Drop Your Rocks

John 8: 1-11
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 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."


Gentle Justice-
I humbly and ashamedly bow at Your feet seeking mercy and grace. Forgive me for all the times I have insulted others for their immoral, improper behavior. Trying to show my disapproval, I disgraced and dishonored not only them, but also You. I am no better than the hoity-toity, hypocritical religious leaders and Pharisees! My own inappropriate and indecent behavior is inexcusable!

I’ve bashed friends, family, and acquaintances with sharp stones of criticism. I’ve battered, bruised and broken spirits with the heavy rocks I’ve hurled. I am so sorry, Jesus. Who am I to accuse others when:

• I’ve committed murder by killing Spirits with unkind words
• I’m guilty of adultery by flirting with someone of the opposite sex
• I’ve divorced my spouse by not loving him/her biblically
• I’m guilty of gossip every time I spread personal information about others
• I’m addicted to food, television, sports, shopping, soap operas (name your excessive behavior)
• I send and receive personal email at work, robbing my employer of time
• I lose my temper with my children, spouse, and/or co-workers
• I don’t regularly spend time in Bible Study and prayer
• I disrespect You by shopping, running errands, and doing chores on Sunday, breaking the Sabbath
  
  

The list could go on and on. There is no sin I have not committed in my heart and mind. Like this woman, some day I will stand alone with You. You alone will judge me. With Your help, I’ll graciously accept Your forgiveness and walk away from the temptation that persuades me. By Your grace, I will show the same mercy to others that You’ve shown to me. Thank You Jesus, for teaching me this important lesson on judgment and forgiveness. Please just give me more Holy Spirit power to apply it to my life for Your namesake. Amen


Who are you accusing? Apply the lesson Jesus taught by dropping your rocks. You are no better than the person you charge.