Caught in the Act

Things have been very disturbing this past week, with misconduct allegations against so many famous people: former US presidents, popular musicians, producers, movie stars, and more. Many of these people were formerly beloved by millions. And some were pastors.

I was reading in the comment section of a video that was posted on YouTube, and over and over I read remarks with this idea: “There are so many movies (songs, TV shows) that I can no longer watch because I know what was happening during filming and it makes me sick.”

I don’t want to dwell on this terrible topic because it’s everywhere. So is the outrage (“How could they do this?”) and resultant despair (“I feel like such a fool for believing in them/being entertained by them; how can I trust my own judgment going forward?”) But I do have a few thoughts that might be helpful.

During Jesus Christ’s time on this earth, His greatest human adversaries were the “scribes and Pharisees,” the religious leaders of the Jews. They repeatedly tried to trick Jesus into a compromising position so that the opinion of the people would turn against Jesus.

This time, they brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery before Him. They reminded Jesus that under Mosaic law, she was supposed to be stoned for her sin. Then they “innocently” asked Jesus what they should do.

Let me break into the narrative to point out that all of this was a test–really a trap–for Jesus. He was not responsible to make civil or religious judgments. The Pharisees might have been hoping He would feel flattered that they were asking Him, but it was with the intention of tripping Him up. The text says they were “tempting Him, that they might accuse Him.”

Jesus stooped down and acted as if He couldn’t hear them, writing in the sand. When they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.” Then He went back to writing on the ground.

One by one, beginning with the oldest ones unto the youngest, they all slipped away until no one was left to accuse her. Jesus looked around and saw they were gone, then asked her, “Where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?”

She said, “No man, Lord.”

And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:3-11)

Picture the scene: The woman is a mess, possibly only half-dressed. She was probably crying, in fear of her own death and suffering public humiliation. A crowd of angry faces surrounded her, each one of them looking forward to killing her! Can you imagine being in that situation?

Her priest was glaring at her and holding a particularly large stone. Possibly her husband was among them. Her neighbors, and maybe members of her own family were around her, waiting to kill her. I can’t imagine her horror.

But it occurred to me that she might have been set up. It wouldn’t be the first time such tricks were used to take important people down. That way, the Pharisees would have a conveniently-timed sin for Jesus to “judge.” There are lots of things wrong with this picture, but it also has a lot of similarities with some of the things happening today.

Not everything is cut-and-dried. Consider that most of this horrid stuff in these files that are coming out has been hidden from us, not for just years, but for decades. Clips from years past are coming out to show how brave people have been trying to tell us the truth for years; but only now are we able to receive it.

But none of it has been hidden from God. He has seen all of it all along, watching as it happened. He has had mercy on our nation, but the time for uncovering the sin has come.

In the same way, Jesus knew all of the complications and the backstory of the situation the Pharisees were presenting to Him. He knew what really happened, and why it happened, and He also saw the intentions of the religious leaders.

But He also saw the woman. And more than that, He knew her heart. And when we read her recorded words, we begin to see her heart, too.

(Read then next section, Caught In The Act: Submission)