Stoned to death

So I was just reading through some Twitter updates when one from CNN really caught my eye.  It reads, Men stoned to death for adultery in Iran.  If you read the story, you will find that the men had not only committed adultery, but also were accused of committing murder. 

This past weekend while speaking at a church in Brooklyn, MD (not to be confused with Brooklyn, NY) I shared from Jesus’ first public discourse as was recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.  Found in Matthew 5 Jesus at the age of 30 tells the audience that “unless your righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and pharisees you will be no means enter the kingdom of Heaven.” WOW!  That is a heavy statement.  Immediately following this statement, Jesus says, “You have heard it said to those of old, you shall not murder.  But I tell you that anyone who has anger in his heart as committed murder in the eyes of God” (MGLV - Matthew Gamble Living Version).  Later he says, “You have heard it said to those of old, you shall not commit adultery.  But I tell you that whoever looks at a person to lust after him/her has committed adultery with her in the eyes of God” (MGLV). 

Can you imagine hearing that knowing that if you were caught committing murder (anger) or adultery (lust) would result in you being stoned to death?  Talk about a motivation to stop sinning.  But what about the addict out there that wants to stop, but just can’t seem to get the victory?  Is there any hope for that person? 

Again, Jesus says that “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and pharisees” you will never go to heaven.  The Bible also says that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  Now if anger = murder and lust = adultery, we are in bad shape.  At some stages in the history of the human race, it was commonplace to make use of stoning as capital punishment.  When Jesus, came to this planet he came to set the record straight as to what God is really like. 

Once a woman was caught in the very act of adultery.  The religious leaders came and threw her at the feet of Jesus saying that the Bible says that such people should be stone.  Jesus replied, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).  I love this about Jesus.  He doesn’t come to condemn the world for sin, He simply challenges people to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). 

It is all about His righteousness and I thank Him for it, for without it I would be deserving death. 

Posted by matthew gamble on January 13, 2009 at 10:26 AM
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