Put to Shame (Part 3)

The jury was silent. The judge’s face turned red with anger. “I’ll ask you again. Who do you think you are, bursting into this courtroom?â€

The man who had just run in from outside was still looking at me as the judge spoke, but his attention slowly shifted back to the judge. “What is this woman’s offense?†he asked. The judge barked a laugh that held no humor, only cruelty. “What is her offense? Just look at her!†The jury rustled, and dark chuckles rose at the man’s silly question. There was no arguing that I was guilty. To humor him, the judge held up a long scroll of paper, filled with all of my sins. “Would you like to take a look for yourself?â€

My cheeks burned as the judge held the paper out to the man who stood beside me. But he didn’t take it. I clasped my hands together, the skin on them covered with thick swirls that I knew reached up my arms and crawled up the sides of my neck. Then I looked at the man beside me. He wore plain clothes, but his arms were exposed, and there was no tattoo marring his brown skin. I saw no marks on his neck, or on his feet. Who was this man?

He never looked away from the bloodthirsty judge. “The mark of sin is on this woman, yes. Perhaps the individual on this jury who bears no mark of their own should be the one to carry out her execution.â€

Silence.

No one moved. The judge’s mouth had fallen open, and the jury sat staring with wide eyes at the man who dared to barge in and speak in defense of such a lowly sinner. I saw the judge and jury shift beneath the thick robes they wore. Robes intended to conceal any marks on their own skin and make them appear holy before the courtroom.

The man didn’t say anything else; he only waited in the uncomfortable silence. After what felt like an eternity, one of the jurors, an old woman, stood from her seat and left the room. • Emily Tenter

• This story is an allegory of John 8:1-11, when Jesus was confronted by the religious leaders regarding a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. What did Jesus tell them in verse 7?

• In light of this, how does Jesus call us to view people whose sins are obvious to us?

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Col.2.13-Col.2.15