Of [from]His fullness we have all received, and grace for [upon] grace […] For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him (John 1:16; Colossians 2:9-10a).
The Apostle John gives us much understanding concerning the Son of God that it deserves volumes to adequately explain. Implicit in his gospel is the riches, the wealth of God in Christ! The apostle focuses on who Christ is before he unpacks what He has done and what He has copiously poured out in and upon us. He first gives us a peek into the history of the Word!“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5).
In these verses, we are given Holy insight and a front row, center view of God and of His master plan through His Son for all mankind! Here, we see His Word already in existence when the beginning began, thus giving the Word preeminence over all creation; He existed uncreated! The Word was with God, therefore the Word was God! He is incontrovertibly God! We must first know this in order to understand the Father’s immeasurable gift of Jesus Christ! As we sit with unobstructed view, we observe an unfolding, unprecedented act of the Word and His power! Things are made! They come into being not from things that already existed, but through the power of God, the Word! We see the Author of all things initiating and creating through Himself, the Word and without the Word, nothing was made that was made! In this we clearly see that without Jesus, there is truly nothing! He is the Life! All animate and inanimate things have their existence through Him, the Word!
Since context determines meaning, let us relook at John’s words: “For of [from] His fullness we have all received, grace for [upon] grace” (John 1:16). This gift is an act of His grace! It is astounding that the Word of God, Jesus lives in us! It is too wonderful for me, but knowing this, inspires me to search out His truth that I might go on to fully know Him in His fullness, a fullness which we have all received! It has pleased Him to live in the Church, His Body! I want to fully apprehend this: knowing that without the help of God I/we could never receive such truth of His kindness, graciousness, and generosity!
Through the holy scriptures, we have an unobstructed view of the Word of God in action! Let us be sober as we encounter His majesty as seen in His Word!
To be continued …