Have you ever condemned someone in your mind? Perhaps you were betrayed by a friend and decided to declare the complete and total end of that relationship. Maybe you have been cheated and decided to get even (plus a little extra). Or have you watched someone and, presuming you knew their motives and intentions, judged them to be doing something wrong. Regardless of the particular circumstance, a dialogue probably started in your mind about what you would say if and when you faced them, why you were right and they were wrong, who would side with you, and when you would dispense your justice.
Welcome to the human race. We are very good at condemning others. Our thoughts and feelings in these situations are typically along these lines, ‘I am justified in condemning this person and they are deserving of the consequences they will face!’
In the Holy Bible, in chapter 8 of the Gospel of John, we read a story about condemnation.
- John 8:3-5 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.
The religious leaders were getting desperate. Consumed with their self-righteousness and determined to eliminate Jesus’ threat to their status, they were willing to execute this woman. Afraid of losing their authority, unwilling to dispense grace, they sought to discredit, disgrace and dispose of Jesus.
- If Jesus said to stone her, the crowd was ready, willing and able. But then they would have to contrive a different offence of which to accuse Him. They were out for blood!
- If Jesus said to spare her, they would mostly likely have abandoned her and triumphantly arrested, abused and abolished Him. They weren’t interested in justice – she was just a pawn in their scheme to deal with Jesus.
But then we see the Godly wisdom and grace of Jesus!
- John 8:7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.”
In that moment, all who were prepared to stone this woman and seize Jesus were disarmed.
With a humiliated sinner before Jesus,
the Law gave way to grace,
and the stones of human judgment
rested harmlessly scattered on the ground.
To show Godly grace is to:
- Display unmerited favor
- Dispense underserved kindness
- Disarm yourself
Are you prepared to forgive? Are you willing to show grace?
Is there a stone in your hand?
Will you drop it or use it?
Prayer
Father God, may the love, mercy and grace You have shown disarm Your children. Help us to forgive as You have forgiven. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen
