No One without Sin

Toward a New Creation
A World Gone Wrong

We're All under Sin's Power

John 8:2-11  The Message

To Throw the Stone

8 ^1-2 Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.

^3-6 The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.
^6-8 Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.
^9-10 Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. “Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?”
¹¹ “No one, Master.”
“Neither do I,” said Jesus. “Go on your way. From now on, don’t sin.”

For Reflection

What does Jesus teach you?

We are all subject to the seductions which lead to our separation from God.  Our paths may lead into darkness but the light follows us if we remain steadfast in our faith.  Our task is not to condemn sinners.  Our task is to support the God which resides in each of us, including other sinners.

Pray

that you will recognize the seductive power of our common material lives.  Pray that you will be able to act in ways that are consistent with Jesus's teaching.  Pray that you will not wallow in self-pity if you err.  Pray that you will confess your sin and return to righteous living.