Words in the Dirt | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Words in the Dirt | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Milkiewicz
09/17/14
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I’m not ready to die. Not like this. I huddled, drawing the thin covering around myself, shivering in spite of the morning sun. The crowd appeared to be growing larger, if that were possible. I couldn’t look. Were they all staring at me?

I knew it was wrong. I knew Simeon was married. I couldn’t help myself. He was so charming, so tender. No one had ever spoken to me that way before. He told me he loved me. He promised no one would ever find out.
Well, they found out, all right.
Where was he? One moment I was in his arms, and the next thing I knew, I was being grabbed from behind and ripped from the bed. I recognized the man grabbing me. He was from the temple. Some religious leader he was – his eyes lingered on my naked body before finally tossing me this covering. Dirty old man.

I tried fighting against him, but he was too strong. He dragged me out into the courtyard, where more of the religious leaders were gathered. How dare they? Those hypocrites. Anger coursed through me. I knew they were too strong for me. Still, where was Simeon? Why wasn’t he being dragged along with me?

They led me to the temple courts. I drew in a sharp breath when I saw the Teacher. He was standing with a crowd of people around him, as always. My anger turned to shame as the realization of my sin came over me. My face reddened as the men told the Teacher of my crime. I couldn’t look at Him. Somehow seeing Him changed everything. I knew I had broken the law of Moses, the law of God. I deserved to die. But still, I’m not ready!

The crowd grew silent. I slumped to the ground, resigned to my fate. I waited. And waited. Soon, my curiosity overcame my shame. I risked a peek. The Teacher was bent over, writing on the ground. I strained to see, but I could not make out the words.

My accusers were growing impatient. Finally, the teacher stood and studied the crowd. At last, His gaze rested on me. I tried to look away, but His eyes held mine. No one else in the crowd would even look at my direction, but His eyes bored into mine with intensity. I felt as though he could see into my soul. Again, shame and guilt welled up inside my breast, but they were soon filled with something else. Regret. Oh what I would give to have a chance to follow this man. I had heard of others who had left everything to follow behind Him and listen to his teaching. I wanted nothing more than to leave my life and to have what He seemed to be offering. But what would a man like that have to do with a woman like me? Still, I had heard stories of Him eating with prostitutes and tax collectors. Maybe. If only it weren’t already too late.

Suddenly, He spoke. “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

He bent down again and resumed writing in the dirt. I waited, trembling with fear. Then the most amazing thing happened. All the men from the temple began to leave! The older men slunk away first, followed by the younger. What was happening?

Soon, only the Teacher was left with me. He straightened up and asked me,
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” I told Him.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” He looked at me with eyes of love and compassion. Not even Simeon had ever looked at me that way. I stood, dumbfounded. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but I was free! Not only did the Teacher save my life, but He gave me something I never thought possible. Hope. A new chance at life. I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but I knew I would be following Him.

Taken from John 8: 1-11

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