Full of Grace and Truth

John 1:14–18

What is God like?

It’s one of the most foundational questions we can ask, and it’s one our culture tries to answer in a thousand conflicting ways. But John tells us that the answer is not found by looking within ourselves or by climbing some spiritual ladder. The answer has come down to us.

And not as an idea or a feeling, but as a person.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us… full of grace and truth.”

Here in these verses, the John brings his prologue to its high point: the eternal Word, who was with God and was God, has become flesh. And in this Incarnate Word, we behold the glory of God, glory full of grace and truth.

The Word Revealed in Flesh (v. 14)

John says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

This is the scandal and the glory of Christianity: The eternal Son, not created, not made, but eternally begotten of the Father, became flesh.

He was not a creature; He was not a part of creation. He did not come into being. There was never a time when the Son was not. He is of the same divine essence as the Father, fully God.

The Nicene Creed (325) says it this way: “Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.”

To be begotten means that the Son eternally shares in the very nature of the Father; that from all eternity, God has been Father, and the Son has been with Him, in perfect love and unity.

And it was this eternal Son, the uncreated, divine Word, who became flesh. He took on a human nature, not by subtraction, but by addition. He remained fully God while becoming fully man.

He didn’t just appear human. He didn’t borrow a body. He became truly human, body and soul, in every way like us, yet without sin.

You could say He was more human that we are, because He was without sin.

This is the miracle of the incarnation: That the uncreated Son stepped into creation. That the eternal One entered time. That the Holy One walked among sinners. That the infinite became an infant. Not losing His glory, but revealing it in grace.

John uses a powerful word here: dwelt. Literally, “He tabernacled among us.” Just as God’s glory filled the tabernacle in the wilderness, now the glory of God is revealed in Jesus Christ, not in a tent, but in a person.

“And we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

This glory is not a worldly glory, not spectacle or celebrity. This is the radiance of God’s character shining through His Son. A glory that is most clearly seen at the cross, when Jesus is lifted up.

Jesus showed the glory of God not merely through the power of his divine nature, but also in his human nature through a humble, obedient, servant life. To us, a glorious person is one who rises above the crowds, ascending to a place of wealth and prominence. But Jesus showed us higher glory. Though he had the power that created galaxies, he subjected himself to human scorn and abuse. He allowed his body to be broken and he gave up his life so that we might live.

And what is this glory full of? Grace and truth.

Grace: God’s unmerited favor, His overflowing kindness to the undeserving (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)

Truth: The reality of who God is and what He requires, unmixed, unchanging, and faithful.

When Moses asked to see God’s glory (Ex. 33:18), God proclaimed his name “merciful and gracious… abounding in steadfast love and truth.” John is telling us, in Jesus, God’s glory, full of grace and truth, is made clear.

The Word Testified and Exalted (v. 15)

John the Baptist bore witness: “He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.” Here again is the mystery and majesty of the incarnation:

John explains that, while he was born before Jesus and began his ministry first, Jesus is a higher spiritual leader because he is unique in his person. By acknowledging that “he was before me,” John is pointing to Jesus’ eternal existence.

Jesus is the preexistent Son, the eternal Word, and therefore He is worthy of all honor.

The Word Gives Grace Upon Grace (vv. 16–17)

“From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

What do you get when you come to Christ? Not just grace, but grace upon grace: layered, unending, abundant.

This grace is rooted in the fullness of Christ Himself. As Paul says in Colossians, “In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Col. 2:9). Everything in Christ shows the grace of God.

Verse 17 helps us understand how this grace compares to the law: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

The law was good. It was a gift, given after God’s deliverance. But it could not save. It revealed God’s holiness and our sin. It pointed forward to the One who would fulfill it.

Jesus doesn’t abolish the law, He fulfills it. In Him, we receive what the law could only anticipate: grace and truth.

In the Old Covenant, man’s response to God’s grace was found in the keeping of the law.

In the New Covenant, man’s response to God’s grace is found in trusting in Christ to keep the law for us.

The Word Reveals the Invisible God (v. 18)

“No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.”

This is one of the most astonishing verses in the Bible. No one has seen God; not Moses, not Isaiah, not John the Baptist.

But Jesus, the only God, who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known.

Biblical Exegesis: explaining or interpreting a text (lead out).

Jesus exegetes God. He has related us to God, revealed and helped us to know God.

Jesus is not just a messenger about God, He is God.

To see Jesus is to see the Father (Jn 14:9). To hear Jesus is to hear the voice of God. To know Jesus is to know the truth about who God is and what God is like.

How do we see, how do we hear, how do we know? Through the Scriptures, the Inspired Word of God.

How then shall we live in light of this incarnate Word?

Rest in the Assurance of Grace in Christ.

Christ is full of grace, there is no deficiency in Him, there is no need to look elsewhere.

We are not saved by the law, but by the grace that flows from Christ’s fullness.

You do not earn your place before God, you receive it by faith in Jesus.

When you have received Him, then you have received grace upon grace:

Your salvation is not fragile, because Christ’s grace is not lacking.

Your sins, though many, are not too great, because Christ’s grace is greater.

John Newton, “Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.”

Your hope is not in your grip on Him, but in His hold on you.

Live in the Truth of Christ.

Grace is not license to sin. The Word became flesh to reveal truth as well.

The Christian life is not only about receiving grace, but walking in truth. Jesus is the light of the world, and those who follow Him will not walk in darkness.

That means we conform our lives to the truth of God’s Word; not the whims of culture or the lies of our hearts.

The One who saves us by grace is also the One who tells us what is true.

Strive for the Glory of Christ.

Jesus came and revealed the glory of God. And now, as those united to Him, we are called to live for that glory.

This world will offer many competing glories, success, status, comfort. But none compare to the glory that we have seen in Christ, the glory full of grace and truth.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). Live for that glory.

Conclusion: What is God like?

He is like Jesus. Full of grace and truth. Glorious and good.

And through Him, we receive all that we need: salvation, truth, and purpose. Believe in Him, the Word made flesh.

Rest in His grace.

Walk in His truth.

Live for His glory.