John 8:3-11 (CSB) - 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
11 “No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
 
Leviticus 20:10 - If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress are to be put to death.
 
Deuteronomy 22:22 - If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.
 
Deuteronomy 17:7 - The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting that person to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.
 
The woman would have experienced tremendous shame!
 
3 Lies that Shame Whispers
 
1st Lie Shame Whispers: Our Identity
 
  • 2nd Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
  • Ephesians 1:4-5 - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world… In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.
  • 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…
  • Ephesians 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…
 
2nd Lie Shame Whispers: It’s better to be isolated
 
Ephesians 5:11-13 - Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them… everything exposed by the light becomes visible.
 
James 5:17 - Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
 
1 John 1:9 -  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
3rd Lie Shame Whispers: We can’t receive grace and forgiveness
 
John 8:7-9 - 'When they persisted in questioning him, he stood up and said to them, “The one without sin among you should be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground. When they heard this, they left one by one, starting with the older men. Only he was left, with the woman in the center.'
 
John 8:10-11 - 'When Jesus stood up, he said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? ” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus.
 
Gospel Truth: We are never too far from receiving grace and forgiveness!
 
Where are Your Accusers?