Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

to stone or not to stone!

Having presented Jesus as the prophet who is telling people about the new things that God is doing among them, and as the king of the universe who has total command over all the elements, we are now introduced to Jesus the priest who executes the law of God. The religious people were determined to catch Jesus out and get him to act as they did and make rash decisions. However, Jesus knew their tactics and was always ready for them. Imagine the scene, it is early in the morning and Jesus is in the temple teaching the people when these religious people, called Scribes and Pharisees brings a young woman who they had just dragged out of bed before Jesus and claims that they had caught her in the very act of adultery! (John 8:4). Imagine that, stalking a woman and then pouncing on her while she was in bed! Amazing! But let us asks these Scribes and Pharisees a question. Doesn’t the sin of adultery take two to commit? Then where is the man? Read john 8:1-11.

So they bring this woman before Jesus and declare what the crime and the punishment should be. Adultery =stoning, period no compromise.

Jesus takes his time and then produces a statement that has resonated throughout the whole of human history. “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone” (v.7). This one line has pricked the hearts of countless men and women for centuries.  How do you formulate your judgement and who authorises you to condemn?

Jesus as the righteous judge comes to liberate us from the worldly punitive system. He judges by appealing to our consciences.  Do you make no mistakes? Can you be so righteous as to look down on those who are in sin?

Jesus teaches us his followers to appeal to each other’s consciences and be prepared for reconciliation rather than condemnation. However there is a caveat, the sinner is given a second chance and encouraged not to sin again. Notice, Jesus did not say don’t get caught again, but sin no more! Today many Christians are saying so long as I don’t get caught it is OK. Jesus is saying SIN NO MORE. Develop a spirit of repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation and allow the word to be your judge.