v. 7 If anyone of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. These have always been profound words to me. How quick we are to judge, and point out the sins of others. And yet how often are we willing to examine our own hearts for wrong attitudes, thoughts, and actions? Jesus called them on their self righteous spirit, but at the same time he wasn’t condoning or excusing the woman’s sin of adultery. He told her, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Oh, if we could only learn to deal gently and yet strongly with the souls of others as Jesus did.
v.12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. This chapter reveals Jesus as light and as truth. To walk in light and to walk in truth, I must pursue Jesus above all else. The farther I drift from Jesus, the more I find myself in darkness and deception. When I drift from Jesus, it is so much easier for Satan to deceive me.
v. 32 Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. v. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Christ brings freedom. The true pursuit of Christ leads us into greater freedom and liberty – spiritually and emotionally. Jesus set me FREE!
v. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself. This statement convicts. The Son of God who deserves all glory didn’t come seeking it for Himself. I who have no right to any glory always seem concerned about my image and reputation. Jesus have mercy on me. I want to be at a place where I can say that I seek no glory for myself. Truly it is God’s glory that will change lives, and not the glory of any man.
v. 58 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “Before Abraham was born. I AM!” Wow. With this statement, Jesus turned thousands of years of Hebrew Theology over on its head. He said, I AM. I AM. This was the name that Jehovah God gave to Moses in Exodus 3. Moses said, Who shall I say sent me? God said, “I Am that I am.” He revealed himself as the great I AM. That means we are the great “I am not!” When Jesus said, I am, he was claiming to be God, the same God who spoke to Moses, the same God of their father Abraham. Jesus was claiming that he was greater than the patriarchs and the prophets. He was the eternal and living God. Jesus is the great I AM. If you need him today, he says, “I AM – not I was. Not I will be, but I AM right now at this very moment. I AM all that you need.
Whoever the Son sets free is free indeed!! Imagine being employed at a job you don’t like. Despair, hopelessness and depression may be some of the feelings we may be carrying daily. What a terrible way to live. Someone who commits adultery may have the same feelings and may be burdened with guilt, sorrow, and remorse. Then to make matters worse, their actions are brought to the light and now everyone in the crowd knows about it. Overwhelmed with shame and embarrassment, its almost too much to bear. But wait!! Jesus says, “Go, be free! I don’t condemn you!” Under the law, we’re stoned and we die. Under grace, there is no condemnation and we live. Now we are free! We can live that abundant life that Christ comes to give us. Hallelujah!