The Fisherman's Story

A Study in the Gospel of John John 8:1-30   by Samuel E. Ward   Introduction:  The Story So Far   The story told in John's gospel is meant to persuade people and solidify their faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  The chief goal of this faith is to redeem people from their sin and bring them eternal life.  This is evident from the fact that on at least eight occasions in the gospel Jesus teaches about eternal life and how to obtain it.   1. to Nicodemus (John 3:1-21) 2. to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) 3. to unbelieving Jews in Jerusalem (John 5:16-47)) 4. to a crowd in Capernaum (John 6:23-59) 5. at the Feast of Dedication (now Hanukah) in Jerusalem (John 10:22-31) 6. when some came seeking Jesus early in the Passion Week (John 12:20-25)) 7. to those afraid to confess their faith because of the Pharisees (John 12:42-50) 8. in the upper room (John 17:1-2)   A summary outline of our study thus far:   Part One:  "The Beginning of the Fisherman's Story," John 1:1-18 Part Two:  "The Telling of the Fisherman's Story," John 1:19-12:50   I.  The Story Is an Unveiling of  the Redemptive Promise of God (Jesus), 1:19-4:54. II.  The Story Is a Record of the Rising Controversy Over Jesus' Claims and Demonstration of His Divine Nature and Power, John 5:1-47. III.  The Story Is a Record of the Growing Conflict Between Jesus and the Jews Over His Identity Claims, John 6:1-8:11.    A.  The Feeding of the Five Thousand B.  The Miracle of Walking on Water C.  The Discussion in a Synagogue D.  The Separation of Unbelievers from True Disciples E.  The Visit to Jerusalem   We continue "The Fisherman's Story" with . . .   F. The woman taken in adultery (7:53-8:11)   1.  The place and circumstance of the confrontation with Jesus, John 8:1-2   (John 8:1-2 NIV)  But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. {2} At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.   2.  The instigators and subject of the confrontation with Jesus, John 8:3-6a   (John 8:3-6a NIV)  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.   The teaching of the law is found in Lev. 20:10; Deut 22:22-24. The Law required that both the adulterer and the adulteress be put to death.  The woman was "caught in the act" but only she, not the man" was brought before Jesus.   3.  The action and question to Jesus' challengers, John 8:6b-8   (John 8:6b-8 NIV)  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, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." {8} Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.   4.  The cowering retreat of Jesus' challengers, John 8:9   (John 8:9 NIV)  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.   5.  The gracious act and words of admonition to the woman.   (John 8:10-11 NIV)  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."   This is consistent with Jesus' teaching elsewhere concerning judging others.    (Mat 7:3-5 NIV)  "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? {4} How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? {5} You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.   For a fair discussion on whether this incident was included in John's gospel, read the following article by Bob Deffenbaugh found in http://bible.org/seriespage/savior-and-sinner-john-7538211811.   IV. The Record of the Intensification of the Controversy Between Jesus and the Unbelieving Jews, John 8:12-59   Jesus' teaching in the temple area:   A. He Taught, "I am the Light of the World,(8:12-30)   1.  Jesus says that following Him means never having to live life in the darkness, John 8:12.   (John 8:12 NIV)  When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."   2.  The Pharisees challenge the validity of His right to make such a statement without a confirming witness, John 8:13.   (John 8:13 NIV)  The Pharisees challenged him, "Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid."   3.  Jesus challenges their rationality of their argument.  Just because there is only one witness does not make His claims untrue—only unconfirmed, John 8:25-15.   (John 8:14-15 NIV)  Jesus answered, "Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. {15} You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.   4.  Jesus, however, does have a confirming witness in His Father, John 8:16-18.   (John 8:16-18 NIV)  But if I do judge, my decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. {17} In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. {18} I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me."   5.  Jesus explains why the Jews did not know His Father and therefore did not understand who He was, John 8:19.   (John 8:19 NIV)  Then they asked him, "Where is your father?" "You do not know me or my Father," Jesus replied. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also."   6.  Jesus avoids being seized, John 8:20.   (John 8:20 NIV)  He spoke these words while teaching in the temple area near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his time had not yet come.   B.  He Taught Concerning His Impending Death and Its Significance to Them, John 8:21-30.   1.  Jesus' statement about His departure, John 8:21   (John 8:21 NIV)  Once more Jesus said to them, "I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come."   2.  The Jews' confusion over Jesus' statement, John 8:22.   (John 8:22 NIV)  This made the Jews ask, "Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, 'Where I go, you cannot come'?"   3.  Jesus declares the consequences of unbelief—they will die with their sins unforgiven, John 8:23-24.   (John 8:23-24 NIV)  But he continued, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. {24} I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."   4.  Jesus reveals when the Jews will know the truth of His identity, John 8:25-30.   a.  Jesus has not been hiding the truth from them, John 8:25.   (John 8:25 NIV)  "Who are you?" they asked. "Just what I have been claiming all along," Jesus replied.   b.  Jesus has in fact been revealing the truth to them about themselves as revealed to Him by His Father, John 8:26-27.   (John 8:26-27 NIV)  "I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is reliable, and what I have heard from him I tell the world." {27} They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father.   c.  Jesus reveals that after they had crucified Him, then the truth will become known, John 8:28-29.   (John 8:28-29 NIV)  So Jesus said, "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. {29} The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."   d.  Jesus sees many come to believe in Him, John 8:30.   (John 8:30 NIV)  Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.   Application   Evidence of truth of Jesus' claims to be "I AM" were verified, as Jesus said,  after they had "lifted Him up."   1.  During His trial He never denied any of the claims He made concerning Himself. 2.  In His crucifixion He fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy concerning the suffering and death of the Messiah, God's Servant-Redeemer. 3.  In His resurrection He is proved that He had absolute power over life and death.  He certified His claim that, "I AM the Way the Truth, and the Life" by His resurrection." 4.  In His appearances and ascension He proved He indeed was alive forevermore       What do you believe about your eternal destiny?  Do you have any evidence to back it up?  The answer to these questions are too important to relegate to a simple "I hope that I'm right" attitude!