The town in which I live sometimes seems to be like a soap opera. There is always some kind of drama which seems to travel faster than a speeding bullet through the mouths of others! I recently heard of yet another marriage that was being torn apart by an extramarital affair. A married man had an affair with a single woman. Or let me rephrase how the locals say it: “That woman had an affair with him.” In their eyes it was the woman that had the affair; not the man. Does that sound all too familiar? As I was sitting near a group of women, I overheard those making harsh judgments against the woman; however, no accusations were ever made about the man caught in the same act. I began to ask myself, “Why are we so harsh on the women caught in the act of adultery? Is not the man just as responsible?” I find that mind boggling.
John chapter 8 describes a similar scene. Jesus had just appeared in the temple to sit down and teach a group of people. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees had brought in a woman caught in adultery (where was the man?). They made her stand before the group and told everyone present what sin she had committed. They told Jesus that in the Law of Moses it told them to stone such women (like He didn’t know!).
I find it interesting that no one mentioned the man that was involved in the act with her. Why were the Pharisees so harsh with her and not the man? Why are we, just like the Pharisees in their day, so harsh to judge each other? Is it because it makes us feel better about ourselves because we have not committed the same sin? What pride it is when we do just that!
Jesus began writing in the sand while the people continued to question Him and make accusations about the woman. Finally, He straightened up and said to them in verse 7, “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Afterwards, he stooped down and began writing again.
Scripture never recorded what he was writing. I wonder if perhaps he was listing out their sins one by one. Perhaps he was writing the names of the people in that very group who had committed the same sin as the woman. No one knows for sure but that will be one of the first questions I ask Jesus when I get to heaven.
If you are familiar with the story, you know that they began to walk away one by one, oldest to youngest. Have you ever wondered why the younger ones were the last to walk away? I wish I could hear some of your answers!
As the story continues, Jesus asked the woman in verse 10, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” Her answer was, “No one, sir.” Jesus’ response to her in verse 11 was, “Then neither do I condemn you,” then He declared, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Don’t you find it interesting that Jesus never dealt with this woman in a condemning manner? He never shamed her for her sin. His last words to her were “go and leave your life of sin.”
I find it troubling that some of us have acted the same way the Pharisees did in Mark chapter 8 when we learned of people who were caught in adultery. Why is this the case? I believe we are wise to examine the way Jesus handled the woman caught in adultery. I think we should pay close attention to the way the Pharisees acted and learn how we can react opposite of them.
My hope is that I never find myself acting like the Pharisees in Mark Chapter 8 when confronted with other people’s sinful actions. I want to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus, don’t you? I want to respond in similar ways as He did. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to make any necessary changes needed in order for us to be more like Him.
Father,
We thank you that you predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of your Son according to Romans 8:29. Father, we desire to be women who extend mercy and grace to your people just as you have extended the same to us. Please help us to do so! In Romans 3:23 it says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Help us to remember this when we are tempted to walk in the pride that tells us somehow we are better than others. Thank you for your gift of forgiveness. May we learn to extend the same gift to others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
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2 comments:
hi sarah,
re: your prayer, amen.
i believe the whole adultery thing strikes a nerve with most people because of the level of betrayal involved and the consequences.
for the most part, over-eating, (gluttony) doesn't damage as many families as infidelity does. (however, i don't doubt that it has caused the passion to wane in some marriages due to one partner gaining so much weight that their spouse is no longer physically attracted to them)
also, "borrowing" (stealing) office supplies and time (that box of pencils, paper, using the company phone for personal calls, loafing etc) doesn't cause the same guilt or shame as having an abortion to "cover up" infidelity. besides this, one can make restitution for the stolen items but not with the baby.
as much as we know from God's vantage point that all of us have sinned and fallen short of His glory- we still tend to tolerate some sins more than others.
no doubt this attitude is wrong and that's why i'm in full agreement with your prayer.
pride deceives us into believing somehow, that our sin isn't 'nearly' as awful as the next person's.
oh sarah, one other thing,
you know how it goes in our society; the woman is viewed as the whore while the man is seen as the hero. the ol' double standard thing. makes me mad!
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