In the gospel of John a story is told about a woman brought to Jesus who was accused of adultery. This was done in the midst of a crowd of people. The scribes and Pharisees then asked Jesus what he would do seeing that the law prescribed that she be stoned. 

I can only begin to imagine the challenge that this test presented — for it was another attempt to get Jesus to abrogate Moses’ law. What would Jesus, the man who professed love and compassion do?

No doubt there were people in the crowd who called out for stoning and I would guess that they were egged on by the Pharisees. Amid that noise and confusion, “Jesus stooped down … as though he heard them not.” Then, as they continued to ask him what to do, Jesus did something extraordinary. He said, “he that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Convicted by their own conscience, the crowd dispersed. Jesus then forgave the woman, admonishing her to “sin no more.”

There are many lessons in this story. The one that I want to emphasize might be less obvious than some. Think, if you will, about the mentality of the crowd. Many, no doubt, wanted blood and crowds or mobs can be loud, irrational and often out of control. The Pharisees no doubt used this atmosphere to pressure Jesus.

In the midst of this emotionally charged atmosphere, Jesus stooped down and did not confront them. I imagine he was praying and was led to do the one thing that quieted the crowd and resulted in redemption — not only for the woman, but for everyone present. 

How might this relate to us today? One could say that we live in a time when we are inundated with noise and people with microphones or a website who are trying to manipulate how we think. Sometimes, as the news often reports, people can be led to do unimaginable acts. 

The lesson to be learned from the Gospel story is that the word of God is not found in the loudest clamoring. Jesus looked for guidance in the silence of his own making. The calm direction that he gleaned from his prayer silenced the human chatter. 

In 1 Kings, Elijah described the word of the Lord as a “still small voice.” At no time has it been more important for each of us to listen in our own hearts for that still small voice. As the Psalmist instructs, “Be still and know that I am God.”  

What better way is there to celebrate Christmas? 

— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Charles Wellington is a lifelong student of the teachings of Christ Jesus and regularly meditates with the Great Plains Zen Center in Monroe.