Drawing In the Dirt

     The story is a familiar one. Even those with little other Bible knowledge know it. A woman caught in obvious sin, an angry mob---stones at the ready, a compassionate savior saying, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Pretty straightforward, but let's look a little closer. There is something that keeps catching my attention.

     She was caught in the very act. The crowd dragged her into the street, her shame there for all to see. As she stood naked before her accusers she could already feel the stones that were waiting for her. Jesus was passing by and the pharisees thought they could use this event to trap Him. They called Him over and asked what they should do with the woman. Her sin was obvious, her punishment clear. Jesus pondered the question and while He did He began drawing in the dirt before answering.

     That's the part that catches my attention. Jesus drew in the dirt. The one who created the universe was drawing in the dirt. Why? Picture yourself as one of the people in that crowd. Think, where would your attention be focused at that moment? On the dirt trying to figure out what it is Jesus is drawing, but more importantly not on the woman. You see, even while dealing with a hostile crowd, Jesus was thinking of the woman and trying to cover her shame. That is the kind of savior Jesus is, one who can minister to us in the midst of a great tempest. Even while facing a hostile crowd and pharisees looking for the least little mistake, Jesus was thinking of the woman and her feelings.

      Michael Card is one of my favorite Christian artists and he has a song that somewhat inspired this. That song is called Forgiving Eyes, here it is.