An Unexpected Covering (Part 3 of 4)

Read John 8:2-11 (Really today's focus is 8:5-9)

The phrase that we have been exploring in the first two posts on this little series is "Mercy triumphs over judgement." It comes from James 2:13. Nestled into the letter of James right after joy through trials and being a doer of the word of God and right before faith that is genuine we find the potent statement. To "triumph" from a biblical perspective means to boast over. I find that ironic don't you?

Mercy standing on the neck of judgment in effect saying, "What-you got?" Not in a taunting and belligerent way but more in a, well triumphal way. We will see today how Jesus steps on the throat of judgment with an attitude of mercy.

THE SCENE

The huddled mass of shame lay in the dust at the feet of the one who appeared to hold her freedom. The question posed, "here is what the Law says, but what do you say?" hung in the air as the silence spoke. This man simply stooped over to write something on the earth with his finger, no words. Anticipation is mounting as the erudite and prideful teachers of the law thought they had Him cornered.

But no one corners Jesus, let alone places Him in a box.

It's becoming obvious that I am not so much in need of condemnation as I am a pawn in this sick game of trickery. These guys just want this man to get caught in his words. Her mind and heart aflutter at the possibility she was used once again.

These badgering and self-righteous men simply won't let go. The silence is broken with repeats of the same question. "Did you hear us or were you going to scribble in the dirt all day long? Here is what the Law says and she clearly broke the Law. What do you say, can we begin to stone her?" 

Rising to His feet to stand before Her accusers and absorb their scorn, come what may, Jesus begins to make a reply. “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” The statement punctuated with a silent pause and a return to His calligraphy in the dirt.

What recourse do they have now? Even they, as smug and self-titled righteous individuals who led a nation, still had sin. They all knew that even the high priest who made the sacrifice for the sin of a nation once a year had to first sacrifice for himself (see Leviticus 16).

I imagine the glances cast back and forth as clenched firsts released, stones fell to the dusty earth with a gentle thud, while silent shuffles of departure were faintly heard. This poor woman, for the first time since the whole experience began, was allowing hope to rise in her heart.

The older ones departed first (John 8:9). Age does bring with it a certain humility and well-rounded wisdom that its youthful counterpart must often learn as we say, "the hard way." The zealous and youthful lot noticing the example of the elderly likewise drop their rocks along with their countenance and depart.

While shuffling away from the temple, hearts burgeoning with conviction one has to wonder, "What were those who left really thinking?" I propose this: If mercy triumphs over judgement then even those who judge can find mercy. Jesus' reply left room for their repentance. Some reflection perhaps would be useful here:

1. If you don't view yourself as someone who "judges" others maybe it would be useful to ask this: Am I critical of others in various ways (what they eat, wear, post to social media, how they spend money, parenting, etc)? 
2. Critical can simply come across in conversation. Do you find that when others have a statement that is even slightly incorrect you must address it right then? 
3. When others struggle (especially now that we are locked in homes so closely with our families) with sin that is different than I do, is it harder for me to show mercy? 

Mercy steps on the neck of judgment saying, "What-you got?" because men hasty to stone a deserving sinner departed in silent reflection AND a shame-filled woman rose to lock eyes with her Redeemer... What does this immoral and deserving sinner learn? What can we learn? We will pick this up in the next post.