Series: Paradoxes of Jesus

#2: Jesus, the Gracious Judge

John 8:2-11 and Romans 5:20 – 6:14 (NIV)

By John Gill ~ February 25, 2024

This morning, we are continuing our series on “The Paradoxes of Jesus,” - the way Jesus was able to hold seeming opposites in creative tension. Last week, we saw how Jesus was both a conservative and a revolutionary. Today we will consider Jesus as being a Gracious Judge.

This aspect of who Jesus is reflects a paradoxical tension of the Christian life. What is the proper relationship between justice and grace? As Christians, how do we balance the need to hold people accountable for their actions, verses showing mercy and forgiveness? How should we react when we have been wronged, when our spouse betrays us, when our children rebel and behave in self-destructive ways, when our boss fires us unfairly, when we sit on a jury and must decide issues of guilt and innocence? It’s an issue we face every day as we struggle to be faithful disciples of Jesus.

In the Christian tradition, we speak of Jesus as being Gracious and loving, but also as our righteous Judge – aren’t those two things mutually exclusive?

Of all the various images we have of Jesus, I think my least favorite one is the idea of Jesus as a “Judge.” I don’t know,… it just rubs me the wrong way. I know that some preachers love to rant and rave from their pulpits about the “Last Judgment,” when we will all stand before Jesus, the Righteous Judge, and get what’s coming to us!

And there are many places in the New Testament where Jesus DOES stand in judgment against the unrighteous, reproaching them for their sinfulness and lack of faith: We remember the parable in Matthew’s gospel about the Judgment Day, when the King will separate the “Sheep” and the “Goats,” - the sheep are welcomed into the heavenly fold, but the goats are cast into eternal punishment. At another time, Jesus passed judgment on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, shouting, “You snakes, you brood of vipers, how can you escape being condemned to hell?” [ I’ve always threatened to preach on that text! - Watch out, I just might do it! It’s a great passage, on of the most powerful sermons Jesus preaches during Holy Week. Let’s just say – he seale his fate when preached that sermon. ]

Or his judgment against those who cause children to sin, “If a man is the cause of stumbling of one of these little ones who have faith in me, it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

Yes, I suppose that, if you really liked the image of Jesus as a “Judge,” you can find lots of material in the Bible to focus on. The Bible is clear that, whether we like the notion or not, Jesus IS the one who (as we say in our creed) will “judge the quick and the dead.” So, we had better not ignore the image of Jesus as a Judge, because that IS one part of who he is – but, thank goodness, it’s not ALL of who he is!

Of all the passages which speak of Jesus as a judge, my favorite is our scripture from John that was read a moment ago. No scripture passage is more beautiful or more typical of Jesus’ character than the story of the woman caught in adultery. (You might recall, I briefly referred to this story in my sermon last Sunday.) I love this passage, because, in it we see Jesus NOT ONLY as being a “Righteous Judge,” but as a “Gracious Judge,” as well.

You know, we are fortunate that we have this story in our Bible at all… because it probably was NOT part of John’s original manuscript. You may not realize it, but there is no one definitive manuscript of any book of the Bible because none of the original manuscripts survive [ we call those the “autograph copies” ] – not one survives. Our Bibles are based on several ancient manuscripts that were copies of copies. The most ancient manuscripts of John’s Gospel do not have this story in them at all.

This story must have existed in the early church as an independent tradition, told and retold among Christians. Because it was so true to the nature of Christ, the story was revered as authentic. Even though it wasn’t found in any of the Gospels, the church considered it “scripture” and wanted it included. However, the early New Testament editors didn’t seem to know what to do with it!

Some of the editors of early manuscripts omitted this story altogether or placed it at a different point in John. One even chose to insert it into the 21st chapter of Luke, where it seems to fit the style and context very well.

If you have a New English Bible, you will discover that the story is placed at the end of John as an appendix to the Gospel. The Today’s English Version of the “Good News Bible” places the whole story in parentheses. There are other translators who include the story as a footnote at the bottom of the page.

But, originally a part of John’s Gospel, or not, this authentic fragment from the life of Christ deserves an honored place in our hearts, because it gives us a glimpse of Jesus, the “gracious judge.”

