You can't throw stones while washing feet

This morning as I drove into my daily reading... I came across the story of Jesus and the adulterous woman. I couldn't help but consider those times I have either been like the Pharisees, demanding judgement by the law or when I, myself, have been the woman being judged. Can you relate?Let's review it together. John 8:2-11 reads...

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group4and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery.5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.7When 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.”8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.10Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Isn't Jesus amazing?! I am reminded of times that I was living according to my flesh, not considering anyone or anything but myself. It's easy to get swallowed up, isn't it? So many times actually, I have felt judged or criticized by others for places my past has taken me or even currently, following where I'm feeling led by God but others struggle with it for whatever reason, so the condemnation begins.

I've also been on the side of the Pharisee, accusing or judging others for words and actions. My Enneagram wing 1 (Perfectionist) sees black or white, right or wrong and that inner critic within goes wild. It's not good and it's something I'm very aware of.

The way in which Jesus draws the line in the sand and stands up for the condemned woman reminds me that He does that for me. He protects me from the stones. The way in which He reminds the Pharisees, rebuking them and reminding them that they are not without sin, He also gently reminds me of the same in those times I become critical of others.

Jesus gives us the PERFECT example of just how we should behave towards those who condemn and judge us. We wash their feet. John 13:1-17

1It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”he asked them. 13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.16Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

We can't curse and bless at the same time. It takes tuning of our heart. It takes time with God to reveal our heart posture, especially to those who may have hurt us, but with Jesus' example, we see it modeled for us in such a beautiful way. Jesus Himself says... in verse 17... "You will be blessed if you do them."

The nugget today to keep in mind is this.... You can't throw stones while washing feet.