Mark Sorensen In John 8:1-11, we read that Jesus has gathered early in the morning in the temple courts to teach. As He begins, the teachers of the law and Pharisees bring before him a woman who had been caught in adultery. She is forced to stand before the crowd and, as if that’s not humiliation enough, they ask Jesus this question: “Teacher, in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. Now, what do you say?” Clearly, it’s a trap. If Jesus disregards the Law of Moses, the Pharisees have what they need to discredit Jesus. However, if Jesus says she should be stoned immediately, His followers could turn on Him and discredit Him. It’s clear that Jesus stands in the midst of a pretty crazy emotional storm. So, how does He navigate the situation?
With perfect gentleness.
Read on:
Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:6-11)
Remember our definition of Gentleness from last Sunday? Gentleness means, “you are the captain of your ship standing at the helm navigating it through stormy seas, yet, you are calm and sure because you know who’s driving the boat.” Gentleness is strength under control.
How easy it would have been for Jesus to push back on the Pharisees and call them out for their back handed, undermining schemes. Yet, He handles the pressure of the moment with grace and gentleness. As the crowd leaves and it’s just the woman and Jesus, He doesn’t condemn, yet, He simply responds, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Beautiful.
We certainly need more gentleness in the world today, wouldn’t you agree? So, join me. Let’s continue to be a people who cultivates trees that hold the fruit of gentleness in our lives.
Want to take this lesson of Gentleness further in your life? Try this. End each day answering the following 3 questions:
- Was I gentle in the situations that confronted me today?
- Did I show others the same gentleness that God has shown and gives to me each and every single day?
- Did I throw rocks and stones at someone today (either to their face or behind their back) or, with gentleness and grace, did I choose not to condemn but, rather, encourage them to “Go and sin no more…”
Remember, the Spirit grows the fruit. Our job is to stay connected to the vine and grow in the midst of that connection. So, to you my friend, stay connected and, as you do, may you continue to grow the fruit that brings about the transformation of the world.
