White Stone
Using the “Hebrew Mindset,” we get the explanation, and it goes somewhat like this; you come home from a hectic and busy day, you slip in the back door quietly to surprise your spouse, and to wrap them in your arms of love and devotion, to give them the assurance of their high value and preciousness, and to also wash away your weary day, by being lost in their comforting protective embrace, But; the house is so quiet, but sounds from the bedroom draw you there, must be having a snooze, I will awaken my beloved with a passionate kiss, but as you enter the room, there they are wrapped up in the arms of your dearest friend and neighbour.
The authorities are there quickly and the both are arrested, John 8:4 “They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.” Off to the “City Gate,” where the “Court Elders” arrange themselves on the large stone step, or seat that is protruding from the base of the foundations of the city wall, extending either side of the city gate, there at the common Marketplace. The charges are laid, the evidence is taken, “Caught in the very act,” and the evidence is super strong, the vote is taken, and each elder drops a colored pebble into the leather bag. The magistrate then tips the bag into the woven tray, so that all can clearly see, and out spills a sea of “Black Stones,” a unanimous vote of guilt, and the sentence is, Romans 6:23a “For the wages of sin [is] death;” No “White Stone” of Grace or mercy, just black stones of death. So the sinners are immediately escorted out through the City gate, outside of the protection of the city walls, abandoned outside, and there close beside the gates is a gravel pit, the magistrate leads the pair into the middle and then hastily departs far away from them, and is also quickly choosing a suitable rock on the way out in readiness.
Leviticus 20:10 “And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man’s wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall [both be] surely be put to death.” The city gathers around them, each with a stone in hand, and another couple close by their foot, silence descends, and all await the starters signal. You see, you hold the critical post, that stone in your hand that seems to grow heavier by the second, that stone getting wetter as your sweat dribbles all over it, that is the starters pistol as it were, nobody can throw until you start the stoning by casting the first stone, that stone of accusation, directly at your spouse, your stone, you hold the casting vote as it were, your stone of justice and vengeance.
Your trembling spouse looks up to you, hair is in a mess, tears washing down and making tracks down their cheeks in muddy lines from the swirling dust of the afternoon breeze, trembling lips silently speak to you, their heart reaches out speaking volumes, forgiveness is pleading, how will you respond?
You quickly slide down the side of the pit, scooping them into your arms, quick words are spoken, forgiveness is given, “there will be no stoning today, forgiven,” and the clattering sound of many rocks falling to the ground from waiting hands is ringing out loudly against the strong cold stone walls outside of the city. You take their hand, tenderly turn it over, and into their sweaty dusty palm, you place your sweaty stone, that stone that holds their life in the balance, they clutch it close to their chest, and wrapped in your strong arms you say, “Let’s just go home.” Safe inside the door of your house, your spouse tenderly places that stone upon the mantel piece, and while they bathe, you add their cloths and the bed linen to the laundry hamper, all evidence to be soon washed away. You are in the lounge, they quietly come to you, slip their grateful arms around you, and you both look at the “White Stone,” the stone that keeps death away, much like the blood on the doorposts at the original “Passover,” that stone of forgiveness and new life. Revelation 2:17 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it].”Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” so we all are worthy of death, “Caught in the very act,” the evidence of being, “Black Balled,” we just await our “Spouse,” Jesus Christ, the very one we have sinned against, he who holds the casing vote, that casting stone, that “White Stone,” with our name written upon it, that stone of life, if given to you to “Have and to Hold,” or unto death, if it were ever to be cast your way, until we are covered over in a mound of rocks. 2 Samuel 18:17 “And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled everyone to his tent.” So do you have a “White Stone” or “a very great heap of stones piled high on-top,” as a burial memorial? To misquote and old proverb, “White Stone in hand, is worth more than many in quarry.” So are you “Stoned,” unto death, death to sin, did you die to or in sin and corruption? Do you adoringly hold a “White Stone,” a white stone with your name upon it, a stone that as long as you hold it, and “Both shall live,” you have life, life ongoing, unending? Where is your stone, yes that one with your name and destiny written upon it? Is it “Life unto Life, or Death unto Death?” Jesus holds your destiny in his hand, have you forsaken sin, confessed and repented, made things right, and are currently now experiencing life at its very best being abundantly yours, with greater yet to come, quickly choose this rather than death. Where is your “White Stone?”
