Wednesday, March 23
John 8:4-5, 9
“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?”
When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders.
I see in the Bible and in life that people are generally well-meaning. There’s just the problem that our anxieties and self-interests help shape our understanding of what’s good. Then there are those who go out of their way to help but invoke incredible havoc, like Aaron and the golden calf. This story is like that. The Pharisees wanted the best for Israel.
Well-meaning people are often in a hurry. Think of Saul before he was converted: ripping around, spiritedly tearing people apart. Well-meaning folks can be worse when they get in groups. See the Pharisees. Couldn’t wait for Jesus to finish teaching, but had to break in. Couldn’t settle on a hypothetical, but had to use a real live person as their test case. (Well, I’m very glad they brought her to Jesus rather than solving this one downtown on their own.)
Jesus didn’t hurry. By slowing everyone down and forcing some self-examination with his question folks had time to think things over.
I know we all have lots to do. Still, try to carve out a piece of each day to quiet down and learn from Jesus. From this verse it seems that for well-meaning people like me, the choice is kind of stark: either listen to him or destroy ourselves and others. How about a time out today before someone gets hurt?
Richard Foltz
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