7. Grace and Truth:
Prayer:
Dear God, please help us feel and understand Your presence in our lives, Amen.
John 1:16 to18:
verse 16, From his fullness we all received grace upon grace:
Reflection:
Out of the fullness of Jesus Christ, we have received grace upon grace. The Greek term for grace conveys the concept of receiving something that we have not earned. It is a gift that we don't need to work for. In Hebrew, the word for grace is synonymous with unfailing love. The Greek phrase "grace in place of grace" conveys the concept of superabundant grace. Jesus has given us the amazing gift of salvation, despite the fact that we don't deserve it, because He loves us unconditionally.
2 Corinthians 12:9, But he said to me, ‘’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.
verse 17, For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ:
Reflection:
This comparison between law and grace, Moses and Jesus, provides valuable insight into their respective roles and significance. Moses was the recipient of the Mosaic law. Jesus Christ was the direct source of Grace and Truth. In Hebrew, the phrase "Grace and Truth" beautifully encapsulates the concepts of unfailing love and faithfulness. Jesus surpasses Moses in greatness. The greatness of Grace and Truth surpasses that of the Mosaic law. Moses was a mere mortal, while Jesus is the divine Creator.
John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 1:3, “through Him all things were made, without him nothing was made that has been made.”
verse 18, No one has seen God at any time. The one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him:
Reflection:
No human being has ever laid eyes on God. Jesus, being God himself, has revealed the nature of God to us. Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. Reading the Gospel of John allows us to see Jesus through the eyes of faith. Jesus is the perfect and unparalleled embodiment of God's image, serving as a radiant source of His divine glory. We can connect with God by reading, studying, meditating on, and applying the teachings from the Bible. In Greek, the phrase "one and only" translates to "unique." The Greek term "has declared him" can be translated as exegesis. Jesus is the exegesis of God.
Colossians 1:15, “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”
Hebrews 1:3, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”
Application:
Jesus embodies the essence of God's unfailing love and faithfulness, representing both Grace and Truth. 2000 years ago, Jesus came down from Heaven to Earth to show us the way to God and to make known God's identity. He is the manifestation of God's Word, bringing a message from God to humanity. He provides us with a revelation of God. Nowadays, you can find knowledge of God by exploring the pages of the Bible, particularly the Gospel of John.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we are grateful for Your endless love and steadfast commitment to us. Your word of truth is greatly appreciated. Jesus Christ is the perfect embodiment of grace and truth. He is not only the way and the life, but also the liberating truth that sets us free. Help us to worship You with genuine sincerity and true spiritual devotion, Jesus’ name, Amen.
