Transformed – teen devotion – December 23, 2018
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 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.
John 1:16-18
Grace upon grace
I’ve been wondering about something for a while. What’s the downside to following Jesus? What’s the downside to holding on to the faith and walking in it?
It is pretty easy to figure out a downside to just about everything else. For every medicine that helps me get better, there is often a nasty side-effect. Just read the warning label sometime. Exercise is good for me; but at the same time, it breaks my body down so that some body parts may wear out more quickly. I think you get the idea.
Everything else in my life has an upside and a downside. But not Jesus. Jesus came to live with us, and there is no downside to that. There is an upside. John explains it the verses in front of us today.
First, Jesus is full of grace and truth. We don’t always like to hear the truth, especially when the truth is painful and uncovers sin. (I know that I don’t!) But it is good. What if your doctor never told you that you had terminal cancer? Would that be good for you? Of course, not! It would hurt when he told you, but how else would you know about your sickness and need for treatment? It’s the same when Jesus comes with truth!
We also see that Jesus isn’t stingy with grace. In fact, he gives grace in place of grace already given. It’s like he gives us grace; and then he gives us grace again. And again. And again! He loves you and longs to forgive you over and over again. He deeply desires for you to know how good and gracious he really is.
Finally, he shows us God! If you really want to know who God is, get to know Jesus as he comes and walks on this earth. To know what God is like, get to know Jesus! He is the one who makes the Father known. He is the one came to reveal God to us.
This Christmas, see how good Jesus is for you. Instead of gift upon gift, he gives something eternally better—grace upon grace!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the one thing I really need. Tell me the truth about my sin so that I can come to you for forgiveness and healing. Give me grace upon grace. I need your grace more and more every day. Keep showing me God. Thank you for coming to be that one thing I really need. Amen.
