WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.040 If you have an ESV version of the Bible, you may have noticed an unusual notation just before the beginning of this passage. 00:00:14.040 --> 00:00:16.320 If you have other Bibles, you may also have it also. 00:00:16.620 --> 00:00:17.820 So on the ESV, it says, 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:23.080 The earliest manuscripts do not include 753 to 811. 00:00:24.940 --> 00:00:26.480 You guys seeing that? 00:00:26.600 --> 00:00:26.699 Yeah. 00:00:26.699 --> 00:00:32.379 So for that statement, that could raise some questions for us. 00:00:32.420 --> 00:00:35.179 So I'm going to do something slightly unusual today. 00:00:35.679 --> 00:00:39.460 And instead of preaching one sermon like I usually do, I'm going to preach two sermons. 00:00:40.200 --> 00:00:43.060 So you guys will be leaving here at about 2 p.m. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:45.600 No, it will be two short messages. 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:49.579 The first message is going to be about the trustworthiness of God's Word. 00:00:49.759 --> 00:00:54.060 It's going to be a topical message dealing with this issue, explaining what's going on in this passage. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:57.060 And the second message is going to be from this text. 00:00:57.780 --> 00:01:08.040 But because I'm convinced that this text is not actually part of Scripture, I'm going to ground it in other parts of Scripture that actually teach what this passage is trying to teach. 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:18.800 So first, what does it mean when it says that the earliest manuscripts do not include chapter 753 to chapter 8, verse 11? 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:26.200 So it's referring to the fact that there are many different manuscripts upon which our English translation of the Bible is based. 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:31.560 Because the Bible, the New Testament was written in Greek, Old Testament was written in Hebrew and Aramaic. 00:01:32.039 --> 00:01:39.340 And we do not have the originals, the original manuscripts of the Bible. 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:44.439 And to be honest with you, that's probably a good thing for our sake. 00:01:44.560 --> 00:01:50.460 You remember, for example, Moses used that bronze serpent to heal people who were illnesses. 00:01:50.659 --> 00:01:55.820 And then the Israelites prostituted themselves to that bronze serpent and used it as an idol. 00:01:56.219 --> 00:02:00.140 I mean, can you imagine if we had actual original manuscripts of the Bible? 00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:04.480 I could imagine that being a source of idolatry very quickly for people. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:07.939 And so it might just be better that we don't have it. 00:02:08.159 --> 00:02:18.939 But if we don't have the original manuscripts, for that reason, people have to combine and really look at all the different manuscripts that are available to us 00:02:18.939 --> 00:02:25.159 in order to ascertain what exactly was originally written, what the original text was. 00:02:25.240 --> 00:02:27.400 And that's what we call textual criticism. 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:35.379 And textual criticism is the science of studying and comparing all extant copies of ancient documents to recover the original text. 00:02:35.560 --> 00:02:36.719 Because they were handwritten. 00:02:37.340 --> 00:02:39.980 There's some variations between them. 00:02:40.420 --> 00:02:47.400 And there's a good reason to suspect that this passage was not actually part of the Gospel of John originally. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:50.080 And there are two main categories of reasons for that. 00:02:50.140 --> 00:02:51.480 The first category is external. 00:02:51.479 --> 00:03:00.219 The external reasons for thinking that is you compare it to the other manuscripts and then realize that a lot of the earliest manuscripts, the best manuscripts, don't have this passage. 00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:11.159 And the internal reason for this is that if you look at the Gospel of John itself, it seems to be more consistent if you take this passage out rather than leave it in. 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:13.679 So I'm going to explain that in a second. 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:14.859 So the external reasons. 00:03:14.860 --> 00:03:22.620 So first, so this story that we just read is missing from all of the Greek manuscripts of John before the 5th century. 00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:24.480 And this was written in the 1st century. 00:03:24.640 --> 00:03:26.300 So that's pretty alarming, right? 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:27.540 So it's not in any of them. 00:03:28.020 --> 00:03:33.920 In all the writings of the church fathers commenting on the Bible and on this book in particular, 00:03:34.540 --> 00:03:37.980 they don't seem to know about this passage at all. 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:43.859 So a lot of church fathers wrote commentaries on the Bible and on the Gospel of John, and they write about all the other passages. 00:03:44.079 --> 00:03:49.039 But when they get here to 742, they skip right to 812 as if they didn't even know it existed. 00:03:50.239 --> 00:03:57.479 And then thirdly, none of the church fathers in the East, the Eastern Church, cite this passage at all until the 10th century. 00:03:57.479 --> 00:04:08.399 And finally, when this story finally begins to appear in the Gospel of John, instead of appearing consistently in one place, it appears in three different places. 00:04:08.939 --> 00:04:12.859 So it appears in two other parts, three other places in John. 00:04:13.239 --> 00:04:20.800 And in one instance, it shows up after Luke 21, 38, which shows us that maybe this story was circulating on its own, 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:25.259 and the scribes decided to find a place for it somewhere where they thought it might fit. 00:04:25.259 --> 00:04:30.079 And there's also good internal reasons to doubt that this was part of the passage. 00:04:30.659 --> 00:04:35.620 And the very simple one is, it's very abrupt, the way it begins. 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:41.680 And if you take out 753 to 811, it flows very seamlessly from the previous verse to the next. 00:04:42.599 --> 00:04:45.079 And then secondly, this is more subjective. 00:04:46.259 --> 00:04:52.219 Mark and Matthew and Luke refer consistently to the scribes and the Pharisees. 00:04:52.219 --> 00:04:54.339 That's kind of like a stock phrase that they use a lot. 00:04:54.339 --> 00:04:57.619 But John never uses that phrase. 00:04:57.739 --> 00:05:03.060 He prefers to refer to them, the Jewish opposition to Jesus, as simply the Jews. 00:05:03.659 --> 00:05:09.719 And the word scribes is never mentioned, but in this passage, where he says the scribes and the Pharisees. 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:11.779 So it's not part of his normal vocabulary. 00:05:12.259 --> 00:05:17.339 So considering all of these things, the best scholars, the biblical scholars in the world, 00:05:17.339 --> 00:05:22.099 for example, Don Carson, who teaches New Testament at Evangelical Divinity School, 00:05:22.159 --> 00:05:24.339 Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, he writes, 00:05:24.739 --> 00:05:29.719 the evidence is against the efforts to prove that this narrative was originally part of John's gospel. 00:05:30.339 --> 00:05:33.939 And modern English versions are right to rule it off from the rest of the text, 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:35.599 or to relegate it to a footnote. 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:42.760 And then similarly, Brutz Metzger was probably one of the most influential New Testament scholars 00:05:42.760 --> 00:05:44.840 and textual critics of the 20th century. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:46.960 He taught at Princeton Theological Seminary. 00:05:47.060 --> 00:05:53.920 He writes, the evidence for the non-Johannine origin of the pericope of the adulteress is overwhelming. 00:05:54.340 --> 00:05:59.820 It's just a fancy of saying, wait, I'm saying this paragraph was probably not written by John originally. 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:06.019 So for some of us, if you think about this, and then we think about the fact that there's discrepancies 00:06:06.019 --> 00:06:10.339 among various biblical manuscripts, it raises an alarm for some of us. 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:13.699 Does that mean that the Bible is unreliable? 00:06:13.939 --> 00:06:18.719 Does that mean that the original manuscripts of the Bible were not passed on faithfully to our generation? 00:06:19.459 --> 00:06:24.100 What if there's all these variations, then how are we supposed to know which one is the correct one? 00:06:24.100 --> 00:06:31.100 And if a part of it is not true, not to be trusted, then how can we know we can trust any of the other parts? 00:06:31.400 --> 00:06:35.920 So these are the questions that I'm hoping to answer for you because I think it's of pastoral importance. 00:06:36.740 --> 00:06:44.300 But I want to assure you that there's no need to panic because the truth is that until the invention 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:52.320 of the printing press in the 15th century, no one expected different copies of books to be identical 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:55.860 because they never were because they're always hand copied by fallible people. 00:06:56.319 --> 00:06:59.980 And there's mistakes in sight, hearing, judgment, knowledge. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:09.800 And most of the variations that we find are in insignificant areas such as just minor grammar or spelling. 00:07:10.659 --> 00:07:15.759 And many of them actually came about because the scribes were trying to recover the original. 00:07:16.360 --> 00:07:18.920 They're saying, well, I don't think this is supposed to be there. 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:20.819 I don't think this grammatical error is supposed to be there. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:25.040 I don't think this was, so they tried to fix it to what they thought was the original. 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:28.459 And that's the result in a lot of the variations. 00:07:29.459 --> 00:07:38.439 And this passage and the end of Mark in 16, 9 to 20 are the only two passages in the entire Bible 00:07:38.439 --> 00:07:41.959 where such a significant chunk of it has been added to the text. 00:07:42.199 --> 00:07:46.839 So really there's nothing like this in the rest of scripture. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:53.179 And so just to tell you, so people, Christians have existed for the last 2,000 years. 00:07:53.179 --> 00:07:58.000 And before the 15th century, all these things that we might now be alarmed by, 00:07:58.339 --> 00:08:02.579 they never caused a crisis of faith for any of those believers as they were reading those Bibles. 00:08:03.099 --> 00:08:07.739 And let me provide some context and to inspire some confidence in the scripture that we have, 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:10.620 that that's what God intended for us to have. 00:08:10.620 --> 00:08:14.319 And so, because we're not the only ones that study ancient literature, right? 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:16.000 So a lot of people study ancient literature. 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:18.439 The Bible's not the only ancient literature. 00:08:18.899 --> 00:08:20.759 And I'm a classicist by training. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:25.879 So in college, I studied the classics, meaning literature from the classical period 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:31.699 for maybe like 8th century BC to 5th century AD, Greco-Roman world literature. 00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:35.000 And one of the books I read was Homer's Iliad, right? 00:08:35.439 --> 00:08:36.460 You guys know about it. 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:39.139 And it was written in the 8th century BC. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:41.980 And it was one of the most popular works of ancient literature. 