Yeah...You have to wonder what Jesus was “writing in the dust” as the accusers were gathered ‘round!
Big puzzle, but whatever it was, they shied off when they saw it. More than one possible set of circumstances could apply; maybe what they were is deliberately unimportant. What is known is that no accusers were left for a guilty sinner who was pardoned and warned from future sin.
[verse 1]
The angry men stood there
With stones held in their hands,
The adulteress said a prayer
As soon before God she’d stand,
When Jesus walked right up
And scribbled on the ground,
Forgiveness was in His cup
And new life in Him she found!
[chorus]
Rude grace!
Rude grace!
Oh you slick and arrogant Pharisees,
Her guilt is gone without a trace!
Your refinement never counted on this
As your pride distorted your face,
Rude grace!
Rude grace!
[verse 2]
The sheepish men filed off
As they saw their deadly sin,
With not a sneeze or a cough
Dared they affront this holy Man.
“Does anyone now accuse?”
Jesus asked the trembling lass.
“Let Me tell you the good news.
Your sin is forever past!”
[chorus]
Rude grace!
Rude grace!
Oh you slick and arrogant Pharisees,
Her guilt is gone without a trace!
Your refinement never counted on this
As your pride distorted your face,
Rude grace!
Rude grace!
[verse 3]
Are we Pharisees today
Who want to snare folks with the law?
“Aha! Got you! What will you say?”
As we wield that lion’s paw?
Well remember a holy God
Will only forgive as we do, too;
If we’d escape His holy rod
Then we won’t harm what He makes new!
[chorus — note changed word]
Rude grace!
Rude grace!
Oh you slick and arrogant Pharisees,
Our guilt is gone without a trace!
Your refinement never counted on this
As your pride distorted your face,
Rude grace!
Rude grace!
mdmathis6, I tend to believe that Jesus might have written the name of the man who was taken in adultery with the woman. In addition, he might have written the names of others in the crowd who’d been with her in the past.