John declared, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
What a profound statement the apostle makes when he records this marvelous description of Christ as being full of grace and full of truth. These two are not in competition or conflict with one another, but rather they compliment and join together as the perfect pair.
How was Jesus “full of grace”? Consider how He left the perfect beauty and realm of heaven and came in the flesh to dwell upon the earth. Consider the mockery and ridicule He endured. Consider the Roman scourging he suffered. Consider the shame and curse of the crucifixion upon a tree. Consider how He willingly suffered and died an agonizing death in order to provide a means of salvation for all of humankind. Indeed, Jesus was full of grace.
Furthermore, Christ was “full of truth.” He declared, “I am the truth” in John 14:6. He said to Pilate, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:37). He tells us in His beautiful prayer that God’s word is truth (John 17:17). And that when a person knows the truth, they will be set free from their sins (John 8:31-36). It is the gospel of Christ (or New Testament of Christ) that reveals all truth to us.
Jesus brought the full measure of both grace and truth, and how incredibly blessed we are that He did. There continues to be no greater need for you, me, and everyone else in this world than the fullness of grace and truth that our Lord and Savior provides!
Jesse Flowers
