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The world today is filled with so much harshness and judgement. Many live in fear of saying the wrong things or making the wrong moves. Most people would rather keep silent with their issues or weaknesses than risk being judged or criticized harshly.
In the Bible (John 8:8), Jesus came to the rescue of a woman facing harsh judgment. This could have been anybody male or female. Some men brought this woman before Jesus, ready to stone her to death after she was caught in adultery.
They wanted to know what Jesus thought should be done to her. The law gave the punishment for adultery as stoning to death. They were hoping he would say something they would be able to use against him. If He agreed to stoning her, He would have gone against His own message of love and forgiveness..
If he said to release her, He would be guilty of condoning adultery and going against the law, a treasonable offence. Jesus, knowing the bad intent of their hearts paused for a little while possibly thinking of how to handle the situation.
Like Jesus, pause and think when faced with knotty issues so you can speak words of favor and judge aright. Jesus eventually looked up at the crowd and declared that he who was without sin among them should throw the first stone.
He didn’t pass judgment on anyone rather he confronted them with the reality of their own weaknesses & humanity. In a nutshell, He told them that no one is perfect and everyone is a candidate of mercy, both from God and man. Strangely enough, she was caught in the act of adultery yet the man involved had somehow escaped.
One after the other they dispersed as each person realized that they weren’t perfect either. Because of Jesus’ wisdom and kindness, the woman received a second chance to make things right in her life. No one should ever be a judge over another.
Are you living under the weight of condemnation from past mistakes? Run to God, confess your sins, repent and receive the grace to start afresh.
Your life doesn’t have to end because you have made mistakes. We all have. God’s grace and mercy is available for you if you come to Him. He loves you and does not condemn you. When you have received mercy and kindness, don’t be like the servant who received the mercy of his master but refused to show mercy to a fellow servant afterwards. Let us reach out to others with hearts filled with compassion and love.
Don’t be quick to pass judgment on others, rather give them the benefit of doubt and show them mercy. Your act of love and mercy might be the saving grace for someone on the brink of despair.
May our hearts be filled with love and compassion for the hurting now more than ever before in Jesus name.
In His Love,
Nike.