The Real Sin

Scripture: John 8:7 – “When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’” (NRSVUE)

One of the best-known stories in the Bible is the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. Even people who have never picked up a Bible know this story. A group of scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery before Jesus and ask him if they should stone her to death. It is a trap. If Jesus says yes, he is submitting to their authority and should therefore stop opposing the powers that be in his preaching. If he says no, he is claiming unwarranted and blasphemous authority over the Law itself and siding with a vile sinner.

Per usual, Jesus avoids such a trap, this time by asking a moral rather than a legal question. “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Since the scribes and Pharisees realize that they are just as imperfect under the Law as anyone else, they leave. Jesus then says that since her accusers are gone, he will not accuse her either and lets her go with the command not to sin again.

A major theme in this story is the dangers of self-righteousness. Assuming that the accusation against her is accurate, the woman’s sins are clear. But what about the scribes and Pharisees?

First, there may be some secret sin they are hiding. Because of their public piety, people will likely overlook them, allowing them to get away with them. This allows them to project a false image of self-righteousness. And self-righteousness causes one to ignore their faults to focus on those of others. Combined with social authority, the results can be disastrous.

What people miss in this story is that it is about a lynching. While there is some precedent for execution in cases of adultery, the due process stipulated in the Law of Moses is missing. The scribes and Pharisees are placing themselves above the law, which cannot touch their sins, and denying the rights of law to those less powerful than them. Rules for thee, but not for me. This is not an act of justice, but one of domination, meant to put the woman and people like her in their place. This includes Jesus, who must surrender to their interpretation or be declared a lawless radical and friend of criminals. But Jesus reminds us that true power comes from self-evaluation, solidarity with others, and forgiveness.

Lent reminds us that no one is without sin. No matter how hard we try, everyone falls short of moral perfection. If we recognize our faults, we can find forgiveness and learn that we should not sin again. But if fall into the trap of self-righteousness and lean on systems of domination to excuse us, not only is the harm worse but true reconciliation with God becomes almost impossible.

How are you acting self-righteously today? What are you ignoring as “no big deal” while condemning the acts of others? Take the time to pray for humility so that true justice and reconciliation might be found.

Prayer: O Jesus, you have forgiven me. Help me to recognize my faults so I man not sin again and provide others the same opportunities. Amen.

Image credit: Piotr Siedlecki (publicdomainpictures.net)