Have you ever felt trapped by your past mistakes? Have you ever felt like the worst thing you've done is the only thing people see? Or perhaps the only thing you're known for? Does it feel like your reputation follows you everywhere you go? We're going to talk about that today.
My name is Jeremy and I'm the lead pastor of Mountain View Church. Today we're looking at an incredible encounter where a woman stood condemned for her past decisions but then walked away forgiven by Jesus. Today's message is titled, Jesus' Mercy, from John 8, 1-11. Let's jump in. John chapter 8, verses 1-11. They went out each to his own house, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery.
And placing her in the midst, they said to him, Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say? This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one.
beginning with the older ones. And Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? She said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, sin no more. This woman has been dragged into the middle of the crowd. She's been exposed, ashamed, and accused. In that moment, her worst decision has become her entire identity. She stands alone, humiliated. But then the unthinkable happens. The religious leaders call for her execution.
Then, in that chaotic moment, when everything seems lost for this woman, something incredible happens. Jesus enters the scene. His presence changes everything. From this account, we discover that Jesus sees her differently from all the others. Where they see a condemned sinner, he sees a soul worth saving. And where the religious leaders see a chance to trap Jesus, he sees a chance to transform this woman. And that's a crucial component of this account. Condemning a woman was just a day in the life of religious leaders.
their deep desire was really to trap Jesus. In John 8, 4-5, they said to him, Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do you say? You see, if he upheld the law and called for her to be stoned, they could accuse him of cruelty. More significantly, they could accuse him of denying the message of forgiveness that he'd been preaching all over the countryside while amassing this following. On the other hand, if he dismissed the law, they could accuse him of rejecting Moses. This would undermine his credibility as a rabbi.
As you can see, from their perspective, Jesus is caught in their trap, or so they think. Jesus says something they didn't expect to happen. He chooses to confront them, but in a very unique way. Scripture tells us that Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. This is a tense scene. The woman's shame is on full display.
She's likely cowering in a mix of fear and humiliation, surrounded by her accusers. Perhaps some of them have already picked up stones, ready to issue her death sentence. And yet, instead of joining the condemnation, Jesus kneels down and writes in the dust. This feels like an odd response, doesn't it? I'm sure you're thinking the same thing I am. What did he write? What did Jesus write in that sand? Some scholars believe he wrote the sins of the accusers, exposing their hypocrisy.
Others think he wrote a specific law or specific laws they were misusing to trap him. Some believe he wrote their names, which would have connected them back to the prophetic teachings of Jeremiah, where we read in chapter 17, verse 13, O Lord, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame. Those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water. We'll never know for sure, but this act is more than a gesture. The context indicates that it's meant to act like a mirror of sorts for the accused. Somehow, by writing in the dust, or I guess writing in the dust, Jesus shifts the focus from the woman's guilt to their own guilt. It's a silent yet powerful challenge to the religious leaders, to their authority, and to the judgment of the crowd. Jesus stands and gives them a shocking challenge, and yet quite mildly and quietly.
Then in verse seven, we read, let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her. Jesus speaks, but don't miss what he's doing through this statement. Some might assume that Jesus is saying sin doesn't matter. That's not it. That's not it at all. Her sin is still wrong. It's still an offense to God, but the hypocrisy of the hearts of the leaders and the crowd is equally sinful and equally offensive to God. And so Jesus has navigated a perfect line through their trap.
He's answered their initial question while not rejecting the Mosaic Law. He's also addressed the crowd's heart condition while at the same time initiating the women's rescue. Jesus has offered this woman mercy instead of condemnation. And he wants to offer you and I the same thing. Jesus offers mercy, not condemnation.
The heart of our Lord Jesus is to offer us mercy and not condemnation. That being said, his mercy doesn't replace or abolish accountability. Jesus doesn't ignore sin, quite the opposite actually. He confronts it head on. In everyone standing there that day in front of that woman, including those on the sidelines with stones in hand, Jesus also confronts all of us, right now, through this account even. He calls us to think deeply about our own offenses before we start pointing the fingers at others and casting judgment.
