Dropping Stones

Settling in at Café Greco to enjoy my grande Irish cream latte, I picked up the Egyptian Gazette and began perusing its contents. Amidst the headlines noting national conflicts, family strife, ethnic wars and other miscellaneous items, one article caught my eye. "Somali woman stoned to death for adultery." (to view the article, see here [not light reading])

Tit for tat. Our world is full of it. Read history. Watch the news. Hang out with friends. We have deemed Gandhi's warning, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind," as idealistic. The words of Jesus Christ to "love our enemies"are labeled figurative or metaphorical. Certainly not literal. We limit the scope of influencing lives to operating within the pre-existing structures of society; rather than embracing the lifestyle of "being the change we want to see in the world."(Gandhi, once again)

The source of the problem, however, is not with this world's political systems, cultural perceptions, economic structures, or religious ideologies. Rather, I would suggest the problem lies in our pursuit of hope. Where we are pursuing hope. From the antipathy and revulsion of my Democratic friends towards the presidency of George W. Bush, to the post-November 2008 fears of the conservative contingency on Obama's move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (aka: The White House), the core issue remains the same. (Do not for a second entertain thoughts that I am apathetic towards these issues. I do not run from the political scene nor avoid taking part.) My hope, however, is not remotely related nor dependent upon the actions of a Bush or an Obama, and thus, my perspective of their actions is mirrored by a different ideology.

Allow me to share one of my all-time favorite stories. Contains wisdom, authority, rebuke, and love. Intertwined. The message? Never more relevant than for today's world. For my world. For your world.

Confronted by extreme opposition by the religious leaders of His day, Jesus took on a touchy situation involving a woman caught in the act of adultery. By the law of Moses, this woman WAS condemned to death by stoning.The question wasn't "Guilty or not guilty?" nor was it, "Is adultery a sin?" Their question was instead, "Jesus, what do you say?" (John 8:5). They wanted to catch Jesus in a trap between mercy and justice.

Rather than responding immediately, Jesus knelt down and wrote in the sand—with the same “finger of God” (Exodus 31:18) that wrote the laws of God’s justice on the tablets of stone on Mount Sinai. "For while the law came through Moses, grace and truth comes through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17) Rising, Jesus declared, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again, He went back to writing in the sand. One by one, they dropped their stones and left the scene until He alone was left with her. Rising, He asked the woman,"Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She replied, "No one, Lord." With that, Jesus said,"Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin." (For the full story, read John 8:3-12)

Let it be noted that Jesus is the only One who has existed in time as sinless, and thus, could have reached down and "cast the first stone." But why did he choose to show mercy to this woman with the words, "Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin"?

So easily, we find ourselves trapped in a world of classifications and labels. We begin to see affiliations instead of souls. We debate the issue, rather than meet the need.

One by one, we pick up stones.

Note, this is not about sweeping sin under any proverbial rug. Rather,the deepest identification of sin comes through the revelation of what WE deserve in perspective of God's holiness. This must originate in our own lives. Hence, Jesus said, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." We must stop and look inside...first.

Jesus openly declared that love is to be the identifying feature of His follower. In fact, he went as far as to say, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you...by this all will know that you are My disciples." (John 13:34-35) Hang on to your seats. It gets hard. God's definition of love? To love someone is to treat them like Jesus treated you--dying for you while you were yet a sinner. While you were still God's enemy. (I John 3:16) Is that my identity before the world? Can they see my extreme love? More bluntly, John shares,"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."(I John 4:8) Period. God does not simply love. He IS love. If we are His children, we likewise will see the world through the lens of God's grace and love.

Time and time again, Jesus reminded His followers that His kingdom is NOT of this world. (John 18:36) If it were, His followers would fight. But it's not. He did not leave the issue ambiguous. It's not a political reign nor is it by popular vote. Rather, it's a treasure to be discovered by the explorer seeking life's meaning and purpose.

Are the outcasts of society drawn to Jesus because we dropped our stones of pride and class to listen to their life story and meet their needs? Do the marginalized acknowledge the love and presence of a Heavenly Father because we dropped our stones of judgment to come alongside and walk through life with them? Are we willing to sacrifice our own life, reputation, and time for the good of that hurting girl and the life of the child she carries and drop the stone of condescension? (Even if she pursues a decision we believe to be out of place? Will we continue to love her?) Do the nations of the world see in us Jesus and His love in the midst of violence and hatred because we are willing to drop the stone of nationalism and acknowledge our common humanity and need for God's grace? That is the life Jesus lived and the message He shared.

Jesus dropped the labels and saw the souls.

No, He didn't sweep sin under the rug. Our sin shows our need of a Savior and the futility without Him. A true follower of Jesus WILL love because he/she has experienced the unconditional love of God. In the words of my Friend Jesus, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, torepentance." (Matthew 9:12-13)

Innately, on my best of days, I am no better than Timothy McVeigh, Osama Bin Laden, or Idi Amin. Rather, it is the love and grace of God that showed me my need for something this world and my goodness couldn't offer. Eternal hope and forgiveness.

We are born into a wicked world. Out of that wickedness, however, a God of love is offering forgiveness and rebirth. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

A new life. Hope.

Are you ready to drop your stones?

"Live in love, as Christ loved you and gave his life for you"
(Ephesians 5:1-2)