John 1:14-18

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.  (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)  For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

John 1:14-18

If I stop to think about verse 14, I realize that it really is quite a statement.  Verse 14 begins with: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us".  Did he really just say that?  The Word, who is God, "became flesh and dwelt among us".  God "became human and made his home among us" (as NLT puts it).  God is God.  Why would he ever come down and become human and live among us?  But he did, and what does John say?  About this, John says: "we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth".  John actually saw Jesus and followed him as his disciple.  He actually saw his glory and says that he is "full of grace and truth".

Looking ahead at verse 16, I don't really understand it.  However, verse 16 is beautiful nonetheless.  In reference to verse 14, having seen his glory and how he is "full of grace and truth", John speaks about how "we have all received, grace upon grace".  What is received and who is he referring to when he says "we all"?  Perhaps he is speaking to all the many blessings and benefits received as a result of Jesus coming down.  The most important being salvation as a result of his dying on the cross.  So who is he referring to?  My guess is that he's referring to followers of Jesus who are saved as a result of Christ's saving work.

What's more is that it seems to imply that there is more and more that is being received.  As in, there is an overflowing abundance of grace that is being received.  It's not as if we stop receiving.  God is a giver of good gifts and I don't find myself with a lack of good thing from him.  He continues to pour upon me.  This isn't only centered on "good" things.  Sometimes we receive trials, but those are good things as well.  Read James and we find that we are to receive trials with great joy because it produces steadfastness.  In any case, he keeps on giving in more ways that we can imagine.

Now there is a contrast brought up between the law from Moses and grace and truth from Jesus Christ.  From the law, I know what is right and what is wrong.  However, it is a standard that I can never measure up to.  As a result, I am still lost and without a way to be made right with God.  This doesn't mean that the law is bad.  Actually, the law is a good thing.  However, it is only through Jesus that a way has been made.  From him we receive grace.

"Our redemption price immense, grace stand for God's riches at Christ's expense!"

-Mercy and Grace Ft. Timothy Brindle, Shai Linne

How does he bring truth?  Well, we know that Jesus said he was the truth.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

-John 14:6

How does this truth contrast the law?  Well, perhaps it's not a direct contrast.  Instead, the law is a shadow in contrast to Christ.  Though the law is true, fullness is brought into light by Jesus.

Why does John bring up this idea about seeing God?  It seems a bit out of place.  Perhaps this is connected to the idea in verse 14 when he mentions "we have seen his glory".  Since "no one has ever seen God", John tells us about Jesus who "has made him known".  This isn't just anybody.  Jesus is "the only God" and he "is at the Father's side".  He is the one who has a deep and intimate relationship with the Father and he is the one who is explaining him.  How amazing is it that we have God come down to show and explain to us who he is.  It boggles the mind, and yet it is amazing and beautiful.

There's still verse 15, which seems a bit out of place.  However, in speaking about Jesus, John the baptist is referenced as someone who testified about Jesus.  Jesus ranks before John the baptist.  John the baptist was a great man.  Jesus even spoke of him saying "Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist".  Yet, Jesus ranks before John.  Moving on, we'll see people thinking John the baptist to be the Christ or the prophet.  However, he isn't and Jesus is greater than John.