1:15
This verse parallels v6-8 in the chiasma. In the earlier part we are told that John the Baptist was not the light, but was a witness to the true light. In this verse we get the core of what John the Baptist taught. John declared that Jesus was the Messiah. The use of the term “cried out” stresses the importance of what John said.
“He who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.” Jesus was greater than John, so any notion of following John the Baptist was frankly silly. John the Baptist was a few months older than Jesus, but “was before me” could be a reference to the pre-existence of Jesus. There is no direct evidence of John knowing about the pre-existence of Jesus, but given that he knew that Jesus was infinitely greater than he, we cannot rule this out.
1:16
In verse 14 we read that Jesus was full of grace and truth. Out of this fulness we have all received grace. Some translations have “grace upon grace”, the literal translation is “grace in place of grace” (as NIV). Taking this latter translation it could mean that the grace received in Christ replaces the grace given under the Law. This is why the Message mentions Moses in its version of this verse. Grace was not a new concept, for the Law and the Prophets, rightly understood, was based upon grace.
The word grace will not be mentioned again in John, though the concept and the practical reality abounds.
It is out of the fulness of Christ that we receive grace. It is no use having a “bit of Jesus”, taking one aspect of Him and expecting to get any benefit from that. It is only when we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Christ that we receive the fulness of His grace. Remember that in the synoptic gospels Jesus on a number of occasions says that we must love Him above all else.
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