He Brought Us Grace and Truth – by Bonifresh Muhollo

May 31, 2016 2149

 

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And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

There’s an old African saying that goes, “A visitor is a blessing.” It is also a tradition that visitors, especially those coming from far, bring some gifts along for the children in the family. If you want your visit to be memorable, just bring along some good gifts to the children. They will never forget to tell it at school, at church, and at the playground.

Father Abraham was happy to host the three visitors who came by his home. He insisted that they stay for dinner, and Sarah hurried to prepare some food for them. Every home feels good to host a visitor, especially when the visitors are high-profile.

More than 2000 years ago, Jesus arrived at our home, the earth. Some high-profile men came to visit him there in Bethlehem and they brought him gifts. But he came with the greatest gifts from heaven: Grace and Truth.

Grace and truth are the greatest needs of the fallen world. When man initially fell from grace and truth, he was subjected to live under the power of sin. Where there is no grace, man must face full penalty for his sins. Where there is no truth, man is left at the mercy of human speculation, grappling in the dark for answers to human woes. A world devoid of divine grace and truth breeds tyranny, corruption, hatred and jealousy. Instead of mercy, we speak of justice and act with revenge. Religious truth is laughed at. It’s difficult to hear and believe that the world was created by God because we’d like to give ourselves all the credit. We forget the source of truth.

Let us behold for a moment, the life of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and see how grace-full and truth-full it was. See how such a life brings joy. See how mercy changes the heart of the vilest offender and how divine truth brings meaning to human life.

After years of contemplation, the beloved disciple writes down these words,

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

In these sweet words, John testifies to the uniqueness of Jesus’ ministry: It was more glorious than the ministry of all prophets combined.  It was not aloof and pious. He was down-to-earth, touching humanity where it hurts most: the heart. He was understanding, forgiving, encouraging and most of all, loving with no boundaries. He was Lord, yet he was totally approachable.  Little children felt safer around him, women felt human again, sinners found new hope in him and the Gentiles found in him the desire of all nations.

The world needs more grace and truth. Our churches need more grace and truth. Our families will do better with more grace and truth; our personal lives will become more meaningful if we learn to be more graceful and truthful.  Jesus Christ, like in old days, walks by our crumbling human institutions, and he wills to save them, with grace and truth. Those who make a permanent room for him, become men and women full of grace and truth, and the world is blessed to have them.

– Bonifresh Muhollo

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