Twixt Cup and Lip

There’s many a slip twixt cup and lip.

This polarization between right and left, Christian Nationalism and secular state, and who knows how many other ‘issues’ – is ridiculous. Between the idealism on the left and the idealism on the right is that space ‘twixt cup and lip’ where we live. And in that place there’s indeed many a slip.

One of my favorite passages recording the life of Jesus is when religious leaders drag a woman caught in adultery before him. Their motive is neither to learn from Jesus nor to show any pathway of healing ahead for the woman. They want to kill her in the name of God by stoning her. All they are interested in is trapping Jesus, forcing his hand, baiting him in such a way that they can use his response to scream in saliva-dripping unison, “Gotcha! We told you so!”

This moment could have been yesterday on the corner where we live, such is our current toxic environment.

Jesus would probably be regarded today as inconvenient by all political parties. The woman – certainly not worthy of anyone’s attention. And the religious leaders? Today’s guardians of righteousness and spiritual values.

Remember, it was God who gave Moses the Ten Commandments. One of those commandments states quite clearly that ‘You shall not commit adultery.” Carved in stone, unambiguous, it couldn’t be clearer. The religious leaders had the commandment on their “iPhones” as proof of their righteous position, proof of God’s law, and proof of their mandate to do something about those breaking the law.

Thirty years earlier God had gifted his Son to the world, born in a stable in Bethlehem. God’s Word made flesh was how he would be described. Jesus held the Ten Commandments in his heart, whereas the religious leaders repeated the same in their heads. The woman, clearly guilty, was caught in the middle – naked, exposed, vulnerable, vilified, and guilty as hell.

When ideals clash with reality, what happens ? When someone does not live up to their promises, breaks a vow, falls as a result of poor choices, what happens? What happens twixt cup and lip when there is a slip?

The Bible describes such people on almost every page. Adam disobeys and betrays, Moses murders, David commits adultery, Peter lies, James and John lose their temper, Thomas doubts, Mary Magdalene was as misguided as the woman thrown into the dust before Jesus. Saul/Paul persecuted and murdered… it’s not a pretty testimony or track record that anyone would be proud of.

Rumor has it that, on the talk shows of the day, it was speculated that the religious leaders had probably rigged the whole adultery debacle precisely to confront Jesus. Of course, only the woman was brought before him. The man (it takes two to commit adultery) was not for public viewing. Down through the ages all sides always protect their own.

Here is the woman then. On one side is the Commandment carved in stone. On the other side is Jesus, God’s Word become flesh. How could Jesus’ Father have written that Commandment and not then agreed with the religious leaders – judging, condemning and punishing her as an example to others? “It’s the women, you know,” they whispered. “The poor men, such victims.”

The one truth made painfully clear over two thousand years was that although people could quote the Ten Commandments, hang those commandments on the walls of their houses, and teach those commandments in their Synagogues and schools, it was no guarantee of compliance and obedience.

What happens when the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak?

In religious circles weak flesh is never acknowledged. Secrets remain hidden, denial is rampant. God is portrayed as harsh, judgmental, cruel, and always on the side of the establishment. Little wonder that the ordinary person feels marginalized, intimidated, never good enough, always having to jump through another religious hoop to please God – if they are lucky. What do you do if you slip between that cup and lip?

And what would happen, if by revelation, it was revealed that the Ten Commandments described God and his character? That ordinary human beings can never attain to keeping them. Instead, as they look at them, they begin to comprehend how far short they fall every day. This – that God knew their dilemma from the beginning and sent his Son into that space between cup and lip so as to bring them forgiveness and hope.

While the Ten Commandments describe God’s character, Jesus revealed God’s heart, grace, and mercy. That’s why his response to those frothing self-righteous religious leaders was a gentle suggestion, “Why don’t you, who are without sin, throw the first stone?” As his words penetrated their collective psyche their hearts bore witness to what their minds denied. Stones dropped, one by one. They left the scene. They left the guilty woman.

Did Jesus proceed to lecture and berate her? Not at all. “Who condemned you?” he asked.

“No-one,” she replied.

“Neither do I condemn you. Now go and sin no more.”

It would be hard to comprehend that the woman was not changed by her encounter with Jesus. By his respect, his tenderness, his protection and his strength. His acknowledgement of her as a woman, a person, one much loved by God. She never imagined that God could be so real. so kind, so safe, so good to her – when she was being the worst version of herself.

Instead of throwing rocks in that slippery place twixt cup and lip, God opened His heart. He revealed his Son, who paid the price for us all, and released hope for new beginnings. This is precisely what captivated the first disciples, transformed Saul to Paul, and ultimately defeated the Roman Empire. It’s been my saving grace, that’s for sure.

The most complex place is living between that cup and lip. It’s obvious when someone has encountered Jesus in that place. Their hands carry no rocks. Instead they wash feet and serve. Let’s beware of throwing rocks and commandments at those who have never had the opportunity to encounter Jesus. And let us stop throwing rocks at one another, labelling, insulting, or whatever it is that makes us feel righteous.

Let’s be different, even in the manner in which we might believe, agree or disagree.