A Moment In Time

For me there are moments in time I wish I could capture on film or canvass and watch over and over again. Many of you know (and I received a beautiful painting of it) that my all time most desirable snapshot would be the moment Jesus' eyes met Peter's eyes as the third betrayal hung in the air mixed with the sounds of the rooster. But, this scene is also very interesting. A scared woman dragged from her adulterous bed like a piece of bait through the streets of Jerusalem by self-righteous men who had it out for the Son of God, and deposited at the feet of Jesus sets the scene. Should she be stoned as the Law says? What would Jesus do? After dramatically stooping down and writing on the ground, Jesus gives one brilliant statement, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first the throw a stone at her." "Without sin" is used only here in the New Testament. One by one, from the oldest to the youngest, they all walked away and left Jesus there with the woman. Others were there. He had been teaching the people there in the temple courts. But, the scene depicts a certain intimacy between Jesus and the woman. (BTW, what was her name? Why were we not given her name? She deserves the dignity of a name.)

Here is the Moment In Time. The air is full of tension. The drama is intense. Jesus' challenge hangs in the air. Would any of them be arrogant enough to think they had no sin? Was this a risky proposition? Was Jesus ready to challenge any man who claimed to be sinless? Surely Jesus could tell tales on each of them. But in this moment, they walked away, one at a time. Put yourself in the sandals of this sinful woman. Did she begin to sob with relief as one by one they walked away? Where was her eyes fixed? Did they dart back and forth among the men, the crowds, and Jesus? Did she fix her eyes on Jesus? As the last one left and Jesus was stooped over writing something on the ground, did she stare at Him wondering what He would say or do next? Was her gaze steady? Was her eyes filled with tears so she could not see clearly? How long did it take Jesus to straighten up and speak to her? That moment! Was it a minute? Two minutes? The air is charged. Anticipation is great. Jesus is clearly center stage and like an old E.F. Hutton commercial, every ear was tuned to hear His next words. Jesus was clearly in control of the situation. With a few words He had disarmed His enemies. That Moment In Time!

Do we have a moment in time like this one? Our sin is revealed. Our fate is in His hands. When He straightens up and looks at us, what will we see in His eyes? What will that look be in this Moment In Time?