Then, as we submit to his conviction and accept our sin, he's full of mercy towards us. He offers us forgiveness and leads us to transformation instead of condemnation, which is really what we deserve. Jesus said, You see, we live in a world that is quick to judge and slow to forgive. Think of social media, public scandals, and constant criticism. It makes it easy for one mistakes to define a person and be put on display. But Jesus offers a different way. He knows our past. He knows your past. Yet he offers a very different future. A future of forgiveness and mercy. You see, he knows the wrongs we've done. But he offers us a chance for redemption. Just think about your own life. Think about the deepest regret you have. The greatest wrong you've ever committed. That thing that you're so ashamed of. Perhaps, at times, you've felt defined by that behavior or decision.
Maybe you felt trapped in the shame. And yet, Jesus sees it, but he sees through it to you because he's looking through a lens of his mercy. He knows what you've done, but he also knows who you can become through him. You see, Jesus came to save sinners and to restore them to right standing with God. He took our sin on the cross, paying the debt for our sin and appeasing the wrath of God. He died and was buried, but three days later, he rose from the grave, conquering sin and death.
Through belief in Jesus, God offers us a new life, free from sin's bondage and all those decisions and behaviors, free from guilt and shame and condemnation. And this is the heart of the gospel. And this is found in this text. So let's come back to it one more time. In verses eight and nine, we read, and once more, he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones. And Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Did you notice that one by one they left? As they're each convicted by their own guilt, they drop their stones.
and they walk away. It's very interesting also that the older people leave first. This is likely due to the wisdom they possess through a life of experience. A truth that lasts the test of time is that the longer you live, the more you know your own faults, and the slower you are to pass judgment. And so the older members of the crowd quickly concluded that they were not in a good enough standing to condemn anyone that day. So all alone, just the two of them, Jesus and the woman, he asks her, where are they? Has no one condemned you? And she replies, no one, Lord.
Then Jesus speaks the single sentence of mercy that is the center point of this account. He says, neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, sin no more. This, of course, was grace and mercy. But there's also a significant legal component to this outcome. There's a deeper level of what's happening here. Theologian John Hart explains that according to the law, a person could be put to death only with two or more witnesses.
But now there were no witnesses to condemn her to be stoned to death. Jesus could fully obey the Mosaic law in releasing the woman since there were no witnesses. I do not condemn you either. As in this case, forgiveness always precedes the command to sin no more and forms its greatest motivation. Jesus has given this woman a fresh start, a new life.
He shows her mercy, but he doesn't ignore her sin. Instead, he calls her to leave it all behind. This is the balance of grace and truth that is Jesus. He offers a new beginning without pretending that sin doesn't matter. He becomes a bridge between the justice and compassion needed. Scholar David C. Cook unpacks this tension. He writes, we must not misinterpret this event to mean that Jesus was, quote, easy on sin or that he contradicted the law. For Jesus to forgive this woman meant that he had to one day die for her sins. Forgiveness is free, but it is not cheap.
Law and grace do not compete with each other. They complement each other. Nobody was ever saved by keeping the law, but nobody was ever saved by grace who was not first indicted by the law. There must be conviction before there can be conversion. Nor is Christ's gracious forgiveness an excuse to sin. Go and sin no more, was the Lord's counsel. Certainly, the experience of gracious forgiveness would motivate the penitent sinner to live a holy and obedient life to the glory of God.
As we've already touched on, this encounter is a clear picture of the great good news of the gospel. We all stand guilty before God, but Jesus stands between us and our accusers. He became our bridge offering forgiveness instead of condemnation. So the starting point is recognizing and accepting our place as sinners and understanding that Jesus took the punishment for those sins on the cross. Through his sacrifice, we are saved, redeemed, and we are set free. We're called to turn from sin and follow Christ as our Lord and Savior and King for the rest of our lives. Although we'll continue to wrestle with temptation and sin in this world, there will be significant difference between the struggling with sin that we experience with Christ and the willfully choosing to return to sin, a life of sin, which we had before. There's a difference. But here's the best news. Through Jesus, our righteousness before God and our eternity in heaven is secured, no matter what.
From this point on, from the moment you give your life to Christ until you die, not because of our own efforts, but because of Christ's finished work on the cross. He offers forgiveness instead of condemnation because he bore our sins and died in our place. Though we deserve condemnation, Jesus offers us mercy. Just as the woman in this account walked away forgiven, we too can walk in freedom through faith in Jesus. In Christ, we're not defined by our past sins, but by his perfect grace and the freedom he gives.
