Dear Family and Friends,

Let’s start with this very familiar story.

“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery.

They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?’ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’

‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’”  ‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why are we reading this?

Jesus knew the Pharisees were hypocrites and fanatics.

Fanatics are those who believe their moral behavior and knowledge of the law make them righteous. They feel superior towards those they perceive are not as righteous, often treating them with contempt, oppression and abuse.

In short, they are self-righteous.

Today, there are many young people who have doubts about Jesus because they see Christians in the same way Jesus saw the Pharisees – as fanatics and hypocrites.

They say that many nonreligious people are actually kinder and more moral than the Christians they know.

We don’t know if the views held by these doubtful young persons are warranted or not.

But it’s clear that Christians are leaving enough negative impressions, by throwing stones at perceived sinners, to solidify negative perceptions of Christianity.

One can only conclude that much of our challenge to sharing the Gospel lies within ourselves, the Church.

Which means we each have a role to play.

In going back to our scripture, the Pharisees were not rushing to judgment. They caught her in the act.

They were rushing to justice, condemning the woman to death.

Why? Because the Pharisees had an agenda – to trap Jesus.

And as fanatics, they felt their decision to stone her was justified by the Law.

Note that Jesus never once disagreed with the Pharisees.

But challenged them to look within – at their own sins – to see just how merciful God was to themselves.

And to remember what the Lord said about administering true justice, showing mercy and compassion to the woman. 

“And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: This is what the Lord Almighty said: Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”  Zechariah 7:8-9 NIV

My friends, I realize that we have a tendency to feel that the Christians who throw stones need to clean up their own mess. 

But let me share this thought: The ones who throw stones feel justified in judging and condemning others. Like the Pharisees, they are quoting scripture. 

And they will continue to feel that way unless they are told, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at…’ 

They have yet to realize in their hearts that salvation is by the grace of God. Not by their works.

So, what can we do?

Rather than sitting and waiting for all believers to come to that revelation, perhaps we need to take control of our own destiny and the future of Christianity in our country – by showing mercy like we’ve never done before?

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”  James 2:12-13 NIV

Take note that James doesn’t make exceptions. We should be merciful towards all, including those Christians who throw stones and the ones they are trying to hit. 

Let’s be especially merciful this week!

In love always,