29 May 2026, 08:22Dr Kirk Thomas, South England Conference PresidentWatford, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom
Encountering Jesus: When Grace Meets Accountability
Pastoral Letter, 29 May 2026
Dear Church Family,
I’m sure there are things about each of us only God knows. Maybe something consequential comes to mind for you or something you merely viewed that way because of the effect it had internally. These can be moments we made choices we would later regret; things we feel would be frowned upon by others in our circles, if they knew. Fears around loss: for example, of relationships, status, security, identity and belonging can be powerful indeed. You are likely to have come across today’s Bible narrative before an intensely charged situation in which a person encountered Jesus at a moment when it appeared the mood of the crowd, the weight of exposed guilt and personal shame, were about to cost her everything. Just as it did to those present at the time, the scriptural record of Jesus’ words, actions and even suggested thoughts challenges us to higher spiritual standards. Not least, in upholding God’s moral law but in doing so with authenticity, compassion and humility.
John 8 starts with Jesus in the temple one morning, teaching some people who had gathered there peacefully. This soon becomes the setting for a potential trap of deadly consequences in verses 3-11, as they are quickly brought right into the action. There, an unnamed woman who was apparently caught in “the very act” of adultery is “brought” by scribes and Pharisees to Jesus to decide her fate (v.3). They helpfully ‘remind’ Him that death by stoning is the penalty for this according to the Law of Moses (v.5), see Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22. A nasty snare was set. On the one hand, they expected Jesus to be merciful to the woman, based on His habit of spending time attending to people whom other religious leaders felt were too high and holy to be seen with. While choosing to issue a pardon would place Jesus at variance with Moses’ law if He chose to preside over the stoning of this woman. The leaders would then make sure He got in trouble with the Roman state because only they could issue the death penalty. In this passage, we see the intriguing image of Jesus under the gaze of the leaders, kneeling on the ground, writing something mysterious in the dirt, sparking curiosity for millennia. We also hear His well-known responses, “Let he who is without sin case the first stone” (v.7) and when the antagonists have walked away, His words to the woman: “Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more” (v.11.) Let us consider a couple of principles about authenticity, compassion and humility exemplified so masterfully by Jesus which we all need to be reflected in our hearts, churches and beyond.
Firstly, authenticity, compassion and humility help us to be a blessing and prevent the natural tendency of human beings to sin and cause harm. In situations where we influence one way or another, let us never take our own perceptions, attitudes or motivations for granted. Rather, let’s pray for the compassion, authenticity and humility Jesus exposed as lacking here. Self-perception can be a strange thing, and self-delusion, a dangerous one. On the surface, those leaders might seem the most law-abiding of people with high moral standards, but deep down, jealousy and securing their positions were their real motivations. It is a known tactic to attempt to exert control by first initiating challenges, causing drama, stirring chaos, or hyping up an issue to gain reactions. Let’s steer clear of these things. A question we could ask is: where is the problem really coming from? The leaders harass Jesus for an answer as He wrote on the ground quietly. He was very level-headed under pressure, took His time and made the perfect decision. As sound Christians and people of influence, let’s not be distracted by strong voices, consumed by desires, caught up in crowds, or bamboozled by religious-speak that manoeuvres us into certain decisions. God is in control, so we must be careful to allow the Spirit of God to do His work.
Secondly, authenticity, humility and compassion protect us from making poor decisions. The skewed motives of the Scribes and Pharisees showed a clear inauthenticity and pride that fuelled terrible choices. The perception of pretence can be off-putting to those who are yet to know Jesus and who need to see how He genuinely transforms lives. Our young people are also particularly averse to pretence, and it eats away at relationships. Sometimes it can help them to realise we are human too.