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:46.799 So it's actually one of the best preserved than compared to the other ancient literature. 00:08:47.319 --> 00:08:51.700 And there's 647 ancient manuscripts of Homer's Iliad 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:54.919 before the advent of the printing press. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:59.659 And the earliest of those manuscripts is from the 10th century AD. 00:08:59.659 --> 00:09:05.659 So it's 1,700 years removed from when the original thing was written. 00:09:06.339 --> 00:09:09.579 And yet, when I read that in class, in college, 00:09:09.659 --> 00:09:12.620 when we're taught that they say with 100% confidence, 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:15.939 that's what Homer wrote, and you're reading what Homer wrote, right? 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:20.759 And in the same way, I also read Euripides' tragedy called Medea. 00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:24.579 And there's only 12 surviving manuscripts. 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:29.500 And the earliest manuscript they have is 900 years removed. 00:09:29.659 --> 00:09:31.360 From when it was written, right? 00:09:31.919 --> 00:09:35.699 So that's, again, yet people teach that, saying this is what Euripides sold. 00:09:35.740 --> 00:09:37.579 And you can be confident that as you read that. 00:09:38.039 --> 00:09:40.299 And just mention a couple more briefly. 00:09:40.439 --> 00:09:43.879 Caesar's Gallic Wars, 10 copies only, surviving. 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:45.779 1,000 years removed from the original. 00:09:46.439 --> 00:09:48.860 Aristotle's Poetics, five copies remaining. 00:09:49.219 --> 00:09:51.559 1,400 years removed from the original. 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:53.819 And then compare that to Scripture. 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:56.140 The New Testament here, let's see. 00:09:56.520 --> 00:10:00.500 There's a total of 5,801 Greek manuscripts. 00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:05.260 And there's even more if you count the ancient handwritten manuscript translations. 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:10.280 10,000 Latin manuscripts, 9,300 manuscripts in other languages, 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:11.820 like Syriac and Coptic. 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:17.820 That adds up to a whopping total of 25,000 manuscripts of Bible, 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:20.780 of the New Testament by itself. 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:26.120 And the earliest Greek manuscript that has been found is actually of the Gospel of John, 00:10:26.199 --> 00:10:26.740 which we're in. 00:10:27.279 --> 00:10:30.779 And it's dated around 125 A.D., 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:38.699 which is less than 100 years and possibly even less than 50 years removed from the original. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:41.740 Not 1,400 years removed like Homer's, 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:45.199 not 900 years removed like Euripides Medea. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:50.860 No ancient literature is nearly as well attested as Scripture. 00:10:52.280 --> 00:10:53.879 And the more data you have, 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:56.940 the more opportunity you have to correct the error. 00:10:57.060 --> 00:10:57.900 So think about it this way. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:00.860 If you imagine there's only two copies of the Gospel of John, 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:03.820 and one of them has this story of the adulteress, 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:04.580 and one of them doesn't. 00:11:05.160 --> 00:11:07.040 Then, I mean, you really can't tell them 00:11:07.040 --> 00:11:08.780 whether it was supposed to be in there or not, right? 00:11:08.780 --> 00:11:09.720 You kind of have to flip a coin. 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:11.600 But the more you have, 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:13.000 let's say you have thousands of them, 00:11:13.300 --> 00:11:15.980 then you can consider the age of the documents, 00:11:16.139 --> 00:11:18.060 how accurately preserved they were, 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:20.080 and also where they came from, 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:21.940 the geographic diversity of the documents, 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:24.360 to determine whether or not, 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:25.820 what text was original. 00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.840 And that effort, 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:29.379 textual criticism of the Bible, 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:30.720 has been so successful 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:34.279 that the most renowned biblical scholars conclude this. 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.960 So F.J. A. Hoare, for example, says, 00:11:36.660 --> 00:11:38.320 after a lifetime research and study, 00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:40.940 he says, not more than 1,000th part 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:42.080 of the whole New Testament 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:44.560 is affected by differences of reading. 00:11:45.320 --> 00:11:48.640 That's 0.1% of the New Testament. 00:11:49.379 --> 00:11:50.840 And then F.F. Bruce writes, 00:11:51.440 --> 00:11:53.720 the variant readings about which any doubt remains 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:55.520 among textual critics of the New Testament 00:11:55.520 --> 00:11:58.760 affects no material question of historic fact 00:11:58.760 --> 00:12:01.040 or of Christian faith and practice. 00:12:01.620 --> 00:12:03.600 Meaning the different readings that are there, 00:12:03.700 --> 00:12:05.000 it's inconsequential things. 00:12:05.000 --> 00:12:08.320 Now, what about the Old Testament? 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:10.340 Let me just mention that briefly. 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:12.659 So it's not as well attested as the New Testament, 00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:15.320 but it is still far better attested 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:18.740 than any of its ancient contemporaries. 00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:22.360 So there's about 11,000 Old Testament manuscripts 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:23.139 in existence. 00:12:23.740 --> 00:12:25.179 And the Bibles that we have 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:26.980 is based on the Mesoretic text, 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:28.580 which is a text of the Old Testament, 00:12:28.679 --> 00:12:31.240 a complete text from the 9th century A.D. 00:12:31.240 --> 00:12:35.740 And until recently, that was the oldest one we had. 00:12:35.899 --> 00:12:37.419 That was the most reliable one we had. 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:40.580 Until in the 1950s, just five decades ago, 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:42.019 six decades ago, 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:44.240 there was a discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:46.220 which actually was exhibited 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:48.000 at the Museum of Science a few years ago. 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:51.480 And they found well over, 00:12:51.700 --> 00:12:55.060 you know, I mean, well over hundreds of documents. 00:12:55.440 --> 00:12:57.700 And they had every book represented 00:12:57.700 --> 00:12:59.419 in the Old Testament except for the Book of Esther. 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:03.659 And they were dated as far back as 200 B.C. 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:06.620 So it pushed back the oldest manuscript date 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:08.259 for the Old Testament by 1,000 years, 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:09.259 over 1,000 years. 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.279 And this is really cool. 00:13:11.379 --> 00:13:15.059 And I just saw this in September 2016, 00:13:15.319 --> 00:13:15.879 so last year. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:17.939 And the New York Times published an article 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:19.979 about the computer scientists 00:13:19.979 --> 00:13:21.139 at University of Kentucky. 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:24.199 They just perfected a new technology 00:13:24.199 --> 00:13:26.779 which allows them to unfurl, 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:29.259 digitally unfurl damaged text 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:31.840 that previously no one was able to unfurl before. 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:34.120 And one of those texts 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:36.799 was a 2,000-year-old En Gedi scroll, 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:38.139 which had a text, 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:39.819 two chapters out of the Book of Leviticus. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.439 And when they compared that 00:13:41.439 --> 00:13:42.360 to the Masoretic text, 00:13:42.539 --> 00:13:44.580 it was exactly identical, 00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:47.360 100% identical to what we had. 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:48.480 I mean, that's unbelievable. 00:13:48.480 --> 00:13:51.720 So we can be confident that what we have 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:52.899 in the Old Testament and New Testament 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:55.460 is what God intended for us to have. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:57.759 And that, I want to tell you, 00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:59.779 is a historical miracle. 00:14:00.420 --> 00:14:01.399 I mean, if you think about it, 00:14:01.399 --> 00:14:03.180 because the Bible is not a short book, 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.019 as you all know. 00:14:04.360 --> 00:14:06.680 It's 40% longer than War and Peace, right? 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:08.420 And some of you, I mean, 00:14:08.440 --> 00:14:09.920 some of us may not even have read it 00:14:09.920 --> 00:14:10.740 cover to cover yet, 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:14.440 yet this book has been hand-copied, 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:16.220 written by hand, 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:19.519 thousands and thousands and thousands of times 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:22.279 by people like us 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:24.399 over thousands of years. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.899 And not a few people 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:28.440 have tried to destroy the Bible, right? 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:30.480 Emperor Diocletian, the Roman emperor, 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:32.919 tried to wipe the face of the earth 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.799 with all the Bible. 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:35.200 He wanted to destroy all the Bibles, 00:14:35.560 --> 00:14:37.340 and he issued an edict of such 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.659 in 303 AD 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:40.560 and declared two years later 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.279 that he succeeded, 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:43.559 but he didn't, right? 00:14:44.119 --> 00:14:45.359 And still today, 00:14:45.459 --> 00:14:47.319 the Bible is the most widely read 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:49.079 and sold book in the world. 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:51.519 3.9 billion copies sold worldwide 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.979 over the last 50 years. