Devotions with Pastor Jerry Schmid

Ricochet Rock

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone. John 8:6-7

As a child and even now as an adult (adults are just children at heart with longer legs) I loved to throw rocks, improving my ability to hit the mark, or skipping flat stones across the water counting the number of times they would skip before sinking. Of course, one has to be careful of what you throw them at because some times they do ricochet off the object and come right back at you.

Maybe when you or your child were young you collected small rocks that seemed like precious gems, hiding them in your pockets as keep sakes, only to surprise mother when they began to rattle around in the washer and dryer.

David was a good example for us. He collected five stones, using only one to slay Goliath (Question: Do you know why David had four additional stones? Answer in my next devotion). Sin had hardened and calloused David’s heart, which without the grace of God through the Spirit both David and we are unable to return to God. Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. John 3:5

Like rocks of sin that ricochet back at us leaving their mark; they cause us to become calloused and hardened like the world. But nothing we can do or say can hide them from God. For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12

Just like David we need to confess our sin to the Lord asking that He remove them, heal our wounds and make us truly His. Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you 2 Samuel 12:13

God in His infinite mercy will acknowledge your forgiveness, but do not loose heart if there are remaining scars from the consequences of our sin. They are but remembrances for us to not enter into that circumstance again.

Sin is like ricocheting rocks; before you throw one at someone else, first check your own pockets. And always remember: Jesus is the Master rock collector; collecting your sins upon himself, not one or two but all, leaving your heart free to collect his love and grace.

Pastor Jerry