In Part 1 of this series, we found Jesus advocating for compassion, mercy, and forgiveness – especially for those who sin. He also gave us the method for bringing the sinners back into the fold. In addition, Christ talked about building His church, synergistic prayer, and began the journey with the apostles towards Jerusalem to prepare for Jesus’ ascension to heaven.
They are still at the Festival of the Tabernacles. On the last day of the celebration, a ritual is performed whereby water is ceremonially poured upon a rock in the altar of the Temple. This commemorated when God drew water out of the rock to slake the thirst of the Hebrews, during their exodus from Egypt.
Jesus calls out to the people who are attending this ritual, and provides an analogy that offers His salvation:
“He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’” Jn. 7:38 AMP
Jesus is quoting from the prophet Isaiah, when God offered the Israelites the same promise some 700 years earlier:
“Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy grain and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost [simply accept it as a gift from God].” Is. 55:1 AMP
“Incline your ear [to listen] and come to Me; hear, so that your soul may live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies [promised and] shown to David.” Is. 55:3 AMP
God’s promises are propagated in Christ.
Yet this crowd grumbles in derision. Moreover, the Pharisees called those who did believe, ‘illiterates.’
The day after the feast, Jesus returned to the Temple to teach again. As He commenced, a Pharisee brought a woman who was caught committing adultery. He snidely addressed our Lord:
Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women [to death]. So what do You say [to do with her—what is Your sentence]?” Jn. 8:5 AMP
(It’s interesting to note that her male partner was not present, as the penalty for adultery calls for the death of both partners. So, we see that the Pharisees were twisting the outcome.)
Jesus responds:
They said this to test Him, hoping that they would have grounds for accusing Him. * But Jesus stooped down and began writing on the ground with His finger. However, when they persisted in questioning Him, He straightened up and said, “He who is without [any] sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then He stooped down again and started writing on the ground. Jn. 8:6 – 8. AMP
*(The Pharisees were trying to trap Him. If He said, ‘Stone her’, Jesus would have violated Roman law that gave themselves the only authority to try crimes and execute the perpetrator. And, if He let the woman go, He would be disobeying the Mosaic Law.
Congrats to the mercy of our Savior. When He stood up, the Temple was empty except for Him and the woman. So, the Pharisees were outplayed, because to execute anyone (or be convicted of any crime), Mosaic law demanded that there had to be present two or more witnesses of the crime. Now, there were none.
Jesus said to her:
“Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” Jn. 8:10, 11. NLT
Later, Christ returned to teach in the Temple again – this time revealing His true nature once more:
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” Jn. 8:12 NLT[1]
Following Jesus is the only way to rise above the world’s darkness. But the Pharisees call Him a liar, saying that He must have one other witness to corroborate His claim to be the Messiah. Jesus counters:
“These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me.” Jn. 8:14 NLT
“You judge according to human standards [just by what you see]. I do not judge anyone. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true and My decision is right; for I am not alone [in making it], but I and the Father who sent Me [make the same judgment].” Jn. 8:15, 16. AMP
Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am the one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.” Jn.8:17, 18. CSB
(Note that Jesus produces His second witness – God Himself. He also said that He does not judge. He is not contradicting Himself. He did not judge during His earthly ministry. When He comes back, well, that’s a different story. Lastly, note how Jesus says, ‘Even in your law’. He is separating Himself from the Mosaic Law, as He is superseding it with His new covenant.)
The Pharisees get themselves all lathered up, and demand that He tell them the whereabouts of His ‘Father’. Christ tosses it back in their faces:
Then the Pharisees said to Him, “Where is this Father of Yours?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” Jn.8:19 AMP
The apostle Paul would back this up through Holy Spirit-inspiration:
(He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. Col. 1:15 AMP)
Jesus continues getting in the Pharisees faces:
Then He said again to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, and you will die [unforgiven and condemned] in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews were asking [among themselves], “Will He kill Himself? Is that why He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you will die [unforgiven and condemned] in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am the One [I claim to be], you will die in your sins.” Jn. 8:21 – 24. AMP
Christ is saying that He is a heavenly being (Messiah, Son of God, ‘I AM’). Moreover, He is telling them that those who will not believe in Him for who He is, and what He has done, will die a permanent death.
(This was also addressed by King Solomon in one of His proverbs when they treated God the same way):
“How long, O naive ones [you who are easily misled], will you love being simple-minded and undiscerning? How long will scoffers [who ridicule and deride] delight in scoffing? How long will fools [who obstinately mock truth] hate knowledge?
“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke, Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.
“Because I called and you refused [to answer], I stretched out my hand and no one has paid attention [to my offer]; and you treated all my counsel as nothing and would not accept my reprimand…” Pr. 1:22 – 25. AMP
‘When your dread and panic come like a storm, and your disaster comes like a whirlwind, when anxiety and distress come upon you [as retribution].
“Then they will call upon me (Wisdom), but I will not answer; they will seek me eagerly, but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord [that is, obeying Him with reverence and awe-filled respect]… Pr. 1:26 – 29. AMP
At this point, the crowd that gathered to watch this exchange, asks Jesus:
So they said to Him, “Who are You [anyway]?” Jesus replied, “What have I been saying to you from the beginning? I have many things to say and judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I say to the world [only] the things that I have heard from Him.” Jn. 8:25, 26. AMP
Jesus was met like a sea of deer peering into headlights. I’m sure He was frustrated, but He stays on message:
So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man [on the cross], you will know then [without any doubt] that I am He, and that I do nothing on My own authority, but I say these things just as My Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is [always] with Me; He has not left Me alone, because I always do what pleases Him.” Jn. 828, 29. AMP
Christ omnisciently perceives that He has made some converts in the crowd, and He reaches out to them:
So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. And you will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” Jn. 8:31, 32. AMP
Those who don’t believe in Him resist His words, and tell Him that they are descendants of Abraham, and have never been slaves. So, they don’t understand what they need to be ‘set free’ from. Ever merciful and patient, Jesus offers them a choice:
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, everyone who practices sin habitually is a slave of sin. Now the slave does not remain in a household forever; the son [of the master] does remain forever. So, if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.” Jn. 8:33 – 36. AMP
Jesus is saying that an unrepentant sinner has a finite earthly life; whereas those who walk with Him have eternal surety.
The crowd is just not getting it, and things are beginning to heat up! Be sure to stay tuned to the final part in this 3-part series.
Goodnight and God bless.
[1] Is. 9:2; 1 Jn. 1:7.