Put That Stone Down

"Father, Forgive them for they know not what they do…”

Powerful words there. More powerfull the actual action behind the words:

Forgiveness.

It is said that forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves.

But man, that's hard to do.

Another example; the woman at the well; What did Jesus do about a woman who had not offended him, had not committed a crime upon him, who was not involved with him at all where he was just a bystander?

He forgave her.

Powerful. Profound.

Yet so hard to obtain this forgiveness is.

With the woman at the well there is a different kind of forgiveness. Jesus forgave her and told her not to sin no more. Interesting for he was not the victim here. Yet, Jesus forgave her.

What about those who were so eager to be the first to throw their stone, the ones who felt their anger and disgust was justified?

What did these people do that had blood in their eyes and stones in hand, all ready to take a life of one they felt offend by, these people who were so ready to bash her head in? Did they welcome her back into society as a neighbor worthy of love and respect? What did they do once Jesus left?

Did they too forgive her?

Or did they hold the woman's offense over her for the rest of her life? Did they shun her? Point and talk behind her back, rub it in her face? Did they run her out of town? Did they stone her later and thus took out their judgment, anger, disgust and rage upon her once Jesus was long gone?

Did real forgiveness happen with them; the ones oh so eager to pick up their stones and be the first to throw it?

Why do some seem to hold onto hate, anger, distrust and rage when others gave forgiveness? Especially those who were not involved in the offense but are watching from afar?

All too often we hastily and flippantly judge others based on their offenses. All too often we judge others whose offenses have nothing to do with us. Yet in some cases the victim forgives and works things out with the offender. You dont hear about that kind of forgiveness and healing as much, but it does happen.

At what point do others turn the other cheek, drop their judgments and ALSO forgive the offender?

Or would it be just better to lock the offenders up, run them out of town, stone them or have them just disappear altogether?

At what point does real forgiveness take hold and healing begin?

All too often we are quick to judge and vent our disgust and anger at someone who made mistakes. We point and call them evil, worthy only of the worst punishment available. The offender may have done their time and worked hard to straighten out their lives, to make amends and better themselves. Yet many of us will not let go and hold their past offenses over them for the rest of their lives.

When it comes to forgiveness and reconciliation, well, the rage and revenge, the disgust and distrust seem to speak much too loudly. Forgiveness and healing seem all too... rarely given, or even allowed.

We all seem to have a stockpile of stones and are all too eager to use them.

Who will be the first to put down our stone and offer our hand in forgiveness.....?