August 17, 2003

John 8:1-11
 
 

It’s one of the great passages in the Gospels. Jesus & the woman caught in adultery. It’s one of those texts where you say, “Isn’t that just like Jesus?” Jesus has gone to the Temple in Jerusalem. People gather around him, and he begins to teach them. They are probably in the Temple courtyard, for a little later on Jesus stoops to write in the dirt - probably outside the buildings, but part of the Temple complex. While Jesus is teaching they bring before him a woman who had been caught- caught in the act of adultery.

The way John tells the story is very intentional. He makes us notice what he wants us to notice. For instance, where is the man? - it takes two to tango, even way back then The Pharisees are not concerned with the matters of justice & holiness. You can also tell by the way they drag her publicly to Jesus, they’re not concerned very much for her either as a person. She’s a pawn in their game, and their game is to trick Jesus. And they’re pretty good at it, for he’s in a tight spot here.

Jesus has built for himself a reputation as a friend of sinners -merciful, gracious, accepting, seeing the best in people, especially outcasts If he condemns her and says to punish her, he’ll lose his reputation. However, in the Old Testament the Law of Moses called for the death penalty for those who’ve committed adultery. - Lev. 20 & Deut. 22 If Jesus lets her off, he’ll look spineless and would look as if he were condoning adultery right there on the temple grounds. Do you see the dilemma he’s in? He either looks cruel or he looks spineless.

So what does Jesus do? He stoops down to write something on the ground. This is the only time in the gospels where Jesus ever writes anything. And we don’t have a clue as to what he wrote. Commentators love to speculate about this. Some say he was merely stalling - he needed some time to think over how he was going to handle this. Other suggest he knelt down pretending not to hear the Pharisees, so that they might have to repeat what they were saying. They kept on questioning him. Sometimes it’s helpful for us to hear ourselves out loud to do some self evaluation.

It’s a technique used in helping someone & also in conflict management - mirror back. Hearing our thoughts out loud again can be enlightening. “Jesus, how about we kill her right here?” That should cause some self reflection.

Another theory of why Jesus knelt down to write on the ground is that he was ashamed - ashamed of what was happening, ashamed at the behavior of very religious people. And so he just knelt down in agony & embarrassment.

A 4th theory is that Jesus was writing down something very specific on the ground. He was writing the sins of the accusers- pride, self-righteousness, hatred, unkindness. Perhaps he looked around and saw more sins than just the woman caught in adultery. Whatever Jesus was writing or whatever he was up to, he exhibits the skill of “Indiana Jones” to get out of a tight spot. And in doing so he speaks one of the all-time, classic principles of our faith - “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” And then again he stoops down and writes on the ground. This lends credence to the 4th theory that he’s writing their sins on the ground. And one by one the accusers walk away.

Jesus is left with the woman. “Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, Sir.”

“Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on, sin no more.”
Notice he doesn’t say, “That’s all right. Don’t worry about it.” No. He challenges her to faithful obedience to God. He’s saying, “You have sinned here, but you can do better. I know you can.” He offers her a 2nd chance. This is the heart of the Good News of Jesus Christ- grace, hope & help for sinners like you and me.

What I’d like you to remember is that Jesus said “No” to shame. Jesus did not shame her or condemn her as a person. He hated the sin, but loved the sinner. - isn’t that just like Jesus?

A dog went through a naughty phase. “Bad Dog, Nicholas!”
“No. He’s a good dog. He just exhibited some bad behavior.”

“He is a dog though.” But she’s right. We should never shame anyone, especially children. People have a habit of becoming what we encourage them to be, not what we shame them into doing.

Tony Campolo made these points in a college class at the U. of Penn. The Church must be compassionate to all people, because Jesus was. Just look at the way Jesus treated outcasts & sinners such as Prostitutes.

“Jesus never met a Prostitute.”

“Yes he did. It’s right there in the gospels.”

“No. Because when Jesus met a woman involved in Prostitution, he didn’t see a Prostitute. He saw before him a Child of God in need of a new start.!” Jesus never met a prostitute.

Think for a moment about the issue of shame vs guilt. They seem closely related but I believe they’re very, very different. Guilt is about a behavior. “I made a mistake.” Shame is much deeper. Shame goes to the core of who we are - “I am a mistake.” Guilt says, “I blew it but I can do better.” Shame says, “I messed up again for the umteenth time - I am hopeless.” Guilt says, “I did a dumb thing.” Shame says, “I am an idiot. When will I ever learn. Guilt is often something God uses to help us see when we’ve done wrong, to help us make amends, and to grow us in holiness.
Shame is not God’s work. It’s not something God wants us to feel. Jesus never met a Prostitute.

Many of us are quick to feel shame. And often it involves “All or Nothing” thinking. “I made one little mistake” becomes, “I blew it. I totally blew it!”

When I was in seminary I served a small country church on the weekends. Sunday nights I drove back to school. I always dreaded those drives because I critiqued myself mercilessly. Every part of the service I analyzed. And I made even more mistakes back then.! Once I raised my hand in front of the entire congregation to give the closing benediction, and my mind went blank. I merely waved good-bye to them. Fortunately the congregation was full of grace. I was not, at least towards myself.

That’s why it’s so important to say “No” to perfectionism. We strive for Excellence, not Perfection. We will make mistakes but that doesn’t mean that we are mistakes. “Go and sin no more. I am giving you a 2nd chance because you’re worth it!” Guilt says, “I’m a Child of God. I’m part of God’s family. Through grace I have a seat at the table. God is good.” Shame says, “I’m probably not a child of God. That’s up to God, but if I were him, I’d take a 2nd look. I’m pretty messed up.”

Many of us are very quick to feel shame. it gets in the way of truly living. Try something with me please: Please say this with me-

I am a child of God.

I am worthy of happiness.

I am worthy of joy.

I am worthy of love.

Doesn’t that sound weird? Don’t you expect the preacher to say, “No you’re not!” If that’s hard for you, try saying it every day in the mirror this week.

I am a child of God.

I am worthy of happiness.

I am worthy of joy.

I am worthy of love.

It’s easier to say that to someone else than it is to say it to the person you see in the mirror each morning - yourself.

The Chaplain of the US Senate is Rev. Lloyd Olgabee, a Presbyterian minister prior to becoming the chaplain of the Senate. He also had a Religious TV program. I watched the show several times, and I especially loved its title: “Let God Love You!” In your doubts, in your mistakes, in your fears, in your shame, let God love you.