Stone Fight?

Last night I was reflecting on some stuff that is flying around lately, and I was reminded of the story of the woman caught in adultery, found in John 8. 

It is such a  wonderful study in the grace of God, and such an interesting study of our humanity and our tendencies to judge those we know who are sinners.  Here is the story, which is one of my favorites - John 8:2-11 NIV:

[2] “At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. [3] The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group [4] and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. [5] In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” [6] 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. [7] 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.” 

[8] Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. [9] 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. 

[10] Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 

[11] “No one, sir,” she said. 

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

In my life I have spent a considerable time reflecting on this story, and every time my heart is moved by two things, the vulnerability of the woman, and Jesus’ response! 

However, the ugly part of the story is the group gathered ready to condemn! It is amazing to me how quickly a group gathers when someone is caught in sin, regardless of the sin, especially when it becomes known publically.

I am not sure what it is in our character and nature, but the idea of someone caught in sin, seems to drive a blood-lust like no other.  The term “sharks to blood” seems applicable.

I think there is something in us that is so relieved that “it isn’t me” that’s been caught, that we forget that we are every bit as much sinners as the next individual.  Jesus lays His finger directly on that idea with His simple statement “”Let any of you who is without sin throw the first stone.”

Secondly, I find it intriquing that it is the Pharisees and teachers of the law that parade the woman in front of Jesus. They are effectively the leaders of the church, the religious ones, and they are all spun up, ready to condemn this woman (one wonders where the man that she was caught with was in all this, but that’s another reflection). 

I have always found it interesting how quickly leaders will condemn those caught in sin, again, maybe it's to make sure the finger of accusation is not pointed at them, for we know we are all sinners (Romans 3;23).  There is clearly a role in pastoring and leading that includes dealing with sin, but I am pretty sure that gathering around the sinner and pointing fingers, ready to condemn the sinner is what Jesus deals with here!  Lord, have mercy on us!

I have always thought dealing with sin to be a bit like cleaning toilets, or maybe changing a nasty diaper.  When one of our kids had a blow-out we didn’t gather a group of people around to enjoy the experience, or talk about it endlessly.

I am reminded of a few verses whose heart we see in the verses above.  Jesus was speaking about His purpose in coming into the world - John 12:47-48 NIV:

[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

Here we have Jesus, the very Son of God, the only one on earth that could judge, and He specifically says He didn’t come to judge!  I, for one, don’t want to take a position that Jesus wouldn’t take.  We see this very heart presented in the story we started with today.  Jesus, rather than judge or condemn, calls the woman to leave her life of sin.  One must believe that  this woman was radically changed by her encounter with such a savior.

Oh that people would experience this same mercy, love, gentleness and forgiveness at the hands of the church!

I just had a funny thought, imagine if the crowd actually started throwing stones at the other sinners after Jesus’ statement.  I think everyone would have come away bruised and battered as they would have been throwing stones at themselves!

I believe humility is the better and safer way.  I am reminded of several scriptures:

1 Peter 3:8 NIV: “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV:

[5] “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [6] Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Philippians 2:1-5 NIV:

[1] ”Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

Ephesians 4:2-4 NIV:

[2] “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;”

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that this story about "the woman Jesus wouldn’t condemn" is here for a very important reason, to show us God’s heart towards us all!  He constantly deals with our sins, our mistakes, our misunderstandings, and washes us clean again and again!  He extends mercy, when we are absolutely not worthy of mercy! 

Oh that the church would learn to walk in this part of Jesus’ character.  He deals with sin, and He calls us out of sin, but His approach is gentleness and mercy.  

The day will come when we will be judged, and it's my prayer that I am found hidden in Him, washed in His purifying and cleansing blood.  I am certainly unworthy of His forgiveness and mercy, but then none of us are!  It is only due to His sacrifice that I have any hope!

Let us choose to embrace the ministry of Jesus!  Let us love one another deeply, being gentle and humble and bearing with one another in love!  Let us extend mercy and grace to one another and remind ourselves of God’s incredible grace and mercy towards us.

Let us present to the world a completely different approach to sin, the very one that Jesus demonstrated!  

How do we ever expect that the church will be clean and spotless if we deal with sin by throwing stones?  

Oh Jesus help us!  Oh Holy Spirit blow upon us!  Blood of Jesus, wash us clean!

Amen and Amen!