“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.”
John 8:9
The religious leaders said the woman was unclean. Jesus said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (v. 7). Snared in their own trap, they knew they, too, were sinful. There was plenty of dirt to go around. In the presence of Jesus, accusation becomes self-examination.
Finger pointing and dirt throwing are common. From a very young age, we are quick to claim that fault lies with someone else. Jesus reminds us we often demand standards from others that we ourselves do not fulfill. We condemn in someone else the same glaring sins we commit. When we see and admit our guilt, we are beginning to grow up.
Have you ever been quick to throw the dirt on someone while ignoring your own? We easily close our eyes to our own guilt. By Jesus’ standard, not one of us has the right to judge. The reason we can still stand is because Jesus stood in our place, bearing the shame and punishment for our sin. As with the woman in John 8, He condemns us no more and urges us to turn away from our sin.
Finger pointing and dirt throwing are common. From a very young age, we are quick to claim that fault lies with someone else. Jesus reminds us we often demand standards from others that we ourselves do not fulfill. We condemn in someone else the same glaring sins we commit. When we see and admit our guilt, we are beginning to grow up.
Have you ever been quick to throw the dirt on someone while ignoring your own? We easily close our eyes to our own guilt. By Jesus’ standard, not one of us has the right to judge. The reason we can still stand is because Jesus stood in our place, bearing the shame and punishment for our sin. As with the woman in John 8, He condemns us no more and urges us to turn away from our sin.
Scripture Focus
John 8:1-9
Insight
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For In the same way you judge others, you will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
Bible In A Year
- Joshua 15-16
- Psalm 104
- Romans 1-2
