Living Stones Series: First Published in All Around Old Bridge Publication – April 2024

Light of the world. That is what Jesus called Himself along with the promise that if you follow him, you won’t walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

Oddly, Jesus stated this following a tense moment with a woman caught in the act of adultery. As she was thrown before Him, the religious leaders posed this question: What should we do to her since Moses prescribed stoning?

Jesus knelt and wrote on the ground as they pressed him for an answer, and finally, He said: He who is without sin among you cast the first stone – and then He wrote on the ground some more.

In those days witnesses to a broken law were the ones to administer the justice. But here, standing before Jesus and the adulterous woman, one by one they left – and by their leaving they acknowledged they were sinners. They were halfway to understanding Jesus now, but instead of discovering His power to forgive, they all walked away unwilling to have the light shined on their own sin. A tragic mistake – He was there to offer forgiveness.

To the woman, however, Jesus asked if there were any left to accuse her. To this, she said no, and He said: Neither, do I condemn you. Jesus wasn’t calling her innocent, but He was not condemning her, either. He was simply fulfilling His mission to rescue those honest enough to know they needed rescuing.

Please don’t leave earth without receiving the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ by acknowledging your sin and believing He can (and will!) forgive you. You will find no condemnation when you come to Jesus on earth – don’t miss the opportunity that today can be the day of your salvation! (Reference John 8)