Am I Qualified?

Read: John 7:53-8:11

Why does Jesus intervene? Can he see an injustice being done? Stoning
is, after all, the penalty for the crime of adultery. But according to the Law,
the partner in the adultery is also to be stoned. He is not mentioned here,
nor is the witness, who is to throw the first stone.

Jesus forgives the woman of her sins and sends her away, with an
admonition to sin no more.

Had she not been sorry for her sin and ready to repent, would Jesus have
done this? Those are interesting questions, but for me the most important
lesson from this passage comes from Jesus’ statement, “Let anyone among
you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.” For years I thought
Jesus was only pointing out that the scribes and Pharisees were also sinners.
But, then I paused to remember that there was one person present that
day without sin. Maybe Jesus is saying that if a stone is to be thrown, if
judgment is to be made, then he is the only one permitted to be first.

We, too, are sinners like the scribes and Pharisees. But we are called to
bring God’s love (sometimes a tough love) to those who are being unfairly
treated. We are not qualified to throw the first stone. Only Jesus is, and his
choice is to forgive, rather than condemn, the sinner.

Prayer:  Dear God, help us bring your love to all those we encounter. While
we need to help others understand how you want us to live, let us never
judge others, for we are not qualified. In the name of Jesus who forgives and
redeems us, we pray. Amen.