Well, we are returning to our study of the Gospel of John that will take us throughout this year. And as we do that, I want to keep referring to John's purpose for writing what he wrote. You find that in John 20.
Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book. (Now, listen to this.) But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
That you would believe that Jesus is who John declares him to be, and that you will have life because of that. Now, the first two chapters of John are written to establish for us the identity and mission of Jesus. And we come to chapter 1, verses 16 through 18, let me read for you.
For from his fullness we have received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; but the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.
John wants you to know that Jesus came to do what the law could never do for you. The big question of these early chapters of John is, "Who is Jesus and how does he fit into the Father's great covenantal plan?" And that's what these verses are about.
In contrasting the law and grace, John is not saying that the law of Moses was a bad thing. In fact, the law was the gift of God's love for his people. Think about when the law was given. It was never given as a means of achieving favor with God because when the law was given, God had already placed his love on his children and had redeemed them out of slavery in Egypt. No, the law was given to his people because they had no idea how to live. It revealed God's holiness and his righteous requirements for his children. The law is magnificent and detailed, reaching to every area of life. It is proof of how much God loves his children and wants them to know him and to thrive.
But here's what's important about this passage: The law has limits! Let me say it again. The law has limits! It does not have the power to rescue you from you and create in you a new heart. That alone is the work of grace. And because that is true, Jesus had to come. He had to live that perfectly righteous life. He had to die that acceptable death. He had to rise again, conquering sin and death. He had to ascend to the right hand of the Father. It's right to say that Jesus is the grace of God in the flesh. Maybe the way to say it is, "Grace has a name, and its name is Jesus."
I like what the passage says here. It says, "We have received from him grace upon grace." That's a bit of a hint that the work of God's grace is not an event--it's a process. And that means that you and I need the grace of God today as much as we needed it the first day that we believed. God's grace is an inexhaustible supply of mercy for all who believe.
The final thing that this passage tells us is that Jesus was sent to earth as the ultimate revelation of who God is. Jesus came to make his Father known. You can't say, "Well, I sort of like the God of the New Testament, but I'm not really comfortable with the God of the Old Testament." John wants you to know that Jesus and the Father are one, one in nature, one in character, and one in purpose. The Father of grace sends the Son of grace to make his grace known. And that is very, very good news!
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion
1. How have you personally wrestled with the question, "Who is Jesus?" In light of your personal reading of the Scriptures, how has your wrestling with that question guided you to where you are today? Why is the answer to that question of such importance to every human being? How has the Gospel of John helped you to answer this question?
2. Why is the law of Moses not a bad thing but a good thing? How is the law a gift of God's love to his people?
3. How does God's law have limits? Why can't it ultimately rescue you? If your problems in life aren't "law problems," what kind of problems are they at their root level? How then does the law of God magnify the person and work of Jesus Christ?
4. Why is Jesus the physical manifestation of God's grace? How have you personally experienced this grace? In what ways has the grace of God through Jesus Christ changed your life?
5. Because Jesus and the Father are one in nature, character, and purpose, how does this truth inform the way you view the Old Testament? How might this truth inform the way you worship? How can this truth personally change you?
Conversation Prompts to Use with Children
For Younger Children:
• Why do you think it's so important to understand the answer to this question: "Who is Jesus?" If Jesus is God, what does that mean for you and me today?
• How is Jesus working in your life right now? Can I share with you how he's working in my life right now?
For Older Children:
• What is most true of you when it comes to figuring out your identity? Why might self-definition (when it comes to the topic of identity) be a dangerous or unstable thing?
• How would you define the word "grace?" How might grace be related to our own identities? Why might faith (or belief) be unnatural for us as human beings?
You have permission to print, repost, share, distribute, and translate this resource as long as you credit Paul Tripp as the teacher, do not charge for this resource, and do not alter the content in any way. If you require an exception or special permission, please email Info@PaulTripp.com.
