John 1:15-18 Grace upon Grace, Living in Christ’s Love and Companionship

约翰福音1:15-18

John 1:15-18

15 John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”

16 Out of his fullness, we have all received grace upon grace.

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

18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

When we think of “grace,” we often picture God’s forgiveness or blessings. But John reminds us that the grace Jesus brings is so much more. Jesus offers us “fullness of grace,” like a living stream that flows continuously—not only bringing salvation but inviting us into a close, life-giving connection with God. Through this grace, we begin to sense God’s presence in our everyday lives, gradually learning to “rejoice in God” (Romans 5:11).

John’s gospel only mentions “grace” three times (1:14, 16, 17), but each time it describes the love and glory Jesus revealed through his life. This grace is like sunlight streaming into our lives. We see it when Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding in Cana (2:1-12), when he heals the official’s son (4:43-54), when he restores the legs of the lame and gives sight to the blind (5:1-9, 9:1-6). His grace feeds thousands with five loaves and two fish (6:1-15) and even brings Lazarus back from the dead (11:38-44). He not only laid down his life for us, offering the hope of eternal life (10:11), but also sent the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us every day (15:26, 16:7).

The grace Jesus offers is not just about salvation or help in times of need—it is his loving, nourishing presence with us every day. His grace flows through our lives, taking root and becoming a source of strength and hope, helping us find true peace and fulfillment in God’s love.