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:55.059 I think Harry Potter's third 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:55.859 or something like that, 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:56.359 so it's like, 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.399 doesn't even come close 00:14:57.399 --> 00:14:58.699 to the copies sold. 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:00.839 And this is, 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.639 and if you subject 00:15:02.639 --> 00:15:04.000 other ancient literature, 00:15:04.359 --> 00:15:06.019 religious texts of other faiths 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.699 to the same sustained, 00:15:07.939 --> 00:15:08.719 rigorous criticism 00:15:08.719 --> 00:15:09.979 that the Bible has endured, 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:11.800 none of them will be remaining. 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:13.440 They will be roundly discredited. 00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.519 And we have, 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:17.300 this is not a historical accident. 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:20.180 It's God's providential care for us 00:15:20.180 --> 00:15:21.940 and preserving his word for us. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:24.320 Because he says in 2 Timothy 3.15, 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:27.520 scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation 00:15:27.520 --> 00:15:29.020 through faith in Christ Jesus. 00:15:29.020 --> 00:15:31.860 And all scriptures breathe out by God 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:33.120 and profitable for teaching, 00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.060 for reproof, 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:34.760 for correction, 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:36.440 and for training in righteousness 00:15:36.440 --> 00:15:38.620 that the man of God may be complete, 00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:41.020 equipped for every good work. 00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:43.840 Because God gave us scripture 00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:45.720 to make us wise unto salvation, 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.759 because God gave us scripture 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:50.120 to equip us for every good work, 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.720 he also ensured 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:53.980 that it would be passed on faithfully 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.279 to future generations. 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:59.079 I hope that stirs, 00:15:59.139 --> 00:15:59.360 you know, 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:00.460 your love for God 00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.539 and for his word, 00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:02.059 that he, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:04.319 this is a precious book that we have. 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.960 God preserved it. 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:08.120 And it's such an incredible first 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.580 for us to live in this generation 00:16:09.580 --> 00:16:11.280 with more access to the Bible 00:16:11.280 --> 00:16:12.080 than ever before. 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:13.360 And that we speak English. 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:14.080 I mean, 00:16:14.100 --> 00:16:15.620 we have a number of translations 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.580 from the original Bible 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.560 when so many cultures, 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:18.920 so many languages don't have any. 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:22.900 And as I was preparing this, 00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:25.940 I was reminded of a YouTube video I saw 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:29.080 of missionary footage in China 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:32.860 when they brought a suitcase full of Bibles 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.220 to Chinese believers 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:36.120 who had never had their own Bibles before. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.960 If you guys haven't seen it, 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.980 I'd encourage you to look it up. 00:16:39.060 --> 00:16:41.200 Chinese Christians get their first Bibles. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:42.840 And as you look at that, 00:16:43.040 --> 00:16:43.620 there's like a, 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:44.060 I mean, 00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:46.600 it's like a football game here 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:47.160 or something like that. 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.860 They're cheering. 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:51.220 And as they open the suitcase, 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:53.100 there's a joyous stampede 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.040 to the suitcase. 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.700 Everybody grabs one 00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:57.180 and they're holding it like this. 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:59.460 Many of them in tears of gratitude, 00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:02.720 crying that this is what they were waiting for. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.860 This is what they were looking for. 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.940 And one woman in particular stands up 00:17:05.940 --> 00:17:06.620 and crying, 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.460 holds the Bible to her chest like this 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:08.740 and says, 00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.599 this is what we needed the most. 00:17:11.660 --> 00:17:12.980 It's a precious book 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:14.259 that God preserved for us 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.860 so we can encounter God, 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.360 so we can get to know Jesus 00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:18.420 and know salvation. 00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:21.680 Let's treasure it and cherish it 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.900 and trust, 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.319 trust it and read it. 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:30.759 New Year's a good way to start that. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:36.400 So that's the first sermon. 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.180 Now let's turn to the text. 00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.640 Since it's been a little, 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.460 there's been some times past, 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.759 so I'm gonna read it again. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:46.440 Chapter 753 to 811. 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:55.279 They went each to his own house, 00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:57.740 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.500 Early in the morning, 00:17:59.580 --> 00:18:01.180 he came again to the temple. 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.980 All the people came to him 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:04.580 and he sat down and taught them. 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:08.680 The scribes and the Pharisees 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.680 brought a woman 00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:12.519 who had been caught in adultery. 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:14.539 And placing her in the midst, 00:18:14.619 --> 00:18:15.240 they said to him, 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.079 Teacher, 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.740 this woman has been caught 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:20.579 in the act of adultery. 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:21.559 Now, 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.700 in the law, 00:18:23.160 --> 00:18:24.339 Moses commanded us 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.420 to stone such woman. 00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:27.400 So what do you say? 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.500 This, 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.599 they said to test him, 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:32.220 that they might have some charge 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.299 to bring against him. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:35.119 Jesus bent down 00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:37.160 and wrote with his finger 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.440 on the ground. 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:41.600 And as they continued to ask him, 00:18:41.640 --> 00:18:43.019 he stood up and said to them, 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:45.759 Let him who is without sin among you 00:18:45.759 --> 00:18:48.559 be the first to throw a stone at her. 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.580 And once more, 00:18:50.660 --> 00:18:52.100 he bent down and wrote 00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:53.340 on the ground. 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.320 But when they heard it, 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:57.940 they went away one by one, 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:59.740 beginning with the older ones. 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:02.200 And Jesus was left alone 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:04.140 with the woman standing before him. 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:07.000 Jesus stood up and said to her, 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:07.920 Woman, 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.480 Where are they? 00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:11.840 Has no one condemned you? 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.460 She said, 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.180 No one, Lord. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.600 And Jesus said, 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:17.680 Neither do I condemn you. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:18.840 Go, 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.460 and from now on, 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.360 sin no more. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.559 Now, 00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:26.000 even though this is probably 00:19:26.000 --> 00:19:26.799 not part of scripture, 00:19:27.140 --> 00:19:28.860 it's very likely that the story 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:30.039 actually happened 00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:31.519 because a similar story 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:33.140 is preserved by a church historian 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.940 named Eusebius. 00:19:34.580 --> 00:19:36.740 And so it's probably happened. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:40.859 And it's consistent with the Jesus we see 00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:42.259 in scripture. 00:19:43.620 --> 00:19:45.120 And after all, 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:47.279 John does concede in chapter 20, 00:19:47.380 --> 00:19:47.680 30, 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:49.559 that Jesus did many other signs 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.660 in the presence of the disciples 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:52.519 which are not written in this book. 