9 Jun, 2011
A Stones Throw Away
A Stones Throw Away
Over the past few weeks, several politicians have been caught in affairs, using poor judgment with their social media, or lying about both. All this seems to make it easy for people to judge them, use them for cheap jokes and make light of the severity of the circumstance or sin.
Just mentioning the name of these political leaders automatically conjures up the latest news or rumor, and it seems a majority have an opinion one way or the other on the story. Why are we so fascinated by others failing or falling? Do we not realize we ourselves are just a stones throw away?
Photo courtesy technabob.com
God’s Story:
John 8:1-12 (NIV)
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 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?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
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, “If any one of you is without sin, let him 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 holder 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.”
What does today’s God’s Story teach us about throwing stones?
Even though the woman (and yes, the man whom we don’t hear anything about) sinned, the attitude and actions of those who caught them in the act of adultery wasn’t based in love. Jesus reminded them that we have all sinned, and therefore have no right to judge others.
How can we connect today’s God’s Story to our lives?
Be aware of your actions. Are you living a life consistent to the teachings of Christ? Do you try to measure your standards of ‘good living’ with those around you or to what the Word of God says?
How do you deal with stories that shed light on shame that a husband and father has brought to his family? Do you react with a Christ like attitude or are you in the group that is throwing stones?
How can we connect today’s story, God’s Story scripture, and our story to others?
When talk of the latest politician or celebrity’s adulterous affair or actions are mentioned, comment on this Bible story and how Jesus responded to the woman. Pray for those who are trapped in sin and for the families and others that are affected by their consequences. Throwing stones aren’t going to restore the brokenness of sin. Thankfully, Jesus can heal and renovate the shattered lives. Just think about how you would want others to respond to you if you were in the same situation.
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