While the Savior was in Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles, some scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Him who was guilty of adultery:
They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John Chapter 8)
What are we to learn from this passage? Is there something in my life that I need to improve?
It doesn’t take too much introspection to see that I am just as guilty at times as the scribes and Pharisees when I judge others. How about you?
It’s in our nature to pass judgment—he eats too much, she smokes, he just needs to get a job…and on and on.
I DO want to do better. If I can be less judgmental, then I will be more understanding and compassionate and I will treat people better—you know, the way that I would want to be treated—more Christ-like.
I recently came across some practical advise
“Do you harbor a grudge against someone else?
“Do you gossip, even when what you say may be true?
“Do you exclude, push away or punish others because of something they have done?
“Do you secretly envy another?
“Do you wish to cause harm to someone?
“If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to apply the [following] two-word sermon: STOP IT! (Deter F. Uchtdorf)
Could it be that easy? I think it just might be, assuming we recognize a need to change, recognize that we are casting stones. May we all work on dropping our stones.
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