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:54.119 So it's plausible 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:56.400 that John perhaps told someone, 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.160 one of his disciples, 00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.759 this story. 00:19:58.039 --> 00:19:58.819 It got written down 00:19:58.819 --> 00:20:00.240 and it was circulating by itself. 00:20:00.519 --> 00:20:01.019 And then later, 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.019 several centuries later, 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.119 it got included in the text. 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.960 So it's plausible. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.579 It's an event that probably happened. 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.859 And this passage teaches 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:09.960 that Christ fulfills the law 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.859 given through Moses 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:12.740 with his grace and truth. 00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:13.859 And so first, 00:20:13.920 --> 00:20:14.539 I'm going to talk about 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.619 the law given through Moses. 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:16.660 And then secondly, 00:20:16.759 --> 00:20:17.759 about the grace and truth 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:19.160 that came through Jesus Christ. 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:21.940 And so the rising action 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:23.380 of this dramatic story 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:25.019 is in verses 3 and 4 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:26.540 where scribes and the Pharisees 00:20:26.540 --> 00:20:27.080 bring a woman 00:20:27.080 --> 00:20:28.580 who had been caught in adultery. 00:20:29.120 --> 00:20:30.400 And then they ask Jesus, 00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:31.820 placing her in front of him, 00:20:31.900 --> 00:20:32.120 Teacher, 00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:33.120 this woman has been caught 00:20:33.120 --> 00:20:34.240 in the act of adultery. 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:36.880 Now, 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:38.740 there's something quite suspicious 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.540 about this 00:20:39.540 --> 00:20:40.980 because first, 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:42.160 you wonder how 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:43.580 the scribes and Pharisees 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:44.620 caught this woman. 00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:45.279 Right? 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:47.759 Because the Jewish law 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.539 required that 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.940 in order for a serious punishment 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:51.480 to apply to someone, 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.879 they have to be caught 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:54.099 in the very act 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:54.980 of that sin. 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:56.500 So they had to have 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.240 walked in 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.960 on her committing adultery. 00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.139 And adultery 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.940 is not something 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:02.240 that just kind of happens 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:03.079 out in the open, right? 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:04.099 It usually happens 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.940 in closed doors, 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.839 behind closed doors 00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.460 in secret. 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:08.039 So then how did 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.960 these scribes and Pharisees 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:11.000 catch this woman 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:12.240 in the act of adultery? 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:13.720 And then we begin to wonder, 00:21:13.859 --> 00:21:15.200 maybe this was perhaps 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.019 staged. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.460 And perhaps the man 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.460 involved in the adulterous 00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:20.140 relationship was in on this 00:21:20.140 --> 00:21:21.299 and informed the scribes 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.920 and Pharisees 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:23.220 of the upcoming rendezvous. 00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.400 And second, 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:26.220 you also wonder 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.519 what happened to the man 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.460 involved in adultery. 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:30.080 Because you can't commit 00:21:30.080 --> 00:21:31.220 adultery by yourself. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:31.920 Right? 00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:32.799 You need two people 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.660 to commit adultery. 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.160 Where is the man? 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:37.120 Leviticus 20.10 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:38.480 specifically commands, 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:40.400 if a man commits adultery 00:21:40.400 --> 00:21:41.799 with the wife of his neighbor, 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:43.740 both the adulterer 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.620 and the adulterer 00:21:44.619 --> 00:21:46.500 shall surely be put to death. 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:48.000 So where is the man? 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:50.399 So the fact that the scribes 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:50.879 and the Pharisees 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.079 only dragged the woman 00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:53.679 to this impromptu court 00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:54.979 reveals kind of 00:21:54.979 --> 00:21:56.019 their chauvinism 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.979 and possibly confirms 00:21:57.979 --> 00:21:59.039 our first suspicion 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:00.199 that this adulteress 00:22:00.199 --> 00:22:00.939 was framed. 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.919 She probably did 00:22:02.919 --> 00:22:03.539 commit adultery. 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.659 She was caught in the act, 00:22:04.879 --> 00:22:05.619 but she was nevertheless 00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:06.719 framed. 00:22:07.439 --> 00:22:08.159 And it seems, 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:08.959 as is unfortunately 00:22:08.959 --> 00:22:09.899 the case in many 00:22:09.899 --> 00:22:11.219 cultures and societies 00:22:11.219 --> 00:22:12.059 around the world, 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:13.440 people frequently 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:15.440 will just wink at 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.839 men who have 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.940 extramarital relationships 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.319 and let them continue 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:19.899 to carry on 00:22:19.899 --> 00:22:22.659 their respectable lives. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.259 But they had 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.139 much harsher, 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.179 severer punishment 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:26.779 for women 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:27.599 who have 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.819 extramarital relationships. 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:31.339 And so, 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.460 when they ask 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.940 their next question, 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.480 they reveal 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.299 their true motive 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.119 in verse 5. 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:37.279 Now, 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.099 in the law, 00:22:38.239 --> 00:22:39.359 Moses commanded us 00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.459 to stone such women. 00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:41.759 So, 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.679 what do you say? 00:22:43.219 --> 00:22:43.819 And this, 00:22:43.919 --> 00:22:45.319 they said to test him 00:22:45.319 --> 00:22:46.199 that they might have 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:47.439 some charge to bring 00:22:47.439 --> 00:22:48.119 against him. 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.259 So, 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:49.439 they're not asking 00:22:49.439 --> 00:22:50.500 this question sincerely, 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.519 but they want to lay 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.899 a trap for Jesus. 00:22:53.159 --> 00:22:53.959 Because even though 00:22:53.959 --> 00:22:54.519 the Old Testament 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.319 did prescribe 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.259 the death penalty 00:22:56.259 --> 00:22:57.339 for adultery, 00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:59.979 in order to communicate 00:22:59.979 --> 00:23:01.259 the sanctity of marriage 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:01.919 and to communicate 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:03.479 the utmost importance 00:23:03.479 --> 00:23:04.479 of sexual purity, 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:06.440 the penalty wasn't, 00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:08.019 historical evidence suggests, 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:10.099 historically enforced. 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.140 The punishment 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:11.860 was not enforced 00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:12.519 by the Jews. 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.200 And one of the main 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.759 reasons for that 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.420 is because it was 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.460 difficult to catch 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.299 people in adultery. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.120 It was more common 00:23:18.120 --> 00:23:19.579 to suspect one's spouse 00:23:19.579 --> 00:23:20.180 of adultery. 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.160 And the Bible 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.279 prescribed different 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.599 processes when you 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.019 had suspicions of adultery 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.920 for adjudicating 00:23:25.920 --> 00:23:26.579 such matters. 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.720 And this is not 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.279 unlike, 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.259 you know, 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.440 this is similar 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.940 to a modern example 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.700 in Colorado, 00:23:34.840 --> 00:23:35.200 for example, 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.900 they have 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:38.320 law against adultery. 