It was early morning and Jesus was sitting down teaching all the people who were coming to Him. A large scuffling of feet mixed with a woman's wailing distracted them. With strong hands cuffed around her arms, a group of prominent religious leaders dragged the woman towards the center of the court and set her firmly in front of Jesus.
"Teacher, this woman is an adulterer! We bear witness that she was in the very act of it when we caught her," the men spoke, disgusted at her wretchedness.
"Now, in the Law Moses commanded to us, it says that such a woman is a sinner and should be stoned. What then do You say we should do?" they asked, their hearts filled with malicious intent to trap and accuse Jesus.
Jesus was quiet and stooped down to write on the ground. Impatient with His pause, the prominent religious leaders persisted that Jesus give them His answer. As Jesus stood up before them, the group of men hushed ready to hear His verdict.
"He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her," he said to them.
After speaking this, He stooped down and continued writing on the ground. The group of leaders slowly began to dwindle, leaving one by one, the older men first. Only Jesus was left, and the woman in the center. He stood up and said to her, "Woman, are there any left that accuse you? Is anyone left that condemns you?" "No one, Lord," she answered. Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more." (John 8:1-11 paraphrased)
I sat amazed at the scene that had just played in front of me. My heart began to stir with affection towards the man called Jesus as I realized the depth of His words. Of all those men, who among them had legitimate claim as one without sin? Who had the right to throw the first stone at the guilty, adulterous woman? ... Jesus did. But what did He throw at her?... Grace, mercy and freedom from condemnation.
A painful death of stones hitting her body with brute force would have been the lawful punishment due her had Jesus not spoken for her. But for His unmerited favor at that moment, the story would have had an alternate ending. I wanted to follow the woman. What happened after she left the temple? Did she run home relieved and a bit confused? As she sat at her table the next morning was she filled with awe? Did a sudden giddiness that her many sins had been forgiven by the man others were calling "the Lord" fill her soul? Did her giddiness turn into an unexplainable joy?
There were others that witnessed the scene. The people had gathered to listen to Him teach, and what a lesson He had taught them in that moment! Perhaps they were amazed. Quite possibly there were many sinners in the crowd around Him. Sinners who had come to the temple to present offerings to cover their guilt.
Did they go tell others, catching the ears of others like her? Others like the harlot who had the audacity to enter into a prominent religious leader's house upon hearing that Jesus was there. Bringing an Alabaster jar of expensive perfume, she did a taboo thing and entered the scene without a head covering. As she stood behind Him weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, wiping them with her uncovered strands, kissing them and pouring precious perfume over them. Because she had been forgiven much, being near Jesus and worshipping Him was worth more than the approval of the arrogant man reclining at the table silently scoffing her as a sinner. Accusation against her mattered not because she was desperate for what she heard Jesus could bestow on her, an unclean sinner.
Jesus made certain she didn't leave His presence disappointed. In a brilliant moment, He praised her before her accusers, pouring over her the forgiveness for her many sins and a peace that would pass all understanding. "Go in peace," he said. She was now saved by His unmerited favor.
Just as Jesus did for the woman caught in adultery, He did for the harlot who washed His feet. There was no need for a guilt offering that day. Jesus covered them. He bestowed forgiveness over them. Sinners having nothing to offer but guilt, tears and vulnerability, He spoke on their behalf. He so compassionately and lovingly covered them with what only He could give. He was enough.
"Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here and observe My hands.
Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Don't be an unbeliever, but a believer.'" (John 20:27)
Lord, stir in us a new longing this Easter. A longing for what only You can give, making us believers, restoring any doubt that we might have in You. May Your death and propitiation for our sins be enough. There is no longer any need for guilt offerings because You speak on our behalf. As we kneel at Your feet and pour out our souls, bestow on us words that are life giving. Words of peace for our broken souls. Restore in us a faith and belief that it's You. You are enough for us. Amen
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