“From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:16-17)
Tradition tells us that all of the disciples were eventually killed for preaching about Jesus, as was Paul. John may have outlived them all. Most scholars think he wrote this book somewhere around 90 A.D. and was later exiled to an island prison. (That’s where he wrote the book of Revelation.) He and many other early Christians lived difficult, persecuted lives.
So how can he say that “we have all received one blessing after another” from Jesus’ grace? Three quick ideas:
1) John was looking beyond life in this fallen, painful world. By Jesus’ grace, every believer can expect to spend forever in God’s blessing.
2) John was showing how much fuller and more joyful life is when lived according to Jesus’ grace than under the burden of Moses’ law.
3) John realized that every good thing – from a simple meal to our most cherished relationships – is a gift from God. Jesus’ half-brother James said that everything in our lives that can be called “good” comes from God. (James 1:17)
Think: How often do you give God the credit for the good things in your life? Why is it a sign of God’s grace when we experience anything that can be labeled “good”?
Pray: Ask God to help you to be grateful more often for all the blessings he gives you through Jesus.
Do: Make a list of 20 “blessings” you’ve experienced this week that you can give credit to God for. Then give him credit for them.