In yesterday’s Nougat, we looked at the game play of Jesus’ detractors. Their plan included risking one woman’s life to justify their hatred of Jesus. In Today’s Holy Nougat, I invite us to reflect on Jesus’s initial response to his detractors.
““Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger.” John 8:4-6 NLT
Caught or Captured II
Although the reflection is about Y’shua’s initial response to the detractors, let’s remember that we are exploring Conversion-Conviction stories. Hence, the reflection title keeps the connection.
Of all the responses expected from Y’shua, if you were hearing/reading this for the first time, what would it be? Righteous rage or indignation at the woman, a pointed sermon targeting the woman/detractors, His walking away, or doing nothing at all? Would you have expected Him to stoop down and write in the sand? I certainly didn’t.
Self-Check
How would you respond if you were the woman, and Y’shua only stooped down?
Application
We pause to look at what Y’shua Jesus was doing prior to the detractors. After another debate with His detractors, Y’shua sent to the Mount of Olives (v1), perhaps for rejuvenation, and returned to the temple to teach the people. This woman caught/captured in the act of adultery was an interruption in His ministration. He didn’t continue teaching. He didn’t speak. He simply stooped down.
In stooping to write in the sand, I know that Jesus caught my attention. I’m curious about His next move. For this seems like an intricate game of divine chess. As I type, I’m recalling the chess moment in Job 1, when the enemy of our souls meet with YHWH at a divine council. But this woman doesn’t fit the typical bill of who God would wish to say, ‘have you seen my servant …?’ She was caught in adultery! By our standards, she would be invited to the back bench or put out of church! (Although the man’s reputation would be protected). She was definitely NOT a candidate for divine chess.
Yet, she was captured and presented before the entire crowd at the temple. The detractors saw her as collateral damage, and everyone else would have waited with batted breath to see the next play.
In stooping and writing in the sand, could Jesus have been ensuring that He was not looking at the detractors, the woman, or her un/dress? Was He trying to minimize the woman’s shame? Was He ignoring the detractors, praying for patience, or all aforementioned? We can only speculate.
Point to Ponder
By quoting in the sand, there’s a sense in which Jesus invites us to re/consider how we respond to challenges set by others to test us.
How shall we respond? May we be slow to respond in similar moments.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
