John 1:17 (Contemporary English Version)
Moses gave us the Law, but Jesus Christ gave us kindness and truth.—
Encouragement
Sometimes you live as if there is an invisible yardstick hanging over you. You have to comply, stay on your best behaviour, not make any mistakes. And when you stumble, you think: now it's over. John 1:17 takes that pressure off your shoulders. The law, says John, came through Moses. That's good: the law shows what is right and what is wrong. But the law alone can also wear you down, because you constantly discover what you are lacking.
That is why John comes with the best news: in Jesus come grace and truth. Grace means: God does not shut you out when you fail. He seeks you out, forgives you and gives you another chance. Truth means: God does not pretend that everything is fine. He helps you to look honestly at your life, so that you can grow. Grace without truth becomes vague. Truth without grace becomes harsh. In Jesus, they belong together.
In church, you see this when someone is struggling with guilt and someone else says, ‘You are not written off.’ And at the same time, they speak honestly: ‘How can we fix this?’
In society, you see it when a manager not only gets angry after a mistake, but also helps you learn from it. Or when someone in a relationship says, ‘I love you, but this behaviour is breaking us.’ That is grace and truth together.
So Jesus does not bring you back to fear, but forward to restoration. He teaches you that you don't have to be perfect to be loved. And you don't have to stay the way you are to remain loved.
Question to ponder
Where do you need more grace, and where do you need more truth? And do you dare to ask Jesus for both?
Take this with you
- The law shows the way, but Jesus gives strength and forgiveness.
- Grace gives peace; truth gives direction.
- Real growth happens where love and honesty come together.
Final thought
In Jesus, God comes close: not with a cold yardstick, but with warm grace and clear truth. That gives hope for today and courage for tomorrow.