From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Jo. 1:16-17
The text for today speaks of grace, a grace that is given to replace a grace already give. What is John teaching us in this text? He is speaking about the Old and New Testaments. There is a movement, a dynamic unfolding and changing in God's plan of salvation. John sees all this as "Grace", God's doing. God initiates a dialogue with man starting with Moses and the First Testament begins; (testament = a statement of will, of intention, here is my plan, how it will be, here is your part in it).
Within the First Testament a time for its fulfillment was set. Now complete, a New Testament, a new plan is revealed, replacing the old, the final plan, until everything if fulfilled. The dialogue continues but now the speaker is God's Son and the conversation will be person-to-person with each believer.
The first book of the Old Testament, opens with the phrase: "In the beginning ..." John begins his account of the New Testament with the same phrase, "In the beginning ...". Grace in place of Grace.
It is important that we understand that the conversation in the New Testament is person-to-person, not only with all, but with each one individually, who will turn a ear and listen. He who has come into the world has come for me.
Christmas is about gift, the Grace of conversation, my Lord who comes to speak to me, filling my mind and heart with Grace and Truth.
Come Lord and speak, your servant is listening!
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