9 Sep, 2008
Picture courtesy of BBC.com 9/05/08
"Disgraced U.S. Sprinter Leaves Jail" was the headline.
The cheers of millions...turned to jeers in an instant.
Olympic gold medalist and World Champion...stripped of all of her medals.
American hero...now a national outcast.
Marion Jones left prison after a 6-month sentence for two counts of perjury and her involvement in an illegal drug fraud case. This came after a judgment that was ordered in a federal court in New York earlier this year. What she now faces is the further judgment that awaits her outside of the prison walls.
Neither do I
How will we view others' mistakes...with judgment or with grace?
John 8:1-11
8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 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.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”]] (ESV)
What does God's Story scripture teach us about grace?
Here we find Jesus in what appears to be quite a predicament. The religious leaders, who made a habit of trying to trap Jesus in situations just like this, are asking him yet another question that appears to have no good answer.
If He gives the go ahead to kill this adulterous woman, He not only breaks the Roman law at the time forbidding the Jews to carry out a death sentence, He also comes off as judging and unforgiving. If Jesus allows her to go free, He would be contradicting the Jewish law, which clearly called for her death.
So, in a reply that only the Master Teacher could give, He combines truth and grace in a way that no one could see coming. He upholds the law by allowing the execution to begin...but He adds one condition...that only those who were without sin could take part in it. One by one, the stones fall from the hands of the angry men as they realize that they too were sinners. As they remember their own failures, their previous judgment is transformed into grace.
After a few moments, the only One with whom this adulterous woman is left...is the only One who actually meets the qualifications to throw stones at her. He is perfect. She is not. They both know it.
His response, however, is not to bring forth the judgment that she deserved. After realizing that all of her other accusers have not condemned her, His response is simple..."Then neither do I..."
From condemnation...to forgiveness.
From shame...to new life.
From disgrace...to grace.
How can we connect God's Story scripture to our lives?
In my relationship with God I need to know first and foremost that there is no sin that can't be forgiven. All of us have messed up. We all have things that we are ashamed of...and if the whole world knew our mistakes like they do with Marion Jones...they might consider us a disgrace. But we have to remember that God doesn't view us like others might. When we ask for His forgiveness (I John 1:9), He promises to forgive us and offer us the grace we need.
In my relationships with others I need to respond with the same grace and forgiveness that has been offered to me. (Matthew 6:14,15) Just as those men reflected on their own mistakes of the past and put down their stones...so I need to put down my judgment.
If Jesus doesn't condemn them...then "neither do I".
How can we connect God's Story scripture to the lives of others?
- If you want your friends to open up and trust you with the junk in their lives, take the step of faith to be transparent with them. As you feel it is appropriate, be willing to share some of the messy parts of your life and how God has forgiven you and offered you grace.
- If they do, in time, share some of the hard parts of life, explain to them how they too can experience the amazing forgiveness of Christ and the peace that comes with it!
- Ask God to show you if there is anyone you are withholding grace from...someone who has hurt you...and then ask Him to help you forgive and extend the grace you have been given by God.
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