Nothing that we despise in the other man is entirely absent from ourselves…We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.[1] —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
It is difficult to understand that this Jesus Who directed Moses to use stoning in cases like this. Now shows mercy. I understand that we all stand convicted under the Law, but than man standing in judgment man, can now have Christ stand for us. Is not Grace wonderful.How sorry it is that present leadership has no idea, except pure.
Beautiful article, Barry…thank-you.
When a human being humiliates this can cause another human being to self-loathe. After this occurs, the abuser gains control over the individual who now is disgusted by themself and therefore self-hates. It is hard to think of a more horrible thing to do to another human being than to try and erase their very sense of being and soul.
In a spiritual sense, humiliation destroys the very essence of what God has created us to be- unique reflections of Him/Her to the rest of the world. What a loss when a sense of self is destroyed or erased because a part of Him/Her will never be be revealed or gifted to others. Forever this will be an eternal loss both in Heaven and on Earth.
Jesus never humiliated but spoke the truth with love and compassion. He never sought to belittle any human being but to support and raise up. We have our example in Jesus who sought to save humankind from themselves and through His sufferings and humiliations we might be made whole.
It’s been my experience that the sins we notice and dwell on in others, are the ones we are struggling with ourselves.
This story and the prodigal son story have been overused as biblical palliatives.
Insufficient analysis is lacking regarding Jesus’ insight to the matter related to his judgment.
Listeners are thus deceived and gypped.
For those who embrace the notion that Jesus supervised Moses, it makes it seem that Jesus is a God with a bipolar mental condition.
In AA it is said, “if you spot it, you’ve got it”
Explanation requested.
So Jesus condemns us legalistic priests?
Jesus did not justify this woman. He just did not condemn her as those who had brought her hoped he would do. He told her, “Go and sin no more…” As Ellen White puts it, “His biddings are enablings…” COL, p 323.
I hope that no one uses this story to resist censure or church discipline. That would amount to abusing God’s grace. The woman was not defiant before Christ. She was ready to receive her sentence, and Jesus gave her a second chance.
Often some who quote this story are those who are in denial of their offences. I do not think Jesus had these in mind when he freed this woman.
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