One aspect of human nature is an inclination to pile on. Whether this is criticizing, joking or teasing, when everyone is doing it, your conscience may be confused. Despite sensing that this behavior is wrong, the temptation to make fun of someone no one likes often promotes a knee jerk reaction. At the end of the day, the desire to conform influenced you to cast a stone that inflicted pain.
The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” – John 8:3-5
Old Testament law can be construed as harsh, with no room for grace. One day the religious leaders tried to ensnare Jesus, putting him in position to oversee the death of a woman caught in adultery. The passage above gives a brief summary on the context, seeing if Jesus would fulfill the law of Moses. Instead of talking, Jesus bent down to begin writing in the sand with his finger. Although the content is unknown, whatever was drawn began to convict hearts.
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,” John 8:7.
To avoid knee jerk reactions on this day, Jesus posed a question for everyone in the crowd to consider. If you think this woman is guilty, go ahead, pick up your stone and throw it. However, if sin is living in you, you could be next? According to the remainder of this passage, little by little, individuals dropped their stone and went home. Perhaps, twitter followers, negative people and those who have a tendency to overblow situations need this reminder. Maybe you will come to the same conclusion I recently did. It’s time to drop your own stone.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 