For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17

It’s a short little verse really, nice phrasing, sort of a lyrical quality, but it falls within a chapter that is full of profound and quotable verses, so it almost gets overlooked. John had a certain way with words, don’t you think?

I’ve never seen this verse on a bumper sticker or a sign; I’ve not seen it added to a nice picture either, yes maybe it’s overlooked, but consider what it says…

“For the law was given through Moses.” Doesn’t that make the Law sound rather impersonal, a bit like a judge handing down a sentence? “The Law was given,” seems to me almost a scary thing, certainly a difficult thing.

Contrast the law being given with the rest of the verse: “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

The Law Was Given. Grace and truth came… It’s a bit like grace and truth are a person, and they came to pay us a call. Yes, that’s how it strikes me, they came here and sat down at the kitchen table for a visit over a fresh cup of coffee. Yes, grace and truth are so much more personal than “the law was given…”

Now see what happens when we connect this short little verse with the one before it, verse 16:

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

Law can never do that, but grace can. Jesus Christ brought grace and truth with Him when He came here to pay a visit, and He left His grace and truth behind in abundance! What did the Law ever do for us?

It condemned us.

Grace and Truth bring with it forgiveness from all of the condemnation of the Law, and with that forgiveness it brings eternal life for all who choose to receive it: WOW!

Even more, Jesus is still with us today, through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. Why not pull up a chair, grab a fresh cup and visit with Him again in His grace and truth!