Full Of Grace And Truth

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. . . No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.” John 1:14, 18

The incarnation is such an incredible display of God’s love as to make the depth of His love and mystery to me. I cannot get my mind completely around this kind of sacrificial love. Jesus was with God. Jesus was God. Jesus created the universe. Consider the words of Paul — “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” Colossians 1:16 -17.

John calls Jesus as “the Word” which was a term used a lot by philosophers in Jesus’ day which would be roughly equivalent to “the Force” in our modern usage to describe the unseen power behind the universe. Jesus is “the Force” the power behind all that is created. This descriptive title for Jesus clearly communicates His power and His position. Something amazing happens with this “Word,” this “Force,” He became flesh. He lived among mere humans. He revealed the glory of God.

Jesus’ humbling incarnation not only is an amazing example of God’s love and concern for communicating with humans, but also is held out as a model for Christians interacting with other people. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” Philippians 2:5-7.

Equally difficult to comprehend and emulate is Jesus’ being “full of grace and truth.” Most of us find it possible to be “full of” either grace or truth, but to be “full of grace and truth” is another matter entirely. Being gracious is easy enough if you are not concerned about truth. Being truthful is not that difficult if you have no interest in being gracious at the same time. But Jesus did not take sin lightly nor did he become harshly judgmental. He was “full of grace and truth.” Truth mattered. Grace mattered. Jesus embodied both grace and truth to a world of lessers, mere human beings.

So how do we become like Jesus? We begin by bowing in worship before Him, praising Him for His character and love. Praise God! Lord, we lift Your Name on high!

— Bob Clark

5/16/2001