What Jesus Did : John 1:16-17 - Grace upon Grace
by Phil Ware
Grace upon Grace - John 1:16-17
The Word (Christ) was full of grace and truth. From him we all received more and more blessings. The law was given through Moses. But grace and {the way of} truth came through Jesus Christ. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Rich blessings, grace, mercy, unfailing kindness, faithfulness... the list could go on and on forever. God's blessings to us in Jesus are beyond our scope of imagining. As wonderful as the work of Moses had been for Israel, as defining as the Torah (The Law that Moses was given by God) was for humankind, Jesus is greater still. He brings grace and truth, love and faithfulness: God's full salvation! Cherish the work of those great heroes of Scripture. Learn, memorize, and use the Scriptures to teach yourself God's will. But most of all, see Jesus as God's greatest message sent to teach you about God's grace, love, and faithfulness. Jesus, however, didn't stop at teaching; he demonstrated and shared that grace, love, and faithfulness.
Today's Prayer
Loving and Holy Father, thank you for your incomparable greatness and your incredible graciousness. Forgive my selfish and forgetful heart for not being full of joy and appreciation for the blessings you lavish upon me daily. Most of all, dear Father, help me to see Jesus as the complete embodiment of your truth and grace. In the name of Jesus, your Son, I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was there with God. The Word was God. He was there with God in the beginning. All things were made through him (the Word). Nothing was made without him. In him there was life. That life was light (understanding, goodness) for the people of the world. The Light shines in the darkness. The darkness has not defeated the Light. There was a man named John. He was sent by God. John came to tell people about the Light (Christ). Through John all people could {hear about the Light and} believe. John was not the Light. But John came to tell people about the Light. The true Light was coming into the world. This is the true Light that gives light to all people. The Word was already in the world. The world was made through him. But the world (people) did not know him. He came to the world that was his own. But his own people did not accept him. Some people did accept him. They believed in him. He gave something to those people who believed. He gave them the right to become children of God. These children were not born like little babies are born. They were not born from the wish or plan of a {mother and} father. These children were born from God. The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his glory—the glory that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace (kindness) and truth. John told people about him. John said, "This is the One I was talking about. I said, 'The One who comes after me is more important than I am. He was living before me.'" The Word (Christ) was full of grace and truth. From him we all received more and more blessings. The law was given through Moses. But grace and {the way of} truth came through Jesus Christ. No man has ever seen God. But the only Son (Jesus) is God. He is very close to the Father (God). And the Son has shown us what God is like.-- John 1:1-18 (ERV)
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/john/0112-wjd.html
(c)2001-2006, Phil Ware and Heartlight, Inc.
©1996-2002, Heartlight, Inc. - http://www.heartlight.org