THE WORD BECAME FLESH!

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word was made 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 1:1,14, KJV).

Devotion 9 of 10

FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH

You cannot improve upon this expression: "full of grace and truth." Every major translation reads this way: "full of grace and truth" (KJV, NKJV, RSV, NRSV, NIV, Websters, Darby, Young's Literal, etc.). It is rare, indeed, to find such unanimity among translators! The word "full" means more than simply filled up with. This comes from the word patroj, which means complete or full grown. The idea is that the full scope of both grace and truth are found in Christ Jesus--in both His Person and accomplishments. Here are two qualities that came in their fulness in the Person and ministry of Jesus Christ. As it is written, "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). These were among the Divine qualities revealed to Moses: "And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth . . . " (Ex 34:6). The "sweet Psalmist of Israel" also spoke of these magnificent traits in the fortieth Psalm. "I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly. Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me" (Psa 40:10-11). Again, he wrote, "He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!" (Psa 61:7). And again, "All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies" (Psa 25:10). What is "grace and truth," the glorious attributes with which Jesus was filled? Here is the compendium of Divine power, required to meet human need. Grace to cover the past, obtain righteousness, and walk in Divine favor. Truth to uphold, illuminate, and provide a basis for fellowship. Both of these are necessary for our salvation. We must walk in the smile of God, favored and preferred by Him. Yet, we must also be in strict harmony with the truth, allowing no aspect of the Divine nature to be obscured or minimized. Until "the Word became flesh," this was NOT possible. Apart from the promise of God, there was not the faintest glimmering of hope. Man could not measure up to the Law, and God could not forget it. But in Jesus, the Son of God, grace and truth were brought together in an union that was not dissolvable. In Him, the Scripture is fulfilled, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other" (Psa 85:10). This fulness is not an end of itself, but the Divinely appointed means to an end. In Christ, both grace and truth became accessible to humanity. He brought them within our reach, so to speak. Whatever is demanded to be delivered from sin is found in Jesus--and in abundance. He is "FULL of grace and truth." Things required to successfully resist the devil are plentiful in Christ Jesus. He is "full of grace and truth." Resources necessary to successfully negotiate the straits from earth to glory are found in rich supply in Christ Jesus. He is "full of grace and truth." Hopelessness has taken flight, as the eagle of hope has taken the place of dominance--and it is all because "the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us." He did not cohabit with us as a spectator, but as a concrete demonstration of Divine intent. He tasted of the dregs of human experience, in order that the supply of grace and truth, resident in His person, might flow freely to those who embrace Him. As surely as He IS, so surely His grace and truth are accessible. PRAYER POINT: How desperately I need both Your grace and Your truth. I am thankful, and praise you, for providing them both in abundance in the Person of Your Son!

-- TOMORROW: Conclusion of The Word Became Flesh --