(Emphasis mine)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, GRACE UPON GRACE. For the law was given through Moses; GRACE AND TRUTH came through Jesus Christ.

In church today, this passage was quoted by our pastor and it stuck with me. When we think about the glory of God, many times we may think about his splendor or his mighty hand to save or his authority and dominion. But this passage indicates that the glory of Jesus Christ was, in part, made up of his truth and grace!

What is so special about these two character traits in coexistence, that they are mentioned as part of the glory of Jesus Christ? Later in the passage, “grace upon grace” is mentioned, as if the grace of Jesus is a powerful waterfall that never stops its relentless bestowing of grace on those below.

And finally, there is a comparison and a contrast between Jesus and Moses: 1) They both brought major works of God to his people. Moses, the law; and Jesus, truth and grace. 2) While Moses brought rules to live by, this was not the complete love God planned to bestow on his people. There was truth and grace interwoven into the law, but over time, the Israelites reduced the law to a list of rules to compare righteousness amongst themselves. So while Moses' gift was good, the gift of Christ in the flesh was so much better. Why? Because he gave the perfect example of grace and truth administered together to love and encourage all around him.

Grace without truth is not loving, as people will continue to sin (leading to eternal death) with no warning. Truth without grace can lack love because it is harsh and brutal at times. God’s design is that through Jesus the model of grace and truth would be laid. And then through the giving of his Holy Spirit, we all could follow this model through his power.

Lord, thank you for your model of the perfect blend of truth and grace in life. I want to learn to live in this balance more and more. Teach me Lord, I pray.