Casting the First Stone
Or really, no stones at all.
At this point, the story of Jesus and the woman accused of adultery is a pretty familiar story for many. But there are some elements to keep in mind:
The scene is at the temple in Jerusalem. The temple is the at the heart of Jewish religious practice, sacrifice, and the law. How does that shape what happens?
Jesus wrote on the ground twice. Why?1
Jesus and the woman were not left alone by themselves. Only the religious leaders and elders left. The two of them were left in the middle of the crowd.
In the end, Jesus’ ability to turn around the conversation on a dime is remarkable, almost as remarkable as his compassion, clarity, and liberating presence and power.
John 8:1-12
…and Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
Early in the morning he returned to the temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and taught them. The legal experts and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. Placing her in the center of the group, they said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of committing adultery. In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone women like this. What do you say?” They said this to test him, because they wanted a reason to bring an accusation against him. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger.
They continued to question him, so he stood up and replied, “Whoever hasn’t sinned should throw the first stone.” Bending down again, he wrote on the ground. Those who heard him went away, one by one, beginning with the elders. Finally, only Jesus and the woman were left in the middle of the crowd.
Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Is there no one to condemn you?”
She said, “No one, sir.”
Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on, don’t sin anymore.”
Jesus spoke to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Prayer
God,
I truly am so very drawn to the person of Jesus whose combination of wisdom, grace, and compassion is just what the world needs. But I’m understanding more how the world needs these things one situation at a time.
So use me today for just this, Lord. Give me your compassionate wisdom and clarity of purpose. I don’t want to thwart the powers-that-be (thought that would be fun, honestly) as much as I want to empower those who are not.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
It is meaningful to wonder both why Jesus wrote and what he wrote. But in the end, the text specifically does not answer these questions. Might that also be intentional?