You know, it’s easy to think of this story as being about this woman caught in sin, and of course, it IS about her – its about every one of us, since we all are guilty of sin in our life. It reveals how gracious and forgiving Christ is in pardoning our sin. But on a different level, this story is also about “judgment” … how we judge others, and how Christ judges us. Just think about the story with me for a few moments:

Throughout the preceding chapter in John’s Gospel, the Pharisees have been judging and condemning Jesus. All through their verbal confrontation, Jesus is being judged by his antagonists: They say that he has never studied in the proper religious schools; or that he is possessed by a demon; or that he comes from the wrong place to be the Messiah; or that he is a Samaritan (that is, a heretic). They say his claims to authority are not valid, and are in fact, blasphemous! And so, they repeatedly try to take Jesus prisoner! You see, the Pharisees have already passed judgment on Jesus!

And then comes this story of the woman caught in adultery. The Scribes and Pharisees dragged this poor wretched woman out of her bed – where she and a man who was not her husband were in the midst of a sexual liaison. (By the way, it’s interesting to notice that the MAN in this sordid relationship apparently got off scot-free! Surprise, Surprise!)

Now, do you think those religious leaders were REALLY concerned about this woman’s sin? They couldn’t care less about this women, or what she did! The ONLY thing they cared about was trying to trap Jesus into saying something that would discredit his ministry, and give them ammunition to find an excuse to arrest him. All this woman was to them was a “pawn” which they were all-to-willing to sacrifice in order to “check-mate” Jesus. They wanted Jesus to pass judgment on this woman. But Jesus refused to play by their rules.

There was no question that this woman was guilty: she was caught in the very act. And, the Old Testament scriptures are very clear – the “Word of God” is very clear – that adulterers (both women and men) MUST be put to death. [ That’s what the Bible says! Do we believe the “Word of God?” ] Adultery was considered as serious a crime as idolatry or murder – punishable by stoning to death. Yes, according to the Law of Moses, this woman deserved to die. That is literally what the Bible says to do!

But Jesus knew the motives of the men accusing her – he saw through their ploy – so he refused to play their little game. “They… said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”

Jesus found himself on the horns of a dilemma. If he said, “Let her go,” they would have accused him of breaking the Law of Moses. But if he gave them permission to stone her, he would have lost his reputation for compassion – not to mention have broken Roman law which did not allow Jews to execute people without Roman approval. [ Remember – during Holy Week the Jews go to Pilate to get Jesus crucified – they can’t legally do it themselves. ]

So, instead of answering, Jesus bent down and began to write in the dirt (by the way, this is the only reference in scripture to Jesus ever writing anything). What do you suppose he wrote? Unfortunately, we will never know. Maybe he was just doodling – buying time, to diffuse the tension of the moment. Or perhaps, he was making a list of the sins of the accusers. It’s interesting that the Greek word “to write” used here literally means, “to write down a record against someone.” The Armenian Manuscript of the Bible which includes this story relates these verses with these words: “He himself, bowing his head, was writing with his finger on the earth TO DELARE THEIR SINS; and they were seeing their sins on the stones.” Maybe so!

In any case, after Jesus wrote in the dirt, he stood up and challenged them: “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Great answer! Jesus puts the onus right back on them!

The Scribes and Pharisees who had already passed judgment on both Jesus and this woman now found the tables turned! Jesus refused to judge the woman’s sin… instead, he chose to judge the sins of her accusers! Jesus can forgive anything, but hypocrisy! And one-by-one, beginning with the oldest and wisest (the scriptures tell us), the accusers dropped their stones and slinked away in shame.

As Jesus said in Matthew’s gospel, “Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and apply to you the same rules you apply to others… How dare you say to your brother, ‘Please let me take that speck out of your eye,’ when you have a log in your own eye!” It’s so easy to be self-righteous. How quick we are to condemn, and how slow to forgive!

You and I are in no position to judge others because we are all guilty of sin, [ if that’s a newsflash for you ] and stand in need of the amazing grace of God.

George Whitfield, the great 18th century preacher in England, one day saw a criminal on the way to the gallows, and uttered a sentence we all need to live by: “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”

How sad that the Scribes and Pharisees couldn’t say the same when they saw the sin of this woman. But Jesus made sure that, in the end, the accusers were reminded of their own sin and guilt. He reminds us, too.

After he had exposed the sins of those self-righteous men, Jesus turned his attention to the woman. “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you…”

Now, some people wish the story ended right there. Then they could argue that Jesus was not concerned about the woman’s sin – that Jesus wasn’t interested in condemning her, only to offer her forgiveness. But the story doesn’t end there, does it? . . . Jesus loves her, but doesn’t want her to continue to be trapped by her sin.

