Day 19 – The Temple Courts: Casting the First Stone

“But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they went on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘If any one of you is without sin, let him be first to throw a stone at her’”
(John 8:6-7).

It is not known what Jesus wrote on the ground.

There are times when reading the Bible, we really wish we had more information than the Bible reveals. The only time we have recorded that He wrote – what did He write with finger? After all the speculation is over, we simply don’t know the answer. It could not be crucial because if it was, He would have told us. The word “write” is only used here in the New Testament and can mean something like “doodle” or can mean to make a list. Some have thought He wrote the Ten Commandments to remind the men of their sins. Others have suggested He wrote the names of the accusers by the Commandments to remind the men of the Commandments they had broken: “Alvin – Adultery,” “Michael – Murder,” Cora –   Coveting,” and so on and so on. Some have suggested that He wrote the names of the girlfriends of those who were making the charges. And that is why the area cleared so quickly. Intent matters – the words of Jesus are meant to remind them of the gravity of their accusation. In essence He is saying before you pick up that rock, take a good look at the man in the mirror. Make sure you are morally qualified to put this woman to death. Make sure there is no malice, no deceit, no trickery, no dishonesty, and make sure you are not guilty of the same crime yourself. He is reminding them that if they maliciously or deceitfully accused her, they are signing their own death warrant.

This story has much more to it meaning. But let us be content within ourselves with one simple thought.

Before you pick up the rock, look in the mirror. Before you condemn, do some confessing of your own sin. The world would be a better place if we cleared our own conscience before we start throwing stones.

Please show me the truth about myself so that I can deal honestly with my own self before I dare to examine the sins of others. Amen.