Episode 2--Caught in Adultery!

Caught in Adultery

Hello, Civilla Morgan here! Welcome to episode 02 of ‘Not Just Another Religion and Politics Podcast’! Thank you for tuning in! So here’s the deal: 

I want this podcast to speak to people, not yell at people. Whether you are a Believer or not, a Christian or not, I want this podcast to be so plain in its language, that even if you have never stepped foot in a church, you will get it. You will get who Jesus is, and you will get what relationship with Him could be like, despite what people--Christians and non-Christians, try to do to get you to turn your back. Come along with me. I promise it will be a really cool experience! 

So, this story. The more I think about it, the more I believe it is the crux, the cornerstone, of this entire podcast. Every time I read this story my heart gets adjusted. It’s like a re-set, a reminder of who Jesus is and what His primary mission was. He wants us to understand His way and how He wants us to live.   

In the Christian church, the sermons preached on this story tend to put the weight of this sin on the woman. Keep in mind, the religious leaders dragged her or had her dragged from the bed of adultery. And if that is the case, where was the man? And really, isn’t it kinda creepy that these men dragged or had her dragged from the bed? What were they doing there? 

At any rate, if she was committing adultery, so was the man. Seriously, where was he? Maybe one of those holding stones? But let me not get ahead of myself here! 

If you are not familiar with the story, here it is: 

Read John 8:1-11.

So, you know that quote, that movement, ‘what would Jesus do’? This is the story I most often think about. Because what He did was to kneel down and start writing in the dirt without saying a word.

When he finally stood up, his handful of words was all that was needed. Just a handful of words sent some very powerful men on their way. They just kinda ambled away. And as the adulteress stood there, she must have wondered in fear, if Jesus would punish her. What was about to happen to her? But Jesus forgives her and tells her not to sin anymore. That’s it! This is my most favorite part, he did not condone her sin and He did not condemn her. He did not sweep it under the rug. He did not try to spare her feelings, and He did not stone her. 

The reason I feel this story is the crux of this podcast, the cornerstone, is because I believe it is the fundamental story of why Jesus came to us. Let me explain. Before Jesus came to Earth, there were no Jesus followers. That would be obvious right? But follow along with me. There were no Jesus followers. There were no Christians. There were people who followed the law. And there is nothing wrong with laws. Without them, there would be mayhem. Um, anarchy. I don’t know about you, but I would rather not live in a world of mayhem. As it is we have laws and some days it still feels like mayhem the moment I step out the door. But I digress.

Before Jesus, there were, and still are, other religions, and other religious beliefs. There were and still are, other gods and prophets that are worshipped around the world. Jesus however, is (still) alive. And for the three years, He was on earth, He taught that anyone who chose to follow Him would have to live a life of forgiveness. 

He taught, in so many ways, but especially through this story, that there is no sinless human. Every time I read this story my initial thought is to be thankful that no one opted to throw a stone at this woman. Because really, someone in that group could have said ‘well, I am a (religious) leader, I do not sin. No seriously, we all sin. Or they may say, ‘I do not commit this type of sin.’ I’m sure you know people like this. They believe there are certain levels of sin. 

In fact, our human logic and thought process says that murder would be a worse sin than gossip. But the fact is, they are both sins. That means no human is exempt from sin. We have all sinned. Romans 3:22-23 says ‘...For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…’ No human is better or worse than the next human. 

But sometimes we think we are because we do not commit ‘that type of sin.’ Suppose one of the religious leaders standing there with a stone ready to stone this woman had acted out what he was probably thinking. I don’t sin like that. Hidden sin and public sin, are both sins. Gossip is sin. Murder is sin. Adultery is sin. But Jesus forgives all sin if we ask Him. 

So thankfully no one opted to pretend more than they already had by dragging the woman to the town square. They dropped their rocks and backed away. Just kinda disappearing and blending into their little church click. More on church clicks in an upcoming episode.  

Seriously, what was Jesus writing in the sand??? In some of my research, some thought He was writing the sins of each man that stood there with a rock in his hand! Whoa! If that’s the truth,  no wonder they just kinda backed away and left! Hey, maybe He was writing the names of each man that had committed adultery. Honestly, I am not convinced as I do not think Jesus calls people out publicly unless He is dealing with a hardened and unrepentant heart. ‘But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.’--Romans 2:5.

So anyway, Jesus said ‘neither do I judge you, go your way and sin no more.’ Wow! Can you see how this story can be the foundation of the WWJD--’what would Jesus do’ type of life? This is the type of life I try to lead every day. I don’t want to judge people for their mistakes, their past, their lifestyles.  But I want to be able to tell them what has gotten me through the tough times. Why I am still standing despite everything I have been through. And how, no matter what they have done, been through, abused, or misused, they can have that hope. Anyone can have it. 

Jesus, God, does not see anyone as more special than the next.  

So, how would you react to someone ‘caught in adultery?’ What would you say to them? How would you react to, or treat yourself in your own sin?

And while I am asking questions, this is a question I want to ask at the end of every episode: ‘Who is God?     

Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to check out the show notes where you can view the research I used to create this episode, and to read some articles I think you may find interesting. Until next time!  

Research used:

John 8:1-11

 

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/9-things-you-should-know-about-the-woman-caught-in-adultery

 

Smith’s Bible Dictionary 

 

Matthew Henry’s Commentary

Articles of interest:

‘Sin has always mattered to God, but creation matters much more. God sent Jesus to give the adulterer a merciful way out.’

https://www.christianitytoday.com/women-leaders/2013/november/how-should-church-handle-adultery.html

 

https://thomrainer.com/2015/08/ashley-madison-adultery-and-the-church/

 

https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-writing-dirt.html

“It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love.”--Rev. Dr. Billy Graham.

 

Quotes from the episode:

‘Every time I read this story my heart gets adjusted, it’s like a re-set, a reminder of who Jesus is...how He wants us to live.’ 

‘The more I think about it, the more I think it’s the crux, the cornerstone of this podcast.’

‘He knelt down and started writing in the dirt without saying a word.’

‘He did not condone her sin, and He did not condemn her...and he did not stone her.’

‘I believe (this) is the fundamental reason Jesus came to us.’  

‘There is no sinless human.’