Lessons from the dirt

Context: Accusing others has always existed in society, it still is a fad today. Often by 'very religious' people who have no sense of their own offensive mannerisms.

Observations From This Text: Where is the man who was with this woman, they said she was caught in the act? Shouldn't he also be brought in for his sin? Why did they let him go? Writing in the dirt- what was that about? Was he embarrassed for the woman? Was he writing something significant to the accusers that he didn't want to say out loud?

Sexual Type Sins: These are very challenging to overcome once a downward spiral has begun. Women often resorted to prostitution historically because there was no other way to earn an income, especially for a widow. But here, it looks like this was adultery. For men and women who commit adultery, it is about unfulfilled desires and ungrateful yearning for more. It is about forgetting about your spouse, children, and real life for an hour. In every sin situation there is something desirable, but the consequences come with harm both to self and others. Sex outside of marriage will never fulfill our desire. There is always a yearning for more. Sex is complex, the biological drive is only one component. Often this is the only dimension talked about by hedonists. Sexual drive needs to be mastered and tamed by self-control.

Consequences: Sexual sin is different from other moral violations. Property that is stolen can be returned. Envy can be overcome with a change in heart. But with sexual sins another person has been violated, it can't be undone. Incest, rape and adultery all fall into this type of pattern. Someone is hurt, deeply, and for a lifetime. This is also the case with adultery, if the marriage is saved, there is that lingering memory of cheating.

Solution: This woman was trapped. She fully expected to die a brutal death that day. Actually, she was also a 'pawn' in a powerful theological debate as well. She was also humiliated publicly, sexual sin has a social stigma to it (or at least it did at one time). Since this was adultery, Jesus did two important things: a) forgave and b) instructed. Forgiveness from God is always the beginning point. Learning to control desire is the second thing. No magic solutions here. Forgive and learn from what happened. I don't expect that any of us will be treated any differently than this woman. What we do privately will ultimately be addressed, one on one, by our Lord. Secrets are not part of the Kingdom.

Created 5 months ago