakespeare hints in Hamlet’s argument for revolution against a thousand wrongs.  And so, they choose not to execute the poor sinful woman who came under their limited jurisdiction and power!  They all walk away and the woman is free to go her way.

Finally, let me carefully note, that every criminal case is more complex than first knowledge may indicate, and much time and treasure must be expended to get at the truth before applying any just and fair punishment.  Given the human propensity to sin, Jesus is simply telling us that there are some issues of justice that must be left in the hands of the Almighty Father in heaven.  While Capital punishment is fair and just even in our day, any executions must be made upon at least the testimony of two witnesses in any court.  And given the emotional weight and baggage when it comes to adultery – we understand that this is not to any longer be a capital case when other less permanent corrections can be made and enforced.

May the Lord give us, our legislators and judges sufficient wisdom in every regard when it comes to crime and punishment in our day and time.  Amen.

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PREACHING RESOURCES

 Barrett, C.K.  The Gospel According to St John.
Brown, Raymond E.  The Anchor Bible: The Gospel According to John.
Calvin, John:  Commentary on the Gospel of John.
Tasker, R.V.G.  Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: The Gospel According to St John.
The Holy Bible:  English Standard Version.

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