00:23:38.820 --> 00:23:39.620 Adultery is prohibited 00:23:39.620 --> 00:23:40.580 by law in Colorado. 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:42.720 But it's not punishable 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.740 by law in Colorado. 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:44.720 So it's kind of 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.220 similar to that. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.340 So there is a punishment 00:23:46.340 --> 00:23:47.059 prescribed here, 00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:48.340 but it wasn't enforced 00:23:48.340 --> 00:23:50.620 historically speaking. 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.320 And so the Pharisees, 00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:52.900 the fact that 00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.840 the scribes and the Pharisees 00:23:53.840 --> 00:23:54.440 bring this, 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.039 even though they 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:56.019 hadn't previously 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:57.240 enforced this at all, 00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.500 they bring this to Jesus 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.259 because they're not 00:23:59.259 --> 00:24:00.220 concerned with justice 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:00.880 or holiness, 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:01.720 but because they just 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:02.700 want to test Jesus 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:03.960 and put him 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:05.180 between a hard 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:06.279 and a rock 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.420 and a hard place. 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.980 And how are they 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.299 doing that? 00:24:09.340 --> 00:24:09.740 How are they putting 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.580 Jesus between a rock 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.200 and a hard place? 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.880 Because if Jesus 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:14.819 denied the Mosaic law 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.360 and said, 00:24:15.460 --> 00:24:16.120 no, we are not 00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:16.980 stoning this woman, 00:24:17.340 --> 00:24:17.900 then this would 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.759 cause outrage 00:24:18.759 --> 00:24:20.200 among the observant Jews 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:21.080 who believed 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:22.480 in the law of Moses. 00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.319 And this would 00:24:23.319 --> 00:24:24.299 immediately discredit 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.319 Jesus as a teacher 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:25.840 of the law. 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.860 But if he enforced it, 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:29.740 they would mean 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:31.120 caving to the scribes 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.719 and the Pharisees' 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:33.179 duplicity and prejudice 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:35.000 and contradicting 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.259 his own example 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.879 of showing compassion 00:24:37.879 --> 00:24:38.679 to the sinful, 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:39.939 disreputable, 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.979 and broken people 00:24:40.979 --> 00:24:41.819 as he has been 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.759 doing consistently. 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.459 And not only that, 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.119 he would also be 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:46.239 violating Roman law 00:24:46.239 --> 00:24:47.799 because Roman law 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.679 did not grant 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:49.599 the Jewish court 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.959 the right to administer 00:24:50.959 --> 00:24:52.039 capital punishments 00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:53.219 for cases like this. 00:24:54.339 --> 00:24:55.519 So either answer 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.139 he would give, 00:24:56.299 --> 00:24:57.799 he would be in trouble, 00:24:57.979 --> 00:24:58.599 he would lose 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.099 his following, 00:24:59.239 --> 00:25:00.179 he'd be discredited. 00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:01.580 And so now that 00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:02.759 brings us to the climax 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.799 of this traumatic story. 00:25:04.160 --> 00:25:05.160 And Jesus responds 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.880 to their question 00:25:05.880 --> 00:25:07.380 with an unusual act 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:09.360 and an unexpected answer. 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:10.880 He says in verses 6 to 8, 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:13.220 Jesus bent down 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:15.100 and wrote with his finger 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.860 on the ground. 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.740 And as they continued 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.400 to ask him, 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.660 he stood up and said to them, 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.640 let him who is 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.700 without sin among you 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.779 be the first to throw 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.480 a stone at her. 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.500 And once more, 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:26.740 he bent down 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.700 and wrote on the ground. 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:30.779 So what's going on, 00:25:30.860 --> 00:25:31.039 right? 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:33.420 What is Jesus writing? 00:25:33.580 --> 00:25:34.539 Why didn't John, 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.380 or why didn't whoever, 00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.660 why didn't they tell us? 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.440 We want to know 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.920 what he wrote 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.420 on the ground. 00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:39.920 And no one knows 00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.539 what he wrote 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.140 on the ground, 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.980 even though 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.240 biblical scholars 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.360 and pastors 00:25:44.360 --> 00:25:44.960 and teachers 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.640 have been debating 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.500 this for centuries. 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:47.240 No one knows 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:48.120 exactly what he wrote 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.580 on the ground. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.480 And I don't think 00:25:49.480 --> 00:25:50.420 that's given to us 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:51.500 because it's not important 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.440 what he wrote 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:52.960 on the ground, 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.059 but it's important 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.380 that he wrote 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:55.960 on the ground. 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:57.039 And the reason why 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.480 is this, 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.420 because in the entire Bible 00:25:59.420 --> 00:26:01.299 there's only two other instances 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:03.480 where it speaks of 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.440 writing something 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.640 with one's finger. 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:06.579 Can you guys think of that? 00:26:07.420 --> 00:26:07.900 You don't have 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:09.079 to answer out loud, 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.940 but it's Exodus 31 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:12.460 and Deuteronomy 9. 00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:14.400 Both talk about 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:15.559 the Ten Commandments 00:26:15.559 --> 00:26:17.600 on two tablets of stone 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.759 written with 00:26:18.759 --> 00:26:20.220 the finger of God. 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.480 And Jesus writes 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.539 with his finger 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:25.620 on the stony ground. 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.440 So, 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:28.440 that's a powerful statement. 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.900 That's a subversive statement. 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.779 The scribes 00:26:30.779 --> 00:26:31.380 and the Pharisees 00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:33.079 said in legalistic arrogance 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:33.860 in verse 5, 00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:35.019 Now in the law, 00:26:35.279 --> 00:26:36.480 Moses commanded us 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.420 to stone such women, 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.960 but Jesus tells them, 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.259 I am the God 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:41.380 who wrote the law. 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:45.259 Moses commanded you, 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.620 I am the author 00:26:46.620 --> 00:26:47.319 of the law. 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.480 And then in light 00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.180 of that truth, 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.840 the attempt 00:26:51.840 --> 00:26:52.779 of the scribes 00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.319 and the Pharisees 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.200 look quite pitiful, 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:54.620 doesn't it? 00:26:54.619 --> 00:26:56.379 And Jesus bends down, 00:26:58.039 --> 00:27:00.079 writes with his finger. 00:27:01.699 --> 00:27:02.159 Then, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.439 he gives 00:27:03.439 --> 00:27:04.899 an unexpected answer 00:27:04.899 --> 00:27:05.699 to go with his 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:06.439 unusual act. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:06.959 He says, 00:27:07.199 --> 00:27:07.679 Let him 00:27:07.679 --> 00:27:08.979 who is without sin 00:27:08.979 --> 00:27:09.559 among you 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:10.619 be the first 00:27:10.619 --> 00:27:11.439 to throw 00:27:11.439 --> 00:27:12.659 a stone at her. 