by Zipporah

Created on: February 17, 2009

Only he who is without sin should cast the first stone, and he who is without sin will not cast that stone as Jesus proved when he expressed his opinion regarding the casting of stones. Jesus was placed in a situation where individuals asked his opinion about casting stones. Teachers of religious law and Pharisees brought a woman who has been caught in adultery. After putting her in front of the crowd, they said to Jesus, "this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him. Jesus stooped and wrote in the dust with his fingers.

Because they continued to demand an answer, Jesus up again and said "All right stone her. Let those who have not sinned throw the first stone." Then he stooped down and wrote in the dust. When her accusers heard Jesus charge, they slipped away one by one beginning with the oldest until only Jesus was left with the woman. Jesus stood up and said to the woman "where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" "No Lord", she said. Jesus said "Neither do I. Go and sin no more." Like those who wanted to stone the woman, people easily condemn others and seek to stone them. They readily condemn athletes, politicians, those in the media, etc. Often individuals who have been accused of an offense or being investigated for an offense are asumed guilty before being indicted or gone to trial. Our judicial system emphasizes innocent until proved guilty. That has changed. It has now become guilty until proved innocent. Individuals are often castigated in the media before the crowd. Like The pharisees who condemned the woman and wanted to stone her in front of the crowd, the media and the crowd often throw stones without considering the evidence. Stones thrown often hit their target and cause unnessary damage.

Jesus forgave the woman woman who had been caught in adultery. He acknowledged her sin when he told her, "go and sin no more." If I were accused of an offense or investigated, I would seek to be judged in God's court rather than man's court. I know that rather than throwing stones, God would forgive me and tell me as Jesus told the woman, "Go and sin no more." Before throwing stones we should remember those who when given the charge to throw the first stone if they were without sin slipped away. Individuals have sinned. No one is free of sin. Who are we to judge and cast stones? We should forgive and allowing individuals another chance.

Learn more about this author, Zipporah.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.