This woman sinful by our law we would stone to death
The accusers brought before Jesus a woman who had committed a crime by their
laws.
‘This woman,’ they said, ‘has committed a crime. We caught
her in the act. She is sinful. Our law decrees that she be stoned to death.
What do you say?’
Jesus ignored them and he wrote on the ground.
And again they asked him, and again he ignored them.
And when they were insistent, he looked them in the eyes and said:
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
Then he continued writing on the ground.
When he looked up, the accusers had left. None had cast a stone at the woman.
And Jesus asked the woman if no one had accused her.
None had.
And Jesus said:
Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.
The woman went her way in peace. She found wisdom.
Jesus worked many miracles.
But it is not for miracles one adores him.
One adores him for the pure wisdom he brought. And the courage and daring
that goes with wisdom.