John 8A Judge – Not?!?

Questions: On what basis does Jesus judge? On what basis should we? Where exactly is he coming from? Who is he coming from? Can we know Him? Have we?


Lord, make me a Fountain of your Love

John 8:1-30


You gotta admire Jesus’ chutzpah, to sit in the middle of the temple and teach despite his near-arrest the day before. Though, the threat he faces today is of a very different kind:


Ouch. Let’s be clear, these people were clearly hypocritical scumbags. First of all, they’re just judging the woman; where’s the man? Secondly, they could care less about upholding the Law; they just want to trap Jesus. Third, the whole situation seems contrived; how did they manage to catch an adulteress at such an “opportune” time, and why force a stoning at a time when such things are rare?

But all that said, let us consider the merits of their case. To cheat on a spouse is a terrible thing, wounding far more than a marriage. In a small village, it destroys the fabric of trust that normally binds people together — hence the severe punishment prescribed. The Jewish leaders were hypocrites for judging her; but, does she not still need to be judged?

What will Jesus do?


Bam! What is the point of condemning others’ sins when we deny our own guilt? That makes the Law a club for punishing a select few, not a shield for protecting the many. No wonder the world despises public Christianity so much. 😦


Ouch. Still, having disposed of their hypocrisy, Jesus must deal with the woman. How?


How odd. Why does he ask her? Why does that matter?

The sobering thought is that in other circumstances — say, a wicked woman who preyed on a righteous town — the judgement might’ve been right. Yet, for whatever reason, Jesus doesn’t see it as his place to condemn — though he still warns her:


Which perhaps demonstrates the difference between walking in light vs. darkness:


That is, Jesus was walking in a clear understanding of the purpose and practice of virtue, unlike the Pharisees who used the Law to feed their own egos. Of course, they’re not going to let him off the hook that easily:


Is it just me, or are they obsessed with minor technicalities like where he’s from and how he says things (instead of judging him on his merits)?


They — both literally and figuratively — didn’t know where “he was coming from“; though Jesus himself did.

Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

Wow, that is powerful. The world often criticizes Christians as judgmental, and too often that critique is deserved — not that they are often much better. There is something inherently human in wanting to judge others, to put them in their place relative to us; there may even be legitimate value in it. Yet, Jesus doesn’t play that game.

Though, he could:


Now he does seem to be playing with them. Clearly, if they don’t accept his testimony as valid, citing Scripture and invoking his invisible Father isn’t going to convince them. So, what point is he trying to make?


I wonder if the larger subtext is that, really, they are condemned for not listening to him or knowing His Father (despite their claims to the contrary). Jesus is just pointing out what is manifestly true, albeit in a rather provocative way; though so far he’s still able to get away with it:


So, he keeps pushing them:


A cryptic statement, which they (in their confusion) assume to mean the worst:


And Jesus just heaps it on:


Ouch. This is the third time he tells them they shall die in their sins (unlike, ironically, the woman who was given a second chance at life). Their response is understandable:

Then said they unto him, Who art thou?

Who do you think you are, anyway? Who died and made you judge?


Pretty mind-boggling, even two thousand years later knowing what was to happen. The bottom line, though, is that Jesus is really only concerned about the Father:


And however confounding his words were to the leaders, many among the people understood enough to know he was worth trusting:

As he spake these words, many believed on him.

Do we? Do I?


God, I understand so little about who Jesus is, and why he came. I confess that I am completely unworthy to walk in his shoes, yet I arrogate to myself authority and righteousness even he wouldn’t claim. Help me to be more like him, and to know you as my Father. Teach me to do what pleases you, and to speak only the things that you have taught me. Never leave me alone. I ask this for the sake of Jesus, Amen.