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Commissioning Service
St. Luke’s Institute
May 20, 2015
A RABBI’S DILEMMA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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In
the Gospels it is important to remember that Jesus is engaged as a rabbi
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Rabbis
then, as rabbis today, are not hierarchical authorities, they are teachers
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As
such, they are engaged by the faithful in sharing teachings and answering
questions
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This
is the dialog that the Scribes and Pharisees are engaged in with Jesus
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And
add to that the fact that they are trying to trip him up. for:
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If
he says, “Stone her” he’ll lose the
name he’s gained for love and mercy, and no longer be the friend of sinners
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If
he says, “Spare her” he’ll be on
collision course w/ Rome, 4 Jews had no power 2 put 2 death
FACTS OF THE CASE +++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Notice
Jesus’ response: (1) silence, (2) writing in the dirt, and (3) a simple
sentence of 10 words, “Let him who is
without sin, cast the first stone”
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What
are the facts the scene elicits:
o
She
has indeed sinned according to Jewish law
o
There
are prescribed punishments for such
o
All,
but Jesus, have sinned to some degree
o
What
part might mercy, compassion, & understanding play?
WE ARE IN THE CENTER
OF THE CIRCLE +++++++++++
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By
way of application of the scene to our own lives, we might ask…
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When
we were in the middle of the circle before coming to SLI…
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And
being judged, justly or unjustly, 4 something … we would well understand
feelings of the woman as she looked into eyes of her accusers
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We
would also understand her feelings when she turned and looked into the eyes of
Jesus and heard…
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“Let him who is without sin, cast the first
stone”
CONCLUSION ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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We
here at SLI are those eyes and ears, mouth and heart of the Lord Jesus himself
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