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What if the Adulterous Woman in John 8 was Transgender?
I love the story of the adulterous woman found in John chapter 8 of the Bible. It is a magnificent picture of God’s scandalous grace.
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” (NASB)
We don’t think much about adultery these days because it has become so prevalent in our society. It’s not against the law anymore (except in the military). Unfortunately it happens more than it should, even within the Church. But in Jesus’ time, under the Mosaic Law, it was a capital offense, punishable by death. It was not taken as lightly as it is today.
Why Do We Disgrace Others?
There are not many issues in life that are harder to face than having a spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend cheat on you. It is a devastating event that wreaks havoc with your emotions and mind. To have that trust betrayed by the closest person to you is one of the most distressing things a person can go through.
I’ve heard many people say that if their significant other ever cheated on them that they would automatically end the relationship. They would be justified in their decision to do so as a relationship cannot survive without trust. However, I now that no one really knows what they will do in a situation until they are in that situation, facing it head on. Some have said they would leave immediately but didn’t when it actually happened. Others who thought they could weather anything couldn’t handle all the emotions and distrust that come with unfaithfulness.
Throwing Stones at Jesus
One of my favorite Bible stories is found in John 8. It’s about the women who was caught in adultery by the religious leaders. They were testing Jesus to see how He would respond to this clear violation of the Law. The Law was clear that adulterers were to be stoned.
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, ” He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, ” I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.” (John 8:1-11, NASB)
I see a lot of parallels with this first century story and our lives today. There are still many religious people today that are ready to cast stones at people who sin differently than they do, or who might see things from a different perspective.
The Cross of Jesus Changes Everything
The Cross is the centerpiece of human history. By the death and resurrection of Jesus everything changed in an instant. Death came by one man in an instant through Adam’s disobedience. Life was made available to all men in an instant when Jesus cried out, “It is finished.” There was never more a definite statement made in all of history!
For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News- and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Cor. 1:17-18
The message of the Apostles was Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. The very nature and essence of
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God is seen in the crucified Christ. Jesus declared that He came to reveal the Father to humanity.
Jesus Offers Overdraft Protection
hat they make deposits in their bank account. But when they sin, they believe they make withdrawals from their account. We live this way when we base our lives on our performance. Unfortunately, I see this in too many believers’ lives.
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