"Put the Stones Down"

One of the most misunderstood moments in the Gospels is also one of the most beautiful. They drag a woman to Jesus who was caught in adultery…one of the most heinous sins. She was publicly exposed and ashamed. They ask Jesus a question they thought they already knew the answer to. Should we stone her? Jesus doesn't argue doctrine. He doesn't raise His voice and He doesn't shame anyone.

He just says, “He without sin, cast the first stone” John 8:7

One by one the stones hit the ground and the accusers walked away. Then Jesus looks at her and asks, “Where are your accusers? And she says, there are none, Lord. He replies, neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11

Here's what hit me years later about that story. That woman isn't just her. That woman is all of us. Different sins, different weaknesses, different traumas. But every one of us has stood there… exposed, ashamed, and convinced that we were disqualified. And Jesus doesn't meet us with condemnation either. He meets us with clarity and compassion. “Go and sin no more” isn't a threat. It's an invitation not do better or else, but you were made for more.

Religion loves stones. Jesus loved people. But here's the part we so often miss most of the time. The stones aren't in other people's hands. They are in own hands. We are often the first to accuse others and ourselves. The first ones to shame ourselves. The first ones to decide we are unworthy.

I think that same voice speaks to us now. He without sin cast the first stone. So we dropped them, not to excuse our behavior, but to stop beating ourselves into paralysis. This is why it's personal to me. Because when I was at my worst, not polished, not put together, but broken, that's when God found me. Not after I cleaned myself up, but right in the middle of my mess. God's love is not transactional and it doesn't come with prerequisites. He meets us exactly where we are and loves us there. He loves us too much to lie to us, too much to leave us small, too much to let us stay stuck. That's grace and truth, my friend! The gospel is not about gatekeeping heaven. It's about rescuing the lost. So put the stones down, especially the ones you are holding against yourself. Skip the shame. Skip the unworthiness spiral and get to work becoming who you are meant to be.

I love you…and more importantly, God loves you!

Happy Valentine’s Day & Many Blessings!

THE VIEWS OF SUBMITTED EDITORIALS MAY NOT BE THE EXPRESS VIEWS OF THE ALABAMA GAZETTE.