Shadowed By Guilt and Shame

Shame must have burned her countenance, along with fear that gripped her heart; she’s a woman in the gospel brought into the open, by those Pharisees and Sadducees in their attempt – to entrap Jesus on the horns of a dilemma. Known as legalistic in their respect for the Law of Moses, they professed as guardians of moral principles; they claimed as protectors of the Jewish traditions, however, in truth, they had a wicked motive to ruin Jesus to discredit him for all the things he’s doing for his own people. His growing popularity especially to the Jewish men and women, becomes a raison d’etre to ruin his good reputation; oh, such a malady that continues to exist through generations, the seed of original sin – its consequence to human behavior reflected its aftermath, the evil tendency that is encrusted deep within. Jesus’ statement, “let him who is without sin cast the first stone,” made the religious leaders withdraw from the scene and, starting from the elders they walked away and talked no more; a sign of shame, an honest reaction to what is shadowed by guilt. The entire incident focused on Jesus’ endless forgiveness, his compassion for the woman being bogged down with disgrace; like a moral stigma, a scarlet letter etched in the hearts of people, with Jesus she had her past but she also has a future to look forward to. Just as the prophet Ezekiel says, “I will give you a new heart – and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh . . .” its power and meaning can assure, God’s love is everlasting; our salvation is his prime concern.