NO STONES: THE GRACE THAT TRANSFORMS
John 8:1–12
This is a story about:
- A woman caught in sin
- Religious leaders caught in hypocrisy
- And a Savior who refuses to play their game
It is a story of and , of and , and ultimately, of .
THE CONTEXT
The Feast of Tabernacles (John 7)
John 7 takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles, one of Israel’s most important celebrations. This feast commemorated:
- God’s provision in the wilderness
- Water from the rock
- Fire that led them by night
During this feast:
- Giant lamps were lit in the temple courts
- Water was poured out ceremonially
- The people celebrated God as Provider and Light
John 7:37-38 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
That statement divides the crowd
Some believe.
Some doubt.
The religious leaders are furious.
Vs. 43 “So there was a division among the people because of Him. Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.”
-A TRAP, NOT A TRIAL
(John 8:1–6)
“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them.
Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,
they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”
This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.”
A trap is designed to:
A refuge is designed to:
The religious leaders brought a trap.
Jesus brought a refuge.
Psalm 46:1 says:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Proverbs 18:10:
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe”
THE SILENCE OF JESUS — GRACE KNEELS BEFORE IT SPEAKS
John 8:6-8, “This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
7. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
8. And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.”
He .
He
He with His finger.
Grace does not rush.
Grace listens.
Grace creates space.
Isaiah 53:7
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and like a sheep before its shearers is silent,, so he opened not His mouth.”
Psalm 103:14:
“He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
THE CONVICTION THAT EXPOSES HYPOCRISY
(John 8:7–9) “So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’
And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”
“Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone.”
*THE STONE IN YOUR HAND
This stone represents:
- Judgment
- Bitterness
- Self-righteousness
- Unforgiveness
Matthew 7: 5 (sermon on the mount)
“First remove the plank from your own eye, then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Romans 3:23:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
James 2:10:
“For whoever shall keep the whole law and yet stumble on one point, he is guilty of all.”
See, no one is worthy of throwing this stone. Because they have to be holy and righteous. And there is only one.
Jesus’ response was a sobering wake up call. So verse 9 tells us what happened…lets read it.
V9”Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”
One by one—starting with the oldest—they drop their stones and walk away.
Conviction does not always shout.
Sometimes it sounds like stones hitting the ground.
*JESUS AND THE WOMAN — GRACE AND TRUTH TOGETHER
John 8:10-11, “When Jesus had raided Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’
She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you’ go and sin no more.’”
“Neither do I condemn you.”
“Go, and sin no more.”
John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ‘full of grace and truth.’”
Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
*THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD — TRANSFORMATION BEGINS
John 8:12, “Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, ‘I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
Remember:
- God’s provision in the wilderness
- Fire that led them by night
During this feast:
- Giant lamps were lit in the temple courts
- The people celebrated God as Provider and Light
LIGHT AND DARKNESS
Darkness takes no effort. There is no structure in darkness. There is no need for beauty in darkness. There is no need for sight in darkness.
Everything worth living for is found in the light!
Light always wins.
Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Ephesians 5:8, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. So walk like it. Walk as children of light.”
Thank God for His forgiveness, Amen? But Jesus doesn’t just forgive us—Thank God, He forgives us. But because He is the true light…He also leads us. We aren’t walking alone and in darkness.
A. Drop Your Stones
B. Receive Grace
C. Walk Transformed