Scripture: John 1:17 (ESV) – “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:17 draws a powerful contrast that reveals the fullness of God’s redemptive plan: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Here we see the unfolding of God’s purposes, moving from the law to the person of Jesus, who embodies grace and truth. Both the law and the gospel are gifts from God, but they serve different purposes in His divine plan.
The law given through Moses was holy, righteous, and good. It revealed God’s standards and showed humanity what a life pleasing to Him looks like. However, it could not grant the power to fulfill those standards or deliver us from our sinful nature. Instead, the law exposed our sin and left us longing for a Savior. Calvin reminds us that the law is like a mirror that shows us our imperfections but cannot cleanse us. It prepares us, convicting us of our need for grace and pointing us to the One who can save us.
Then came Jesus Christ, bringing grace and truth in their fullest sense. The grace He offers is not a mere improvement of the old covenant but a completely new and transformative reality. Through Jesus, we are no longer under the condemnation of the law but are recipients of unmerited favor and the gift of salvation. The truth He brings is not simply a better understanding of religious teachings; it is the revelation of God’s ultimate plan for redemption. In Christ, we see the perfect blending of God’s justice and mercy, where His truth does not contradict His grace but upholds and magnifies it.
This verse invites us to reflect on the magnitude of what Christ has done. The law showed us our desperate need; Jesus met that need fully. We are no longer striving to achieve righteousness through our own efforts, but we rest in the grace freely given to us. Yet, grace does not mean we can live as we please. The truth of Christ calls us to live lives transformed by that grace, marked by obedience, love, and holiness.
Consider how you relate to both the law and the grace of Christ. Do you live under the weight of trying to earn God’s favor, feeling crushed by your failures? Or have you embraced the grace of Christ, allowing His truth to guide and empower you? Remember, grace is not a license to sin but the power to live a life that honors God.
Reflection Questions:
- How does understanding the purpose of the law help you appreciate the grace and truth that Jesus brought?
- Are there areas in your life where you are still striving under the burden of the law rather than resting in the grace of Christ?
Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for Your law, which reveals Your holiness and our need for a Savior. But we praise You even more for the grace and truth that came through Jesus Christ. Help us to rest in His finished work, no longer striving under the law’s demands but living joyfully in the freedom of Your grace. Transform us by Your truth, so that we may live lives that reflect Your love and holiness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
*edited and modernized from John Calvin’s sermon on John 1:17*
Covenant Presbyterian Church 