If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. John 7:36 (MSG)
Collateral Damage – Written In Dust Series – Part 3
Go to PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3 | PART 4 | PART 5 | PART 6 | PART 7
We all know it takes two to tango, which is why, since I was old enough to get it, I’ve always wondered why ‘they' only brought the woman from the ‘adulterous act’ before Jesus in John 8. It was explained to me (culturally, through sermons, etc.), that in Ancient Hebrew times, when two people had an affair, the man would get off scot free, but the woman would be charged with a capital crime, and subsequently stoned. Such was the oppression of women in those times. And it was explained to me that that’s part of what Jesus' revolution was about: saving us from a Jewish system.
Apart from these ideas encouraging anti-Semitism (which was NOT what Jesus was about it. He loved his heritage and was a proud Rabbi), they’re not entirely true.
A few fun facts:
– There were only three crimes punishable by death in ancient Hebrew: murder, idolatry, and adultery. These were considered crimes against the harmony of the entire nation, where the corruption seeped beyond the individual and into the backbone of the whole community.
– In an adulterous relationship in ancient Hebrew times, both the man and the woman could be charged. Not just the woman. That’s clear in both Deut 22:22 and Lev 20:10. And a myriad of other texts.
– A married man could sleep with an unmarried woman, and it wasn’t considered adultery. But if a married woman slept with an unmarried man? Adultery.
– If you suspected your ‘partner’ to be having an affair, you had to prove it. And to accuse two people of it, two others had to witness it and be prepared to testify.
– Proceedings for these offenses were taken seriously. They weren’t a “quick let’s stone em’” party that went from 0-100 in 10 seconds flat.
I say all that to say that the story about Jesus forgiving the woman caught in adultery really has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with politics and the abuse of power.
We know from John 7 (and yesterday's post) that the religious leaders had had it with Jesus. He was making trouble for them, exposing them and their corruption.
Side note: Jesus didn’t come to save us from Judaism. Christianity has a long history of thinking itself the graduate product. Judaism + Jesus + death and resurrection = Christianity. Nope. Jesus didn’t come because Judaism needed an update. He came because, humanity (all of it). There wasn’t a Jewish problem. There was a human problem. Still is. Jesus came to remind us of who we really are, how included we really are, how connected we really are, and what we are capable of when we center ourselves in his divine love. It’s an upside down kingdom where compassion and grace and mercy are the heavy weights.
Why did Jesus tick off the religious leaders of his time so much? Why did they want him dead?
Because he challenged what they considered to be power.
Because he knew they were “in bed” with an empire that ruled with ruthless violence and domination (a different kind of adultery).
Because he threatened the single fragile thread of peace they had left.
Because he taught that service and humility and engagement and inclusion were more powerful than sacrifice and judgment and exile.
But let's not be too judgemental. Much was at stake for the Hebrews. Jesus was killed – charged with a capital crime and executed – for his teachings and ways. This was a complex and volatile time for everyone.
The religious leaders were desperate to silence Jesus. They plotted a plan to get him in trouble, and our accused woman found in John 8 was “pawn number one” in their plan. Used as political propaganda, a means to end, collateral damage.
That’s what this story is about.
And the way Jesus responds shows us that in his Kingdom, “collateral damage” are words that do not belong.
Go to Part 4 – Water and Dust »
Written by Lizzy Milani
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