November 3
John 6 -- 8
Early in the morning He (Christ) came again into the Temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down, and taught them (John 8:2). Jesus was rudely interrupted when the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman taken in adultery . . . They say to Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the Law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what do you say? (8:3-5). They brought this woman to Jesus, not because they were shocked at her conduct or grieved that the Holy Law of God had been broken, but This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him (8:6). Had He said: Let her go, it would expose Him of being an enemy of the Law of God. If He said: Stone her, His followers would have questioned His compassion and forgiveness of sinners. If He ignored the charge, they could accuse Him of compromising with sin.
Jesus brought conviction to each one of her accusers when He said: He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (8:7). Convicted by their own conscience . . . one by one, (they slipped away), beginning at the eldest, (he had the most sin to hide and the most reputation to protect) even unto the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst (8:9). Then Jesus said to her: Where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more (8:10-11). Following this disgusting interruption by these hypocritical religious leaders, Jesus resumed His teaching, saying: I am The Light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have The Light of Life (8:12).
All people who are not saved abide in darkness, and only those who have trusted in Christ as their Savior possess the Light of Life (8:12).
When Jesus said: I am The Light of the world (8:12), the Pharisees knew that He was speaking of Himself as equal with God. But they rejected Jesus as their Messiah and chose not only to remain in darkness but attempted to extinguish The Light. Then Jesus exposed their eternal destiny when He said: You shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins (8:21). How dreadful and solemn that they were searching for the Savior but with the wrong motive. Today, it is still possible to seek the Savior with the wrong motives. During times when some face death, serious financial reverses, or diseases like cancer, they may appear to sincerely "seek" Jesus with high and holy promises. But often they are only reformed -- not transformed. Let health return or let there be a change of circumstances, and often we observe these once-zealous professors of faith returning to their old ways. In striking contrast with the hypocrites are those who, regardless of circumstance, continue to serve Him. If you continue in My Word, then are you My disciples indeed (John 8:31).
Cross References:
For John 6:31: See Psa. 78:24. John 6:45: See Isa. 54:13.
Government Officials: Rep. Philip Crane (IL) and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA) · BPM Staff: Benjamin Wallace · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Shortwave Radio Outreach · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast sponsored by William H. Lupton · Country: Honduras (5 million) in Central America · Major languages: Spanish and Indian dialects · Religious freedom · 86% Roman Catholic; 10% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Thank God in prayer for His faithfulness to His Word and His desire that all come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).
Memory Verse for the Week:
Hebrews 3:15