Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 8 of the book of John. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
8:1-6 – SETUP! TRAP!!!
Who comes to mind when you think of this woman? Was her father there?
8:1-4 – At dawn, the teachers of the law and Pharisees dragged a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus in the temple where He was teaching. What questions does this situation raise in your mind?
Caught in the act of adultery – if she was caught in the act, where was the man she was with? Why didn’t they drag him to the temple, too? Were they incapable of overpowering him? Or was he part of the trap?
8:1 – After teaching at the Feast, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Why do you think He went there? He knew what the day ahead would hold for Him. I believe this was time for Him to prepare for it. It would benefit all of us greatly to begin our day in prayer and worship of The Father as I believe Jesus did, here.
8:2 – Jesus went to the temple courts at dawn and sat down to teach.
8:3 – Scripture doesn’t specify the time that this accusation took place. Since it was so early in the morning, this supports the evidence that this was a trap set for Jesus. Something doesn’t sit right with me that a couple in a tryst would meet at dawn.
Check out the layout of the temple. Was Jesus teaching in the court where women were allowed?
8:5 – See Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22. The Law didn’t specify that “such women” be stoned as the teachers of the law and Pharisees claimed. The Law demanded the lives of BOTH PARTIES! The teachers of the Law should definitely have known this!
8:6 – Jesus bent down to write on the ground at this point. Was He writing what the Law actually said about this?
Can you find the Old Testament reference for the punishment they wanted to inflict upon her?
write – Greek word means write against.
8:7 – The teachers of the law and Pharisees kept questioning Jesus, but Jesus didn’t answer as they expected, I’m certain.
Jesus straightened up to answer them.
8:8 – Jesus stooped down to write on the ground, again.
8:9 – Those who heard His words left, beginning with the older men. I used to believe that it had something to do with whatever Jesus was writing on the ground. Maybe the crowd thinned as the Lord wrote the Ten Commandments in the dirt. Perhaps specific vices or names were carved in the earth, causing conviction and retreat. This time, when I read this verse, my attention focused on the fact that the older men started leaving when they heard what Jesus said. This certainly may have been compounded by what Jesus wrote in the sand.
The crowd began to break up, beginning with the older men who heard what Jesus said. Jesus’ words to them that the one who is without sin should be the first to cast a stone at this woman actually seemed to convict them. The last few to leave may have done so because they didn’t want to be the only ones to mete out such a violent punishment, not because they heard Jesus or felt any conviction.
8:10 – Jesus stood again to speak to the woman.
8:11 – go now and leave your life of sin – She had received a taste of real love. Jesus told her not to “look for love in all the wrong places” anymore.
Jesus didn’t gloss over the fact that this woman sinned. He told her to stop.
8:12 – The second “I AM” Statement – Jesus is the light of the world. Light illuminates and guides.
What path has He illuminated for you today?
8:13-18 – Jesus’ testimony about Himself is valid.
8:19-20 – Jesus talks about His Father in the temple near where the sacrifices are put.
What is the significance of the location?
8:21-24 – Jesus confused the people with talk that He is going away and they cannot follow Him.
8:24 – If you don’t believe in Jesus as the source of your salvation, you will be responsible to bear the penalty for your own sin. That penalty is death!
8:24 – Jesus is the Great I Am!
8:25-30 – Many put their faith in Him as He talked about Himself and His Father.
8:31-41 – From children of Abraham to disciples.
8:31-36 – What sort of freedom is Jesus speaking of?
8:42-47 – Those who don’t hear don’t belong to God.
the devil is a liar!
8:43 – Can you find another passage that explains why they couldn’t “hear” Jesus?
8:44 – Describe the father of these people.
8:48-59 – Jesus’ claims about Himself.
8:51 – What does Jesus mean?
8:58 – I am! – Jesus was claiming to be God.
8:59 – Jesus hid from danger.
• The book of John is called the “Love Gospel”. How have you seen God’s love at work in this chapter of scripture and how will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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