Stone Throwing

Feb 20, 2021

“Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.”

- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

2020 was a difficult year on so many fronts, but I am anxiously anticipating a better 2021! There is optimism with COVID numbers declining, we seem to be taking small steps towards racial reconciliation, and the political tension doesn’t seem quite as alienating. One of my daily prayers for this year is that we, as human beings, will see what we have in common rather than judging others so vehemently.

Pastor Jared taught us this weekend that “condemnation leads to separation”. Quick to be self-righteous, I thought: “I’m good in this area, I don’t judge anyone.” BUT let me tell you about my extended family and the pain and damage that can occur because of condemning differing views. Social media rants, pointing fingers, and angry phone calls. “They” are horrible. Why are “they” putting politics on a pedestal rather than worshipping Jesus? Sounds a little self righteous, right?

Ouch! As I began to meditate on what has happened in my own heart towards one family member, I felt so convicted, I had to confess my own sin of judgment towards this person.

There is a beautiful story Jesus tells in John 7:53-8:11 about a woman caught in adultery. While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts one day, the Pharisees brought him a woman caught in adultery. The law, according to Moses, said she had to be stoned. But if Jesus consented, he would be breaking the Roman law. If he refused to have her stoned, he would be judged for treating Moses’ law too lightly. It was a trap. John 8:6-11:

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

With one woman's life hanging in the balance, Jesus exposed the sin in us all. His answer leveled the playing field. As Jesus began to write in the sand, the accusers became acutely aware of their own sin. Lowering their heads, they walked away knowing they, too, deserved to be stoned. The people who had come to trap and shame Jesus now left in shame.

I’ve realized that in my refusal to get involved and help bring unity and peace in our family, I’m just as sinful as the person I’m accusing. The story of this woman caught in adultery dramatically captures the gracious, merciful, forgiving spirit of Jesus. As we move into Lent this week, let’s examine our hearts:

Stone Throwing

Because there is “now no condemnation to him who is in Christ Jesus”, we can live a “more than conqueror” life!