living loved

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7

I don’t know if you are familiar with the adulterous woman in John 8, but wow. This passage gets me every time. I may not be the adulterous woman, but I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of stones. And unfortunately, I may have had some ready to throw from time to time…I’m sorry. I’m some Christian.

As I shared this passage during a serve week devotional, I remembered why I loved this passage so much. Here’s this woman – an adulterous woman. The religious leaders brought this woman to Jesus and without hesitation expected a stoning because that’s just how things were done. Jesus drew a line in the dirt. They continued to question him, and his response is that those without sin should throw the stones. “Those” went away sad. No stones would be thrown that day. Jesus drew a line in the dirt. As far as the woman, who I am certain shuddered with fear at her assumed fate, Jesus said, “Then neither do I condemn you . . . “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Jesus drew a line in the dirt.

Years ago, I faced an unfortunate hurt. A lie. A betrayal. The result, a false accusation and the flippant comment, “Some Christian she is.” Why? Because my reaction to that betrayal was full of emotion and anger. I didn’t turn the other cheek. I didn’t show grace (right away). I reacted in hurt. And oh so quickly, the world was ready to cast stones. Some Christian she is.

That tiny, flippant, gossip-filled comment wrecked me. It was no longer the act of betrayal that stung like an angry bee, this was the bite of a yellowjacket. I wanted desperately to defend myself, my honor, my “justified” actions, but the Holy Spirit practically ordered me to “Be STILL.” Drop the stone.

I know the hurt of betrayal. I know the hurt of gossip. I know the hurt of FOMO (who comes up with this stuff) – am I right!? These actions most often come from the other person’s hurt, betrayal, insecurities, life’s circumstances. This person hurt me out of her own insecurities. I was the safest to point the finger at. I would be the one to “let it go” – I mean, I’m the Christian, right?

Even the picture for this blog – the shirt, the sign, the swelled eye (look more closely) – how much more “Christian” do you want me to be? We can dress it up, play it up, act it up, but our actions speak louder than any other thing we can wear or preach. I hurt out of my own hurt, and that is not okay. But Jesus drew line. Jesus drew the line for the sinner and the saint. Jesus drew the line to give me hope but also conviction. Jesus drew the line between law and grace and the stones fell to the ground – Lord, thank you for grace. That line has granted me forgiveness and the ability to forgive.

With deepest apologies and all grace, I’m going to go put this stinking stone down (again). I hope you do too.

XOXO, Loni – Some Christian