The Adulterous Woman: Face to Face with Jesus by R.C. Sproul

Summary

In this powerful sermon, Dr. R.C. Sproul explores the story of the woman caught in adultery from the Gospel of John, emphasizing the themes of compassion, mercy, and the tension between the law and grace. He delves into the complex dynamics of the religious leaders' attempt to trap Jesus and highlights how Jesus responded with both justice and mercy. Sproul reflects on the deeper meanings of compassion, urging us to empathize with sinners while upholding truth. The message ultimately underscores the grace of Christ, showing that only through His mercy can we stand before God, forgiven and redeemed.

Takeaways

• 😀 Textual criticism plays a crucial role in biblical studies, as scholars analyze ancient manuscripts to reconstruct the original texts of the Bible.
• 😀 The story of the woman caught in adultery is a disputed passage, often found in different places in the Gospel of John and sometimes as a footnote.
• 😀 Some textual critics believe the story was not originally part of the Gospel of John, though it is still considered important and likely apostolic in origin.
• 😀 The woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus by the Pharisees and used as a trap to test him, not out of concern for her or her sin.
• 😀 Compassion, as taught in Christianity, involves entering into the feelings of others, including those who are seen as wicked or sinful.
• 😀 The Pharisees, who prided themselves on their morality, showed contempt for the woman, while Jesus' response demonstrated empathy and compassion.
• 😀 The story highlights the intense embarrassment and shame of being publicly humiliated, as experienced by the woman caught in adultery.
• 😀 Jesus' response to the situation was a wise way to avoid the trap: he suggested that only those without sin could cast the first stone, which led to the accusers leaving.
• 😀 Jesus' act of writing on the ground remains mysterious, and it is speculated that he may have written the sins of the accusers, causing them to feel convicted.
• 😀 Despite the law of Moses allowing stoning for adultery, Jesus showed mercy and did not condemn the woman, urging her to go and sin no more, illustrating divine grace.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the sermon in this script?

The main topic of the sermon is the story of the woman caught in adultery, as described in the Gospel of John, Chapter 8, and how it relates to compassion, justice, and mercy.

Why is there confusion about where to find the story of the woman caught in adultery in the Bible?

The story of the woman caught in adultery is not consistently included in all manuscripts of the Gospel of John, leading to differences in Bible translations. Some versions place it in John 8, while others treat it as a footnote or exclude it entirely due to its absence in some early manuscripts.

What is 'Textual Criticism,' and how is it relevant to the story?

Textual Criticism, or 'Lower Criticism,' is the scholarly discipline focused on reconstructing the original texts of the Bible. It is relevant to the story because the placement and authenticity of the woman caught in adultery narrative are disputed among biblical manuscripts.

What role does compassion play in the sermon?

Compassion is central to the sermon. The speaker emphasizes that Christians are called to show compassion, not only for the virtuous but also for the wicked. This is demonstrated in Jesus' treatment of the woman caught in adultery, showing mercy instead of condemnation.

What is the significance of the phrase 'He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone' in the context of the story?

The phrase highlights the hypocrisy of the accusers and the importance of self-reflection. Jesus uses it to challenge the accusers to recognize their own sins before condemning the woman, showing that no one is without fault and that mercy is essential.

Why does the speaker suggest that Jesus' actions of writing in the dirt are significant?

The speaker speculates that Jesus writing in the dirt may have been a symbolic act, revealing the sins of those who were accusing the woman. This act would have convicted them of their own wrongdoing, causing them to leave one by one.

What does the speaker imply about the role of the man involved in the adultery?

The speaker questions why the man involved in the adultery is not brought forward by the accusers. He suggests that the Pharisees may have been afraid of the man's status, which highlights the injustice and hypocrisy in their treatment of the woman.

What does Jesus' decision to forgive the woman and tell her 'Go and sin no more' reveal about His approach to sin and forgiveness?

Jesus' decision to forgive the woman while still acknowledging her sin ('Go and sin no more') reveals His approach to sin and forgiveness—He does not minimize the gravity of sin but offers grace and a chance for repentance and transformation.

How does the speaker relate the woman's story to the personal experiences of the audience?

The speaker relates the woman's story to the personal experiences of the audience by asserting that the story of forgiveness and mercy is not just the woman's story, but everyone's. All people, regardless of their sins, can stand before Christ because of His compassion and grace.

What does the speaker mean when he says, 'Jesus was not playing light with the grievous sin of this woman'?

The speaker means that Jesus took sin seriously, and He did not trivialize the woman's actions. However, He chose to offer her mercy instead of judgment, demonstrating that God’s mercy can coexist with justice.