Pauses in time

John chapter 8
This chapter starts out with the woman caught in adultery. The whole story takes place in 11 verses. A lot takes place in this brief but profound passage. Over the years I've heard many sermons or sermonettes expound on this passage. This particular scene has also been used in Mel Gibson's 'the passion of the Christ". I'd like to give a shot at breaking this down. First of all the chapter begins with John 8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. If we look in the previous chapter we see that Jesus is in the temple courts teaching the people. The people were really amazed by His teaching, which made the Pharisees very upset and jealous. They instructed the guards to arrest him, but they were so impressed by this teaching they couldn't do it. Imagine that! He was telling the people that he was leaving, but that he would leave them with the Holy Spirit. By the way, this place that Jesus went to "the Mount of olives", must have been a very special. This is the place where Jesus left the earth and, it will be where he returns. (see Acts chapter 1) Maybe we need our own "Mount of olives", so we could spend time with the one who created us, whether in prayer or worship or just plain quiet time.
Verse two says that he went back into the temple courts where people gathered all around him. They wanted to learn more, all we have to do is pick up a Bible and read. Okay, here is the scene, Jesus in the temple teaching a crowd of people, in walks some scribes and Pharisees with a woman caught in the act of adultery. This offense, drew the death penalty, according to their law at that time. Note: do you think Jesus was caught offguard? Do you think he said to himself, "Oh no what am I going to do here, they really might have me with this one". I don't think so!.(John 8:3-6 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and 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?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. Over the years I heard different explanations for this stooping down and writing on the ground. One plausible explanation was that he was really writing down the various sins possibly committed by those accusers. Maybe. Keep in mind there was a huge crowd waiting to see if this poor woman was going to be stoned to death. Not to mention the woman herself who was probably very terrified.
She was standing there without a protest, I'm sure she was well aware of current laws in place. Her hope was in Jesus Christ. Aren't we all in this same position.
Dramatic pauses in time.

I would like to present a different application. First of all, I do not believe he was trying to think of something to say that would satisfy those questioning him, as well as the crowd all watching in eager anticipation, not to mention the woman who was possibly about to die. Remember, He had just come from "the Mount of olives ", I believe he knew exactly what he would encounter that day. In the history of the Jewish nation there have been many times when the people have asked for something, and have had to wait to get the answer. Here's a few that I can think of; 400 years of slavery in Egypt. and when they were released, it took them 40 years to travel a weeks journey. how about 70 years in exile, and all the droughts, famines, and enemy attacks. There is also many promises God has given to people, that do not seem to be fulfilled within the timeframe we desire. Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and so many others, I'm quite sure you can come up with your own list.[sidebar], How many times have we waited for something, without an immediate response? Perhaps we have been through the same things experienced by Israel on a much smaller scale, but nevertheless they've been very real to all of us. In the fullness of time, Christ, the Messiah, the deliver appeared on the scene. Stood up, so to speak, so we all could see him, but we need to hear his voice. Just like the scribes and Pharisees, and the crowd, and the woman, were waiting to hear his voice. When he spoke, that was all they needed to hear.

Like this:Matthew 7:28-29 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

When Jesus stood and spoke, there must've been "pin drop" silence. Leaving the woman standing there all alone with Jesus. Jesus said "where are they has no one condemned you". "No one, sir, she responded.John 8:11 “No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Just so you know, he has power to forgive sins, and he has given us power through his Holy Spirit to leave that sinful life behind. We are this woman. Christ died for sins, wiping our slate clean, He is also telling us to go and leave our lives of sin. Jesus, when his redemption was completed, he did not leave us helpless.
John 16:7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.