As their eyes alighted on the characters etched into the crusty earth, most likely in the ancient language of Aramaic, they left, one by one, dropping their stones behind them. Were they words of accusation against the accusers themselves or perhaps a plea for mercy? The answer has long since blown away into the desert like the scapegoat released into the very same arid wilderness by Aaron.
The Scribes and the Pharisees were setting a trap for Jesus so that they could bring charges of blasphemy against Him. Sadly, they decided to use a woman who had been caught in adultery as bait to see if they could get our Lord to say something in contradiction to what was written in the law.
To the Scribes and the Pharisees, zealous observance of the laws of Judaism was the greatest way one could show reverence to God. Conversely, to ignore those laws from the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus was blasphemous.
Since the Romans occupied the region, there were often very limited civil effects for flouting religious law; the crowds then, however, as the crowds now, for those who follow events in the Holy Land, were not above taking matters into their own hands. This particular group of accusers had two fuses burning to ignite their wrath: Jesus, whom they wished to trap because they were afraid of His teachings, and the woman caught in adultery.
By posing the question to our Lord, “What do you have to say about this case?” They inadvertently chose what lawyers refer to as “a change of venue.” The case was moved from the court of public opinion and ancient retribution to the court of the one and only Judge with a divine mandate to issue and interpret laws. He had handed down a new law and His laws including loving others as we love ourselves and loving one another as He has loved us. Unfortunately, the teachers, who were so filled with the old law, had not yet come to understand the new law.
What Jesus told them was Christian Law 101: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” In no way did Jesus condone what she had done nor did He declare her to be innocent of the charges. Rather, He commuted her sentence and showed her great mercy with the phrase, “You may go, but from now on avoid this sin.” He granted her a reprieve from the severest punishment for her capital offense and at the same time showed her the way to rehabilitation. He saved her earthly life yet gave her an invitation to the possibility of everlasting life as well.
(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)
