1 John 4:9 “This is how GOD’s love was revealed among us: GOD sent HIS ONE and only SON into the world, so that we might live through HIM.”.
Stones Thrown Away…
Removing guilt from past Transgressions and the shame of former failings
WAS NOT possible before HE shed HIS blood.
Before our LORD’s redemptive work upon the Cross of Calvary nailed…
so such stain and pain removal WAS NOT done.
In truth it could NOT cleanse the conscience nor could any good replace it…
with our acts, as filthy rags, deserving death.
Thus GOD’s punishment of stoning was the ultimate correction….
long before HE sent HIS SON to pay our debts.
Without WHOM would Self’s infractions by stone arrows still be punished
and would such be seen as just what GOD decreed!
Therefore throw offensive rocks and every burden DOWN — surrendered…
for by Grace which flowed from Calvary we are free!
As HIS willing bondservant ever grateful for HIM fulfilling the law and paying it all for our souls,
Whitney
Devotional: With all the laws and stonings in the Bible, it meant some must have been busy. Both people and animals could be stoned. (Exodus 21:28)
There were specific reasons including murder, idolatry, witchcraft/occult, interacting with the dead, blaspheming the NAME of the LORD, approaching Mt Sinai and more.
So by the testimony of two or three witnesses could be put to death. Of note, these SAME two or three witnesses also had to throw the first stones. (Deuteronomy 17:7)
So! The backstabbing habitual liars could not hide as such. If you’re always seen at the front accusing and throwing rocks at people, that’s likely an indication of the type of person you are.
We see this evidently with the woman caught in adultery. John 8:1-11. The equally guilty man was not seen and both were required to be present for sentencing. Perhaps because it was one of the Pharisees?
So when CHRIST said that whoever was without sin could cast the first stone, unsurprisingly, no Pharisee remained.
They would have to do the deed and stoning someone probably made them ceremonially “unclean”. As such, they wouldn’t have been able to enjoy all the feasts and get all the attention.
But ultimately they were convicted inside and abandoned their ploy to trap JESUS.
So because CHRIST had not yet died for HIS sheep and our sins, Grace did not yet exist. Still, HE showed just that to the woman. “Neither do I condemn you”, HE said. When we read Matthew 5:28 we realize that all are guilty.
“But I am saying to you, everyone who looks at a woman so as to lust for her, immediately commits adultery with her in his heart.”
Did any of the men hovering over the woman have such thoughts? Undoubtedly since CHRIST made the rules of engagement very clear.
“Whoever is without sin may throw the first stone.” We all know our own depravity and such should continuously remind us of HIS priceless gift which paid our debt in full forever!
So!! 2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are the Messiah’s representatives, as though GOD were pleading through us. We plead on the Messiah’s behalf: “Be reconciled to GOD!”
Colossians 3:13 “Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other (and reconciling); even as the LORD has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].
CHRIST reconciled immediately with the woman. HE knew her heart. Neither the accused man nor this woman were innocent but GOD! HE doesn’t cast us off eternally for all our errant thought as well as deeds!
Rather, though the blood of CHRIST we have been reconciled to HIM.
2 Corinthians 5:18 “All this is from GOD, WHO reconciled us to HIMSELF through CHRIST and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” This is HIS gift to us…to restore others to HIM and back to ourselves also.
But are our hands filled with rocks of accusation, overflowing with the very self righteousness of the Pharisees? Is reconciling brothers and sisters back into fellowship with ourselves a humble priority or a prideful stage on which to appear still “better than”?
Only you know which but I leave us all with the fact that the ministry of Reconciliation is ours to obey. Sadly many wounded hearts which have truly reconciled with GOD.
However, upon their return home, they are stoned again by resurrected accusations of the self righteous of their church.
I speak most of all to myself as I ask these two, rhetorical questions.
Which still bears the greater sin? Which is the one out of fellowship with the FATHER?
Psalms 51:17 “The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O GOD, you will not despise.” Lay down then and throw away all your stones, Beloved. ONLY HE is without sin.
Amen and amen.
2CJC 