14 Jul, 2009
Drop Your Stone
Coach, teammates remember slain ex-NFL QB McNair
By TERESA M. WALKER, AP Sports Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Steve McNair’s pastor and close friend cautioned against judging the ex-NFL quarterback Thursday, reminding people who gathered for his memorial not to cast the first stone when talking about his life off the field.
McNair, who was married, was shot to death at his condo early Saturday by his 20-year-old girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi, who then turned the gun on herself.
“Drop your stone the next time you write about Steve McNair. Drop your stone the next time you text somebody. Drop your stone the next time you twitter. Drop your stone, those of you in the barbershops, the beauty shops. Those of you walking the streets on the corner, drop your stone,” Bishop Joseph W. Walker III told thousands of people, among them family members, fans and more than 50 former teammates, gathered at Mount Zion Baptist Church.
“What I do know about this man was that he loved God though he was just like us: imperfect,” Walked said. “But he knew God.”
To view the whole story, go to
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-mcnairkilled&prov=ap&type=lgns
John 8:3-11 [NIV]
3The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
9At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
11"No one, sir," she said.
"Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
What does God's Story teach us about judging others?
Steve McNair and the woman in John chapter 8 share a lot in common. Both of them were obviously caught in an adulterous relationship. Both of them were quickly judged by the religious community around them. Most importantly, both of them (just like you and me) ultimately have God alone as their judge.
I have to admit, when I first learned of what happened to Steve McNair (former NFL MVP quarterback), my heart was in the same condition as every one of those guys who were holding stones in today's passage. After all, he was a married man who was having an affair...and with someone almost half his age...doesn't that (I reasoned) give me the right to judge him!?!
The answer is "no".
Why? Because I too have sin in my life. Every one of those guys who were holding stones and thought they had every right to throw them soon learned what Jesus had to teach that day. The lesson is that, unless you are perfect, you have no right to judge others. Only one person there that day was actually perfect and even He said, "neither do I condemn you."
Now, Jesus also said that she should leave her sin. Don't miss that part of Jesus' teaching. What Steve McNair was doing was wrong. A fellow brother in Christ from the church he has attended for the last 12 years should have gently called him out on it. (As we are to lovingly hold fellow believers accountable...which is different than having a judgmental heart.) God's grace is not to be taken lightly and we shouldn't assume that we can sin freely because of it. However, when it comes to judging, we should be sure to leave that to the only One who is qualified.
How can we connect today's story and God's Story with my story?
- Check your heart...with Steve McNair...with that "one girl" at school...or that "one guy" at youth group. If, after taking an honest look, you are holding a judgmental heart...ask God to replace it with grace. Remember that you too have messed up. We all have according to Romans 3:23.
- Read Luke 6:36-37 and Matthew 7:1-5. These will give you even more reason to not judge.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and your story with your friend's story?
- Ask a friend what they think about Steve McNair. Ask them if they think God could forgive a sin "that bad". Then show them John chapter 8 and explain that Jesus can forgive any sin. Maybe they have thought for a long time that their junk was too much. Let them know that it's not!
- Is there a brother or sister in Christ who you know is living in outright sin? If so, ask God to fine tune your heart with love and not judgment...and then go and gently help them get back on track. We all need help walking this journey!
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