There are many things that describe Jesus. We have seen some of those descriptions in our study thus far in the Gospel of John. Remember, the purpose of John’s Gospel is to reveal who Jesus is. He is the Word that became flesh. He is the light of the world. He is the bread of life. He is the healer. Here in John chapter eight, we see Jesus as the great teacher.

                We all have teachers that we remember. I remember Mrs. Jarvis who had a staunch demeanor and within my circle of friends we would call her, ‘the beast’. I remember Coach Schwartz who taught us many life lessons. Then, there was my really good looking 5^th grade teacher, Ms. Wood, whom all the boys had a crush on. According to indeed.com, the number one most meaningful job is a teacher. It is also the most impactful occupation. Teachers have a lot of power as they mold the minds of young students and thus, are able to wield the course of history. Teachers are also often underpaid and underappreciated. We should all be very thankful for the teachers that have impacted our lives over the years.

                The greatest and most impactful teacher in all of history was none other than our Lord Jesus Christ. In the account of the woman caught in adultery recorded in John 8, we learn some very valuable lessons concerning the greatest teacher of all.

                The preparation of the teacher. In verse 1 of chapter 8, we learn of the preparation of the teacher. After the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus went up to the Mount of Olives. Jesus was known for breaking away from the crowds and the busyness of life to have a season of prayer and preparation. Before Jesus engaged in any task, He took time to prepare. It must be understood that the call to serve the Lord is a call to prepare. We are to be in a continual mode of preparation. Always seeking to improve so we may be more effective for the Kingdom.

                The faithfulness of the teacher. Verse 2 describes how Jesus went early in the morning to the temple and sat down and taught the people. Jesus was a faithful teacher. He cared about those He ministered to. He took His role as a teacher seriously. I like how John says that Jesus sat down and taught them. This gives a feeling of intimacy. Jesus humbled himself and sat down with the people. Can you imagine having such an experience! Sitting down with Jesus and listening as He teaches you. What joy it must have been! A good teacher is one who cares about his students and engages with them one on one. Faithful to the task of imparting truth and impacting lives. Just as Jesus went to the temple to teach early in the morning; a faithful teacher is never lazy and always ready.

                The wisdom of the teacher.  While Jesus is teaching in the temple, the scribes and Pharisees bring to Jesus a woman caught in adultery. We read of the interaction Jesus had with the scribes and Pharisees in verses 3-9. They tell Jesus that according to the law of Moses the woman should be stoned to death. They wanted to see what Jesus would say about this. Essentially, they were trying to trick Jesus into saying something they could use against Him. Jesus responded in a remarkable way. He knelt down and began to write on the ground with His finger. He then looked up and said those famous words, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” Jesus then knelt down again and began writing in the dirt. It is often speculated as to what Jesus was writing on the ground. Some say He was writing a list of all the sins the woman’s accusers had committed. Perhaps He was writing the names of those they had committed adultery with. Whatever it was, along with what He said, brought deep conviction and each one left one by one. Jesus was very wise in His interaction with people. He knew just what to say at just the right time. Oh, that we could have such wisdom to always know the right thing to say at just the right time.

                The practice of the teacher. After the crowd dispersed as they pondered the convicting words of Jesus, He then turned to the woman caught in adultery and spoke with her. We read of this interaction in verses 10-11. Jesus asks the woman where are her accusers. She said there was none. Jesus then went on to say that he also did not condemn her and he encouraged her to go and sin no more. The practice of Jesus was really three-fold. (1) Love. Jesus showed love to the woman. He was not surprised by her sinful behavior. He loved her unconditionally. I am so thankful for the love that Jesus has for me. That He would give His life for me. That He would forgive me. That He would give me a fresh start. That He would give me hope. There is no way to measure the love that Jesus has for me. Thank God for His love. (3) No Condemnation. Jesus told the woman that He did not condemn her! Romans 8:1 tells us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. One day I will stand before God perfectly clean because of the blood of Jesus. Do I deserve condemnation? Yes! But, I am not condemned because of what Jesus has done for me. (4) Grace. Grace is God’s unmerited favor. It is God giving to us what we do not deserve. Jesus showed grace to the woman caught in adultery. She was not given the punishment she deserved under the law of that day. By God’s grace you and I do not have to suffer the ultimate penalty of our sin. He gives us grace upon grace. He is gives an innumerable amount of chances. Hs grace is available to all and His grace is sufficient.

                Jesus is the greatest teacher of all. He is always prepared. He is faithful. He is wise. He practices love, not condemnation, and grace to all who come to Him. Will you place your faith in the greatest teacher of all?