Then, once we've experienced that grace and mercy, we learn how to offer it to others. And as a bit of application, as we come to a close, I want to offer three ways that we can put the mercy of Jesus into practice. First, by forgiving others. Mercy begins with forgiveness. Is there someone in your life you're struggling to forgive? Maybe they hurt you, betrayed you, or let you down. Forgiving them doesn't mean excusing their actions. It's an internal release, freeing them from the debt they owe you. We choose to forgive because Jesus first forgave us when we didn't deserve it. So ask yourself, who is Jesus calling you to forgive this week?
Next, choosing compassion. Mercy means showing compassion instead of judgment. When you see someone struggling, how do you respond? Are you quick to criticize or do you seek understanding in their pain? Jesus looked at broken people with compassion, not condemnation. When you encounter someone struggling, choose to be a voice of encouragement and support.
Finally, being merciful. Mercy is active. It's something we do. So look for opportunities to be a tangible example of God's mercy. This could be helping someone in need, giving without expecting anything in return, or speaking words of kindness when others speak harshly. Being merciful means letting our actions reflect the heart of Jesus. You see, only by experiencing the mercy of Jesus can we truly reflect it towards others. So if you're watching or listening today, and maybe you're someone who's carrying a lot of guilt and shame and regret,
If that's you, if that's you listening or watching right now, it's time to accept the mercy of Jesus. He doesn't see you through that lens of your worst mistakes like the world does. He sees you with love and acceptance. He offers you the forgiveness, freedom, and fresh start. The same that he offered that woman on that day, he offers to you today, but eternally. And so if you're ready to receive the mercy of Jesus, would you pray this prayer with me today? Dear God, thank you for your mercy that meets me in my brokenness. Thank you for seeing beyond my mistakes and giving me a fresh start.
I admit that I am a sinner and I need your forgiveness. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose again, giving me new life. Today I turn from my sins and trust Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Help me share your mercy with others. Soften my heart where I'm tempted to judge and give me strength to live a life changed by your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Thank you so much for joining us today. I really appreciate you being here. If you gave your life to Jesus today and have accepted his mercy, please connect with us so that we can walk with you through your faith journey. It's very simple to do. Just go to mountainview.church slash connect. That's mountainview.church slash connect and fill out the online connect form and someone will get in contact with you. Or if you're watching through your favorite social network, you can simply search at Mountain View Whitehorse and send us a DM. If you found this content helpful and hopeful, please feel free to share it.
Also, we'd greatly appreciate a like or a follow or subscribe so that you get future messages in your feed. Now, before you go, there are a few more important updates that we need to make you aware of, so just hold on a few more minutes. Hello Mountain View! It's that time of year again and spring cleaning is in the air. Every year around this time we all get together on a Saturday afternoon to make this place shine a little bit extra. Our custodians George and Narisa do a great job in keeping the place clean but once a year we like to put in a team effort to get rid of all the mud and the dust of spring from all the nooks and crannies. This year cleaning day is on Saturday May 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. I will have sign-up sheets at the back of the auditorium and if you call Mountain View your home church please pick a room and get in on the fun. Important note on the sign-up sheets each room has its own sheet and then each room has a bunch of little jobs within that room.
You're not picking the little jobs individually, you're picking a room. So everybody, pick a room that you want to be a part of and we'll get this thing done. Now, we all contribute to the dust around here, so we should all help take care of it. There will be coffee and snacks provided on cleaning day, and the more people that sign up, the quicker this will get done. Honestly, it always ends up being a pretty fun day, consisting of a weird combination of smiling faces and elbow grease. Come on out and get to know someone a little bit better. If you have any questions or if you can't make it on that day, but you still want to contribute your time and effort to the task, email me, aaron at mountainview.church, and we can arrange for you to clean a specific room at a separate time, no problem. Again, spring cleaning day, Saturday, May 24th. We'll see you then.
