WATCHWORD:
3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:3-11
Meditation:
Conditional Forgiveness?
Do we do that, that conditional forgiveness stuff? You know how it goes: I’ll forgive you, if… Really? Does God do that? In effect, does He say, “Do that again, and I’ll take back My forgiveness!”? How can that be?
In our world, is forgiveness implied within other phrases, words, statements? For example, if you offended a friend with a thoughtless word and you realized that and you went to that person saying I am so sorry, I did not mean it. And your friend says, don’t worry about it, I didn’t think you meant it. Is he forgiving you?
You know there is truth in that little play on words: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. How about this, do me wrong once, shame on me, do me wrong twice, get out of my life! Isn’t that the way it sometimes goes? Our “forgiveness card” is good for one get out of jail. For Jesus, the “forgiveness card” is different, right? 70 times 7! Oh, come on!
How about this. Nowhere in the Bible will we find this little passage – Book of Claudia, Chapter 8, Verses 12-14. The woman departed from Jesus, but was caught again in adultery, and, once again, she stands before Jesus, who points at her and tells her, “I told you to sin no more. You did. Now you will burn in hell. Take her out and stone her!” Conditional forgiveness? Conditional love? As I said, “Nowhere in the Bible.”
Throughout our culture, there are behaviors that call for the death penalty, or long-term prison sentences, or significant fines assessed. There are elements of our broader society that inflict different, yet painful, penalties for behaviors deemed unacceptable. Within my extended family is a wonderful Christian mother and grandmother, who left the Amish community to marry into this family. I’ve been told that when the extended family gathers together in reunion, there are times when they come face-to-face with shunning, a sad and uncomfortable experience that has been endured by her (and the family) for more than 50 years. No forgiveness, no appeal, no end.
I struggle with literal and rigid understanding of biblical words, often interpreted through the lens of a “religion”, or a set of beliefs devoid of love and forgiveness. There are times when we would love to witness Jesus addressing a particular issue. My suspicion is that even then, there would be some “religions” that would take issue with Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, and His “take” on that particular matter.
I have a phrase going through my mind, that is all to prevalent in our society and within the Christian community, spoken and unspoken. Let’s see, it goes something like: “If it ain’t my way, it’s the highway.” That’s the one. Conditional forgiveness? Nothing but ego and pride, and there is certainly nothing Christian in it.
Bulletin Board:
Ash Wednesday is March 2, the beginning of 40 day of Lent, leading up to Maundy Thursday, followed by the Awful, Terrible Good Friday. Once there, take heart, Sunday is coming! Watch the Lamb!
Closing Prayer:
Precious Lord, we say goodbye to February and prepare ourselves for the 40 Days of remembrance your Sacrifice. It brings tears to the eyes of believers, even though we know what’s coming at the end of your ordeal. Still, we know that what you are doing is an act of forgiveness that is final and complete in the lives of believers. We don’t know how, precious Savior, to tell you how grateful we are, strong enough, or long enough, or more serious then the words Thank You which seem so inadequate in the face your sacred forgiveness of our sins. We are convinced, Lord, that you know the murmurings of our hearts, so you know how privileged we feel, how grateful we feel, to be Your Sister/Brother. Lord, we pray for your assistance and your guidance as we work our way through to the blessed Easter morning. We praise You, we give You glory and we thank You for allowing us to step with You into eternity. Amen.
