Become New with John Ortberg

39. What Jesus Meant by Cast the First Stone

Become New

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0:00 | 13:02

We don’t throw stones anymore.
Except… we do.

Online.
In conversations.
With a look, a tone, a pause.

In this episode, John Ortberg unpacks one of the most famous and unsettling teachings of Jesus:

“Let the one without sin cast the first stone.”

Through a powerful contrast between ancient scapegoating and the story of the woman in John 8, we see what Jesus is really doing:

Not denying sin.
Not ignoring truth.
But interrupting condemnation.

Because there is something in every human heart that wants:

someone to blame

someone to shame

someone to bring down

But Jesus offers a different way.

A way where:

truth is spoken

sin is taken seriously

but people are not crushed

The invitation today is simple—and hard:

Put down the stone.

Because the moment you release condemnation,
you make space for grace.

There is now… therefore… no condemnation.

📚 Today's Resources:
René Girard and James G. Williams, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning 

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