Throwing stones...

She was made to stand in the middle of the crowd; her shame evident for all to see...

The woman was caught in the act of adultery. The scribes and Pharisees wanted to stone her according to the law. What did Jesus have to say? At first, He didn’t speak... didn’t use His finger to point, to accuse or condemn; He simply bent down and started writing on the ground. And then He spoke these words, “ Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” (Jn 8:7)

He didn’t have to wait, to watch their reaction- He resumed His writing in the ground. Perhaps He knew they could not endure His scrutiny; He knew the hearts of men, knew the evil that was hidden there; unexposed. Oh, the merciful love of Jesus! He did not condemn, but told her to “Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

When we are tempted to judge, to condemn, to withhold forgiveness, may we remember that we have received God’s gifts of love and mercy in abundance.