EXERCISE COMPASSION, NOT CONDEMNATION
Recently, the nation has been plagued by scandals among the political elites. News of “inappropriate relationship” resulted in the resignation from both aisles, of the government and of the opposition. Many looked at this with great disdain and began condemning them. The irony is that many do not put themselves on the same scale of judgment when applied to themselves. This is called hypocrisy. Often, Christians are labelled as such simply because we always highlight the high moral standards of the Word of God; and yet, being sinners, we too, are often in transgression of the same laws of God.
When faced with such scandals, as Christians, it is easy to follow the crowd to condemn others for their sins. Jesus said, “1Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again” (Matt. 7:1-2). When Jesus said this, it is not a blanket prohibition against judging others. Instead, Jesus was pointing out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders in judging others but at the same time excusing themselves. Jesus is against all forms of hypocrisy.
Hence, we have to be careful that we do not end up the road of hypocrisy when we condemn others. Bear in mind that all of us frail, sinful human beings who can easily succumb to temptations when we do not walk in the Spirit. Instead of merely condemning others and exalting our own righteousness, we ought to humble ourselves and acknowledge that as a sinner, we too, can fall into sin and bring dishonour unto the name of God. As Christians, we have to do better than follow the crowd to condemn others. We have to learn to exercise compassion to those who have sinned.
This is the pattern which Jesus Christ has demonstrated unto us. On one occasion, the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery unto Jesus for judgment. On the surface, the scribes and Pharisees seemed to be righteous people who wanted to uphold the Law of Moses (John 8:4-5). However, the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees was flawed.
First, during the time of Christ, the Jews lived under the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire. They were not allowed to administer the death penalty. Only the Roman government could sanction the death penalty. Then, why did these Pharisees raise this issue with Jesus? Why would they want Jesus to give His verdict whereas they themselves could not do it? Second, adultery could only be committed by two persons. Apparently, the scribes and Pharisees had only brought in the woman. Where was the man?
This whole thing was actually a set-up by the scribes and Pharisees to frame Jesus. The Pharisees were not concerned about the righteousness of the Law of Moses or the justice. They were not even concerned about what would happen to the woman. All they cared about was how to frame Jesus. If Jesus were to give the verdict that the adulterous woman ought to be stoned, then He would be going against the Roman government. If Jesus were not going to stone the adulterous woman, then He would be seen as not following the Law of Moses. Either way, Jesus would be caught. The poor woman was used as a bait to trap Jesus.
What would Jesus do? Jesus stood up and answered them: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7). Jesus did not say that the woman had not done wrong. He did not say that the Law was wrong. Instead, Jesus highlighted the sin of the scribes and Pharisees which they did not seem to see in themselves. Jesus’ words were powerful indeed! When they heard the words of Jesus, their conscience began to prick them. The crowd realised that they themselves would one day be judged by God for their sins. So, one by one, they were convicted of their own sins and left the scene. Eventually, only the woman was left alone with Jesus.
Jesus told the woman, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). Instead of condemnation, Jesus offered her His compassion. Jesus granted her pardon and forgiveness; and urged her to sin no more. My friends, this is the same Jesus who showed us that we ought to extend compassion on others. Some of us may be guilty of the same self-righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, in condemning others. Some of us may be guilty like the woman caught in adultery. The only way for the guilt of our sins to be taken away is to embrace the compassion of Jesus. Likewise, be like the Master. Exercise compassion to others, and not condemnation. HCL.
