May 18-May 24

TRYING TO CATCH JESUS
Alaina Bearden
St. Louis, Missouri

If the Gospel of John was made into a silent movie, chapters 8-10 would be accompanied by the ominous piano playing when a villain enters the scene and the phrase “the plot thickened…” would flash on the screen. No doubt, the mustachioed Pharisees would wear a black cape and hat. John 8 features the story of the Pharisees trying to entrap Jesus with questions about the woman accused of adultery; John 9 details the events of Jesus defending his healing of the Blind man; and in John 10, Jesus dissuades a group attempting to stone him for blasphemy. All three chapters follow a sequence in the life of a Jesus that was oppressed, doubted and persecuted, and yet his composure and grace pervades in even the stickiest of situations.

But Jesus is no Charlie Chaplin – his evasion of entrapment is much less comedic timing and fortunate coincidence, and rather an ever-present tact, composure and graciousness in his interactions with the most challenging accusers.

In chapter 8, the gospel describes Jesus as he looks down and the ground and writes something in the sand. Through the years I’ve heard a great many sermons about what it could be that Jesus wrote in the sand at the moment – some assume it was a word of great importance, others seem to think it was a stick figure. I’m no theologian and not prepared to delve into such a debate in this forum, however, I will assert that his action does reflect something about the whole situation. Regardless of what he wrote – Jesus forced a tempo-change in the discourse with the accusers. By kneeling down and scrawling something in the sand, he brought a sense of reflection and calm. In a sense, he gave everyone involved a time-out, and took control of the situation.

In chapter 9, the Pharisees interrogate a blind man that Jesus healed and his parents. The chapter ends with the man seeing Jesus for the first time and Jesus explaining that blindness to sin precludes guilt, but to be able to see allows the guilt to remains. His comments are directed at the Pharisees who are, yet again, up to the ensnaring attempts. Jesus’ wisdom opens the Pharisees eyes, exposing them to their own guilt. He did the same thing in chapter 8 as he stated that any without sin should be the first to cast a stone. In both stories, Jesus is calling to attention the personal guilt within the crowd and forcing the Pharisees to rethink their malicious game-plan. He does so in a way that causes internal reflection, which, is uncommon in such an inflammatory situation. Often, when accused, it seems human natures to fly quickly into hurling insults and accusations back at the accuser. By his technique of allowing the accusers to indict themselves, Jesus avoids slandering them or heightening the intensity of the exchange.

In chapter 10, the Pharisees give up their indirect attacks and attempt to stone Jesus on the charge of blasphemy. Rather than an impulsive and desperate attempt at defending himself, getting violent or denying their accusations altogether, Jesus yet again uses his mind and composure to create a “teachable moment.” He presents his position as the Son of God through the lens of scripture – and then, perhaps the most notable action, Jesus separates himself from the crowds and the accusers to get away for a while. This distancing from continued squabbling and accusation is something worth emulating. Too often after coming out of a fight, does the victor stand around to gloat in their victory. By contrast, Jesus leaves it all behind to reflect, pray and recharge.

In the heat of some intense accusations, Jesus kept his cool and serves as an example for his followers. Although in all three situations his credibility and a life was at stake, Jesus took time to slow the situation down, make thoughtful and wise statements and stepped away from the festering tension in order to maintain the right attitude. If we employ his tactics when accused, frustrated, or simply tired with a crazy and difficult world – we might just find ourselves composed and distanced from a lot of negative situations.

[Alaina Bearden graduated from Abilene Christian University in May 2007 with a BA in Interdisciplinary English and Political Science. Alaina was awarded the title of "Ms. ACU," given to a student who embodies the ACU mission and is active on campus. Alaina's been involved in mission work, traveling in the UK, central Europe and the Middle East. Her plans are to spend next year working with inner city children in Boston, Massachusetts. She likes long walks on the beach.]