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.519 Now, 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.339 this is a direct 00:27:14.339 --> 00:27:15.139 reference to 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:16.299 Deuteronomy 17, 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.079 6-7. 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:17.739 It says, 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.839 On the evidence 00:27:18.839 --> 00:27:19.799 of two witnesses 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.859 or of three witnesses, 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.000 the one who is to die 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.900 shall be put to death. 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:24.539 A person shall not 00:27:24.539 --> 00:27:25.200 be put to death 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:25.759 on the evidence 00:27:25.759 --> 00:27:26.579 of one witness. 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.980 The hand of the witnesses 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.620 shall be the first 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:31.599 against him 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.620 to put him to death 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:33.640 and afterward 00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:34.900 the hand of all the people. 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:36.099 So you shall purge 00:27:36.099 --> 00:27:37.900 the evil from your midst. 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.160 So the law, 00:27:39.240 --> 00:27:40.019 by putting the burden 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.859 of enforcing 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:41.779 the death penalty 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.719 on the witnesses 00:27:42.719 --> 00:27:43.479 themselves, 00:27:43.959 --> 00:27:45.000 it bound 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:46.079 their conscience 00:27:46.079 --> 00:27:47.000 to make sure 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:48.019 that they can't 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:48.799 be false witnesses 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.919 bringing a false case 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.959 because they are 00:27:50.959 --> 00:27:51.559 going to have to have 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.119 the blood of that 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:52.659 innocent person 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.179 on their hands 00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:53.679 if that's what 00:27:53.679 --> 00:27:54.079 they're doing. 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:55.000 So they have to be 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.679 the first to throw 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.079 the stone. 00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:57.359 And Jesus knows this, 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:57.659 so he says, 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:57.819 No, 00:27:57.879 --> 00:27:58.699 I'm not going to be 00:27:58.699 --> 00:27:59.219 the one to cast 00:27:59.219 --> 00:27:59.519 the stone. 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.599 You're the witnesses. 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.679 You be the first 00:28:01.679 --> 00:28:02.579 to cast the stone 00:28:02.579 --> 00:28:03.799 if you're the witnesses 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.679 and true witnesses. 00:28:05.859 --> 00:28:06.279 And also, 00:28:06.479 --> 00:28:07.859 in Deuteronomy 19, 00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:08.759 16-9, 00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:09.479 it's specified 00:28:09.479 --> 00:28:10.679 that if a 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.820 malicious witness 00:28:11.820 --> 00:28:13.100 arises to accuse 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:14.279 a person of wrongdoing, 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:15.740 and if the witness 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.740 is a false witness 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:17.460 and has accused 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:18.539 his brother falsely, 00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:19.600 then you shall 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:20.560 do to him 00:28:20.560 --> 00:28:21.860 as he had meant 00:28:21.860 --> 00:28:23.200 to do to his brother. 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:24.779 So you shall purge 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:26.519 the evil from your midst. 00:28:27.440 --> 00:28:28.680 So when Jesus says, 00:28:28.880 --> 00:28:29.820 Let him who is 00:28:29.820 --> 00:28:30.720 without sin among you 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.080 be the first 00:28:31.080 --> 00:28:32.039 to throw a stone at her, 00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.320 he's not expecting 00:28:33.320 --> 00:28:33.940 or demanding 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.960 sinless perfection. 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:35.940 He's not saying, 00:28:36.019 --> 00:28:36.120 No, 00:28:36.220 --> 00:28:37.620 only if you're perfect 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:39.299 can you judge this woman. 00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:40.500 That's not what he's saying. 00:28:40.680 --> 00:28:41.440 What he's saying is that 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.279 if you wish to put 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.120 this woman to death 00:28:43.120 --> 00:28:43.720 for adultery, 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.980 then you better not 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:46.180 be guilty of yourselves. 00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:47.740 You better testify 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:48.620 to your innocence 00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.560 by being the first 00:28:49.560 --> 00:28:51.019 to throw the stone at her. 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:52.080 Now, 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:52.940 the woman was not 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.480 without guilt. 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.940 She was an adulteress. 00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:56.940 But the scribes 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.480 and the Pharisees 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.799 were also not without guilt 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:00.500 because they framed her. 00:29:01.060 --> 00:29:02.019 They were complicit 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.160 in this, 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:04.460 bringing this woman 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.420 to this court. 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.320 They were duplicited. 00:29:06.420 --> 00:29:07.120 They were malicious 00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.240 witnesses 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.579 that Deuteronomy 19 00:29:09.579 --> 00:29:10.420 was talking about. 00:29:10.859 --> 00:29:11.740 And they deserve 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.400 to be punished 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:13.339 in the same way 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.140 that this woman, 00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:15.900 in the same way 00:29:15.900 --> 00:29:16.420 they intended 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.819 to punish this adulteress. 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.740 And so Jesus, 00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:21.140 who made the law, 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:21.900 who wrote the law, 00:29:21.960 --> 00:29:22.200 of course, 00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.880 knows the law 00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.900 better than the scribes 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.740 and the Pharisees. 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.299 And so without denying 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.220 the Mosaic law, 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:28.440 he cuts right through 00:29:28.440 --> 00:29:29.319 their hypocrisy 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.299 and duplicity 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.319 and then he appeals 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.799 to their conscience. 00:29:32.799 --> 00:29:35.180 So you can imagine 00:29:35.180 --> 00:29:37.039 the tense standoff, 00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:38.700 Jesus resuming riding 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:39.460 with his finger 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.579 on the stony ground. 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:42.159 And the scribes 00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:42.579 and the Pharisees 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.079 kind of looking 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.819 about each other 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:44.700 to see if any one 00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.579 of them dared 00:29:45.579 --> 00:29:47.240 to cast the first stone. 00:29:50.839 --> 00:29:52.339 And one by one, 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.980 they walk away. 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.700 They came to shame Jesus, 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.680 but they walk away 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.359 in shame. 00:29:57.359 --> 00:30:00.240 And when at last, 00:30:00.939 --> 00:30:02.319 only Jesus is left 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.379 standing with the woman, 00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:04.299 he says to her, 00:30:05.419 --> 00:30:05.639 Woman, 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.979 where are they? 00:30:07.459 --> 00:30:09.039 Has no one condemned you? 00:30:09.479 --> 00:30:10.259 And then she responds, 00:30:10.419 --> 00:30:11.319 No one, Lord. 00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:13.299 And Jesus continues, 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:15.719 Neither do I condemn you. 00:30:16.339 --> 00:30:16.740 Go, 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:18.500 and from now on, 00:30:18.740 --> 00:30:20.619 sin no more. 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:24.399 Jesus pardoning this woman, 00:30:24.979 --> 00:30:26.039 forgiving this woman, 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:27.559 shows that he, 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.599 shows his divinity 00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:30.480 because Old Testament taught 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:31.879 and the Jews 00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:33.039 have been teaching faithfully. 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:34.839 Forgiveness, 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.099 pardoning for sin 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:37.119 is an exclusively 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:38.399 divine prerogative. 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.859 Because sin is always 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.799 committed against God, 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.480 the lawgiver. 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.480 It is only God 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.680 who can pardon for those, 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.460 pardon those 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:46.599 who have broken the law. 