Seized!

To hear this story, go to: Seized!

 

I don’t want to die! Oh God rescue me!

How did these men find us?

I only sought some tenderness, some affection, some emotional intimacy.

More people are gathering as they drag me through the streets.

My betrothed is a hard man, my arranged marriage not my own selection. Yet for a moment I found warm intimacy with another.

I did not set out to break the law, but it would not bend. I was carried away in the moment. Perhaps it was best that we did not have time to continue in opposition to the law, though the rough way this crowd handles me cannot possibly be acceptable in God’s sight either.

More people are gathering.

Rather than justice, these people seem more intent on brutality with every passing moment.

I am bruising already from this vicious dragging, and not even decently clothed to be out in the street.

Many gawkers leer lustfully even as they see meas the wrongdoer.

What is this? They are dragging me into the Temple courts, though I am not properly attired.

Through the court of the Gentiles, into the court of the women, yet on we go. No woman is allowed to go farther!

Into the court of Israel they force me. I have never been so close to the Holy of Holies, so near the very presence of God, yet I am unclean. I do not belong here!

Here we stop, before this crowd listening to that unpretentious man.

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.[1]Now what do you say?”

He must be important because they asked him to decide my fate.

These so-called teachers, hypocrites, quote the law incorrectly. Moses wrote that both the woman AND the man are to be stoned when the woman is betrothed. And they are to be taken OUTSIDE the city gates, not into the temple, as if I were their sacrifice!

Men have controlled my life since birth, and now will men control my death as well?

The rabbi has not answered yet.

Why must we live in a land of harsh, heartless judgment?

Where is the talk of trial before execution?

Where is the man who promised to look after me, no matter WHAT, before we started down this path? I was depending on the wrong man! They left him behind, as if he had done nothing wrong.

Why are people so blind to their own sins, yet so quick to use the law to accuse others?

Oh, where is the decency that these people preach?

They are cold and calculating. They themselves are not guiltless. Why does God not bring judgment upon them also?

We will all be judged someday. Do they not see that? They are so quick to judge others. Are they prepared to be judged by the Righteous One?

More people are gathering. Some are bringing a supply of stones, others are searching for them.

Why did you even make me Lord?[2]Has it been your plan that I should die like this?[3]

As I look around it appears that there are three different groups mixed together here, and not all seek my blood: those who came thirsty for my stoning, those who were being taught by this Rabbi,and others going about their business in the court. Such a mix of looks, intentions and hearts.

Oh, I am so ashamed! Both for what I have done and in how I have been publicly exposed. Will Sheol embrace me even here in this Holy Place, the Temple of El Shaddai?[4]

I transgressed. God’s law shows me that it is true. Those who brought me here see the law as a way to oppress others rather than a way to know their own hearts. Harsh judgment seems common to all men.

El-Elyon[5]na Adonai be merciful to me! Redeem[6]me oh Lord, I pray! Though my sin is like scarlet, please wash me whiter than snow.[7]

Oh, how can they call this city The Abode of Peace[8]when so much here is impure, self-seeking, selfish? … As I am, I suppose.

There must be some here who have come to seek the Lord. It looks like some were praying when we arrived, but most seem to be distracted by this Rabbi now… and by me.

Today I did not enter these courts with praise, nor by my own choice. But I know Lord that you are good, your love endures forever, and your faithfulness continues through all generations.[9]

Please restore me Lord, so that I might see a future generation, and shout for joy to you again.[10]

Did anyone else see that? This Rabbi’s eyes are not like theirs. Not vicious. Not self-righteous. Not gawking. My very life is in the hands of this awkward Rabbi, yet he just bent down to write with his finger on the ground.

My accusers persist. Question after question they direct at him, each a bit louder and sharper, though he does not answer.

He straightened up! “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

I am finished! If just one man among them thinks himself righteous, I will die here today.

If I am to die, at least this rabbi that permits it will experience pain also. He is way too close to me to avoid being hit!… No, no! His eyes are still full of gentleness, of hope. His look comforted me for a moment. We need more like him. Why does he not save himself by moving off some distance? Instead he has gone back to drawing in the sand. With him near, I sense some peace, even in this conflict.

Now there is quiet.

When will it start?

Your law, oh Lord, is right[11]. But where is mercy?[12]

When will it start?

