John 8:4-9
“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. Moses commanded us to stone such women. What do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
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 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.
Comments
The Pharisees thought they had a perfect trap for Jesus: if he said to stone her, he would go against Roman law; if he said not to stone her, he would go against Jewish Law.
It was Jesus, of course, that they really wanted to stone. This was their “innocent” way to attack him.
Jesus first refused to answer their question, writing on the ground as a way of dismissing them. When they persisted, he gave an answer that shamed and silenced them.
Reflections
Throwing stones to kill someone sounds barbaric, but spreading gossip or saying hurtful words can be just as cruel in crushing someone’s spirit. What examples of this more civilized “stoning” can you think of in today’s world?
Who are the people you are most tempted to stone through gossip, harsh words or disdainful looks?
Prayer
Humble me, Lord, when I lose sight of my own need for grace in my haste to throw stones at others.
The first person who came to mind for me about the "stoning" as Milie Cyrus. I should be praying for her to love herself more and appropriately and get her act together.
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