Full of Grace and Full of Truth
Jesus. Full of grace and truth.
Jesus was full of grace, while also full of truth. What does that mean? What does that mean for his Church? And what does that mean for the world?
In this issue, three authors will walk through the three sections of John 1:14. They will explore how Jesus became flesh―a human being―and how he came to live among us―his creation. And finally, how his disciples witnessed his glory as God’s one and only Son. Each article will consider the importance of Jesus being full of grace and truth.
Jesus lived among us, filled with both 100% grace and 100% truth. He lived this out and delivered this to us. Now that I have received his grace for not meeting the measure that his truth dictates, am I also filled with both grace and truth? It really has nothing to do with me, or you, or anyone, does it? It’s only because God sent the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and eyes to the truth and the hope we have in the gospel, that we can do anything in response to this gift of salvation, delivered with grace and truth.
Jesus became flesh. He lived among us. The God who created the universe––so big and complex that we still don’t understand it all―loved us so much that he decided to become one of us, fully, while remaining fully God. He had to deal with human pain and sadness while enjoying laughter and happiness. He had to listen to anger and selfishness and watch his creation fight and manipulate each other. He watched as many doubted and rejected his teachings. He also made good friends and enjoyed spending quality time with them. He lived as a human being while still fully God. My mind hurts just trying to understand how that actually works.
And, while he was here on earth, he healed the sick, loved and redeemed sinners, invited nobodies to follow him, rebuked self-centered religious leaders, spoke truth to those who needed to hear it, and allowed his creation to nail him to a cross to die… for their sin, my sin, your sin, and the sins of future generations.
Why would his creation do that to him? Because he is full of truth. He would not be swayed. Prior to the Crucifixion, Pilate asked in John 18:38, “What is truth?” He was responding to Jesus’ words, “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” And, to think that Jesus was talking about truth, knowing he was on his way to die because of his words! Still, over it all, tying it all together, was his grace. He chose to die because he loves you, me, and all his creation enough to go through with it. He was full of grace.
Full of truth to bring us to our knees. Full of grace to lift us up to him. How can we be both full of truth and full of grace in our lives? How can we demonstrate that boldness and tenderness to reflect Jesus to the world around us? Can we, though selfish and sinful, faithfully do this? Jesus did it first, and he graciously calls us to follow him and join him in his mission.
CLB President Paul Larson describes the Church of the Lutheran Brethren as “restful in grace and restless in mission.” With that posture, as a Disciple-Making Church, we can reflect our Savior, full of grace and truth, to our neighbors next door and across the ocean as we respond to Jesus’ gift of salvation and his Great Commission.
Jesus was full of grace, while also full of truth. What does that mean? What does that mean for his Church? And what does that mean for the world?
In this issue, three authors will walk through the three sections of John 1:14. They will explore how Jesus became flesh―a human being―and how he came to live among us―his creation. And finally, how his disciples witnessed his glory as God’s one and only Son. Each article will consider the importance of Jesus being full of grace and truth.
Jesus lived among us, filled with both 100% grace and 100% truth. He lived this out and delivered this to us. Now that I have received his grace for not meeting the measure that his truth dictates, am I also filled with both grace and truth? It really has nothing to do with me, or you, or anyone, does it? It’s only because God sent the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and eyes to the truth and the hope we have in the gospel, that we can do anything in response to this gift of salvation, delivered with grace and truth.
Jesus became flesh. He lived among us. The God who created the universe––so big and complex that we still don’t understand it all―loved us so much that he decided to become one of us, fully, while remaining fully God. He had to deal with human pain and sadness while enjoying laughter and happiness. He had to listen to anger and selfishness and watch his creation fight and manipulate each other. He watched as many doubted and rejected his teachings. He also made good friends and enjoyed spending quality time with them. He lived as a human being while still fully God. My mind hurts just trying to understand how that actually works.
And, while he was here on earth, he healed the sick, loved and redeemed sinners, invited nobodies to follow him, rebuked self-centered religious leaders, spoke truth to those who needed to hear it, and allowed his creation to nail him to a cross to die… for their sin, my sin, your sin, and the sins of future generations.
Why would his creation do that to him? Because he is full of truth. He would not be swayed. Prior to the Crucifixion, Pilate asked in John 18:38, “What is truth?” He was responding to Jesus’ words, “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” And, to think that Jesus was talking about truth, knowing he was on his way to die because of his words! Still, over it all, tying it all together, was his grace. He chose to die because he loves you, me, and all his creation enough to go through with it. He was full of grace.
Full of truth to bring us to our knees. Full of grace to lift us up to him. How can we be both full of truth and full of grace in our lives? How can we demonstrate that boldness and tenderness to reflect Jesus to the world around us? Can we, though selfish and sinful, faithfully do this? Jesus did it first, and he graciously calls us to follow him and join him in his mission.
CLB President Paul Larson describes the Church of the Lutheran Brethren as “restful in grace and restless in mission.” With that posture, as a Disciple-Making Church, we can reflect our Savior, full of grace and truth, to our neighbors next door and across the ocean as we respond to Jesus’ gift of salvation and his Great Commission.
Tim Mathiesen is the Director of Communications & Prayer for the Church of the Lutheran Brethren.
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