Let's give Polenov's painting the title he gave it, "Let him who is without sin" — the title the censors forbade. And to give us an idea of how large Vasily Polenov's painting is, I've included a photo showing how it's placed in the Russian State Museum.
This painting is the greatest of Polenov's Life of Christ Cycle. I'd suggest its the greatest, not only for its size and artistic accomplishment but for the greatness of its message. The painting's message is, good triumphs over evil. As a boy, I grew up with the message of "Who's going to hell?" "Who are the lost souls?" Not a few Christians, and not just the old timers, still live by it. Witness the Congressman who received a long letter from his family members accusing him of being in "Satan's army" because his vote displeased them. This is low end, magical, naïve religion.
Jesus forgave the woman. I'm wondering if this "caught in the act" was her profession. Forgiveness looks to understand. Religion has gone off into the weeds when it becomes known for being its condemnations — for its us against them stands.
"Nor do I condemn you..." The meaning of the gospel story and Polenov's depiction is "Forgiveness is the path to God." It's the hardest piece of Christianity. Can we nuance that a bit — forgiveness, compassion and kindness are the path to God. That's why the scene takes place outside the temple — in the places where people live their lives with others — where forgiveness, compassion and kindness are needed most. Some people read this as weakness. I'd disagree. To feel with others in their life-struggle is hard work.
You can do your own online investigation and decide for yourself if the 2013 film Philomena is right for you and anyone in your household. But it is based on a true story; its messages layered and important.
Notice in the painting Jesus doesn't wear a halo; there are no rays coming out of him. He carries a stick though. Not to clobber sinners but because he's a hit-the-road preacher. A stick can be helpful to someone walking on uneven ground. Jesus is an itinerant; aren't we all?
There are a couple of rubberneckers in this painting. Are they expecting Jesus to get involved in the high drama? Were they disappointed that Jesus didn't further aggravate the situation? We see the fellow on the donkey in the lower right corner and the woman on the stairs, hand raised to shield her eyes from the sun. Maybe what's really dazzling her is the brightness of Christ's teaching.
There's an awful lot of stone in this scene. The boulder right in the middle is huge beyond belief. Seemingly immovable, it reminds me of Jesus' teaching, "Hypocrite (actor), don't presume to take the splinter out of your brother's/sister's eye without first taking the log out of you own." Matthew 7:5. Lots of folks never get around to that—especially the ones who are the most harsh critics of anyone who's not like them. There's a new book just out giving voice to this anxiety: The End of White Christian America. *
Maybe Jesus is sitting down because he's going to teach. In the ancient world, a teacher sat. Or, maybe he's tired (sick and tired?) of religion that can get so twisted up and misplaced.
But it's early morning in the Gospel and in Polenov's painting — the start of a new day. That's not just a quaint detail or coincidence. Pray a new day signals a new way.
*Or perhaps the boulder reminds us of the Rule of St. Benedict suggesting to the young monk, "Dash your thoughts against Christ the Stone." An encouragement no less applicable to today when so many people tend to believe: If I think it, it must be so.
