Christ & the Woman Caught in Adultery: A Jewish Perspective Part 2
In this three-part series, we’re going to look at one of the most well-known yet greatly misunderstood passages in the entire Bible - chapter 8 of John’s Gospel, where we find the account of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery.
This is one of many examples of how mainstream Christianity’s separation from and rejection of its biblical Jewish foundation in favor of pagan, Hellenistic traditions has led not only to a false image of Christ but a distorted view of the grace of God and disdain, even contempt for His Law.
The very same Law that Paul - the apostle of grace – described in the seventh chapter of Romans as “holy and the commandment holy and just and good.” The very Law of which Paul also wrote, “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.” Romans 3:31 (ESV)
The exact same Law, in fact, of which Christ Himself said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 (NIV)
Professing to be wise, multitudes of Christian theologians and Bible scholars in their rejection of anything Hebraic or Jewish have become darkened in their knowledge of Christ and His kingdom. And as a result, key aspects of who He really is, why He came and what He is offering to mankind have been ripped from their biblical moorings and transformed into what can rightly be called another gospel and another Christ.
This account in John’s Gospel provides us with an excellent opportunity to see Christ as He truly is. Simply put, it’s a fabulous example of the surpassing greatness of His true grace and mercy. And as we’ll see, it’s far more glorious and majestic than the cheap counterfeits that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries!
Every detail is important and must be carefully read and understood within the context of the entire biblical record. So in this episode, we’ll turn back to John’s account and begin looking at some of the popular interpretations of this passage that have permeated Christian teaching and tradition for centuries.
As it is written,
'What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
For he who has died has been freed from sin ...
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:1-7, 11
Soundtrack Music
"Advent" by Ben Winwood
"Awakening" by LNDÖ
"Fount" by Mattia Vlad Morleo
"Mind Heart" by Tristan Barton
"The Warrior's Blade" by Steven Beddall
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
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