Tuesday, July 20th, 2021

We all like to think that we’re the only sane person around sometimes, seeing the decisions and behavior of others as completely ridiculous. But in reality, we all act completely ridiculous at times and fail to see it! None of us will ever be perfect but when we draw close to Jesus, and see his ways, we see the folly of our own. John recounted a story of a group of Pharisees calling for a sinful woman to be stoned to death, and doing so to trick him or expose a fallacy in him. To them, this was perfectly sane and justified, as that was the law of the day. But Jesus famously said to them,“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” But the manner in which Jesus said this has importance, too. Can you imagine how silly the Pharisees must have felt to be on the receiving end of such calmly delivered wisdom? Jesus’ almost casual nonchalance towards this indignant and self-righteous crowd underscores how we, as Christians, are to rebut attacks. We are to remain calm, cool, and collected; not to meet anger with anger. We are to respond with wisdom and love, not bitter return-attacks. Today, if you are feeling attacked, consider how Jesus responded to his attackers.

“At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But 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 down and wrote on the ground.” — John 8:2-8 NIV