Stones of Salvation

"Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone"

 

  This installation suggests the setting of the scene from John 8:1 – 11.

This scripture passage says that Jesus is teaching the people when the scribes and Pharisees bring forth a woman they say was caught in the act of adultery. They cite the law of Moses commanding that she be stoned. They test Jesus by asking “what do you say?” Jesus bends down and writes with his finger on the ground. He stands up and pronounces “Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." He then bends back down and continues to write on the ground. When the message finally resonates with the crowd, they go away, one by one. Jesus straightens back up and addresses the woman. “Has no one condemned you? … Neither do I condemn you. Go your way and from now on do not sin again.”

Many lessons can be taken from this narrative. Note how Jesus separates himself from the mob by bending down, joining with the woman in her vulnerability. He brings a calming influence by pausing before responding to their question. However, by refusing to command that she be stoned, Jesus is not implying that no one has the moral authority to condemn. There is no false optimism that we can do as we please because God will always forgive us. Jesus condemns the sin when he tells the woman “do not sin again”. The message of the gospel is deeper than just avoiding a life of sin, however. Through the grace of Christ, we have a new quality of life that overcomes the power of sin. Jesus calls us to new life.