Interview With the Woman Caught in Adultery – Part 1

A Fictional Interview With the Woman Caught in Adultery
 Based on my Novella Trapped: The Adulterous Woman
Taken from the Biblical Account in John 8:1-11

Welcome to the first FICTION FRIDAY! As most of you know, I am both an author and a speaker. Therefore, we felt my blog should reflect that perspective. We are learning about blogging as we go! So once each week I will be writing a blog concerning my speaking topics, which will usually be on Tuesdays.

Then on Fridays, we will address a fiction topic, thus FICTION FRIDAY. Sometimes I will discuss an interesting historical bit of research; sometimes I will talk about writing fiction; sometimes I will interview a colleague of mine who is a fiction author as well; sometimes I will discuss the publishing world … and who knows what else? The world of fiction opens up all kinds of possibilities.

To kick off FICTION FRIDAY, I am going to be discussing my newest release, Hidden Faces: Portraits of Nameless Women In The Gospels. We’ve had such wonderful feedback on this compilation of my biblical fiction novellas. Of course, if you’ve not read it, I encourage you to do so. Keep it in mind for your women’s Bible study. I’ll be teaching it at my church in November. And, may I suggest, it would be a dynamic vehicle for a women’s retreat. For the first few blogs, I am going to interview different characters from the Nameless Women series.

Haven’t you imagined what you are going to do when you get to heaven? I’ve imagined that scenario so many times–finally seeing the Lord face to face, the family and friends with whom I want to reunite, the Bible characters I would like to meet, the clarity of thought … this could go on forever. After having explored the biblical accounts of these four nameless women from Scripture, I am eager to meet them when I get to heaven. 

So, as fiction writers often do, I would like to invite you to play “Let’s Pretend” with me. Let’s pretend we are in heaven, and I am sitting down to interview each of these women to explore their feelings and thoughts about the part they play in the biblical account. Today I am looking forward to interviewing Anna, the principal character from Trapped! The Adulterous Woman.

Q – Thank you for being with us today. My first question is, “Were you surprised that your story was included in the canon of Scripture?”

A – In a way, I suppose I was. Jesus performed so many miracles and healed so many people, spiritually and physically, that not all of them could possibly be recorded. But, I am humbly grateful that people through the years have been blessed and inspired and encouraged by the retelling of it. You do realize, I am sure, that some scholars doubt that the incident actually took place. I can assure you that it did.

Q – Why do you think your name was not mentioned?

A – Perhaps John wanted to protect my identity. I don’t really know. It really isn’t important though, is it?

Q – No, I suppose your actual name isn’t, but the story certainly is. I chose the name “Anna” for you. Are you pleased with that name?

A – Yes, it is a good name.

Q –  I have to ask. So many people upon reading the account, take for granted that the woman taken in adultery was a prostitute. Upon doing the research, I came to the conclusion that was not the case. Does that misconception trouble you?

A – I suppose it shouldn’t bother me, but it does. I was a foolish young girl, betrothed to a man of my parents’ choice, not mine, and chafed at the dilemma I was in. I became enamored with another man, and chose to follow my emotions rather than what I knew was right. As being willful and going one’s own way always does, it led me into a trap.

Q – A trap that was very cleverly set by the Pharisees to frame Jesus, but you were caught in it as well.

A – That’s right. Our enemy, Satan, is very skillful at enticing us into sin, then he condemns us when we step into it. You see, I was not a woman seeking to live outside of God’s will. It’s my opinion that most followers of Jesus, men and women, who fall into adulterous affairs don’t intend to do so. It’s one subtle misstep after another until they are … well, trapped. Trapped by their own emotions and foolish choices.

Q – Tell us how you escaped from that trap.

A – It was simply Jesus. He extended grace and forgiveness to me, and in doing so, confounded the Pharisees, sending them away in shame.

Q – Would you mind if I ask more personal questions?

A – Not at all.

Q – When the “holy men” burst into the room and caught you in the very act of adultery, that must have been terribly humiliating. What were your thoughts?

A – It was total chaos … loud noises, banging and shouting. I didn’t know what was happening at first. Then I realized Eli and I had been caught. As they dragged me down the stairs, it dawned on me they were taking me to the Temple. But I didn’t understand why they were not bringing Eli as well. The law states that both partners are to be brought before the priest. I didn’t understand why he didn’t try to defend me. I’ll never forget the look on his face, almost a smirk, as I was taken away.

Q – That must have been painful.

A – There was the physical pain of being dragged through the streets, bound by a rope. I was scratched, bloodied and bruised by the time we got to the Temple, not to mention that my torn robe barely covered my body. But the emotional pain was by far worse than the physical pain. By the time the men threw me in front of Jesus, I was hysterical. I was so embarrassed and shamed. I kept thinking about the humiliation this would bring to my family. How did this happen? Even as I was being dragged through the streets, I was aware I had been framed, set up, trapped. And as much as I hated to admit it, I had been framed by the man I’d fallen in love with. So along with all the other emotions, a sense of betrayal overwhelmed me.

Q – There’s so much to cover we are going to have to come back next week to finish up. See you then!

Questions for my readers. Please leave comments and questions below.

How do you feel you can relate to Anna’s experience?
Are there specific questions that my readers would like me to ask Anna?
What things have you wanted to do when you get to Heaven? Who do you want to talk to?

 

If you would like to read the first chapter of “Trapped” CLICK HERE.

If you would like to order a copy of “Trapped” CLICK HERE.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends and subscribe to my blog and newsletter below. You will receive my modern short story version of ‘Trapped: The Adulterous Woman’ in your thank you email.

 

 

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