Unmasking Jesus | Part 2

·34 min·3 clips

Jesus tells the woman caught in adultery, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more,' revealing his nature of grace.

This episode is part two of the 'Unmasking Jesus' series from Oceanway Church, focusing on John chapter 8, verses 1-12. Pastor Steve opens by reading the passage where scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery to Jesus, testing him with Mosaic law that commands stoning. Jesus responds by writing on the ground and saying, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her,' causing the accusers to leave. He then tells the woman he does not condemn her and instructs her to sin no more. The pastor defines 'unmasking' as revealing Jesus's true nature of grace in the face of human brokenness. He encourages listeners to post on social media about being at Oceanway Church to extend conversations, as done in a previous episode. A key theme is that Jesus is for people, not against them, contrasting with religious condemnation. Pastor Steve shares a personal anecdote about buying and totaling his first vehicle, a 1970 Toyota truck, at age 16, and later a Volkswagen Beetle at 18, highlighting feelings of shame and risk. He connects this to the woman's shame and Jesus's offer of grace. The pastor speculates on what Jesus wrote on the ground, suggesting it might have been names, sins, or messages of love like 'I love you.' He emphasizes that Jesus speaks to the darkness of sin rather than the accusers, offering grace daily. The episode critiques historical church condemnation from the 1980s, where minor actions were judged harshly. Pastor Steve urges listeners not to let sin define them but to live under grace, which provides direction. He links Jesus's statement 'I am the light of the world' to the Feast of Tabernacles, where chandeliers provided light, symbolizing guidance from slavery to promise. The pastor concludes with an altar call, praying for those who want to follow Jesus, live in the light, and receive grace, encouraging them to text their decision or come forward for prayer.

As heard by us

A lively John 8 sermon about shame, grace, new purpose and the daily work of following Jesus.

Shame, exposure and the chance of a different future shape this sermon on John 8 and the woman caught in adultery. A candid memory of wrecking two cars and fearing his parents' return makes her shame feel immediate without drawing attention away from the biblical story.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want the woman caught in adultery reframed through Jesus' refusal to shame her.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Oceanway Church