Today’s reading: John 8:1-11, Romans 8:1
When the scribes and Pharisees drag a woman who had been caught in adultery before Jesus seeking his approval and direction to stone her to death, Jesus shakes them up with his unconventional response. Jesus doesn’t let the unpleasantness of the circumstance fluster him. Rather than reacting to the weighty offense and the prodding of the Jewish leaders, He calmly addresses the situation and in such a way that it turns the table on these blood-thirsty, condemning men. In order for them to condemn this woman, they would first have to examine and condemn themselves.
“And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her'” (vs. 7).
What I find so attractive about this account is how Jesus shows us that while we aren’t to condone a person’s sin, we are to love the person (the sinner). Jesus’s says to the woman, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (vs.11).
What did you learn from this account about throwing stones of condemnation or judgement? How do you tend to respond when you become aware of the sins of someone you know or love? Spend a few minutes today thinking about hating sin but loving the sinner, and what that response might look like for you the next time you encounter someone making poor choices. Tami
Source: Tami’s Blog
