January 31st Virtual Worship

January 31, 2021 Pastor Marc Hayden

Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez

Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden

Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger

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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:

Journeying with John; Neither Do I Condemn You

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, sir.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

[Reading above - John 8: 3-11]

Jesus has been facing growing resistance in this section of John’s gospel. From conflict with his brothers (John 7:1-9) to an attempt by the authorities to arrest Jesus in the Temple (John 7:32-36) it is becoming increasingly clear that Jesus will face a violent end. And yet Jesus’ ability to speak the truth in love with wide appeal has protected Jesus so far. The 8th chapter opens with a dramatic episode whose intent is to test and trap Jesus. Will Jesus uphold the commands of God if it means undermining his favor with the people? Jesus response to this test is a case study in de-escalating a crowd intent on violence and remaining true to the Spirit of Divine Wisdom.

Questions for Reflection:

Deuteronomy 22:22 and Leviticus 20:10 are the Mosaic commands dealing with adultery. What is the threat to community that adultery represents? Some historians suggest the penalties for breaking commands were rarely exacted. They were understood as hyperbole to emphasize the protection of faithful community. Does the outcome of this story support that view? Why would only the woman be brought forward? Where are the two witnesses required to convict in such a case?
Notice the posture and movement of Jesus in the story. How do Jesus’ movements and spare comments de-escalate the scene?
What do you think Jesus was drawing in the dust?
What will you take away from the story that will help you be a faithful disciple in the new week?