The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 4

by Beth Brower

“Biblical records oft feel distant in our modern times, taking the sting and chase of personal connection and replacing it with the wise comfort of mere observer. There are times when such easy perspective sets us at a disadvantage. It is then helpful, from time to time, to arrange our context under the light of contemporary comparison. Let us draw example from the woman taken in adultery. What if she were not long dead but, rather, alive, living in London. What if she were a dancer at The Drunken Duck”—there was a ripple of confused murmurs—“and instead of a Pharisee seeking to catch the Christ in an indefensible situation, we pictured a modern man of influence, whose position affords his opinions weight, an earl or…a duke. Let us now consider the situation. The, er, duke has condemned this woman and brought her to an accounting before God and community for her sins. “And what do we find? The Christ draws his finger through the dust of the street and then invites any who has no sin to cast the first stone. There is silence, uncomfortable and unexpected. One by one, those standing in accusation leave the woman to address her Lord in private. He will settle accounts with her. He will speak on matters referring to The Drunken Duck. “But for our purposes today, we will not stay with Lord Jesus and the dancer. I trust he will sort her out and offer the needed counsel, as recorded in John chapter eight. Let us instead look at the man of influence. He who was given leave to ston...

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