Mercy & Light
20 January 2013 PM – John 8:1-20 – Scott Childs
Introduction: The story is told of a politician who, after receiving the proofs of a portrait, was very angry with the photographer. He stormed back to the photographer and arrived with these angry words: “This picture does not do me justice!” The photographer replied, “Sir, with a face like yours, you don’t need justice, you need mercy!”
The truth is we all need God’s mercy and his light. Without them, we are doomed to an eternal hell. God offers mercy and light to all who will repent and believe on him. When we place our trust in him alone, He will withhold the justice we deserve and give us the light of eternal life that we do not deserve.
Transition: In our text this evening, Jesus shows mercy and proclaims that he is the Light of the World. As we examine these two sections, look for principles for daily life.
I. Jesus Shows Mercy John 8:1-11
A. Notice first the time.
1. It appears the feast of Tabernacles ended as the previous chapter closed (Jn 7:53).
2. Jesus spent the night on the Mount of Olives.
a) Perhaps he slept in a branch booth.
b) Maybe he slept under the stars.
c) He could have crossed the mount to Bethany to lodge with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.
3. Early in the morning (literally at daybreak) he went to the temple, sat, and taught all the people.
B. Now note the trap.
Beware! The NIV states in brackets [The earliest manuscripts and many other ancient witnesses do not have John 7:53-8:11.] Those minority manuscripts are not trustworthy.
1. The scribes and Pharisees set a trap for Jesus. They brought to him a woman they caught in adultery. We know this was a trap for two reasons.
a) Verse 10 tells us they were tempting Jesus.
b) Adultery involves a man and a woman. The law said both should die. The Pharisees did not bring in the man. Perhaps he was working for them.
Leviticus 20:10 And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
2. They asked of Jesus what should be done to the woman.
Thomas Constable points out that, “If Jesus advocated not executing the woman, the lawyers and Pharisees could charge Him with teaching the people to violate the law. If He recommended executing her, He would contradict His own reputation for being gracious and forgiving (cf. Luke 5:20; 7:47). Moreover, He would alienate Himself from the Jews. That decision might have gotten Him in trouble with the Roman authorities too (cf. Jn 18:31).”
3. Jesus used great discernment in answering. Being God, he knew exactly what was right. We need to learn to be discerning before we give an answer.
Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
4. Jesus simply stooped down and wrote on the ground.
a) We do not know what he wrote, but whatever it was, it convicted the accusers.
b) Perhaps he wrote the 10 Commandments, listed their secret sins, or quoted Ex 23:1.
Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
5. We find Jesus’ only comment in John 8:7.
6. One by one, each accuser left beginning with the eldest. Were the older more humble or more guilty?
7. When no accusers remained, Jesus said to the woman, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Jesus showed her mercy but did not excuse her sin.
Constable explains, He gave her mercy and time to change her ways (cf. 1:14). Thus, He was not “easy on sin.” The ultimate reason He could exempt her from condemnation is that He would take her condemnation on Himself and die in her place (cf. Rom. 8:1).
Often God is merciful to us as well, but he expects us to change our ways and do right. His mercy is not an excuse to sin.
II. Jesus is the Light of the World John 8:12-20
A. First we see Jesus’ declaration (12-13)
1. Jesus turned back to the crowd of people and announced that he is the light of the world. He said this will produce two results.
a) His followers will not walk in darkness.
b) His followers will have the light of life.
2. Christ’s light removes sin’s darkness.
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
3. All sin is dark compared to God’s sinless light. As Christians, daily we need to ask God to search our hearts and reveal all that comes short of his perfect light. Our pride, selfishness, prejudice, complaining, unkindness, disobedience, bad attitudes, self-satisfaction, excuses, and apathy, are just a few of the wicked sins that keep us walking in darkness. We lack God’s power and blessing because of these sins. We need revival desperately. God wants us to walk in his light not is sinful darkness.
1 John 1:5-7 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
4. I challenge you to join me and begin praying for revival in your own life. Pray Psalm 139:23-24.
Psalms 139:23-24 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
When Jesus said, “I am the light of the world, this is the second of several “I AM” statements of Jesus. John 6:35 was the first.
5. The Pharisees reject this declaration as untrue because Jesus had no witnesses to back it up.
B. Next we see Jesus’ defense (14-20)
1. Jesus explained why his record was true.
a) He knew both where he came from and where he was going (14). In other words, he knew the eternal past and the eternal future.
b) They judged Jesus according to the flesh, which is by human standards limited to the present only with limited understanding (15). Jesus does not judge according to the flesh.
c) Jesus’ judgment is true because he works in harmony with the Father (16). The law states that the witness of two is reliable.
Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
d) Jesus (the eternal God) is his own witness and the Father is his other witness (18).
These words of Jesus remind us that he knows all about us. We cannot hide anything from him. He always makes right judgments because he knows all the facts. Read and ponder Psalm 139.
2. His enemies tried another angle and said, “Where is your Father?”
a) Again, Jesus claims deity when he states, “If you knew me, you should have known my Father also”.
b) Jesus and the Father are two persons in the same being.
c) His enemies are angered again, but note how verse 20 ends – his hour was not yet come.
Conclusion: This evening we need God’s mercy and light. If you do not know for 100% positive that you are on your way to heaven, you need God’s saving mercy and light. Only Christ can save you, but you must repent, receive, and believe.
As Christians, we also need God’s mercy and light. We need mercy because we often trip and stumble. Psalms 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. We also must obey the Lord so that we can walk in his light. To fellowship with God, we must go up to his holy level; he will not come down to our sinful level.
Will you ask God to search your heart so you can find things that are still blocking your fellowship with God?
Song: Have Thine Own Way – 388