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"He who is without sin cast the first stone"
by She was caught in the very act it said. Her accusers probably men and women stood around her. She knew the Law of Moses; she knew her very act could be the death of her. Standing amidst the stones she wondered which ones would be the first to hit her. She hoped it would be quick. The man she was caught in adultery with had now fled. For all she knew he stood with the scribes and Pharisees. Her misery was visible as she stood her ground waiting for the judgement. She looked at the hugeness of the rocks with trembling. A man was crouched on the ground; there was a peace around him a calm. Surrounding him were men and women screaming "See here this woman caught in the very act of adultery!!" "Stone her!!" The man still kept drawing on the earth. He knew men's hearts ready to judge yet they could not see their own sins. "Moses said we must stone her" they screamed Still the man, very calm drew nonchantly on the ground. He saw every heart, heard every word spoken from their lips. He was aware of the woman, her fear, her guilt. He saw her pain too. Her life saddened from years of abuse. The men didn't see this. They also didn't see who he was. He realised that they didn't even know Moses but just spouted off his laws as though he had made them up and were not given by the Living God. He waited. Patience. He continued to draw on the ground. It looked like nothing. It looked like he was not concerned at all. He was waiting. The tongues would cease in a minute. They were waiting for Him. He could see the tears inside of the woman waiting for her death. He knew the other culprit for it takes two to commit adultery. He was standing with the accusers whilst she took all the blame. Yes He knew. They continued to look to Him. He could see there was no mercy only judgement. They were ready to judge his words too both were on trial. He looked up slowly, taking in all the faces, hard faces. Spittle was coming from their mouths as they pointed to the woman standing defenceless on her own. "Moses said we must stone her for she has committed adultery, in the very act itself". Jesus knew their hearts. He knew too that they had lusted after her in their hearts yet now judged her. He stood up holding a rock in his hand and letting it fall to the ground. "He who is without sin cast the first stone". They looked at him astonished. Is that all he has to say they thought. He knew they were thinking this. He remained silent. His words were few. He watched and knelt back down to draw into the ground. He knew each one of them and waited. He sensed movement behind him as he knew that their consciences were pricked, they turned and walked away. Slowly a hundred or so more men and women with their children turned and walked away. Jesus continued to write in the ground. The woman now shaking and crying silently held her head down in shame. She didn't move. Jesus had compassion. Still he waited. He waited for all her accusers to go one by one. He waited to speak in private with her. He turned around and stood up. He noticed that all the rocks that the people had held lay in a heap on the ground. There was no-one but Jesus and the woman. She was visibly shaken by the whole traumatic episode. Her head still hung in shame. Bitter sobs still pouring from her. Quietly and with great compassion and mercy Jesus walked closer to her and looked at her "Where are your accusers?" "They are gone now" She looked at him in astonishment. She knew when she looked at him that she was facing the Lord. Such love, such compassion, such mercy. "They have all gone" Not a stone had been thrown. Not a cold word said. "Go in peace and sin no more" She looked up even more astonished. He had spoken to her. These words from His mouth brought life to her heart. Tears rolled down her face. The washing of forgiveness healing all those broken years. She was washed clean by his words. She wanted to hug him but she held back. She knew she was standing on holy ground. The Messiah had come she had heard about his coming and now he was here standing with her. He had stood between her and her accusers. She felt such an overwhelming sense of love towards Him. A restoration of the years the locusts had eaten. Yes she knew the scriptures the promises but sin had had a hold on her but now she was free. She let the words "Go in peace and sin no more" reverberate through her. The words peace first! Then sin no more second! She wanted to fall down and worship him right then but knew it was time to leave. She would follow Him until the end of her days. Oh how she loved him. She turned around and walked a different way home. She was free, she was loved and His words had freed her forever. She knew now without a doubt that he was God. This man Jesus was God. [email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |