Condemnation and Hypocrisy

"And I felt His voice take the sword out of my hand."
--Judah Ben-Hur (Ben-Hur)

During Lent we are treated to many seminal works of the Bible. Last week we heard the magnificent Lost and Found parables from Luke 15. This week it is the equally magnificent account of Jesus and the Adulteress from John 8.

Once again, as he was teaching the masses, Jesus was confronted by the intellectuals of the day. They present to him a woman who had been caught in adultery. According to the law, claimed the intellectuals, the woman should be stoned to death. "What do you say to that?" they asked Jesus--obviously hoping that they could record a reply that could be used as evidence against him in the future.

As if he did not hear them, Christ initially bent down and began writing on the ground with his finger. But when the intellectuals continued to pursue the issue, Jesus finally stood and told them that those among them without sin should be the first ones to cast stones at the woman. He then bent down and continued writing on the ground.

One by one, the intellectuals walked away.

When only Jesus and the woman remained, he once again stood up and asked the woman where all of her accusers had one. Who had condemned her?

"No one," she said.

"Nor do I," said Jesus. "Go thou and sin no more."

Once again, there is much to reflect on. God's capacity for mercy regardless of the sin. Heavenly views on the law.

There is also a strong message for the stone throwers--us. We are characteristically quick to condemn others while being sinners quick to seek mercy for ourselves. Christ is advising us to realize the hypocrisy of our ways, drop our stones, and walk away.

He counsels that we resolve to sin no more, and leave judgment of sin to God in his infinite wisdom.