40 Days of Embracing Uncertainty - Day 12 (for Tuesday, March 10)

Sandy beaches and Northern Minnesota are two things that really don't mix too well.  You can find some beaches that are sandy, but usually there are rocks and lake plants that frequent some of those areas.  Among the swimming locations we visited as family, perhaps the sandiest beach was Sugar Lake public access.   Later in life, I'd give a nod to Twin Lakes beach because that seemed like a sandy location.  Other locations of honorable mention include Trout Lake Beach in Coleraine, Blandin Beach in Grand Rapids (the water quality here was not good at all), and Trooptown on the southeastern end of Pokegama Lake. Each location had their attractions, but they weren't as sandy as Sugar Lake public access.

I loved going to the beach, especially when the waves were higher and would come crashing in on the shoreline.  Usually, the only way that happened was if a larger boat was going by - the winds weren't really a factor up north - too many trees in the way.  One thing sticks in my memory - we'd write, draw, or build something in the sand and then watch as the waves would come in, effectively erasing whatever words, images or structures were placed or built there.   When the waves would flow back toward the lake, it was like a new beach front, with unblemished smooth sand once again everywhere.

In the devotion for today, the author of "Embracing the Uncertain" shares a story from John's Gospel (7:53-8:11) that is a really interesting story about Jesus drawing in the sand. I am sure that I have read this text a number of times, but that little item has escaped me.  He doesn't do it just once, but twice!   We are not told what he wrote or drew on the ground largely because that isn't the point.  The content of what Jesus wrote or drew wasn't the important thing about this story. 

The important thing is this: by his action, Jesus was sending a message to the scribes and the Pharisees.  They were looking to trap him in a question regarding the Law and adultery and the practice of stoning a woman who was caught in that sin.   "Now, what do you say?" they asked Jesus, daring him to say anything that would give them reason to put him away.  But he simply knelt down and started to write something in the sand instead of replying to them right away.  He ignored them.  That must have bugged the temple authorities to no end.  They kept on asking him, prodding him - goading him to answer.  Finally, he stood up and said "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her."  

Boom!  There it is!  How many of us would be able to let that countermand just slide right by?  How many of us would be able to answer that charge with an affirmative "Yes, I am without sin"?  Sure.  Truthfully, none of us can do that and neither could the scribes nor the Pharisees.  When Jesus finished saying what he wanted to say, he knelt down and continued to write or draw in the sand.  That would have told me that Jesus was saying "I've said all I needed to say on the matter."  

It matters little what Jesus wrote in the sand - it was more than likely erased by people walking over the ground, paying very little attention to it.  Yet, it matters a great deal that what Jesus said and ultimately did spoke volumes about separation from God - sin.  Just like the writing in the sand that would have been erased - covered - never to be seen again, our sins have been erased - covered - never to be seen again.  

I'm grateful.  I'm grateful because like the woman in the cross hairs of the religious establishment, forgiven by Jesus and told to go and sin no more, I too can receive that gift of grace.  If I am ever uncertain about that, all I need to remember is Jesus, kneeling and writing in the sand.  All I need to remember is Jesus, walking the pathway to his crucifixion.  All I need to remember is Jesus saying to the thief "today you will be with me in paradise."

Sins are erased, with waves of grace washing them away from the shoreline of our lives, so that we can go and sin no more.