And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17
Through Moses, God gave us His law which reveals our utter sinfulness. In Christ Jesus, God’s grace and truth are given to us, revealing the salvation He has lovingly provided for us through the cross of Christ. For the sake of Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, God reaches out to us with mercy and forgiveness; and we receive His grace and mercy again and again when we look to Him in faith.
Thank You, O gracious Savior, for continually granting me mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Your atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of all. Amen.
John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” John 1:15
Though John was born several months before Jesus and though John began his ministry before Jesus, John said that Jesus is preferred before him and was before him because Jesus is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh and blood and became a true man that He might redeem fallen mankind.
Grant that I point people to You, O Lord, for You are the eternal Son of God and the Savior of the world. Amen.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
God the Son, the creator of all, took on human flesh and blood and was born into this world of the Virgin Mary to be our Savior. The Apostle John and his fellow disciples saw the glory of Christ Jesus — the same glory possessed by God the Father — in Jesus’ mighty works and in His transfiguration, resurrection and ascension. And Jesus brings to us God’s undeserved love and mercy, and He brings God’s truth which reveals our sin but also reveals forgiveness and life through faith alone in Christ Jesus.
Grant, dear Jesus, that we recognize You as the only-begotten Son of the Father come into this world a true man that You might atone for our sins and grant to all who trust in You eternal salvation. Amen.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
We receive the right and privilege to become children of God through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Gal. 3:26ff.), but even that faith by which we receive and take hold of Christ and the blessings of forgiveness and life eternal He won for us is not of our will or choosing. It is a rebirth worked in us by God the Holy Spirit through hearing the Gospel message and being baptized in Jesus’ name.
Thank You, O gracious God, for making me Your child through faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Savior. Amen.
That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. John 1:9-11
It is a sad truth that Jesus made the world and gives life to all people and yet they do know Him or trust in Him as their God and Life-giver! Even His own people — including the religious leaders of Israel — did not accept Him as the Son of God and their Messiah and Savior! What about you, today?
Dear Lord Jesus, grant that I hear Your Word and believe that You have created me and given me life. You are the true Light. You reveal to me my utter sinfulness and Your judgment against sin, and You reveal to me that there is forgiveness and life through faith in Your name. Grant that I repent of my sinful ways and trust in You as my Savior. Amen.