If the leaders were genuine, there shouldn’t have been one person brought before Jesus but two. By the nature of adultery, she would have been caught with someone, but the question may be asked, who? We are also unsure which party is married or whether both were, but we do know there must have been a man involved who was also “caught in the act” and had not been outed and dragged to the feet of Jesus. That is why being aware of our own wrongs and seeking to make fair decisions without favouritism to certain grounds or individuals is so important. One person who is fully aware is Jesus. Theologians have often suggested that Jesus’ mysterious writing on the ground was a record of the accusers’ own sins. Who is more guilty? The woman or the corrupt leaders? At least now, as the woman interacts, she offers no excuse or pretence and is not hiding anything from God. The same cannot be said for the leaders who can do nothing but walk away to avoid being under the shadow of His accountability and it is likely that they were among those who would soon be involved in crucifying Jesus. “All have sinned…” (Romans 3:23), “…Be sure your sins will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). We cannot hide from Him, friends. we may as well share everything with Him so where necessary, we can be forgiven, but we can rest assured that just as the compassionate Jesus demonstrates, necessary, loving correction or discipline ultimately influences us towards our restoration.
Thirdly, authenticity, humility and compassion Jesus’ taught and demonstrated remind us that that there are some sensitive, even secret details about all of us but God knows. Let’s remember that when we come across people struggling with sin. Jesus strikes a masterful balance in the story that we should reflect on carefully. He encourages us to drop any stones of condemnation, but also to commit to transformation when He shows He does not wish to condemn but He wants us to change. Let us hold both aspects as equally important. My desire is for our settings to be places where we can deal maturely not just with ideals we aim for, but with the realities about God, others and ourselves. This very special balance we see within our faith because of Jesus. We see this balance in His teaching, in the way He treated people and in how He lived His life. We also see it in the way He came to this planet and died for our sins on the Cross. I am referring to the one who can help us have a balance between the truth and the mercy; the law and the grace that are so important in our hearts, churches and beyond as Christians. Both are seen equally where Jesus is and in whatever He did because they always come together perfectly in the person of Jesus Christ, our Example. How awesome it would be if we could reflect this authenticity, compassion and humility of Jesus from our hearts, in our Churches and beyond? This is my prayer for us all. Be Inspired for Mission!
Dear Church Family,
I’m sure there are things about each of us only God knows. Maybe something consequential comes to mind for you or something you merely viewed that way because of the effect it had internally. These can be moments we made choices we would later regret; things we feel would be frowned upon by others in our circles, if they knew. Fears around loss: for example, of relationships, status, security, identity and belonging can be powerful indeed. You are likely to have come across today’s Bible narrative before an intensely charged situation in which a person encountered Jesus at a moment when it appeared the mood of the crowd, the weight of exposed guilt and personal shame, were about to cost her everything. Just as it did to those present at the time, the scriptural record of Jesus’ words, actions and even suggested thoughts challenges us to higher spiritual standards. Not least, in upholding God’s moral law but in doing so with authenticity, compassion and humility.
John 8 starts with Jesus in the temple one morning, teaching some people who had gathered there peacefully. This soon becomes the setting for a potential trap of deadly consequences in verses 3-11, as they are quickly brought right into the action. There, an unnamed woman who was apparently caught in “the very act” of adultery is “brought” by scribes and Pharisees to Jesus to decide her fate (v.3). They helpfully ‘remind’ Him that death by stoning is the penalty for this according to the Law of Moses (v.5), see Leviticus 20:10 and Deuteronomy 22:22. A nasty snare was set. On the one hand, they expected Jesus to be merciful to the woman, based on His habit of spending time attending to people whom other religious leaders felt were too high and holy to be seen with. While choosing to issue a pardon would place Jesus at variance with Moses’ law if He chose to preside over the stoning of this woman. The leaders would then make sure He got in trouble with the Roman state because only they could issue the death penalty. In this passage, we see the intriguing image of Jesus under the gaze of the leaders, kneeling on the ground, writing something mysterious in the dirt, sparking curiosity for millennia. We also hear His well-known responses, “Let he who is without sin case the first stone” (v.7) and when the antagonists have walked away, His words to the woman: “Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more” (v.11.) Let us consider a couple of principles about authenticity, compassion and humility exemplified so masterfully by Jesus which we all need to be reflected in our hearts, churches and beyond.
