Advent Day 22: Truth

Advent Words Day 22: Truth

"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.: John 1:17

This is the first time in John's prologue that the name of Jesus has been used. Until this point He has been referred to as the Word. In this verse John will contrast the old with the new, Moses with Jesus, the law with grace and truth.

Grace and truth were present in the Old Testament, but they are fully realized in Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said,

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them." Matthew 5:17

"You diligently study the Scriptures (the Law) because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me." John 5:39

As we saw earlier in John 1:10-11, the world did not recognize who Jesus was. Even those who had the Law and the Prophets that pointed to the Messiah, did not recognize and receive Him. But grace and truth would reveal Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God. The Greek word used for truth here is aletheia. It's literal meaning is "that which contains nothing hidden"; nothing is concealed, it is that which is seen or expressed as it really is.

"When grace comes, so does God’s revelation of spiritual truth, and we begin to see things as they are." Kent Hughes

Commentator James Montgomery Boice sums up this passage and its meaning:

"The contrast is between the law with all its regulations and the new era of salvation by grace through faith apart from the works of the law that has come with Jesus Christ. It is a great contrast. Under the law, God demands righteousness from people; under grace, He gives it to people. Under law, righteousness is based on Moses and good works; under grace, it is based on Christ and Christ’s character. Under law, blessings accompany obedience; under grace, God bestows his blessings as a free gift. The law is powerless to secure righteousness and life for a sinful race. Grace came in its fullness with Christ’s death and resurrection to make sinners righteous before God."

Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Join me in responding creatively to the Advent Words in John's prologue. You can share your creative response on Instagram using #adventwords2019 or join the Words Challenge Facebook Group and share your creative response there.