“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and covered me with a robe of righteousness. ” Isaiah 61:10
John 8:1-11
In this story, a few Jewish leaders bring a woman to Jesus. According to these men, she was caught red handed; in the very act of adultery, and as per the Mosaic Law, deserved to be stoned to death.
We know very little about the woman, but we definitely know those who bought her to Jesus, and accused her for committing adultery. They were Scribes and Pharisees.
Pharisees
Pharisees were guardians and interpreters of law; they commanded loyalty of the people in both political and religious affairs. Jesus posed a threat to their political standing. They viewed Jesus as dangerous rival, and a false teacher Jesus did not endorse their way of thinking; he disregarded their narrow understanding of piety and godliness..
To validate their way of thinking, and to prove that Jesus disregards Jewish law, they staged a drama. In this horrendous political act, they go to the extent of even killing this woman. They openly humiliate her, and want Jesus to publicly condemn her.
Pharisees bring a woman to Jesus with only one intention. Their sole purpose is to test him; to trap him; to condemn him or to discredit him as a teacher, and a leader. They asked Jesus to pronounce his judgment as per the Shariah law. Woman was not an issue; she was dragged into the scene by Pharisees to achieve their goal: to kill Jesus. This is not the first time that these leaders tried to trap Jesus. All four gospels document as to how Jesus was constantly challenged and put on the spot by his adversaries.
Jesus, a skilled and compassionate theological teacher, and interpreter of the law, handles this case judiciously.
Jesus is an advocate of peace and justice
Jesus practiced love and compassion in his pursuit for human dignity, justice and fairness. He thoroughly assessed the situation in order to make a sound judgment. He refused to come under any political or religious pressure. Depending upon God’s power and strength, he picks up the courage to face this difficult and awkward situation, he stays calm and composed. He engaged in verbal and non-verbal communication.
Without losing his temper, Jesus stooped down and wrote with his finger on the ground. While doing so, He pointed out their disloyalty to God through their religious bigotry, male chauvinism, and self righteousness. But when they persisted in asking him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the stone at her,” Jesus wanted to expose the eye witness, since, as per the Jewish law, the eye witness was required to caste the first stone.
Jesus fights his case professionally, and makes every effort to stand by the side of the oppressed. In this trial, He asks the following pertinent questions:
⦁ Where is woman’s counterpart:
Jesus was fully aware that this woman, who was allegedly caught in the very act of adultery, was not alone, there had to be a male counterpart, which is let loose and is not being held accountable. Jesus knew that according to the Jewish law, both persons i.e. man and woman must be stoned to death. In this case the petitioner’s case was weekend, because there was no eye witness available. Jesus also wanted the Pharisees to realize that they must not point fingers only on the weaker member of the society but expose the oppressor as well.
⦁ Who so ever is sinless, must cast the first stone:
The moment Jesus draws mob’s attention to their double standards of morality and one sided judgment; they quietly and appallingly begin to leave. Jesus makes them realize that as sinners themselves, they can not point fingers at others.
⦁ Refuses to participate in unjust law:
Jesus refuses to be part of a sinful act. Law was being misused and misinterpreted and is not acceptable to Jesus.
⦁ Condemning others or pointing the finger at others is a sinful act, and must be corrected. Jesus did not come to condemn, but to forgive. He came for the sinners; he forgave their sins and restored thorn to full humanity; He came so that people may have life and have it abundantly. The narrative is a fitting illustration of John 3:17 ‘For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge but to be its Savior.1 It highlights not the condemnation of sinners but the calling of sinners.
⦁ Restoration of life abundant:
Jesus gives an opportunity to the women to live a righteous life; Jesus1 words express acceptance, forgiveness and restoration which make a new lifestyle possible. The portrayal of Jesus as compassionate, just and merciful is consistent with that of the other gospels. He gives opportunity to the sinner to realize his or her shortcomings and turn around from a sinful life. He does not take off peoples clothes to expose their nakedness, sins or shortcomings; rather He lifts the down trodden; he clothes the naked with garments of salvation and a robe of righteousness.
God of love and compassion came down and dwelt amongst the lowly and downtrodden. God loves the broken hearted. God clothes the disgraced with righteousness, and brings healing to those who suffer violence and discrimination.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we reflect upon our lives and the surrounding situation, let us refrain from pointing fingers at others; instead focus on the blessed finger of Jesus which calls us to reflect upon our own shortcomings. We are called to reach out to God’s people is love; to share the gifts of healing and wholeness; to denounce evil, and pronounce kingdom values such as love, forgiveness, compassion, Justice, peace and reconciliation to our broken world.
I commend Women’s Synodical for holding another Theological consultation. As we engage in God-Talk, (Theology) let us uphold God’s commandment, rather than getting bogged down by traditions that are gender biased, promote religious bigotry, and misinterpret or misuse the scriptures or the legal system.
Let us read the sacred scriptures to empower women and men so that together we can be instruments of God’s healing prayer. Most loving and compassionate God, we offer all people particularly those who are dishonored in our land and around the world due to unjust and discriminatory laws and practices in Church and Society, cover all such people with your everlasting love, and heal their wounds. Help us to reach out in faith to share your healing grace, especially with those to whom dignity and respect is denied.
In Christ’s Name. Amen.