John 8:20

Jesus speaks these words while teaching in the temple treasury; yet none of the authorities take him into custody nor do anything to stop him. That moment in the life of Jesus still looms in the future. John 8:20 EFP 

I wondered at first why it would be important for John to mention this event takes place in the temple treasury. I learned a couple of things in my quest for perspective. First of all, the temple treasury is not where they kept the money, it is where people come to give their offerings. Secondly, it is located in the court of the women. This explains why Jesus would choose to preach here, since women would not be permitted to go any further into the temple courts than this specific place.

But there is something more that strikes me as I recognize where this is taking place. Court of Women. Offerings. Treasure. Then I remembered this whole event takes place in the wake of a woman of ill repute being brought to the temple and crudely tossed at the feet of Jesus. She was the woman caught in the very act of adultery. She is, according to the law, worthy of death. But Jesus sees in her more than human refuse destined for the trash heap of life. She is an offering brought to his feet. Life and society labeled her as an outcast. He sends her away forgiven, redeemed, and with a future as a daughter of God. The woman is dragged through the streets as trash and dumped into the court of women to die. She leaves as a trophy of God’s love—a treasure in the hands of the God. Here by the grace of God….