Scripture to Read: John 8:5–6a
God has much to teach us in John 8. We know the woman whom the Pharisees brought before Jesus had been caught in the sin of adultery. The question arises, “Where is the man also guilty of the same sin?” The Pharisees were not interested in reconciliation for this woman, for God’s Word says in John 8:5–6a, 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. The Pharisees only wanted to test our Lord Jesus and see if He was willing to obey God’s Law. Of course, the Pharisees were clueless that they were talking to God in the flesh. They wanted Jesus dead, so they were looking for a reason to accuse Him of something worthy of death. The Pharisees were being driven by their anger and malice toward our Lord. God gives us warnings about anger in His Word. We read in Ephesians 4:26–27, Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity. Those Pharisees had so much anger and hatred built up in their hearts that they had given the devil a huge opportunity to use them as he saw fit. Again, God tells us in James 1:19–20, …everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. Our anger never accomplishes anything good.
Challenge & Application
• Why were the Pharisees so interested in testing our Lord, and what drove them to do what they did?
• How do you guard against anger, knowing it never accomplishes anything good?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!