Epiphany XIV: The First Stone — Without Deceit, Not Yet Cast

Jesus, the Teacher of Israel, that met the Woman at Jacob’s Well, without a husband, said:

“If you knew the Gift of God — And who is asking you for a drink you would have asked Him and He would have given you water that would create in you a fountain — springing up into eternal life.”

When Jesus stood up in the middle of the Feast of Tabernacles — having just arrived —and began to teach in the temple courts, the chief priests and Pharisees asked the officers:

“Why didn’t you bring Him in?”

“Never has anyone spoken like this man! ” the officers answered.

“Have you also been deceived?” replied the Pharisees. “Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law—they are under a curse.”

Nicodemus — the one Jesus identified as the Teacher of Israel— who had met with Jesus under the cover of darkness, and who himself was one of them, asked, 

“Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?”

“Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.”

The next day while Jesus was teaching in the temple courts. The scribes and Pharisees, brought in a woman caught in adultery.

They made her stand before them and said,

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?”

They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him.

But Jesus bent down — and began to write on the ground…

When they continued to question Him, He straightened up— and said to them:

 “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” 

And then Jesus bent down — again wrote on the ground.

When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left with the woman — standing there. 

Then Jesus straightened up —asked:

“Woman, where are your accusers?“

“Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, Lord”

She answered. 

“Then neither do I condemn you.”

Jesus declared. 

“Now go and sin no more.” 

Knowing the Gift of God — And who it was who asked the Woman for a drink — the conversation at the end of this trial reveals a relationship.

For the Teacher of Israel, as Jeremiah once did, sees the Amygdala — and stands watch, bearing the staff, guarding the Word — watching over Her, that the Lord’s Word may be accomplished.

And so the Woman goes, and speaks again to the people saying:

 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

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This is the fourteenth in a series of Epiphany reflections paving the way for the Cross.

Now in the season of Easter, the next Epiphany reflection turns to the chosen one of the Lord who says, “I thirst” — and to the vinegar given, before the final breath: “It is finished.”

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