CASTING MERCY AND GRACE, NOT STONES
Greg and Nanette Robinson
Today’s Scripture: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23, ESV
Theme: The Gospel is level ground; every one of us is a sinner. Recognizing our own need for Jesus is how we avoid overlooking our own sins while condemning someone else’s.
DON’T CAST STONES
The Pharisees brought before Jesus a woman who had been caught in adultery. They were not simply looking for justice; they were trying to trap Him. Calling Him “Teacher,” they asked whether she should be stoned as the Law commanded. It was the hot topic of the moment, and everyone was waiting to hear what Jesus would say.
Instead of answering immediately, Jesus bent down and began writing on the ground. Many have wondered what He wrote. Some have suggested He may have been writing the sins of those who stood ready to condemn her. Whatever He wrote, His response exposed something deeper than the woman’s sin. When He finally stood and said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her,” enthusiasm for the stoning began to fall.
One by one, beginning with the older men, they walked away until only Jesus and the woman remained. As we think through and discuss the hot topics of our own day, we need to pause long enough to remember that our own sins and limitations can keep us from seeing the whole picture clearly.
REMOVE THE PLANKS FROM OUR EYES
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns us not to be hypocritical in the way we judge others. He asks why we focus on the speck of sawdust in another person’s eye while ignoring the planks in our own eyes. Isn’t that what often happens when we become passionately opposed to another person’s point of view? If we are not careful, we can become more concerned with winning an argument than building a relationship. We can become louder in our opinions than we are loving in our spirits. Jesus calls us to something better. He wants His followers to be known for their Christlike characters, not for their ability to win debates.
THE GOSPEL IS LEVEL GROUND
Jesus leveled the playing field when He challenged those holding stones to consider first their own sins. In just a few words, He revealed important values in the kingdom of God such as truth, honesty, fairness, compassion, love, and mercy. In that moment, those who had come prepared to condemn were forced to feel the burden of the planks in their own eyes. There is a lesson here for every Christ follower. Instead of making known all that we are against, we can choose to be known for reflecting the heart of Jesus. Filled with the Holy Spirit, we can demonstrate the love and mercy of God in ways that protect relationships, soften hearts, and point others toward grace...even when we don’t agree with their points of view.
Make It Personal: Could the hot topics of our day become fertile ground for Christians to demonstrate the love, grace, and mercy of Christ to those who passionately hold a different view? After the accusers dropped their stones and walked away, Jesus remained with the woman. He asked, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She answered, “No one, Lord.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” In this moment, Jesus gives us a master class in speaking truth with compassion. He neither ignored sin nor crushed the sinner. He disarmed condemnation with mercy and opened the door to transformation through grace. Perhaps our greatest witness in hard conversations is not proving that we are right, but showing that we are willing to love, listen, and build stronger relationships, even when we disagree.
Pray: Father, I come before You in the Name of Jesus and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Lord, hear my prayer. You have shown me mercy and grace throughout my life. Your compassion and love have protected, guided, and comforted me, even when I did not deserve it. Help me to see others through Your eyes, especially when they stand in opposition to the things I believe. Teach me to reflect the same mercy, grace, and compassionate love that You have so freely shown me. May my words and actions honor You, build relationships, and point others toward the heart of Jesus. I ask this in the Name of Your precious Son, Jesus. Amen.
Read: John 8:1-11; Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 3:23; James 2:13
Weekly Memory Verse: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans, 3:23