March 23rd - Reflection

John 7:53-8:11 (NRSV)
Jesus does not condemn the sinner Then each of them went home, while Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They said this to test him, so that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, sir." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again."

Reflection
There is an underlying issue in this story. Mosaic law stated that the woman was to be stoned to death, but the Pharisees knew that the local authorities would not permit a sentence to be executed. Jesus takes this issue and turns it inward for each one of us.

We all have sinned and fall short of the law. Who is there that could carry out the sentence of death for this woman? The only one who could carry out the sentence in this case was Jesus himself. And Jesus granted life from death. Life from death with a stern command. Jesus does not condemn the woman, but sends her away with the command to not sin again. Forgiveness from the sinless one. Thanks be to God!

Prayer
I am dust and to dust I will return. Out of that dust, Lord, you created me. I have become dirty and have sinned. Forgive my sinfulness and stir up once again that dust that your breath of life may enter in to me again. Send me Lord with the purpose you have in store for me. Send me to bring your message of life from death and joy from dust today. --- Amen