Grace and Truth

In the Prologue of the gospel of John, the Apostle takes us into a realm of thinking about Jesus that is so different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  While it shares the narrative style of writing, it tends to cause some head scratching, soul searching, and other things that go with reflective thought.  It points us more to images than precise verbal renderings.  An example is the way John causes us to consider Jesus as the One "full  of grace and truth."  (John 1:14)  He not only creates this new image, but he also develops it by making a contrast to Moses.   

All Hebrews knew and respected Moses as the deliverer of the Hebrews from Egypt, but also as the great law giver.  In verse 17 of that same chapter, John writes,  "The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."  (John 1:17)  There are actually two contrasts to consider.   One is the contrast between Moses and Jesus.  The other is with two views of the world.  In one view the world is seen through the lens of the law, and in the other, the world is seen through the lens of grace and truth.  One is black and white and precise while the other is filled with shades of gray and an understanding that goes beyond the preciseness of the law.    

 A world of grace and truth does not negate the law, but provides road signs that help in living with its black and white demands.  Grace provides a way for those who fall short of the law and its demands for getting what is deserved while truth points to what is right in a way that the law is not always able to do with its precise requirements.  How significant that Jesus is the One who embodies and models One who respected the law, dispensed grace, and said of Himself, "I am...the truth."  (John 14:6).