During Lent, I have been contemplating the interaction between Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees, and the woman caught in adultery found in John 8:1-11. I have wondered what Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground. The fact that he bent down again has reassured me he had complete control of the situation. After all, her accusers left empty-handed when they heard his command: “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
The other day I was in a stressful meeting. I left feeling I had failed everyone in the room. As I drove home, I replayed the events over and over. What could I have done differently? Why did those words come out of my mouth? How would I handle the situation next time? Suddenly I stopped interrogating myself. I needed time to fully grasp the reality of the situation. No one at the meeting accused me of anything.
So, why wasn’t I empty handed? Why was I still holding a stone? After all, Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.” I realize now what Jesus wrote on the ground is not as important as whether his grace is written on my heart. No matter what situations you and I find ourselves caught in, God is in control. Moreover, may we be as gracious with ourselves as Jesus has been with us.
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