DerDiZ

by Douglas Laird

Like an unfaithful spouse who justifies his/her infidelity by his/her perceived need to fulfill needs not found in his/her marital relationship, the born again believer does the same when he/she goes to “religion” in order to fulfill the perceived spiritual needs not found in the Word of God. By religion, I am referring to ANYTHING that Man has added to or taken from what is revealed in the Word of God.

Among the Ten Commandments that were given to the people of Israel for the purpose of establishing their nation under a theocratic form of government, was the commandment prohibiting adultery (Ex. 20: 14). Adultery not only is the means in which the most of intimate human relationships (marriage) can be destroyed, but the spiritual life of those involved and society as a whole is impacted as well.

Because of its devastating potential, adultery was among the prohibited acts that could result in capital punishment (Leviticus 20: 10) being imposed on both parties involved. In light of this, it is interesting to note that only the woman who allegedly had been “caught in the act of adultery (John 8:4 NIV)” and not the man who had been involved with her was brought before our Lord. It was not the issue of the woman’s sin that mattered to her accusers, but the perceived opportunity to challenge the ministry of our Lord (John 8: 6).

For one to be convicted and executed for the sin of adultery, the FACTS had to be established by the TESTIMONY, at a hearing convened for that purpose(John 7:51), of two eyewitnesses (Deut.17: 6) to the actual behavior. Accusations that are not made under oath or in a formal setting fall short of what is required to be considered testimony.

It is not uncommon for self-righteous individuals with secret agendas to bypass the requirements of evidence or judicial procedure.

Such “technicalities” were also of little concern when they later arrested and brought our Lord to “trial”. It was not until AFTER His arrest (John 18: 12) that they sought witnesses (Matt. 26: 59, 60) and it was not until AFTER the false conviction of blasphemy (Matt.26: 65) failed to be recognized by Roman authorities that His conviction of blasphemy was amended to correspond to alleged violations of Roman law (Luke 23:2). Even at that, Pilate found no grounds for conviction (Luke 23:4).

If it were not for the fact that His work on the cross was very purpose that He came to Earth, neither the secular nor the religious courts of His Day could have legitimately condemned Him. Under Roman occupation and Law, the Sanhedrin lacked the power to impose capital punishment and under Roman law, there were no grounds for conviction of a capital offense (Luke 23:4). The arrest, trial(s), conviction, and execution of the Lord Jesus Christ were one of the classic examples of travesty of justice at the hands of both ecclesiastical and secular authorities in all of recorded history.

If our Lord went along with the lynch mob that brought the alleged adulteress to Him, He could be accused of circumventing Roman law that required its sanction to impose capital punishment as well as denying the accused woman of a hearing or trial under Jewish jurisprudence as well. If our Lord did not go along with them, He could be accused of condoning her alleged adultery and or disregarding the Commandments. Either way, or so they thought, they had Him in a dilemma that could be used to accuse and/or discredit Him (John 8:6). By having them consider their own sin(s), He turned the situation around. They found themselves being humbled by the scenario they promoted (Ps. 57:6). No pill is harder to swallow than the one that is prepared for others.