The Writing in the Sand
And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8: 3-11
What do you think Jesus was writing in the sand? I once heard a theory in a sermon that I thought was very interesting. It was that Jesus was writing the names of the men that committed adultery as well. Perhaps with that very woman. And one by one the people that were going to stone her started leaving. Can you imagine these men seeing there names written by Jesus. Isn't God a merciful and just God?
The story really speaks to me. I was raised by my grandparents in a neighborhood that wasn't the best of neighborhoods. Although my Grandpa had his own trucking business we lived in the same house in this neighborhood that was getting run down and worse every day. There were bikers, drug dealers and prostitutes that lived there or maybe just hung out there. I feel that God really saved me from any of those lifestyles and I am very thankful. My heart goes out to any of these people because of the grace of God there go I.
Long after I moved away from there I went to visit my grandma early in the morning like I often did. I took this shortcut while driving my truck. This shortcut was much faster cause there wasn't any traffic lights or stop signs. I kind of sound like little red riding hood taking a shortcut to her Grandmas. Anyway, it was a brutally cold day as it often is in a Manitoba winter. Up ahead I see this girl trying to flag me down. Immediately, I heard my Grandma's voice in my head, "and Don't pick up any strangers or hitchhikers, and lock your doors". She always used to warn me; probably because of my type of personality. Nevertheless, I stopped because I noticed this skinny "girl" was wearing nothing but skimpy short skirt with a thin jacket. Surely they would of died out there if they didn't find shelter. I stopped the truck, rolled down my window and she said can you give me a ride a few blocks. I hesitated and realized that she was no girl but a cross dresser or transvestite. I just ask them because of the some of the street smarts I had developed, " How do I know you don't have a knife and won't car jack me. They assured me that they didn't have any weapons, still I felt like i needed to check them. So I patted them down. I guess i was paranoid or just being extra cautious. They didn't mind and agreed to the quick pat down. It was freezing out. We talked a bit and they may of thought that I actually believed they were female, but you could tell from the facial features and the Adam's apple despite the jewelry and make up. I didn't call them on it I just let them make up some story about them being a model. In the sort ride I was able to tell them ab out Jesus, he just smiled and listened. He then thanked me for the ride and I was left safe. God was watching over me and i don't suggest for any one to do this. I never did it again. There are so many murders in this city every year. We are the highest murder per capita in all of Canada.
Even though we must be very careful we should have compassion on those who need it.
