“They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.” (John 8:4 KJV)
If there ever was a commonly taught on story, I think this is the one. In fact, most that don’t even attend a church seem to know this story well. When you approach Jesus with someone who is a “caught in the very act of” problem, what problem have you actually presented? You have presented yourself in the very act of judging. That’s a tough spot to be in. They probably did do whatever they did. They probably need some sort of trial and justice. The trouble with judging is that it empties your own heart of love while simultaneously tying your hands for a future reconciliation. Of all the people that we can bring wrongdoers to, Jesus is the correct person! Yet, do you see the delima that we bring to him? What if it’s been the scribes and Pharisees that he’s looking for one more chance to reach and they have found yet another way to seal off their hearts from a desperately needed flow of life blood that he’s trying to provide them with?
Did you see where Jesus was before he came to the temple where they found him teaching? He was at the Mount of Olives. That was one of his prayer spots. There is definitely a judgement coming. It may be that he was seeking the Father for a way to rescue some of them from it. Seek the Lord early in prayer!
“Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.” (John 8:1, KJV)