1. caught out by sin

Verse 3. The woman was ‘caught in the act’. There is a pattern to sin: it attracts you, it pleases you for a time, it exposes you, it destroys you.

Prov 7:21-27; Rom 6:23; Prov 14:12, 16:25.

2. condemned because of sin

Verses 4-6. The Pharisees condemned the woman. Condemnation is the World’s response to those caught in sin, but primarily a response by those who think they are righteous. It can afflict the guilty and the innocent (John 9:2,3). The world is quick to stereotype people.

The Macpherson report concluded that many police officers in the Metropolitan Police stereotyped black youngsters as criminals. In a recent Question Time programme it was obvious too that many in the audience stereotyped Metropolitan police officers as being racist. Stereotyping is a particularly destructive aspect of condemnation, since it judges before finding out what the person concerned is really guilty of. So the loud group of youngsters in the street are classed as thugs and vandals; the young woman in a highly revealing dress is assumed to be promiscuous; the young male suffering from aids is assumed to be a practising homosexual or a drug user.

But in this case the condemnation was justified, wasn’t it? The woman was caught in the act? The Bible teaches us that judgement for sin is God’s right, and His alone. Matt 6:14,15; 7:1; Rom 2:1-4.

3. compassion in spite of sin

Verses 10,11. Jesus sought the woman’s salvation. The condemning heart says, “your sin offends God and me, and you should pay for it.” It delights in retribution. The compassionate heart says, “your sin will destroy you, but I will help you.” It delights in salvation.

The Pastor’s testimony (Tear Fund brochure).

4. conclusion

Do not fall into the error of thinking sin doesn’t matter. Sin destroys. It would be wrong to point the finger at the aids victim and say, “your sin has found you out.” That is the way of the Pharisees. But it is essential to warn against sexual activity outside of marriage and drug abuse, because they go against God’s word and they destroy. It is sobering to consider that were is not for these sins Aids would have spread no more than Ebola Fever or Lassa Fever have spread.

But God’s response to sin is salvation. Jesus showed mercy to the woman. We are called to be merciful too (Matt 5:7).

Jude sums up the Christian response (Jude :21-23).