Firstly, authenticity, compassion and humility help us to be a blessing and prevent the natural tendency of human beings to sin and cause harm. In situations where we influence one way or another, let us never take our own perceptions, attitudes or motivations for granted. Rather, let’s pray for the compassion, authenticity and humility Jesus exposed as lacking here. Self-perception can be a strange thing, and self-delusion, a dangerous one. On the surface, those leaders might seem the most law-abiding of people with high moral standards, but deep down, jealousy and securing their positions were their real motivations. It is a known tactic to attempt to exert control by first initiating challenges, causing drama, stirring chaos, or hyping up an issue to gain reactions. Let’s steer clear of these things. A question we could ask is: where is the problem really coming from? The leaders harass Jesus for an answer as He wrote on the ground quietly. He was very level-headed under pressure, took His time and made the perfect decision. As sound Christians and people of influence, let’s not be distracted by strong voices, consumed by desires, caught up in crowds, or bamboozled by religious-speak that manoeuvres us into certain decisions. God is in control, so we must be careful to allow the Spirit of God to do His work.
Secondly, authenticity, humility and compassion protect us from making poor decisions. The skewed motives of the Scribes and Pharisees showed a clear inauthenticity and pride that fuelled terrible choices. The perception of pretence can be off-putting to those who are yet to know Jesus and who need to see how He genuinely transforms lives. Our young people are also particularly averse to pretence, and it eats away at relationships. Sometimes it can help them to realise we are human too.
If the leaders were genuine, there shouldn’t have been one person brought before Jesus but two. By the nature of adultery, she would have been caught with someone, but the question may be asked, who? We are also unsure which party is married or whether both were, but we do know there must have been a man involved who was also “caught in the act” and had not been outed and dragged to the feet of Jesus. That is why being aware of our own wrongs and seeking to make fair decisions without favouritism to certain grounds or individuals is so important. One person who is fully aware is Jesus. Theologians have often suggested that Jesus’ mysterious writing on the ground was a record of the accusers’ own sins. Who is more guilty? The woman or the corrupt leaders? At least now, as the woman interacts, she offers no excuse or pretence and is not hiding anything from God. The same cannot be said for the leaders who can do nothing but walk away to avoid being under the shadow of His accountability and it is likely that they were among those who would soon be involved in crucifying Jesus. “All have sinned…” (Romans 3:23), “…Be sure your sins will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). We cannot hide from Him, friends. we may as well share everything with Him so where necessary, we can be forgiven, but we can rest assured that just as the compassionate Jesus demonstrates, necessary, loving correction or discipline ultimately influences us towards our restoration.
Thirdly, authenticity, humility and compassion Jesus’ taught and demonstrated remind us that that there are some sensitive, even secret details about all of us but God knows. Let’s remember that when we come across people struggling with sin. Jesus strikes a masterful balance in the story that we should reflect on carefully. He encourages us to drop any stones of condemnation, but also to commit to transformation when He shows He does not wish to condemn but He wants us to change. Let us hold both aspects as equally important. My desire is for our settings to be places where we can deal maturely not just with ideals we aim for, but with the realities about God, others and ourselves. This very special balance we see within our faith because of Jesus. We see this balance in His teaching, in the way He treated people and in how He lived His life. We also see it in the way He came to this planet and died for our sins on the Cross. I am referring to the one who can help us have a balance between the truth and the mercy; the law and the grace that are so important in our hearts, churches and beyond as Christians. Both are seen equally where Jesus is and in whatever He did because they always come together perfectly in the person of Jesus Christ, our Example. How awesome it would be if we could reflect this authenticity, compassion and humility of Jesus from our hearts, in our Churches and beyond? This is my prayer for us all. Be Inspired for Mission!
