When Stones Get Too Heavy To Throw John 8:2-11

Dr. Wallace S. Hartsfield II, Pastor
Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church
Kansas City, MO
“When Stones Get Too Heavy To Throw”
John 8:2-11

Worship Service Summary
October 1, 2017 10:00 AM
John 8:2-11

Consider this particular text through the prism of forgiveness. Not all early manuscripts include this particular account. However, it is central to forgiveness. The initial desire is to humiliate this woman caught in adultery and assassinate her character. Also, there is an attempt to marginalize her. The Law says that a woman caught in this predicament is to be stoned

If Jesus doesn't endorse this stoning, he will be in violation of the law. If, on the other hand, he endorses the stoning, he will violate the principles of forgiveness and mercy that anchor his ministry.

Unfortunately, shaming and assassination and marginalizing is too often our response to being injured. We turn to these tactics before we consider forgiveness. Sometimes we are angry; sometimes it's about being hurt; but sometimes it's just a knee-jerk reaction that we hope will keep the focus off of ourselves. We seek to distract folks from looking at us.

When we are focused on shame, we can never get to forgiveness. If we would take the time to focus on ourselves, the stones we seek to throw will get awfully heavy. Old folks use to say it this way, "those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". Don't hold others accountable to a standard to which you are not willing to be held. Also, be careful about retaliation. There will come a day when you will need mercy. The same stone you threw may be thrown back.

Stones get too heavy when we are more interested in getting back at someone rather than forgiveness. We see attack, shaming, provoking in our nation, in our communities, in our homes. We need communities built on forgiveness. Forgiveness is the foundation of our future.

Children of God know that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. God has forgiven us. One by one, these accusers tiptoe out. It seems as though they are still not willing to admit their condition. Let it go. Let the hurt and anger go. Don't spend your life attached to those stones. When we know we have stuff in our lives that hinder our relationship with God, let it go and hang around in God's presence. Go on your way and sin no more.

Attacker vs. Atoner. Assassinate vs. Forgive. Atonement requires sacrifice. Atoners absorb the pain of the offense in order that the offender may be let off the hook. That's what Jesus did for us. There's no future in being an attacker. Let it go! These stones are too heavy. There's too much energy expended in retaliation. Jesus put it this way, "It is finished".

At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light, and the burdens of my heart rolled away. It was there by faith, I received my sight and now I am happy all the day.