Back in August, I wrote a piece based on John 8: 1-11. This is a follow-up to that piece. This is simply my interpretation, as well as my imagination running wild. This is merely a creative work, loosely based on the same text.

Where are your accusers?

Where indeed? They all left. If they couldn’t accuse, couldn’t condemn, couldn’t prove their point, couldn’t make someone pay, couldn’t cast stones, they had no reason to stay.

She was left alone…with Jesus. Then he sent her away: Go and sin no more.

Go where? With whom?

She walked unattended back down the same dusty road on which what little dignity she’d had was stripped only minutes earlier. She was left with only her memories: the memories of being wrapped in her lover’s arms; of her nakedness exposed to her accusers as they dragged her through town; of the silence as Jesus drew in the sand; of the men turning to walk away as Jesus came to her defense; of His kind words to her.

But now what?

Is there anyone left with whom to build a new life? Neither the religious crowd nor her former lover wanted her, for she was a reminder of their own sins.

Go home? She didn’t have one anymore.

Go to the temple? Her accusers would be there sulking.

Just go…

Alone…

It would have been better to have never known love…to have never felt love…than to feel so utterly lonely.

Rejected.

Abandoned.

Sent away.

Sin no more? She’d been given the freedom to make better choices, but who was He kidding? Of course, she’d sin again…maybe not in the same way, maybe not so drastically, and maybe not so publicly…but there would be sin.

With each choice to sin, she would remember there was One who sent her accusers away…One who didn’t condemn her. She’d remember that One spoke grace and mercy over her.

Just One.

Go…far away from the ones who’d rather expose than cover.

Go…to a place of rest…a place where freedom is embraced.

Go…