Good morning, everyone. We are excited to share a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference in our community through a simple yet impactful fundraiser called the Baby Bottle Campaign. This campaign supports Pregnancy Care Center UConn in its efforts to open a vital pregnancy resource center that provides life-saving and life-changing services right here in Whitehorse. Pregnancy Care UConn aims to work with women and families by offering support, education, and resources to those in need, helping them choose life and thrive. They address their clients' physical and spiritual needs while sharing the gospel and providing practical assistance. So today, we have the baby bottles for anyone wanting to participate at the welcome desk during the 9, 30, and 11 a.m. gatherings. Each bottle has a number that corresponds to the person who signs it out. On the bottle, you will find a label with information about the Pregnancy Care UConn, which also includes options for donating online or by check to receive a charitable receipt. Additionally, the labels contain contact information for anyone interested in learning more or volunteering.
Over the next few weeks, we ask that you preferably fill these bottles with loose change or cash. The collection day will be on Father's Day, June 15th. Please remember to bring your filled bottles back to the church on Sunday. We will have a designated area for you to drop them off. If you forget or cannot return your bottle on June 15th, the Pregnancy Care UConn team will reach out to you. We encourage you to take a bottle today. Your contribution, no matter the size, directly supports Pregnancy Care UConn's mission to open a center dedicated to saving and changing lives. Thank you for participating in this simple yet powerful way to make a difference.
Hi, Church. Did you know that each year, over 150 teens from across Western Canada gather at an event called Serve. For one week, these teens dedicate their time and energy to volunteering and working on a variety of community service projects. For example, they do manual labor, painting, gardening, visiting seniors, day camps, cleanup, and basic landscaping for both the community and for individuals. My name is Christine, and I'm the Rivdale Baptist Church Work Coordinator for Serve. And I'm Barbara, a volunteer with Serve.
This year, SERV will be hosted in Whitehorse by Riverdale Baptist Church in partnership with the Canadian Baptists of Western Canada and will take place the first week of July from the 6th to the 12th. Is there a way that we could serve you during this event? Or maybe you know of someone who would benefit from having work done. If so, please contact me at the email below. Application deadline is Friday, June 13th.
Hello Mountain View Church. My name is Josh and I'm on the committee to bring Young Life to the Yukon. Young Life's mission is loving teenagers in their world, encouraging them to know Jesus Christ. To make that happen, we go to where the kids are and build a personal relationship with them so they are known by name, to earn the right to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Here is how you can participate in the ministry of Young Life. First, pray. First and foremost, we need to pray. Two, volunteer. Volunteer leaders to walk with students and a volunteer committee of six to ten people who will be the foundation of the ministry in Whitehorse.
A scripture which I meditate on as myself and others work to start Young Life is Romans 10, 13 to 15. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him whom they don't believe? And how are they to believe in him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without somebody preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? Thank you in advance for your prayers. And if you would like more information about this ministry and how to support Young Life or be added to our newsletter, please email us at whitehorse at younglife.ca or reach out to me personally.
867-689-0870. Thank you again. Our Next Steps Discipleship Workshop is coming up on Sunday, May 25th at 1230 p.m. This is a great opportunity to dive deeper into your faith in Jesus and commitment to our local church. It's also a great chance to get to know some other people in our community. And lastly, we offer a free lunch with the workshop. To find out more or to sign up, visit mountainview.church slash nextsteps. That's mountainview.church slash nextsteps. Now, parents, remember to check out our children's program called Basecamp. Today's downloadable video lesson and activities are available right now at mountainview.church slash basecamp.
And for our teens out there, Youth Group meets every Sunday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. We'd love to have you join us. Visit mountainview.church slash youth for more information. Now it's time for our discussion and prayer focus. Drop a comment in the feed or chat about it with whoever you're with. Today's question is, where in your life do you need to receive Jesus' mercy or offer it to someone else? Where in your life do you need to receive Jesus' mercy and offer it to someone else?
After you've talked about that, spend some time in prayer. Pray for a heart that receives mercy and a spirit willing to show it to others. Pray for a heart that receives mercy and a spirit willing to show it to others. And last but not least, please come back next week as we continue our Like No Other series looking at Jesus' wisdom from Matthew 7. Jesus provides a foundation that will never fail. If you've ever wondered how to make the right choices, this message is for you. So invite a friend and come back next week. See you then.
If you pray to receive Jesus today or would like to connect with our church community, visit mountainview.church and click the connect link. If this podcast and radio ministry has been a blessing to you, please consider partnering with us or making a tax-deductible donation at mountainview.church. Thanks for listening to Mountain View Church Audio. Join us next week for more Christ-centered teaching from the Wilderness City and Whitehorse Seat Farm.