“Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
John 8:6-7 (NAB)
The story about the woman caught in adultery is mentioned in John’s gospel only, and none of the other three gospels. Many have tried to guess what Jesus wrote on the ground that day, but the gospel doesn’t reveal what He wrote. It’s the only time that Jesus is seen writing anything at all, which sparks the curiosity of many.
Whatever He wrote, had a huge impact on the crowd, because one by one, the men who accused the woman, dropped their stones and left. Then Jesus stood up and called for whoever is without sin to cast the first stone, but no one ever did, because they were gone.
Before Jesus spoke one word to the crowd, He first wrote on the ground. Whatever He wrote was bold enough to stop the frenzied mob, and He did it for the sake of that woman, to spare her from a death sentence. His mercy was poured out upon the contrite ones who already knew they fell short, instead of the self righteous and proud.
What a relief it was for that woman to be under the protection of Jesus. Whatever He wrote, cancelled out her death sentence. Then He said to her, “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.”
Throughout the gospels, Jesus said He didn’t come to condemn the world, but to save it.
He prefers mercy over sacrifice. He further clarified His core mission by telling the religious authorities that He didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)
We can try guessing what words He wrote on the ground and maybe one day, He will tell us. One thing is certain, whatever He wrote, was to extend His mercy to one woman. It requires action to show mercy and the action Jesus took that day, is hidden in the mystery of whatever He wrote.
Jesus demonstrated mercy all throughout His ministry, and He did it by using very few words. When He approached Matthew, a notorious tax collector, He said two words, “Follow Me”, then walked away, but it was enough for Matthew, who followed Him. He told others, “Your faith has made you well,” or “Your sins are forgiven,” and they were miraculously healed. He did major acts of mercy with minimal conversation. It seems that those who say less, make us listen more keenly to the few words they do speak. It makes us want to sit in silence and listen to the few words Jesus is saying to us each day.
He showed mercy to prostitutes, lepers, and all the outcasts of society. His final and greatest act of mercy was on the cross, when He suffered by laying down His life for all, including His enemies. His few words from the cross were, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
It seems the “Jesus way” is to do major acts of mercy, while using the least amount of words. We are also called to show mercy to those who may not know what they do. There is nothing we could do to make Jesus love us any more than He already does, just as we can do nothing that would make Him love us any less.
Today, His fingers are still writing on the ground of our lives, using our kindness to care for strangers, plead the cause of the outcasts, widows, orphans, and any who we see suffering. We follow the Jesus way by doing the most acts of mercy, using the fewest words, as we reflect Him to all we meet.
Lord, thank you for your love and mercy and help us to live in a way that reflects You to all who cross our path in this life. Amen
