Sermon Central
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No Condemnation
Contributed by Jonathan Campbell on Jul 9, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: The boundless mercy of Christ as displayed in His treatment of the woman taken in adultery.
For some strange reason, modern versions (or should I say perversions) of the Bible do not contain this incident.
1. A CLIMB
"And every man went unto his own house...Jesus went unto the mount of Olives".
a) A lonely climb. The people had their homes but Christ went to Olivet because He was homeless.
b) A lovely climb. Although the passage does not specifically state it, I believe the Saviour went to the mountain to pray. He was preparing for the battles of the following day. We need to prepare in prayer.
2. A CRIME
"This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him".
a) Holiness that was a sham
b) Hatred that was a shame
The self-righteous hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees was a worse crime against God than the adultery.
Why didn’t they bring the man since she was caught "in the very act"?
3. A TIME
"Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not...And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground".
a) A time for repentance. Jesus stooped and wrote to give the religious men time to repent of their hatred for Jesus and the woman.
b) A time for reassurance. "Neither do I condemn thee". "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
