Caught

Posted Dec 9, 11:10 AM by Kay Camenisch

Caught. In the very act of sin. There was no denying it. She was doomed. There was no reason to fight. Her fate was set by ancient law. Eyes downcast, shoulders slumped, and feet dragging, Mary was led away.

She was unmindful of the narrow dirty streets or the yeasty scent of baking bread mixed with the filthy smell from the ditch. She didn’t see the disdain in the women’s eyes or the stares and jeers from the men. She failed to feel shame when mothers protectively gathered their children in as she passed.

Dread distracted Mary. At the temple, if she had a chance to defend herself, what could she say? After all, she was
guilty—deserving of death. She was caught in the act. She had no defense; her fate was sealed.

What was it like to be stoned? To be the focus of such ridicule and hate? But she had experienced ridicule before. It hurt, but she’d survived. She could fight for herself, could make her way. She stood a little taller. Her steps became more certain.

Then she thought of the rocks. How do you stand strong when stones are raining down on you? How do you die with dignity?

“Come on! Get moving!” barked a Pharisee.

Startled, Mary quickened her pace again, pushing her fears aside. She couldn’t afford to rouse more displeasure from her captors.
They entered the temple courtyard. Mary was escorted to the center of the gathered throng. Her temples throbbed. She clenched her hands, and stared blindly at the ground.

---

Two thousand years later, Lara walked the streets, alone. She didn’t notice the noisy traffic, the bustling shoppers, or the Christmas decorations on light posts and in windows. She didn’t see the children running, laughing and playing. She didn’t see the snow falling, or notice the cold wind blowing in her unbuttoned coat. She was distracted by her thoughts and her temptation to run away.

Scribes and Pharisees didn’t catch her, but Lara was caught just the same. Her fears were confirmed. In time it would become impossible to hide the truth. She was trapped. Where could she go? What could she do?

Lara hadn’t meant for this to happen. Hadn’t meant to go so far. It just happened. She wasn’t even sure how; she just knew that now it was too late. Her thoughts went in circles, I can’t tell Mom and Dad. It would kill them—and ruin their ministry. They could never forgive me. . . . But, they’ll find out. . . . Oh, what can I do? I could run away, but where can I go? How could I live?

The lady mentioned taking it. Mom and Dad wouldn’t even have to know. I could borrow the money and get a job to pay it back. It’s my only hope. . . .

But, it’s my baby. I can’t do that. I can’t kill my baby.

But she called it tissue. Said it won’t feel anything. Would never know.

Oh, God! What can I do? Why did you let this happen to me? I didn’t mean to do it! I didn’t think this would happen!
Lara left the busy streets and walked to the park she enjoyed as a child. She sat on the big rock, hidden in the midst of the bushes where nobody would see her tears. Her thoughts went around and around, stirred with disappointment and anger at herself, fear and dread of her parents knowing, and uncertainty about the future. Underneath it all was shame. But she wouldn’t admit its presence. She had been taught better. She knew right from wrong. She knew God too—but she couldn’t go to Him now. She had to handle this on her own.

The snow collected on her coat and hair. She began to shiver, but still she sat among the bushes. Her tears dried as she worked out a plan—where she’d borrow the money, how she’d get it done, where she could look for a job. It was settled. Still she sat, numb by it all, scared to follow through, but resolved that there was no other way. Her parents would never understand, and they were so good, so godly. She couldn’t let them down.

---

“Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.” The Pharisee paused to emphasize the charge before continuing, “Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women; what do you say?”

When Mary heard their charges, she glanced up to see the teacher, then quickly dropped her eyes, filled with shame and regret. She had been wrong! Sinned! Her whole life had been wasted—thrown away! She thought of her parents and tears ran down her cheeks. . . . If she could just start over.

---

Still Lara sat alone in the bushes, thoughtless, head sagging, eyes swollen, waiting for the courage to follow her decision—motionless, except for an occasional shiver that ran through her body. . . . Then a single tear ran down her cheek. She was the one who deserved to die. Not the baby. She was the one who was guilty. She sinned. Yes, death was the penalty, but not for the baby. +Not her baby. She deserved to die.

Relief flooded over Lara as she realized she could face tomorrow. She didn’t know what she would do, but she had sinned. She didn’t know what would happen, but she would suffer the consequences rather than kill her baby.

Lara shifted her weight and hugged her arms around her body to stay warm. Her head bowed and tears flowed as she poured out her heart to God. His arms embraced her, and her heart melted from His love. Many questions were still unanswered, but she was no longer alone.

---

The scribes and Pharisees kept demanding an answer because the teacher didn’t respond. Mary glanced up. He was stooped down, writing in the dirt with his finger. His face was kind and gentle; different than any she had seen.

Suddenly, the teacher stood and looked about the crowd. Some were faces Mary had known. “Whoever among you doesn’t have sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” The teacher spoke with authority, then stooped down to write on the ground again.
A heavy hush fell on the crowd. An older man left. Then another, and another. Her accusers all departed. She was left alone with the teacher.

He straightened up. “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?”

“No one, Lord.”

“Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”

---

As Lara left the park she wanted to skip and dance, to stop people on the streets and tell them her story. She had sinned. She was guilty—had been caught. But she was forgiven! Embraced! And loved! The Lord told her Himself that she wasn’t condemned. The days ahead would be tough, but she wasn’t alone. His love would always be with her, whatever she faced.

He said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” Lara had never experienced such joy. She was caught—in the arms of love.