Drop the Rock

“The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” — John 8:5

I am so glad social media didn’t exist when I was younger. I have done some stupid stuff. Stuff I know some people would have whipped out their camera and posted for the world to see. I have hurt people with my actions all in the name of being “funny.” It might have seemed funny at the time, but looking back now, it was just hurtful. Not only was it mean, but back then, I would have defended my actions. I would have told you they were “no big deal,” or said “mind your own business.”

Well, fast forward a couple of decades and here I am typing this WMD for many to read. I rarely watch the news, but when I do, it is mostly people who have done stupid stuff . . . Some stuff, of course, is more stupid than the other stuff. Some stuff can’t be undone. In fact, nothing you or I have ever done can ever be undone . . . But it can be forgiven.

In John chapter 8, there was a woman caught in the act of adultery. I still don’t know how she committed adultery all by herself, but apparently that was the case. It is almost astounding to think today how having sex with someone who was not your husband two thousand years ago was such a big deal. Could you imagine someone dragging a girl today “caught in the act” being drug out in the open with the accuser shouting “this woman was caught in the act!”? Absolutely nobody would care. In fact, it would probably be the person who dragged the woman out in public that would be beaten up for embarrassing her. Times sure do change.

When someone clearly does wrong, let’s say they are “caught in the act,” what is your reaction? In my observation, most people are rock launchers. They jump at the chance to throw some rocks at people’s skull and get some “payback.” They love to “give them what they have coming to them,” or “give them what they deserve.” Every time I see the vultures swarm around the offender, I hear Bon Scott sing “If you want blood . . . You got it!” It’s just one of those songs that won’t go away.

Now, if you are not a follower of Jesus Christ, you get to react however you want. Well, as long as your reaction is legal (I’m assuming nobody wants to go to jail). You may act in mercy, and you may act in vengeance. However, if you call yourself a Christian, you must choose mercy. The simple definition of mercy is “not getting what you absolutely deserve.” I know what I have done in my past. I have done stuff that I would just die of embarrassment if I knew that you knew. Fortunately, at the foot of the cross, I met Jesus. He convicted me of my sins, forgave me for my sins, and taught me how to never do them again. He gave me a new heart that wanted to do what was right and didn’t gravitate toward doing wrong. He chose to be merciful to me. He certainly didn’t give me what I know I still deserve.

How could I not show others the same mercy that was shown to me? Jesus gave us the ultimate example of how to be in the story. Check out verse 7:

They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

Who in the world am I to ever throw a rock at anyone?

Who are you?

Drop the rock!

When I stand before the King of Kings, I want mercy. I need mercy. The only way to get it according to His Word, is to give it.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” — Matthew 5:7

Later

Adam