Reversing the Test

Have you ever been put to the test by someone you despised?

Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him and he sat down and began to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery; and making her stand before all of them, they said to him, Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?  - John 8:2-5

We all know the story.  Jesus is surrounded by followers who had come to hear him teach, and in front of them all, he is put to a test.

The woman was being used.  Her fate was sealed and she knew there was no way she could escape being stoned, so imagine how she felt to be dragged before the crowd as a test for this teacher.

But why would they believe this was a way to catch Jesus breaking the law?  What did they expect him to do?

Jesus had developed a reputation.  He spent his time with sinners and he let them go, telling them they were forgiven.  So they must have expected he would find a way to forgive this woman of her crime, and then they would have him in violation of the law.

But in the end, he leaves it to them to judge their own worthiness to carry out the punishment.  And they all walked away.

What made them change their minds so quickly?  What did he reveal to them that scared them off?

Somehow he reversed the test, threatening to expose them for their sins, perhaps?

We admire Jesus for using his knowledge to turn the tables on authority, people whom he considered hypocrites, bad examples of leaders.

Yet, whatever he had on them, he let them walk away without revealing it to the world.  He let their actions speak for them, and the crowd must have known something was up.

People don't just back away from their position, unless it is clear they will lose.

So, what do we learn from this?  What is the lesson Jesus is giving to his followers?  Is it to challenge authority, or is it something more?

The moral of the story that we take away with us is simple.  Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.  And though that may be difficult enough to do, there is another point I see here.

Jesus was prepared for the challenge.  He knew the men with the stones had something to hide.  He didn't set out to challenge them, but he waited for them to challenge him.

I think I can learn something from that.  When I see injustice and wish to right it, I need to be ready for the challenge.  I need to state my case and wait for the right time to face those who come ready to fight.

If I seek to help those who are attacked, I will be attacked.  So, I need the full armor of God to protect me, and that means I had better know my enemy.

So, I ask you, which is better, to confront ready to fight, or to have the enemy back down and walk away?

When it comes to battles like this one, being prepared for the latter doesn't hurt.

More to come...