But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.
-John 8:6-9
Imagine how you would feel, knowing that, in just a few minutes, you would have your body broken and killed by the blunt trauma of dozens, maybe hundreds, of rocks being hurled at you, with all manner of vitriol, hate and the revelry of bloodlust. Who would join in the festivities? Maybe your neighbors would turn out; maybe your friends; maybe your religious leaders. Likely, you would be struck by rocks that came from those who knew and nurtured you when you were little; those who brought you comfort and hope during moments of fear and strife; those who taught you how to avoid the dangers of the world. The last knowledge you will have is the twisted, murderous faces of your kinsfolk as they make you the source of all their problems. You deserve it. You just think about it. And for what? Adultery. Yes, the laws of the time were strict. You cheat…you die—and in as grotesque a way as can be mustered.
So as you stand before the lamb of God, accusers behind…onlookers gleefully scrambling to find the best rocks…townsfolk spreading the word and claiming all the best spots for a proper view...all you can think about is how sorry you are for hurting the one you love; for being led to this; for betraying a trust. Right now, death seems a small price to pay to be free of this shame. Let’s just get it over with.
Jesus knows your heart…and he knows the heart of your accusers. He started to write something in the dirt. Maybe you can read—maybe you can’t. Unaffected, they pressed on, calling for justice. Then, after verbally admonishing them, he finishes what he is writing in the dirt. What is it? A word? A picture? Who wouldn’t pay any amount of money to see what Jesus wrote that day? It is yet a mystery. Whatever it was, it was enough to cause your accusers to turn tail and leave. Rocks were dropped, bloodlust subsided, sanity returned, the enemy fled.
Then, Jesus holds your gaze and asks you where your accusers are, challenging you to find even one person who feels as disgusted with you as you do with yourself. You can’t find anyone. It is just you, standing contrite before your King. Then, he calls you to a higher standard…sin no more. You don’t get to wallow in your mistake or condemn yourself one more minute. No, you must go back into the world and face those who were ready to kill you just moments before. You have to go and be honest with those who deserve it. Nothing will ever be the same. It is going to be hard, but at least you are free.
What did Jesus write? Perhaps it was the name of the last sinner they murdered. I don’t know. I do know, however, that forgiveness is the most transformational power in the universe. Each of us, every day, stands in the presence of our accusers. But there is one who will always stand with us…ready to write in the dirt…ready to remind us, and them, of who we really are.
-T. Michael Cart
Author, T.R.U.T.H. in Ministry
-John 8:6-9
Imagine how you would feel, knowing that, in just a few minutes, you would have your body broken and killed by the blunt trauma of dozens, maybe hundreds, of rocks being hurled at you, with all manner of vitriol, hate and the revelry of bloodlust. Who would join in the festivities? Maybe your neighbors would turn out; maybe your friends; maybe your religious leaders. Likely, you would be struck by rocks that came from those who knew and nurtured you when you were little; those who brought you comfort and hope during moments of fear and strife; those who taught you how to avoid the dangers of the world. The last knowledge you will have is the twisted, murderous faces of your kinsfolk as they make you the source of all their problems. You deserve it. You just think about it. And for what? Adultery. Yes, the laws of the time were strict. You cheat…you die—and in as grotesque a way as can be mustered.
So as you stand before the lamb of God, accusers behind…onlookers gleefully scrambling to find the best rocks…townsfolk spreading the word and claiming all the best spots for a proper view...all you can think about is how sorry you are for hurting the one you love; for being led to this; for betraying a trust. Right now, death seems a small price to pay to be free of this shame. Let’s just get it over with.
Jesus knows your heart…and he knows the heart of your accusers. He started to write something in the dirt. Maybe you can read—maybe you can’t. Unaffected, they pressed on, calling for justice. Then, after verbally admonishing them, he finishes what he is writing in the dirt. What is it? A word? A picture? Who wouldn’t pay any amount of money to see what Jesus wrote that day? It is yet a mystery. Whatever it was, it was enough to cause your accusers to turn tail and leave. Rocks were dropped, bloodlust subsided, sanity returned, the enemy fled.
Then, Jesus holds your gaze and asks you where your accusers are, challenging you to find even one person who feels as disgusted with you as you do with yourself. You can’t find anyone. It is just you, standing contrite before your King. Then, he calls you to a higher standard…sin no more. You don’t get to wallow in your mistake or condemn yourself one more minute. No, you must go back into the world and face those who were ready to kill you just moments before. You have to go and be honest with those who deserve it. Nothing will ever be the same. It is going to be hard, but at least you are free.
What did Jesus write? Perhaps it was the name of the last sinner they murdered. I don’t know. I do know, however, that forgiveness is the most transformational power in the universe. Each of us, every day, stands in the presence of our accusers. But there is one who will always stand with us…ready to write in the dirt…ready to remind us, and them, of who we really are.
-T. Michael Cart
Author, T.R.U.T.H. in Ministry