Some of the Elders are quietly slipping away.

This Rabbi just keeps drawing in the sand.

The mob grips stones in their fists, but no one has thrown one.

Oh! Some stones are falling to the ground.

This Rabbi just keeps drawing in the sand.

More of the crowd is retreating. How can this be?  Am I already dead? Is this just a vision? I feel the wind moving around me.

Quietly they are leaving, one by one, without a word.

Every last man standing has departed, as this Rabbi continues to draw in the sand.

Now he stands.

What will he do when he sees that my accusers are gone?

“Woman, where are they?” he asks? “Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir.” I blurt out.

“Neither do I condemn you.” He says. “Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

Wow! I am set free! He lifted the weight of guilt from my shoulders and melted my fear! It is indeed a good thing that sin does not result in immediate judgment, or no one could stand.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness[13]oh God. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.[14]

Now what do I do?

In order to get away I have to go back through the courts again, and then through the streets. Will my accusers be waiting in the shadows along the way? Will they be gossiping about me throughout the community?

Do I run to my house without proper covering?  Or perhaps wait until dark, or reach out to someone for help?

Don’t just stand here. Get moving! Now!

How do I return to my people? Will my betrothed fail me… as I have failed him? Will my family disown me? Will my neighbors treat me harshly?

How do I carry on each hour and each day and live with this?

What am I to do on the Day of Atonement[15]? Could that Rabbi pronounce forgiveness, or did he just not condemn? Will he arrange a sacrifice to cover my sin, or is there more that I must do?

If this Rabbi does not condemn me, what does it matter what other men will say or do? He thinks I am worth another chance!

Wait! Did I, perhaps, just catch him on a ‘good’ day? Or was he using me as a pawn in a dispute with the other priests? No, that could not be. The way he acted from the time we approached until after they departed left no suggestion that he was acting in any way other than in kindness, goodness, gentleness.

Is that what real love would do? He sought no benefit for himself. He did not even ask my name. Is it possible that he already knows?

He did not use me to aggrandize himself as others do here in the temple.

What kind of man is this? Why are more not as he is?

I hope I can become more like him.

I feel so free! Not free to go back, but free to move on. I have the chance for a new life! Each morning that I live will be a new mercy, a blessing, and each day I can seek to be a blessing to others.

What would it be like if I lived and loved like he does – to care for others even when they do not deserve it, to care without requiring anything in return?

I wish I could see and listen to him teaching others. I wonder who could tell me where he might preach publicly. Oh, but what would he do if he saw me? Would he humiliate me before the crowd, telling them what I had done? Perhaps I would need to hide near the back of the crowd. No! How could I even think that of a man like this? I have never known anyone like him. He was better than a brother, even better than my father. I must find him again soon!

On some other day, in some other place, could he possibly consider me in any other way than in light of what happened today? Would he care about me if I passed him on the street? If I ever marry, would he willingly attend my wedding and think of me as a bride with a blessed future?[16]

When will I be able to see that Rabbi again? I do not think that I could feel any shame in his presence. Now I know that I am truly loved. Wherever I go I will encourage others to listen to him, because he filled me with new life!

 

(C) 2017 Chuck Curtiss

To read other similar stories in this series see The Witness List.

Based on John 8:2-11

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. http://www.zondervan.com.

The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

 

[1]Deuteronomy 22:22-24

[2]Psalm 139:13-16

[3]Jeremiah 29:11-13, Matthew 18:12-14

[4]God Almighty

[5]God in the Highest

[6]Luke 1:67-69, 1 Peter 1:17-19

[7]Isaiah 1:18

[8]The name Jerusalem has 2 parts: Jeru [yarah] (established) (and Salem[shalem] (same root as shalom – peace) – the place where peace dwells.  Would that it were so! Many pray for the peace of Jerusalem when often that appears to be a future dream. How could it be that this is where peace is supposed to live and grow (abide)?

[9]Psalm 100:4-5

[10]Psalm 100:1

[11]Psalm 19:7-12

[12]James 3:17

[13]Lamentations 3:22-23

[14]Lamentations 3:24

[15]Yom Kippur – the holiest day of the Jewish year: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Yom_Kippur/yom_kippur.html

[16]Revelation 19:6-9