October 16, 2022
Jesus’ First Execution: Dirt, Oklahoma, Anthony Sanchez & The Struggle to End the Death Penalty
Jesus was such an effective teacher that people were constantly trying to trip him up…especially on moral issues. One day, as he was teaching, some religious leaders…some preachers if you will…slung a woman at his feet. To make sure that there was no mistaking what they were accusing the woman of, they loudly declared that she had been caught in the very act of adultery. In those days, adultery was a capital offense. Seeking to test where Jesus was at on the death penalty, they demanded that he tell them what to do. Instead of responding, Jesus got down in the dirt and started writing. Now, Jesus’ body was between the woman and her accusers. If the stones had started flying Jesus was prepared to die with the woman. Whatever he wrote in the dirt…one must assume that it was some of the secret sins of the religious leaders…got them rattled and they started walking away. Looking at the woman, Jesus absolved her of her sin and encouraged her to be on her way.
Right now, we are in the midst of a national execution spree. Month after month, the condemned are being thrown at our feet. Instead of getting down in the dirt or making an argument for the execution to stop, we simply pass on by and act like nothing is happening. Such actions show that we have little to no connection to Jesus…because Jesus is down in the dirt. In this passage, Jesus is clearly coming out against capital punishment. In fact, the only execution that we know of Jesus being at apart from his own…he stopped. It seems to me that those who follow Jesus would do likewise. Unfortunately, we know this is not the case. Christians seem to be constantly raising their stones and demanding blood. What does Jesus say in this moment? It seems crystal clear to me. “You who are without sin cast the first lethal injection.” How could anyone claim to love Jesus and kill folk?
So, what are the sins of those demanding executions? Greed? Indifference? Hate? Pride? Violence? What are the sins? Maybe, it is time to take a survey of our own lives before we keep killing others? We constantly say that those who face execution are the worst of the worst. If we are honest…we are all the worst of the worst from time to time. We must take accountability for own sins instead of spending all of our time lifting up the sins of others. When we kill someone…how does that make us any different than the killer. What is Jesus writing in the dirt about us? What is Jesus saying as he surveys our lives? We would be wise to read what is written in the dirt.
If those had started flying that day…Jesus would have died too…Jesus was down in the dirt. Where are we in the midst of these executions? Why aren’t we down in the dirt? Why aren’t we giving our lives to save the lives of others? Why aren’t we down in the dirt? Why are we so comfortable with killing? The message of Jesus is plain…it is wrong to kill people…and it is wrong to stand aside while others are being killed.
In Oklahoma, there is a prisoner by the name of Anthon Sanchez. On April 6, 2023, Sanchez is scheduled to be executed. Last night, we spent some time on the phone discussing this story. Then, unprompted Sanchez said, “Jesus is standing in front of me as the executioners gather…and declaring you who are without sin cast the lethal injection.” I believe that is exactly what Jesus is saying. Are there any who are sinless in Oklahoma? If not, there is no one righteous enough to execute Anthony Sanchez. It is time for people to start walking away from these executions. It is time for people to start realizing their own fallibility. It is time for people to get saved from killing folk.
The message of Jesus couldn’t be clearer in this moment…get down in the dirt with those facing death…encourage the killers to walk away by illustrating their hypocrisy…and put down your instruments of death and just walk away.
With regards to Anthony Sanchez…put down your instruments of death and walk away.
With regards to all others on death row…put down your instruments of death and walk away.
It is time to go and sin no more…to walk away from the death penalty.
Walk away!
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