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.279 And Jesus here 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.720 assumes that prerogative 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.500 because he is 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.299 the son of God. 00:30:51.659 --> 00:30:52.119 And even though 00:30:52.119 --> 00:30:53.879 he is uniquely qualified 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:55.279 to judge this woman, 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.839 to condemn this woman 00:30:56.839 --> 00:30:57.980 as the sinless 00:30:57.980 --> 00:30:58.680 and perfect 00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.319 son of God 00:30:59.319 --> 00:30:59.899 and son of man, 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.059 yet he chooses 00:31:01.059 --> 00:31:03.299 to pardon her. 00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:09.559 But, 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:11.819 grace is not the only thing 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.579 he gives her. 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.039 He also speaks 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:14.819 the truth to her 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.639 because he tells her, 00:31:16.220 --> 00:31:16.960 sin no more. 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.460 Because grace doesn't mean 00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.460 we get a free past 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.259 and we get to sin 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:23.059 as much as we want 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:23.960 from now on, right? 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.200 Because Jesus tells her, 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:26.220 sin no more. 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:27.579 No condemnation also 00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:28.759 means no more sin. 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:30.740 Those who have been 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.819 pardoned from sin 00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.559 ought to live 00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:33.200 as those who have 00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:34.440 nothing to do with sin. 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.420 That's how God 00:31:35.420 --> 00:31:36.420 intends for us to live. 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:38.019 Jesus extends grace 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.880 but he also brings truth. 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.240 Now, 00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.460 before I go into 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.640 exhorting you 00:31:43.640 --> 00:31:44.259 on the basis 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.140 of this passage, 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.180 let me ground 00:31:46.180 --> 00:31:46.980 this passage 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.740 in other parts 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.100 of scripture 00:31:48.100 --> 00:31:48.640 to make sure 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.600 the scriptural authority 00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:50.519 rests behind it. 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.700 And you have seen 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:52.680 the consistent picture 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.360 of this throughout 00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:54.220 the Gospel of John. 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.580 John 1.17 00:31:55.580 --> 00:31:56.380 in the prologue 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:56.900 which is really 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:57.380 the thesis 00:31:57.380 --> 00:31:58.560 of the Gospel of John, 00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.460 it said that 00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:00.380 the law was given 00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:01.039 through Moses, 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:02.400 grace and truth 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.860 came through Jesus Christ. 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:05.320 And Jesus here 00:32:05.320 --> 00:32:06.580 is fulfilling that statement. 00:32:06.920 --> 00:32:07.120 Yes, 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:07.960 the law was given 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:08.420 through Moses 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.380 but Jesus here 00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:10.440 brings the grace 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.320 and truth of God 00:32:11.320 --> 00:32:11.820 to the world. 00:32:12.640 --> 00:32:13.080 And likewise, 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.240 John 3.17 00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.220 which we also 00:32:15.220 --> 00:32:16.060 went through said, 00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:17.200 for God did not 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:18.000 send his son 00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.560 into the world 00:32:18.560 --> 00:32:20.279 to condemn the world 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:21.339 but in order 00:32:21.339 --> 00:32:22.000 that the world 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:23.119 might be saved 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:24.039 through him. 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.200 So Jesus here 00:32:25.200 --> 00:32:26.099 doesn't condemn her. 00:32:26.180 --> 00:32:26.920 He's consistent 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:28.279 with what the picture 00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:29.019 of him that we have seen 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:30.160 throughout the Gospel of John. 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.460 He pardons her. 00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:33.019 Just as he approached 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:34.180 the Samaritan woman 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:35.759 who had been outcast, 00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:36.559 who had been outcast 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.879 because of a lot 00:32:37.879 --> 00:32:38.859 of her illicit 00:32:38.859 --> 00:32:40.119 sexual relationships 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.899 and in the same way 00:32:41.899 --> 00:32:42.599 he approached her 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.180 and offered her 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:43.779 eternal life, 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:44.559 Jesus here 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:46.940 pardons this adulteress. 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:49.279 But on what basis 00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:50.480 does Jesus do that? 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.240 Because this woman 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.279 betrayed her husband. 00:32:57.720 --> 00:32:58.900 Husband's trust 00:32:58.900 --> 00:33:00.019 she renewed 00:33:00.019 --> 00:33:01.420 on her marriage oath. 00:33:02.539 --> 00:33:03.900 Family is the building 00:33:03.900 --> 00:33:05.039 block of society 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:06.180 and marriage 00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:06.940 is the bedrock 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.700 of the family. 00:33:08.140 --> 00:33:09.240 Yet she violated 00:33:09.240 --> 00:33:10.200 that sacred 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:11.420 marriage bond. 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:14.140 And not only that, 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:15.340 she sinned against God. 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:17.099 the holy God 00:33:17.099 --> 00:33:17.799 who gave her 00:33:17.799 --> 00:33:18.759 the good gift 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.399 of marriage 00:33:19.399 --> 00:33:20.919 and who designed 00:33:20.919 --> 00:33:21.480 marriage to be 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.679 a lifelong commitment 00:33:22.679 --> 00:33:23.599 between a man, 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.899 one man, 00:33:24.959 --> 00:33:25.599 and one woman. 00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:28.899 How can Jesus 00:33:28.899 --> 00:33:29.879 simply say, 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.559 neither do I condemn you? 00:33:34.379 --> 00:33:35.459 Where's the justice? 00:33:36.679 --> 00:33:37.740 Where's God's holiness? 00:33:41.579 --> 00:33:42.679 Jesus can offer 00:33:42.679 --> 00:33:43.319 forgiveness 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:43.819 forgiveness 00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.700 to those who believe 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:45.079 in him 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:46.259 only because 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:47.039 he knows 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.079 that he is 00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:49.339 headed to the cross 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.599 where he will die 00:33:50.599 --> 00:33:51.299 to take away 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:52.319 the sin of the world. 00:33:53.419 --> 00:33:54.579 But his atoning death 00:33:54.579 --> 00:33:55.179 on the cross 00:33:55.179 --> 00:33:55.819 no matter 00:33:55.819 --> 00:33:57.659 what enables him 00:33:57.659 --> 00:33:58.099 to forgive, 00:33:58.179 --> 00:33:58.939 extend forgiveness 00:33:58.939 --> 00:33:59.220 to us, 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.819 no matter where 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:00.559 you have been, 00:34:00.879 --> 00:34:01.819 no matter what sins 00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:02.460 you have committed 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.159 in your life, 00:34:03.559 --> 00:34:04.799 that's the only basis 00:34:04.799 --> 00:34:05.399 in which Jesus 00:34:05.399 --> 00:34:06.599 can say to us, 00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:08.679 neither do I condemn you. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:10.099 Now go sin 00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:11.059 no more. 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:14.039 Perhaps you 00:34:14.039 --> 00:34:15.259 don't think of yourself 00:34:15.259 --> 00:34:16.340 as much of a sinner. 00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.259 Maybe you think 00:34:18.259 --> 00:34:19.719 you're a good person 00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:21.079 unlike the adulteress 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:21.639 in this story. 00:34:22.619 --> 00:34:24.059 But Matthew 5, 28 00:34:24.059 --> 00:34:24.659 tells us that 00:34:24.659 --> 00:34:25.779 everyone who looks 00:34:25.779 --> 00:34:26.400 at a woman 00:34:26.400 --> 00:34:27.219 or a man 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:28.639 with lustful intent 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:29.799 has already committed 00:34:29.799 --> 00:34:30.320 adultery 00:34:30.320 --> 00:34:31.460 with her in his heart. 00:34:32.039 --> 00:34:33.079 God cares not only 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:34.259 about our actions, 00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:34.940 he also cares 00:34:34.940 --> 00:34:36.539 about our sinful heart. 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.440 And when we look 00:34:37.440 --> 00:34:38.019 within ourselves, 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:39.139 we know that we all 00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:40.679 fall short of God's 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:41.420 standard for us. 