THE FIRST STONE

They stood before her, an angry mob ready to condemn and punish. But He who was without sin stood for her. He stands for us all. 

The Gospel of John 8: 3-11 reminds us that Jesus did not come to condemn, but to save us. However, we have a responsibility in our salvation. 

Following Jesus’ quietly spoken words, “He who is without sin may cast the first stone,” the crowd dispersed, unable to bear up under the weight of their own transgressions.

Jesus turned to the woman who’d been brought to Him for judgment, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  

The woman looked around, turning to Jesus and saying, “No one, sir.” 

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

Not one of us is without sin, but we are all given the same gift.

Jesus’ words in John 8:11 remind us that we have all sinned and are subject to condemnation. At the same time, Jesus shows us that we can look to Him for forgiveness, for He is the living embodiment of God’s mercy. This is a powerful message from Christ. It’s also a reminder of our responsibility when we accept forgiveness.

God’s mercy is not an excuse to sin. It is a gift. We did nothing to earn it. It’s free. But when we accept this gift, we have a responsibility. We must “go and sin no more.”

THE FIRST STONE

“Where have they all gone,

the crowd that brought you here?

Accusing you of sin and shame,

a life not fit to spare?”

One by one, they gathered stones,

ready to let them fly,

as Jesus stood by patiently,

Simply asking why.

“Adulteress,” the crowd they screamed,

“a sinner through and through,

not fit to stand upon this ground,

or lift her eyes to You!”

Quietly, He sat upon,

the ground where they all stood,

and drew upon the dusty earth,

that one day would bear His blood.

“He who is without sin, He said,

May cast the very first”.

In shame, she hid her tear-stained face,

preparing for the worst.

One by one, the stones they fell,

to the waiting, dusty ground

Not one among them could proclaim,

no sin would thus be found.

She lifted hopeful, questioning eyes,

to gaze upon His face.

“I do not understand,” she said,

“My sins are not erased.”

“My child,” He said, “you are set free,

GO AND SIN NO MORE.

For this is My life’s purpose,

and what I give it for.”

“I’m not worthy to receive you, Lord,

But in gratitude, I kneel,

just say the word and I believe,

my battered soul is healed.”

My sin was great.

His love is greater still.

JN Fenwick (© 2018-2025)

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JN Fenwick/mothjournal14 ©2025 | All rights reserved. | I DO NOT WALK THIS RECOVERY JOURNEY ALONE.

I’m JN Fenwick. 

Wife, mom, but more importantly, a recovering alcoholic with a grateful heart. For years, I struggled, not just with alcohol, but with an eating disorder and the burdens of guilt and shame. On March 22, 2018, I surrendered my life to Christ. I was 51. God did not forsake me. He welcomed me, as undeserving as I am. He did not see my brokenness. Instead, He saw my potential. My Recovery Journey is one of Faith. From the ashes of my failures, God built a fire in me. A fire that guides each step I take. My journey is yours. My healing can be yours, too.