“By The Same Measure”

When I read the Bible, sometimes I think how in the world could people be so mean. Then, I look at the daily news and realize we have surpassed the cruelty of our forefathers. On July 5, 2011 the “not guilty” verdict of probably the decade was handed down. And as shocking as that was, even more shocking was the comments of people that had absolutely nothing to do with that case what so ever. There were more stones cast at a person that had been tried and acquitted by a jury of her peers, than I could keep count of. It was on every news channel, every radio station and I’m sure in days to come will be on every headline in what’s left of printed newspapers. I can’t help but think of the story found in John chapter 8. There we find a woman, caught in the very act of adultery. She is brought before Jesus, guilty. Guilty of a crime that called for her to be put to death by the Law of Moses. When Jesus gave the accusers the go ahead to stone her with only one condition, let the one who has never sinned cast the first stone, something amazing happened. One by one the accusers dropped their stones, from the oldest unto the youngest, and they walked away. There she was, just the guilty and Jesus. And Jesus set her free, with a command to go and sin no more. Wow, Jesus set the guilty free! What an injustice! What’s more disturbing is, if this same scenario happened today, Jesus and the woman would be stoned to death by those who lack even the integrity to recognize their own sin. God help us!