Joseph Turner Supporter Christian, Sunday School Teacher, Actor, Health Food Worker

It is my humble opinion that it is a possibility that what Jesus did could refer to Jeremiah 17:13. Interestingly, the ESV reads, 'O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth,' which is pretty much the same idea. 

The context of John 8:2-11 is important to understand the significance of the potential connection. Jesus is confronted with a situation wherein the attempt is being made to trap Him. (John 8:3-6) 

Firstly, if the woman was caught in the act of adultery, where is the man? It takes 'two to tango', so to speak. Yes, the law established that those guilty of adultery were worthy of stoning, however, only one of the guilty parties are present, and it is obviously a selective observance of the law, much like when the satraps in Babylon had a law made up that outlawed prayer to anyone but the King, then proceeded to stake out Daniel's home so they could 'catch him' (see Daniel 6; 6:5; 6:13). 

As Paul says in the context of 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, 'For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.' The point of the law was to show the limitations and shortcomings of man, as Paul says in Romans 7:7, 'Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”' 

But, as Jesus also reminds us, God desires mercy, not sacrifice. (See Matthew 9:13; 12:7; Hosea 6:6) 

All we know is that Jesus said, 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone,' and continued writing. Then, the Pharisees departed, with the older ones first (John 8:7-9). 

It has been theorized that Jesus was writing in the dirt the secret sins that even the Pharisees were guilty of, which, the older ones would most likely be humble enough to recognize sooner than the younger. We are not sure. However, the point is, that, if we truly were to apply the full implications of the law, like the stoning of the woman for her transgression of the law, that would include us all as well. 

We are not spared from God's wrath by our righteousness, as righteousness cannot be attained by the law. It is by God's mercy and to demonstrate God's grace. The Law and the Prophets bear witness to the fact that all who trust in Jesus Christ have righteousness through faith(Romans 3:21-26).

Indeed, we can all stand in wonder with the woman as Jesus says, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.' (John 8:10-11)

God bless!

November 14 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Connie Van Amerongen Supporter I am a Christian and I enjoy writing poetry....

I wrote the following Poem some time ago now...

SCRIBBLING IN THE SAND - WHAT DID JESUS SAY?
[Based on the Scriptures, in the Book of John, chapter 8, and the verses 3 -11] 

What did JESUS say, that day when HE scribbled in the sand?
Mysterious words, unknown to man? 
The exact words not written in the SCRIPTURES?
These particular words? 
Not necessary for us to know.
But these words?
Could they have been:
“All human beings are sinful,
But, I know their hearts.
I know which children are mine!
This man, woman, and child,
I will save a remnant for MYSELF?
I will die for these people?
Yes! They are truly sorry for their sins.
These people? 
Yes, they make mistakes,
But I love them anyway?
I will die for MY children,
But on the third day rise again?
And thus make it possible for them,
FOREVER to live with ME, 
In Everlasting Joy, and Peace?”

CEvA

November 15 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Brian Nelson Supporter Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, Systems Engineer

We don't know exactly why Jesus wrote on the ground during the episode of the woman caught in adultery, but many have surmised that Jesus was referring to the Old Testament passage found in Jeremiah. Not enough information was provided to know for sure.

November 07 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Vince Wong Supporter

When they brought the woman to Jesus, they wanted to see how Jesus would answer them since this woman broke one of the Ten Commandments. They thought they'd put Jesus into a no-way-out situation, kinda caught him between a rock and a hard place. Jesus knew their intentions. He bent down to appear like he was writing something but I believe he was just trying to remind them (and us) that it was HIM (JESUS) that wrote the Ten Commandment (Read Exo 31:18 & Deu 9:10). The finger that wrote the commandments on the stones given to Moses was the finger of Jesus. Essentially, he was telling them, "I wrote the Ten Commandments." Then of course, he got up and gave his awe-inspiring response to the crowd. That's our Lord!

November 15 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

John 8:6: This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

The scribes and the Pharisees who brought the woman were convicted by their conscience of their sin and walked away from our Lord Jesus. (Jer 17:13) Moses, when he brought the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, they were then in the wilderness and found no water, which the Lord then prepared for them at Shur and Sin. When they came to Reph’-i-dim, they cried again, for they had no water, and then were told to go on before the people and He would stand on a rock in Horeb, and he would need to smite the rock, for there shall come water out of the rock. (Exo 17:6) They then came to the wilderness of Sinai, they pitched before the mount, and Moses was called up to the top of the mount where the Lord called unto him. (Exo 19:20) God the Father then spoke to him all the commandments, and the people saw the Lord spoke unto him from heaven. (Exo 20) 

The commandments’ the Lord spoke unto Moses were then written with the finger of God on tablets of stone and given unto him. (Exo 24:12/31:18) While Moses was still on the mount with God the Father, He saw the people worshiping a golden molten calf. Moses besought the Lord for His anger, and he said unto Him, the Egyptian may speak, the Lord brought them out to slay them, consume them from the face of the earth. The Lord then repented, but when Moses came down, seeing them dancing around the calf, Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the “Tables of Stone,” and broke them beneath the mount. (Exo 32:8,10-11,14,19)

Lord Jesus said unto them, “He that without sin among you, let him first cast the stone.” When He stooped down and wrote on the ground, He reveals unto us as the Scriptures are written. The commandments that were given to Moses on the mount, and then seeing the people worshiping the golden calf, Moses besought the Lord, and the Lord repented. (Exo 32:11,14) The people who brought the woman did not repent, as Moses did not have the conscience to repent. When they came to the desert of Zin, they had no water to drink. The Lord then said to Moses, “Speak unto the Rock before their eyes and it shall give forth His water.” Moses then gathered the congregation together before the rock, and in his anger, he smote the rock, and water came abundantly from the Rock. Moses then who could not sanctify the Lord in the eyes of the children of Israel, could not go to the promised land. The children of Israel strove with the Lord, and “He was sanctified in them.” (Num 20:8-13)

Jeremiah 17:13: O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report