Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
When I read the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8, it shouts to me just how amazing God’s grace truly is. The Creator of the world was challenged—publicly and arrogantly—by the religious leaders, and He didn’t respond with a lightning bolt. Honestly, if I were in charge, I am not sure I would have been so graceful.
These men weren’t seeking justice. They were trying to trap Jesus. They didn’t even know the woman’s name—the woman they dragged in front of Him. They didn’t care about her at all. And if this had really been about justice, where was the man involved? Adultery is a two-person sin, yet only one person stood accused.
Jesus had every reason to condemn them. Instead, He knelt down and wrote in the sand. Then, with quiet authority and astonishing grace, He said that the one without sin should cast the first stone. No stones were thrown. It was a moment handled with both brilliance and compassion—only the way Jesus can do it.
We should be quick to give grace, because grace is what Jesus gave so freely. His grace and love are what made Him so compelling. Luke 15:1 tells us that notorious sinners were drawn to Him and wanted to hear Him teach. He was winsome. He loved every person in front of Him.
But let’s be clear—Jesus never gave grace without truth.
To the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.” That is grace and truth, held together perfectly.
And immediately after this scene, Jesus speaks powerful truth to everyone listening. He declares, “I am the light of the world,” and, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And again, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
After extending such remarkable grace at the beginning of the chapter, Jesus then delivers hard truth to the religious leaders:
“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me… You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.”
—John 8:42–44
Ouch.
The truth Jesus spoke in John 8 was deeply offensive to the religious leaders—even though it was bathed in grace. It offended them because it was true. Instead of receiving that truth, they grew more bitter and eventually picked up stones, this time to throw at Jesus.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to lead with grace. Grace matters. We have received it in abundance, and we are meant to give it away in the same measure. For me, that means giving a lot of grace.
But following Jesus means we don’t stop there. We lead with grace, and we offer truth—truth that is soaked in grace. We speak the truths that have set us free. In fact, we want to share them. We want to walk in the ways of Jesus, extending both grace and truth generously.
When this is done well, people with receptive hearts don’t grow bitter like the religious leaders did. Instead, they respond like the woman forgiven of her adultery—changed, humbled, and inspired. They are drawn in by grace, not angered by it.
Jesus, help us to be people of grace and truth. AMEN
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.