A Word for Our Arbor Family
In John chapter 8, we find Jesus teaching in the Temple when the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery before the crowd. In the midst of her public shame, they tried to trap Him, saying the law commanded that she be stoned. “What do You say?” they asked.
Jesus stooped down and began writing in the dust with His finger. Then He stood and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” He knelt back down and continued writing on the ground. One by one, beginning with the oldest, her accusers slipped away until Jesus was left alone with the woman.
Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she answered.
“Neither do I,” Jesus said. “Go and sin no more.”
Jesus was the only one without sin. He alone had the right to condemn her—and yet He chose mercy. He forgave her and called her to a new life.
As I read this passage this morning, my heart was freshly reminded of how undeserving we are of His forgiveness and His constant invitation to keep growing with Him. Yet He gives it so freely.
If we are to reflect Christ’s love, we must spend less time throwing stones and more time loving and discipling the people around us.
A few questions to reflect on today:
In what areas are you quickest to pick up offenses and start throwing stones?
How can you instead respond with love and disciple those around you through their struggles?
Jesus stooped down and began writing in the dust with His finger. Then He stood and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” He knelt back down and continued writing on the ground. One by one, beginning with the oldest, her accusers slipped away until Jesus was left alone with the woman.
Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”
“No, Lord,” she answered.
“Neither do I,” Jesus said. “Go and sin no more.”
Jesus was the only one without sin. He alone had the right to condemn her—and yet He chose mercy. He forgave her and called her to a new life.
As I read this passage this morning, my heart was freshly reminded of how undeserving we are of His forgiveness and His constant invitation to keep growing with Him. Yet He gives it so freely.
If we are to reflect Christ’s love, we must spend less time throwing stones and more time loving and discipling the people around us.
A few questions to reflect on today:
In what areas are you quickest to pick up offenses and start throwing stones?
How can you instead respond with love and disciple those around you through their struggles?