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.339 We're all, 00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.379 without Christ, 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.519 just dead trees. 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:45.719 And it doesn't matter 00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:47.259 how many fruit 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.239 you staple 00:34:48.239 --> 00:34:49.279 onto this dead tree, 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:50.619 the fruit doesn't last, 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:50.859 right? 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:53.400 Because the tree's dead. 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.159 That's our hearts 00:34:55.159 --> 00:34:56.599 apart from Christ 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:57.539 and his transforming 00:34:57.539 --> 00:34:58.379 work through the Spirit. 00:34:58.380 --> 00:35:01.420 So we all need 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:01.860 to come 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:02.760 to Jesus 00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:04.340 and hear him 00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:04.960 say to us, 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:06.360 neither do I condemn you. 00:35:06.680 --> 00:35:07.860 Go and from now on 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:09.280 sin no more. 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:12.180 Maybe you're 00:35:12.180 --> 00:35:14.360 very aware, 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.440 you're keenly aware 00:35:15.440 --> 00:35:15.900 of your sin. 00:35:18.380 --> 00:35:19.740 Maybe you're so aware 00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:20.019 of it 00:35:20.019 --> 00:35:21.140 and so ashamed of it 00:35:21.140 --> 00:35:21.940 that you have sinned 00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:22.300 in your life 00:35:22.300 --> 00:35:22.800 that you've never 00:35:22.800 --> 00:35:23.940 shared with anyone else. 00:35:23.940 --> 00:35:28.679 what Proverbs 28, 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.559 13 teaches us, 00:35:29.639 --> 00:35:30.599 whoever conceals 00:35:30.599 --> 00:35:31.220 their sins 00:35:31.220 --> 00:35:32.300 does not prosper, 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.079 but the one 00:35:33.079 --> 00:35:33.780 who confesses 00:35:33.780 --> 00:35:34.720 and renounces them 00:35:34.720 --> 00:35:36.119 finds mercy. 00:35:37.500 --> 00:35:38.360 Maybe you fear 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:38.820 judgment, 00:35:38.980 --> 00:35:39.539 maybe you fear 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.400 losing something, 00:35:40.480 --> 00:35:41.059 a reputation, 00:35:41.240 --> 00:35:41.700 your job, 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:42.679 whatever it might be. 00:35:43.000 --> 00:35:43.659 Your instinct 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.880 of self-preservation 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.860 is misleading you 00:35:45.860 --> 00:35:46.320 in this case 00:35:46.320 --> 00:35:47.240 because healing 00:35:47.240 --> 00:35:48.539 lies in confession 00:35:48.539 --> 00:35:49.960 and it's not enough 00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:50.639 that you confess 00:35:50.639 --> 00:35:51.179 to God 00:35:51.179 --> 00:35:51.659 between you 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.240 and him alone. 00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:55.959 James 5, 16 00:35:55.959 --> 00:35:56.159 says, 00:35:56.339 --> 00:35:57.039 confess your sins 00:35:57.039 --> 00:35:58.019 to each other 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:59.859 and pray for each other 00:35:59.859 --> 00:36:01.799 so that you may be healed. 00:36:03.119 --> 00:36:04.959 Sin wants to lie hidden. 00:36:05.559 --> 00:36:07.259 Sin wants to remain isolated 00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:08.000 because that's where 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:08.719 it is strong. 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:10.939 That's where it eats away 00:36:10.939 --> 00:36:11.659 with guilt. 00:36:13.519 --> 00:36:14.739 When sin is brought 00:36:14.739 --> 00:36:15.479 into the light, 00:36:15.579 --> 00:36:16.639 that's where it withers. 00:36:17.159 --> 00:36:18.159 That's where it loses 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:18.879 its strength. 00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:23.260 And only community 00:36:23.260 --> 00:36:24.140 where we can have 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:24.579 people, 00:36:24.780 --> 00:36:25.099 sinners, 00:36:25.240 --> 00:36:26.039 confessing their sins 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:26.559 to each other 00:36:26.559 --> 00:36:27.360 is a community 00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:28.320 formed around 00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:29.980 the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:36:30.180 --> 00:36:31.440 That's the only place 00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:32.240 where we can dare 00:36:32.240 --> 00:36:33.079 to be a sinner. 00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:34.340 So dare to be 00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:35.059 a sinner today. 00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:37.099 Confess your sins 00:36:37.099 --> 00:36:37.559 to Jesus 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.440 and to one another 00:36:38.440 --> 00:36:40.400 and hear him say to you, 00:36:40.500 --> 00:36:41.980 neither do I condemn you. 00:36:42.980 --> 00:36:44.099 Now go and leave 00:36:44.099 --> 00:36:45.000 for like you said. 00:36:45.000 --> 00:36:49.840 Perhaps you are already 00:36:49.840 --> 00:36:50.260 a believer 00:36:50.260 --> 00:36:53.139 and you do confess 00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:54.300 your sins. 00:36:57.239 --> 00:36:58.719 But maybe you don't 00:36:58.719 --> 00:37:00.300 take repentance, 00:37:01.039 --> 00:37:02.300 reformation of your ways 00:37:02.300 --> 00:37:02.980 seriously. 00:37:04.920 --> 00:37:06.059 Now I'm saved now 00:37:06.059 --> 00:37:07.239 so I don't have to worry 00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:08.159 about continuing 00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:09.019 to make progress, 00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:10.659 continuing to be sanctified 00:37:10.659 --> 00:37:12.039 because I'm going to die 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:13.139 and go to heaven anyway. 00:37:13.139 --> 00:37:15.239 But then remember then, 00:37:15.339 --> 00:37:16.639 Jesus didn't stop 00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:17.159 at saying, 00:37:17.299 --> 00:37:18.659 neither do I condemn you. 00:37:19.279 --> 00:37:20.339 He also said, 00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:22.159 go and from now on 00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:23.460 sin no more. 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:26.460 If you are abusing 00:37:26.460 --> 00:37:27.319 the grace of God 00:37:27.319 --> 00:37:28.299 and paying little heed 00:37:28.299 --> 00:37:28.900 to obedience 00:37:28.900 --> 00:37:29.719 and sanctification, 00:37:30.079 --> 00:37:31.239 then you're in 00:37:31.239 --> 00:37:32.679 mortal spiritual danger 00:37:32.679 --> 00:37:36.179 because God's 00:37:36.179 --> 00:37:37.039 saving grace, 00:37:37.119 --> 00:37:38.179 his justifying grace 00:37:38.179 --> 00:37:39.420 is also the same 00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:40.659 sanctifying grace. 00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:42.179 It matures us. 00:37:42.179 --> 00:37:43.419 As J.C. Ryle, 00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:44.319 a Puritan pastor, 00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:44.799 he writes, 00:37:45.099 --> 00:37:45.799 the Christian life 00:37:45.799 --> 00:37:47.079 is not like animal life 00:37:47.079 --> 00:37:47.980 which grows up 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.839 to a certain point 00:37:48.839 --> 00:37:49.619 and then stops. 00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:50.339 Rather, 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.480 it is like plant life 00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:52.059 which grows 00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:53.079 and keeps growing 00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:53.940 in strength 00:37:53.940 --> 00:37:54.659 and vigor 00:37:54.659 --> 00:37:56.279 all its days. 00:37:56.399 --> 00:37:57.379 That's how we were 00:37:57.379 --> 00:37:58.119 meant to live. 00:37:58.539 --> 00:37:59.579 Now leave the life 00:37:59.579 --> 00:37:59.899 of sin. 00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:00.639 Go and sin 00:38:00.639 --> 00:38:01.399 no more. 00:38:03.099 --> 00:38:03.859 So then, 00:38:03.980 --> 00:38:04.699 for all of us, 00:38:04.739 --> 00:38:05.879 no matter where we are 00:38:05.879 --> 00:38:06.619 on that spectrum, 00:38:06.699 --> 00:38:07.940 no matter where we have been, 00:38:08.239 --> 00:38:09.559 Jesus is sufficient 00:38:09.559 --> 00:38:10.539 for all of us. 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:12.000 Because no matter 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.840 where we are 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:13.659 in our spiritual walk, 00:38:13.719 --> 00:38:14.320 we need him. 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.900 And as we see 00:38:16.900 --> 00:38:17.659 in this passage 00:38:17.659 --> 00:38:19.480 and in other scriptures, 00:38:20.259 --> 00:38:21.880 never was there 00:38:21.880 --> 00:38:23.099 a more gracious Savior. 00:38:25.779 --> 00:38:26.759 Never was there 00:38:26.759 --> 00:38:27.619 a more just 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.779 and truthful Lord. 00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:31.800 The law 00:38:31.800 --> 00:38:32.480 was given 00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.179 through Moses. 00:38:33.820 --> 00:38:34.239 Grace 00:38:34.239 --> 00:38:35.420 and truth 00:38:35.420 --> 00:38:36.259 came 00:38:36.259 --> 00:38:37.279 through Jesus 00:38:37.279 --> 00:38:38.099 Christ. 00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:40.199 There is no 00:38:40.199 --> 00:38:41.339 condemnation today 00:38:41.339 --> 00:38:41.940 for those who 00:38:41.940 --> 00:38:42.639 entrust themselves 00:38:42.639 --> 00:38:43.179 to Jesus. 00:38:43.719 --> 00:38:44.619 So I ask you, 00:38:44.699 --> 00:38:45.159 plead with you, 00:38:45.239 --> 00:38:45.880 every one of you, 00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:46.599 do that today. 00:38:46.940 --> 00:38:47.679 Let's pray together. 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:00.819 God, 00:39:00.860 --> 00:39:01.480 we thank you, 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:02.259 we praise you 00:39:02.259 --> 00:39:03.480 for your mercy. 00:39:03.480 --> 00:39:10.440 we thank you 00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:11.099 that you are 00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:11.679 a gracious 00:39:11.679 --> 00:39:12.659 Savior 00:39:12.659 --> 00:39:14.880 so that we can 00:39:14.880 --> 00:39:15.440 approach you 00:39:15.440 --> 00:39:16.099 without fear. 00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:27.099 It is your love 00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:27.800 for us 00:39:27.800 --> 00:39:28.119 that 00:39:28.119 --> 00:39:30.440 compels 00:39:30.440 --> 00:39:30.900 our love 00:39:30.900 --> 00:39:31.300 for you. 00:39:31.300 --> 00:39:35.280 So now we ask 00:39:35.280 --> 00:39:35.539 God 00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:35.960 that you would 00:39:35.960 --> 00:39:36.440 help us, 00:39:36.500 --> 00:39:37.320 you would make us, 00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:38.180 Trinity Cambridge Church, 00:39:38.240 --> 00:39:38.860 a community 00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:40.300 defined 00:39:40.300 --> 00:39:41.800 and motivated 00:39:41.800 --> 00:39:42.640 by this grace 00:39:42.640 --> 00:39:43.480 you have shown us. 00:39:44.280 --> 00:39:45.019 In Jesus' name 00:39:45.019 --> 00:39:45.380 we pray. 00:39:45.780 --> 00:39:46.019 Amen.