You see, there is a big difference between guilt and condemnation. It’s true, Jesus refused to condemn her – but he didn’t overlook her sinful past. To his words of grace and forgiveness, he added a ] brief but powerful command [ l like the way our translation put it – “Go now, and leave your life of sin!” [other say, “do not sin again,” but I like this translation better. ]

And therein lies the paradox of Jesus: grace and judgment are NOT mutually exclusive. In fact, they are two sides of the same coin. Jesus, the “gracious judge” forgives us – and judges us – at the same time!

You see, judgment without grace would leave us hopeless. But grace without judgment would be cheap and meaningless. Forgiveness means there is something to forgive, and demands a change within us. When we receive forgiveness, we are challenged to live a life worthy of our forgiveness! And then we are expected to extend that same forgiveness and grace to others – not overlooking their sins, but loving them in spite of their sin – and not judging people – not condemning them. That’s because judgment doesn’t encourage people to change. Only grace can do that! That’s the secret!

Someone has labeled this story “The Gospel of the Second Chance,” and they were so right! The Pharisees wanted to condemn her for her sin… but Jesus wanted to forgive her sin. They wanted to end her life… but Jesus want to give her a NEW life!

Its as though Jesus were saying to her – and through scripture, to us: “I know you’ve made a mess of things, but your life is not finished yet; I’m giving you second chance… the chance to redeem yourself!”

This is a wonderful story because, in it, we see what a Gracious Judge Jesus is… holding us accountable for our sins, yes – yet at the same time – the very same time, offering us a second chance – a chance to begin again!

I have seen this paradox at work in my life and in so many of the lives of people in my churches. In one of the previous churches I served, I preached on this story from the Gospel of John about the nature of grace and judgment – essentially the

same message I am bringing you this morning. After the service, a woman shared with me her experience of God’s gracious judgment in her life. I won’t use her name in order to protect her privacy.

When this woman was in her teens back in the 1980s, she became pregnant. Being young and scared, she was pressured by those around her to abort the pregnancy – which she did. She graduated from High School and went off to college. She was very successful in her studies and active in campus life. No one knew or suspected that she carried a huge burden of guilt and sorrow for having had an abortion. No one was condemning her – they didn’t need to. She condemned herself.

Then one day, like the woman in the story, she had an encounter with Jesus, as her Gracious Judge. She heard Jesus say that God didn’t condemn her for what she had done. For the first time since the abortion, she absolutely knew that she had been forgiven. She put her past behind her, and rededicated her life to serving Christ.

Today she is happily married with three beautiful children. She and her family are faithful followers of Jesus and model Christians. She and her husband have also become very active in the Emmaus community (a spiritual renewal movement) in that area, and have served on the teams of many Emmaus weekends. In fact, she is so committed to Christ that during the time I was serving that congregation, she was our Lay Leader.

She still regrets the abortion, but she doesn’t carry the guilt of it any more. She knows first-hand that our God is God of second chances.

This story from John’s Gospel impacts every one of us, because we find ourselves in it – we ALL are that woman – and we are ALL her accusers! We are each guilty of some sin. We deserve condemnation and punishment – but instead we are offered grace and forgiveness! “Amazing Grace!”

What is your “sin?” How have you messed up your life and placed yourself under the judgment of God? There’s Good news! God can forgive you and let you start over with a clean slate! But then, he turns to look you squarely in the eye, and says, “Go now, and leave your life of sin.”

There is a wonderful little poem about second chances I found, written by Louisa Fletcher. It goes like this:

I wish there were some wonderful place

in the “Land of Beginning Again,”

Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches

and all our poor selfish grief

could be dropped like a shabby old coat at the door

And never be put on again…1

Well, that “wonderful place” – exists! That “wish” has come true! Jesus is the “Gracious Judge” who invites all of us poor wretched sinners “to drop our sins… like a shabby old coat” at the foot of the Cross of Jesus,.. “never to be put on again.”

Have you ever had that experience – leaving it at the foot of the cross? In a few moments we will be coming to communion, approaching the cross. And, there is a railing where you can enter into a time of prayer, and surrender – whatever it is – to God, and let him offer you a new life.

Jesus, the Gracious Judge invites us to enter “The Land of Beginning Again.”

And, isn’t that what the Gospel is really all about?

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1 "The Land of Beginning Again" by Louisa Fletcher, from The Land of Beginning Again. © Nabu Press, 2011