Read John 8:1-11
Part 3 – Be A Spiritual Role Model For Others.
We have the religious leaders ready to stone a woman to death for committing adultery. Jesus says, “Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” It says that “those who heard begin to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left with a woman still standing there.”
Why did the religious leaders drop their stones and walk away – starting with the older ones first?
Something had to happen that truly convicted them. What was it? I find it hard for people full of hate to just give up and walk away. Look at protesters today, once they get set on something, they don’t just quit.
What exactly did Jesus do that made the wiser and older religious leaders conclude, “I’m not without sin” and walk away thus leading the, perhaps, more charismatic and younger religious leaders to do the same?
Whatever Jesus did must have worked. The older ones set the tone for the younger ones. So did the younger ones put their stones down out of conviction or did they just do it because those they respected did it?
Perhaps there were some of the younger ones that wanted to walk away but were afraid. They just needed somebody to take the first step.
Here’s the point I want to make: we need spiritual leaders who are not ashamed to stand up for the truth. There are a lot of people living a life apart from God looking for role models they can model their lives after.
So be a man or be a woman that does the right thing, even if it means humbling one self and swallowing your pride and arrogance. Make the right decisions. Speak up for the truth and you might be surprised how many others will do the same. Fear is keeping them from it and they just need someone to break the ice and be the role model.
I gave my life to Jesus when I was 8 years old. An evangelist gave an altar call. I wanted to go forward so badly but fear gripped me. I said to myself, “If Blain [my twin brother] goes forward, I’m going too.” I turned my head away from him and when I turned back, he had gone forward. I followed suit.
Be a role model for Jesus that others can follow.
