LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Justice of the Law
In John chapter 8 we find the case of a woman who had gravely sinned against the fidelity and sanctity of her marriage. She was married and had broken those sacred bonds, that fidelity that she owed to her husband.
The sin was grave, and there was no way to excuse herself, because she had been caught in the very act of adultery. There was no alibi; no valid argument, no explanations. According to the law of Moses, she deserved death, and was to be stoned. The first stones should be thrown by those who had caught her. Then all the people should join them in the judgment.
If we put ourselves in the husband's situation, we would surely sympathize with him. And also, like the scribes and Pharisees who had brought the woman, we would take sides in favor of the husband, saying: "That woman must die. The husband gave her no occasion for her to commit adultery. He is a good man. He's faithful. How could this woman do such a thing to him?".
But it was not only the husband who must have had this opinion. There was also the husband's family. And perhaps some of the woman's relatives who felt ashamed of her. It is possible that this feeling would have been echoed by others. In society as a whole. Such a woman had to die.
Although the outcome of this episode was life for the woman, it is good for us to know what the law says about the man's sin, and to see that her demands are legitimate. It is good for us to know that adulterers deserve death. That fornicators also deserve death. That liars, idolaters, thieves, all deserve punishment.
There are people who say: "I have never done anything wrong. Well, little sins, yes, but no great sins. Then why are you accusing me? Or, why should I need a Savior?". There are people who think very highly of themselves. They move through society with their heads held high, believing they are doing well. However, such people need to hear this: "Your sin is no less than that of this adulterous woman; therefore, the punishment for you is death. You deserve death for your sin, and that has no return".
The Law was not given for the righteous, but for the transgressors and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the irreverent and profane; for the parricides and matricides, for murderers, for for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers. There is hardly a man or woman who escapes this list.
Therefore, when the Pharisees and scribes, relying on the Law of Moses, brought this woman to Jesus to be stoned, they were not asking for something illegitimate. They were acting right, according to the Law.
Surely you are one of those people who have more than once violated one of the Ten Commandments. The Bible says that whoever violates one of these commandments becomes guilty of all. His fate is sealed, unless he meets the One who saved that adulteress from certain death.