John 1:14 - Lesson #6

John established a common ground between Jews and Greeks by defining God as the Word or Logos - that which holds everything together and gives meaning. He continued by identifying the Word as the Creator, the shining Light, and the Giver of Life to those who believe. And while these were slightly new thoughts, they were not large steps for either the Jewish or Greek way of thinking about God. However, this dramatically changed with John's next statement. Here, John would make his stand.

John 1:14
"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."

This would not be a simple compromise between Jewish and Greek thought; rather, this single verse would forever set Christianity apart and even make it repulsive to many. The thought of a holy God clothing Himself with deteriorating flesh was disgusting and caused some of the first divisions. Some said that Jesus was just a Spirit who we perceived to be a man, but John makes no allowance for this view; "every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God" (1 John 4:3).

God, in the fully human form of Jesus Christ, came to live among us! And John beheld, or saw with his very own eyes, the glory of Christ which was completely filled with grace and truth.

Grace is often defined as receiving favor for something we do not deserve. But this can reduce grace to giving a gift to a stranger on the street. Rather, grace is like loving someone who has just robbed you and beaten your family - it is showing favor to someone who deserves the very opposite; "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). This indeed is the grace of Jesus. We deserve instant death and He gives us eternal life.

On the day Jesus was crucified, Pilate asked, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). This question perhaps best defines our culture today. Truth shifts to what is convenient and changes to fit our current situation. And yet, deep down, we know this cannot be! People all over the world are searching for the truth upon which they can build their life - the foundation which will not be shaken in the storm. This truth is absolute, unchanging, and is found in Christ; "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). And this truth, when embraced with all our heart and used as a guide for every area of our life will break the bonds which entangle and hold us down; "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

Our minds may never fully understand the grace and truth of God; but, in Jesus, it is here for us to witness and receive. God stepped across the infinite and is, right now, just a heartbeat away. Let's receive His grace and begin today to live by His truth all the rest of our days.