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Date | June 10, 2024 | Lay Down Your Stone |
Verse | John 8:7 (NIV): "When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.’" Ezekiel 33:11 (NIV): "Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’" Matthew 5:38-42 (NIV): "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." |
Explanation | These three passages from the Bible speak to the themes of peaceful resolutions, showing mercy to others, and the immorality of the death penalty in the New Testament era. In John 8:7, Jesus was confronted by the religious leaders who had caught a woman in the act of adultery. They demanded that Jesus condemn her, but instead, He challenged them to consider their own sinlessness before throwing stones. This passage illustrates the importance of forgiveness and mercy, as Jesus did not condone the woman's actions but also did not endorse her execution. Ezekiel 33:11 shows God's desire for the wicked to repent and live, rather than die. This passage reinforces the idea that mercy and compassion are essential in God's eyes, and it is a priority for believers to extend that same compassion and mercy to others. Matthew 5:38-42 teaches that believers should not resist evil with evil but instead show mercy and kindness to those who wrong us. This passage instructs followers of Jesus to go above and beyond in showing love and compassion to others, even to those who may have harmed us. |
Societal Relevance | In the modern world, Christians are called to protect the sanctity of life while also holding criminals accountable for their actions. This can be accomplished through advocacy for restorative justice, such as community service, rehabilitation, and restitution as alternatives to incarceration. For severe crimes, life without parole could be used instead of death penalties. Christians can also work to address the root causes of crime and violence, such as poverty, addiction, and mental health issues, to prevent harm before it occurs. Methods to help us show mercy in general to others include:
Mercy and forgiveness can be a difficult concept for me, as it can be hard to show folks who have wronged me forgiveness. However, we can aspire to show mercy to individuals by extending grace to others. This may give the opportunity for the person to correct his/her actions and right any wrongdoings. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus discussed how we as Christians must show forgiveness, as God forgave us of our sins and inequities. So, in my life, showing forgiveness and mercy will be my goal, to live up to the teachings of Jesus. |
