John 1 - What Are You Full Of?

John 1 - NIV

John 1 - Enduring Word Commentary

Verses for the Day: John 1:1-3,14

The Word Became Flesh

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Commentary

Today we begin my favorite gospel, and one of my favorite books in the bible, the gospel of John. John was also called, "the disciple whom Jesus loved".  I love John because it gives us a glimpse of the relational side of Jesus, with many stories that are not included in the other gospels. I.e. Nicodemus, Lazarus, the women at the well, and the woman caught in adultery.

John is also unique from a theological perspective. Whereas the first three gospels, also known as the "synoptic gospels", focus on more of a chronological telling of the events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, John's gospel is theological in nature. It focuses on the person of Jesus Christ, especially his divinity, as we will see right away in John 1. 

John uses the Greek word, "logos" often.  Logos in English is translated "Word". Notice the "W" is capitalized. The Greek word "logos" gives us our English word "logic". It means everything you need to understand about something. Jesus is the "logos of God" in that he reveals everything we need to know about God. 

We also see that Jesus was with God in the beginning, which shows His divinity. Through Him (the Word) all things were made. The Word was with God and the Word was God. Logically this does not make sense, but neither does the Trinity. That the Word was God and was with God is a mystery that only God can explain.  

Significantly, John says Jesus the Word became flesh, "full of grace and truth". Jesus never compromised the truth but he never exacted the truth without grace. We will talk about this when we see Jesus' interaction with the woman at the well in chapter 5, and the woman caught in adultery in chapter 8. 

Most of us lean to one side or the other. We usually either error on the side of grace or truth. Some people are all grace and no truth. We call them "softy" or a "pushover".  Some people are all truth and no grace. We call them "judgmental or harsh".  Only Jesus was FULL OF BOTH. As we keep our eyes on Jesus and model our life after him, we will to being full of grace and truth.

Jesus teaches us that one can be uncompromising on the truth, but still exhibit unmerited grace. For instance Jesus knew we owed a debt we couldn't pay. In grace Jesus paid for the debt he didn't owe. Truth we needed forgiveness. Grace he gave it to us. 

Sometimes we need grace from Jesus, sometimes we need truth. Christian denominations often veer to one side or the other as well. 

Application

1. Do you need to exhibit more grace or truth to people in your life? 

2. Have you become so comfortable with God's grace that you are taking advantage of it? We call that "cheap grace"!   

3. Do you have people who speak the truth in love to you, when you need to hear it?  

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