At dawn, he(Jesus) appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap in order to have a basis for accusing him. John 8: 1-11
The Trap Question, Painted Papers and Fabric Collage, Marcia Carole
In this second “page” of the collaged book, I am sharing several aspects of the Biblical account. It is dawn. Jesus, and most likely, His disciples, have come down from the Mount of Olives. Jesus will again worship and teach. I show the night departing – fewer stars, and the Mount of Olives on the left. Then, I suggest the Temple court floor on the right. I also show the woman, caught and trapped in her adultery. She is just a pawn as the Pharisees try to use her to shame and destroy Jesus.
Psychologists call this behavior “triangulation.” Just get a third party to be used to get at the primary person in the conflict. Triangulation seems to be how we are wired as human beings. We get others to side with us or bully another. Or, we use others to hurt and shame a primary target. Only transformation of one’s heart, growing in maturity and accountabilty, can really diminish this troubling quality we find in ourselves. All of us. None of us are immune, but with greater dependence on Jesus, we can grow in this area.
Why do I say we need to depend on Jesus? Well, we will see how he responds to this trapping question, and we will learn how to respond to those wanting to trap us or whom we want to trap. We will see Jesus’ merciful, loving heart and we will be gripped in our hearts to follow Him, empowered by His Spirit. (In the next page.)
Additionally, the Pharisees, lovers of the LAW, are violating that very law in how they are “prosecuting” this case. Where is the man caught in adultery? Where is the courtroom? Where are the witnesses? What are their names? Where is her advocate? Were they waiting for Jesus all night, plotting and planning their shameful trap?
And how does Jesus respond to this early morning blast? Stay tuned…………..
