Mary Magdalene SCENE 4

Mary was trapped. There were men in town who knew her. As she feared, they were ready to bring shame upon Martha and Lazarus by making her former occupation public if she did not conform to their plans for her. “What do I do God?” She prayed. But there seem to be no answer for her.

To protect her family she consented. But this would be her last time. Tomorrow, she would disappear. She would go far away. Somewhere she would sell herself as a servant.

That was the plan but tonight It was worse than she thought. As soon as she saw the men gather in her room to shame her she knew it was a trap.

ACT: Jesus is sitting at the temple teaching the people.

ACT: Two men will come to drag Mary to the temple toward Jesus. Mary resists. On the way they bend down to pick up stones.

Her act was suddenly very public. Her worst fears were happening! Half clothed she was being dragged from her sin, Mary found herself praying. On the way through town she saw them picking up stones and she knew what her fate would be!

Ps 86:14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.

15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.

17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.

It was very early in the morning. Oh please no!  She had thought they were taking her outside the gates of Jerusalem to stone her but no, they were taking her to the temple! Though early in the morning, there were already people gathered there to hear Jesus! The men who had trapped her seemed to multiply. Not only a few now, but it seemed that all the scribes and Pharisees and priests were there! They were all confederated against her, and now she knew, against Jesus too. This must be another one of their traps for Jesus. Mary had come as low as it was possible to come. She would be used to hurt the One Who loved her to life; the One who forgave her; the One who cast her demons from her; the One who defended her!

ACT: The two men shove Mary and she falls at Jesus feet. One of them makes her keep her face down.

As they neared the temple court, someone’s hand forced her down so that she stumbled and fell at the very feet of Jesus. And just before her face was shoved into the ground she had glanced to see His eyes meet hers. There she saw a look of such heartache! Mary had never felt such shame and regret and sorrow, and guilt in all the years that she had prostituted.

ACT:One of the men accuses Mary to Jesus.

Then, as though Jesus did not already know, they said in mock respect, “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

“Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?”

Mary knew they said this to tempt him, that they might have to accuse him. Trembling and face turned down, she waited for Jesus to respond.

ACT: Jesus squats to write in the sand.

It was so still and quiet as they all waited for His response. The silence went on and on. Mary expected that Jesus would not defend her this time. He Who had shown her that the law of God was so much more than do’s or dont’s but was about love. In her disobedience, She had failed in her love to Him. Oh, Why was it so quiet?

Still shaking and wishing she had more clothing, all she could hear was the faint sound of someone scratching the ground.

ACT: Some people leave.

She could feel the crowd growing thinner.  It seemed odd to her that people would be losing interest in this scene.

ACT: The man accuses Mary to Jesus again.

Someone spoke with exasperation. “Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?” Mary’s heart beat faster. She was guilty.

ACT: Jesus  stands up. He speaks to the crowd.

Then she heard Jesus stand up. There was another long pause. She could hear people muttering under their breaths. Then She heard these words from Jesus. “He that is without sin among you, let him be first to cast a stone at her.”  She waited for the first blow. She had been in this position before. It was just like the day that He had delineated each of her demons. She knew He was looking right into their eyes. He could read their hearts. Who would be without sin?

ACT: Jesus bends down to write in the sand again. Everyone leaves Mary and Jesus alone.

Then she sensed as He bent down once again and with His finger, scratched the dirt on the ground before her.

ACT: Jesus helps Mary to her feet and places his coat around her. Mary keeps her head down. Jesus asks her where her accusers are?

After what seemed an eternity, she felt a gentle touch to her elbow as if to help her to her feet. It was Jesus. He took His own cloke and put it around her. She could not look at Him. She could never look at Him again! If only she could hide. Head down she heard Him say, Woman, where are those thine accusers?

ACT: Mary looks up toward her accusers. Jesus says “Hath no man accused Thee?”

It was then she dared look up, not His way but toward the crowd to face her accusers. She deserved to die. But so did her accusers. Who among them was without sin? She would make them look her in the eye before they cast the first stone. Determined she looked up, but  there was no one there.

Then Jesus spoke. “Hath no man condemned thee?” Where were they?

ACT: Mary looks down and sees the writing in the sand.  She says “no man Lord.”

Then she looked down and saw the ground where Jesus had written. There she read the law of God, written she knew, by the very hand of God. Right then she understood condemnation. Not one of her accusers could remain in the presence of Jesus because all had sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Mary answered, “No man, Lord.” But she knew a greater than man was here. There was One here Who could cast the first stone.

ACT: Mary falls again at Jesus feet.

In her realization that she was in the Presence of God, Mary fell once more at His feet.

It was then that Mary’s ears heard but could hardly comprehend. “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

As Mary looked up searching the face of Jesus. It was then Her heart broke under the power of Love, Redeeming love! She was free but she was forever a prisoner of Love and she would never go back!

After this they left Mary alone!  Mary’s gratitude knew no bounds! Without human condemnation she was truly free to stay home with Martha and Lazarus and to tell others what Jesus had done for her. Released from the prison of her past she was free to live for Jesus!  She had so much to tell Martha and Lazarus and everyone about the freedom loving Jesus! But Satan hates it when we are free. Sadness was just over the horizon.

Author: Sharon Oxentenko