What does it mean that grace and truth came by Jesus?
Question:
Hello Jeff,
I came across these beautiful words from John 1:16-17 "And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." Can you explain, what does it really means that grace and truth came through Jesus Christ? These beautiful words have remained in me for quite some time and I always ponder over them.
Does it mean that Moses brought the law and commanded the Jews to strictly implement it as the Scriptures say their hearts were hardened but Jesus came and gave a new meaning to it? Like the passage in the Bible about a woman caught in adultery where according to Jewish law she was supposed to be stoned but Jesus gave a new meaning to the law by forgiving her and commanding her not to sin anymore. Is this the grace of Jesus we are talking about or is it something else that escapes me?
Thank you.
Answer:
The combining of grace and truth is important. Grace without truth would give a license to men to do as they please, but truth without grace would lead to such strictness that no one could be saved. Jesus brings salvation without compromising the will of God. Moses brought the Israelites a law to follow, but the Jews did not consistently follow its truth nor its mercy.
An examination of the adulterous woman in John 8 can be found at The Adulterous Woman. The Jews were not following the law (the truth). The law required that both the man and woman be stoned when two or more witnesses testified of the sin before a judge. They only brought the woman and they did not bring her before one of their judges. Thus, they knowingly broke their law while insisting that Jesus keep it. Jesus' response was in keeping with the law and when no witnesses remained, beyond himself, to testify of her sin, Jesus used the provision of mercy in the law to tell her she must not sin anymore. Thus, Jesus used grace and truth in a perfect combination.
Response:
Jeffrey,
That's a perfect answer. I feel blessed that we have you as our spiritual guide and who would take the pain to answer all our doubts and questions.
Thank you very much.
God bless you.
