Say What?

They'd been caught between the sheets. A woman and her lover. The Bible doesn't say whether either one of them was married, but never mind. She had broken the Jewish Law. The Scribes and Pharisees had every intention of making her an example before the One some were calling God's Messiah. But, how interesting that she was alone; her lover wasn't there.

And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" (John 8:3-5)

Interesting question. The long-beards wore their best smirk. The scattered crowd looked puzzled but alert. After all, this Jewish rabbi from Nazareth was someone special -- "the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes." (Matthew 7:28,29) Some even believed He was the Son of God. "What's He going to say?" they wondered.

The question before Him would test the truth. Old Testament Law, given by God Himself, commanded that a man or woman committing adultery be stoned for their offense. Yet the Jews hadn't practiced this punishment for centuries, nor would the Romans permit them to even now. But if Jesus were truly God He would have to be consistent with Himself, wouldn't He? Before this crowd He'd have to order the woman stoned.

This, of course, would have grave consequences. The Pharisees would whine that Jesus was trying to usurp the authority of the Roman government. Or even worse, that He was pretending that He was God Himself. Either way they thought they had Him. Until He bent down and wrote in the sand.

"He who is without sin feel free to throw the first stone", Jesus said as He looked up. Then He waited. No one moved. There were a few awkward glances here and there, but not a soul bent down to grab a rock. He bent down and wrote again. This time the Jewish authorities were completely humiliated, and began to shuffle home one by one.

What Jesus wrote, we don't know. I'm guessing it had something to do with "specks" and "planks". But whatever it was my Upside Down God turned the tables on them. He didn't deny that the Law was correct about the woman's punishment; in fact, He affirmed it by challenging them to start throwing stones -- and by doing so He affirmed His own authority and divinity. But because He knew their hearts He knew where to probe, and their consciences got the best of them. They went home with their tails between their legs. And instead of this incident diminishing Christ's growing stature, it increased it, maybe even ten-fold. "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." Luke 2:52

The Scribes and Pharisees tried to outwit God. A big mistake. God knows us too well for us to pull the wool over His eyes.

Just when you think you've boxed Him and put Him in a corner, He'll surprise you with something new. I'm guessing that the most surprised was the adulterous woman herself. "Woman, where are your accusers?" Jesus asked. "Has no one condemned you?"

"No one, Lord" the woman answered.

"Neither do I condemn you. Now go and sin no more!"

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:17-19)