It was early in the morning.
I was only doing my job as usual.
While I heard some noise outside.
Suddenly a group of people appeared.
There were quite numbers of them.
Someone grabbed my hands forcefully.
And the other one dragged me out by my hair.
Before I could even grasped what on earth has happened.
It was so sudden and shocking to me.
I felt terribly humiliated.
There was a large crowd along the street looking at this so-called 'parade'.
Numbers of elderly and noble men were dragging a red-handedly-caught prostitute!
I did remember some of them were cursing and spitting at me along the way.
While the others were 'kind enough' by merely throwing a disgusted look at my face.
After about half an hour plus, which felt like forever to me.
I saw a temple with another large crowd in front.
Soon before I realized, I found myself being forced to stand in the midst.
Again, I heard them cursing, whispering, and throwing a very disgusted look at me.
Never in my life I felt so humiliated as that moment.
(John 8)
1 While Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
2 But early in the morning He arrived again in the temple area, and all the people started coming to him, and He sat down and taught them.
3 Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle.
I saw some of those hypocrites amongst this crowd.
They were with me just a couple of nights ago.
Yet, they were standing in the place of honor on that day.
Throwing curses at my face with a haughty look.
(John 8)
4 They said to him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.
5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?"
The man they called Teacher did not answer them a single word.
Shamelessly I stole a quick glance at Him.
He had an amazing charism which I could not describe by words.
His eyes was showing abundant love, mercy and compassion.
He is none like the others.
Truly, in my life I had never met such a great Man before.
(John 8)
6 They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.
Later on only I knew that these people were using me to trap Teacher.
I was feeling terribly humiliated.
I was trembling with fear for being stoned to death.
I was very sad.
Yet, I was very furious that they wanted to harm Teacher.
In my heart, I did hope that their plan will fail.
I did not want Teacher to be harmed by them.
Teacher still kept silent and ignored them.
(John 8)
7 But when they continued asking him, He straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."
8 Again He bent down and wrote on the ground.
*Grasp!!* I was surprised to hear Teacher saying those words calmly.
(John 8)
9 And in response, they went away one by one, beginning with the elders. So He was left alone with the woman before Him.
I dared not look at Him.
Suddenly I felt so dirty.
I felt so sinful.
That moment, I did regret all that I've done.
I felt that truly, I deserved to die.
(John 8)
10 Then Jesus straightened up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
*Grasp!!* I was so surprised that He called me 'Woman'.
It was a very respectful and honorific calling at that time.
Truly, I did not deserve it at all.
Trembling with great fear, I lifted up my face and looked up to Him.
(John 8)
11 She replied, "No one, sir." Then Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more."
He said it with great authority.
With great assurance that I, too, should condemn myself no more.
Since that moment on, I decided that I will truly repent.
I would start a new life.
I would follow Teacher's teachings.
I would always remember that day.
The abundant love and mercy that I found in His eyes,
had changed my life forever.
(Inspired from John 8 : 1-11)
This is one of my favourite Bible passage, other than Psalms! =)
(Not that I was a prostitute or such, haha ... )
I just felt how great is God's love and forgiveness.
There was one fine day during Lectio Divina,
I was thinking, how would I feel if I were that woman.
And above story is what I imagined.
Hope that it could be blessings for you, too! =)
~Image was taken from Google Image~
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