Why Not Hide?

Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:1-11)

There is something strange about this event in the Life of Christ. Under the Law, it was required that both parties be put to death.

And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10)

We find here they brought just the woman. Perhaps they had used someone to trap her. None the less, in their attempt to condemn the Lord, they became guilty of sin, but there again they were sinners already.

We also can see that these wicked men are trying to condemn others, but the mercy and grace of God is manifested instead. Aren’t you glad that Jesus Christ came into the world to redeem sinners rather than to bring upon them their just deserts.

Notice also how the words of Christ brought conviction to the hearts of these wicked men. They could not abide in His presence. But what kept this woman there? Why did she not run and hide?

I. PERFECT LOVE.

The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:12)

Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. (Isaiah 38:17)

1. The love of the world produces sin.
   

   Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
   (I John 2:15-16)

   Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:15)

2. Mankind loves sin.
   

   He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. (John 3:18-20)

3. God hates sin, but He loves the sinner, therefore, the love of God provides redemption for the sinner.
   

   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)

4. It is the love of Christ that constrains the child of God to live for Him.
   

   For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
   (II Corinthians 5:14)

5. The love of God needs to be revealed to the world.

II. REAL UNDERSTANDING.

At some point in our lives we usually get to feeling sorry for ourselves and think no one understands us and sometimes it is even true, as far as men are concerned.
But there is never a time that God does not understand.
Jesus Christ the Son of God can sympathize with us when no one else can.

III. A PROMISE OF BETTER THINGS.

1. They said, “Put her to death.”
2. But in Christ she saw:
   1. Peace.
      1. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
         (Romans 5:1)
      2.   The world does not know peace.
   2. Joy.
      1. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (I Peter 1:8)
      2.   There is no real joy outside of Christ.
   3. Hope.
      1. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:18-20)
      2.   Hope in the things of this world is vain.

IV. SECURITY.

A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:1)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:27-30)

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
(I John 5:13)

1. There is no security in good works.
2. The things of this world pass away.
   

   And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
   (I John 2:17)

3. But those who are in Christ are eternally secure.

V. NO PLACE TO HIDE.

1. Christ is the answer to your problems.
   

   The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

   And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.(I John 3:5)

2. To try to hide is to be doomed.
   

   And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:15-17)

   For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Romans 14:11)

3. You may think God does not know, but He does.
   

   The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

4. There is no place to hide.
   

   Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. (Psalm 139:7-12)