When they persisted…he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her….Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus…said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more. John 8:7-11 (The NET Bible).”
His words were explosive to them. All would have been pleasant and valued had he clutched a stone with the rest for the Adulterous woman. However, in His grace, he separated himself from the crowd. He knew well that His words and gestures dismayed and dampened their spirits. He knew it but did not compromise and pacify them about his judgment. As the Creator, He knew how to perfectly deal with his creations and do justly for them. There was no room in him to be confronted by his creations (human beings) whom he holds by the breath of his mouth.The stones littered the pathway, as He perceived the rage of the crowds. They stared, gestured and ridiculed Him mumbling vile words to one another. Confusion to the commuters, fears and heartbreaks to the women and the children, a sigh of relief to the woman caught in adultery but it was a blueprint to Jesus indicating His coming destiny as the crowd retreated. Nothing more is going to appease them and will than a humiliating signature to mark the end of Christ. Irrational, groundless but no imagination settles their mind other than a gory death of Christ on the Cross. “Patience and prepare, it will be any moment from now,” whispered the Leaders as they calmed the frenzied crowd. Nightfall loomed, oil lamps were set alight and as they conspired to terminate Jesus; they were bewildered and startled but soon there was a hush atmosphere as they pinned their ears to their bombshell company (Judas). Heaps of praise, hugs and they parted him with Mammoth.
He slumped back with the rest at the words of Jesus yet with a crafty smile, grappled and handed his Master. The distraught disciples’ faith minced as they witnessed their Master “…was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers…Isa 53:7.” The query and the dramatic reaction of the High Priest at the response of Jesus resonated the religious sentiments of the vengeful crowds at His trial. They went berserk scoffing, jeering, cursing and thrashing him. Finally, they made their way through him and vented with rage leaving no stones unturned. Not a soul longed to hear His teachings, see the miracles or ask Him about His judgments as they were determined to do away with Him. His own disciples betrayed and deserted Him and there was none beside/around Him to tell the crowds, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone…” No authority/person could calm their agenda to publicly disgrace and display Christ on the cross. He was recompensed with the most horrific torment, bludgeoned to an inhuman form and hanged on the cross.
He perceived how Sin has adversely caused humankind and how it did not even spare the Son of God. Even then, that did not turn Him away from His destiny.
All for you and me, he stood in our place that we might be forgiven.
All for you and me, he stood in our place that we might live again with the newness of life.
All for you and me, he stood in our place that we might find love in Him again.
Are you tired, weary of the life you are living? Is your life hanging out and burning to its brim? Are you seeking love, forgiveness and a hope with new rays of life today? He is the answer to your life. No matter what you are now, how you have been or wherever you are; he still reaches you with His love, grace and mercy. Come back while His grace still holds on you. Yes, come and find rest for your weary soul.
My beloved hath answered and said to me, ‘Rise up, my friend, my fair one, and come away, For lo, the winter hath passed by, The rain hath passed away — it hath gone. The flowers have appeared in the earth, The time of the singing hath come, And the voice of the turtle was heard in our land, The fig-tree hath ripened her green figs, And the sweet-smelling vines have given forth fragrance, Rise, come, my friend, my fair one, yea, come away. Song of Solomon 2:10-13 YLT
Pete Z Krose
