When confronted with a woman caught in adultery, Jesus faced a carefully crafted trap. The Pharisees, delighting in their judgment, expected him to either condemn her according to Mosaic law or reveal himself as a false teacher by showing mercy. Instead, Jesus turned their trap against them with eight powerful words: "Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone."

This sermon examines how easily we slip into the role of the Pharisee, justifying our judgment of others while overlooking our own failings. Four warning signs reveal when we've crossed into unfair judgment: being more upset with others' sins than embarrassed by our own, cutting off those who disagree with us, bonding with others by critiquing common enemies, and manipulating moral frameworks to justify predetermined outcomes.

The physical sensations of judgment work both ways - when judged, we feel tightness and isolation; when judging, we experience anger and negativity that oozes from within us. This reveals the heart issue at the core of judgment. St. Augustine described the conclusion of this story as "misery and mercy left alone" - the woman in her misery meeting Jesus, the embodiment of mercy. Rather than condemning her, Jesus commissioned her with "Go and sin no more."

How might our communities transform if we examined our own hearts before picking up stones to throw? As we receive communion, we remember not only Christ's mercy toward us but also our unity with one another. The question remains: Do we judge, or do we show mercy? Choose today to embody love that never gives up, never loses faith, and endures through every circumstance.

Support the show

If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to Madison Church on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback means the world to us, so please take a moment to leave a review and share the podcast with your friends and family.

For inquiries, suggestions, or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us at help@madisonchurch.com.

For the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow us on social media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

New episodes are released every Monday, so mark your calendars and join us weekly!

If you'd like to support the show, you can make a donation here. Your generosity helps us continue to bring you meaningful content.

This podcast is intended for general informational purposes only. The views expressed by the hosts or guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Madison Church. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk. For detailed information regarding our terms of use and privacy policy, please visit our website.

Thank you for being part of the Madison Church community! We appreciate your support.