The book of John Chapter 8, verses 1-11, tells the story of a woman caught in the act of adultery. A
group of scribes and Pharisees confronts Jesus, interrupting his teaching. Telling Jesus, the law states
that punishment for someone like her is stoning. But Jesus says nothing and just began to write in the
dust. After further prompting from the crowd to stone this woman, Jesus said to them, “Let any one
of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:5. And he went back to
writing on the ground. This episode, is a message of mercy and forgiveness balanced with a call to
holy living.
Romans 3:3 says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" And Romans 6:23 tells
us, "the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord."
In Gods eyes all sin is sin. God is watching us, and He sees everything we do. When we were living
outside of His will, God had mercy on us. He didn't pass ultimate judgment on us. Instead, He sent His
only son to save us from the consequences of our sins. John 3:16. The Lord is compassionate
towards us and desires eternal life for every man.
If we look at these scriptures (John 8:1-11) with spiritual eyes, we may see the implication of the
woman being accused as ourselves and the accusers as Satan. The bible tells us that the enemy
accuses the saints day and night. Taking our every indiscretion before God to seek punishment for
our sins. But because we have an advocate in Jesus, who stands for us before God, we can repent
and our sin is forgiven. (Revelation 12:10). Jesus doesn't throw stones at us but gives us a chance to
get it right.
We are not told what Jesus wrote on the ground, but those who accused the woman were astonished
to the point that they dropped their rocks one by one and left, speechless. John 8: 6-7. Had Jesus
written each of their sins on the ground? Or simply pricked their hearts with a finger of mercy.
There was only one person that could have thrown that "first rock”. This one person is Jesus. Jesus
could have picked up the stone and struck the woman. However, he lets her go free, to live a life
without sin.
Another point of view may be one where we can see ourselves as the accusers or those in the crowd
picking up stones ready to judge and punish others for their sin. We sometimes forget the sins we
have been forgiven. Or the times (even now) when we still do things that are not right in God's eyes.
Sometimes we forget that He has compassion on us allowing his Holy Spirit to work in our hearts to
bring us back from sin and deprivation. This is a turning point in the life of a Christian. When we come
face to face with God and realize we have a choice to make to live for Christ or to die in sin.
When we feel and accept God’s love and forgiveness for us, then we can help others and not judge
them.
Both "let him who is without sin, cast the first stone" and "go, and sin no more" are commonly
used phrase in the Christian faith. So let us practice mercy and forgiveness with others. These are
traits of Love. That same love that we are recipients of because of the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ.................."Drop Your Rock!"
Lord, help us to love people as you love them. Lead us step by step into a greater
understanding of what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves.... Amen.
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