Jesus Exemplifies

Jesus Exemplifies

John 1:14-17, NLT

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. 15John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” 16From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

Setting the Scene

John the Baptist (the “John” referred to in verse 15) acknowledges that Jesus existed long before him. From Luke 1:26, we learn that Elizabeth, John’s mother, was six months pregnant when Gabriel made the grand announcement to Mary. So John was born at least six months before Jesus. But John knew that Jesus was much more than his blood relative through Mary; Jesus was the eternal Son of God, the Messiah. Truly Jesus is far greater than John and Moses and any other Old Testament prophet or king. John submitted himself to Jesus and sent his followers to him.

Because Jesus is God, he is perfect in every way. He is the perfect example, so we should look to him for an example of how to live. He is the perfect teacher, so we should listen to him and learn about God, morality, relationships, the meaning of life, and the future. He is the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling the requirements of the law, becoming sin, and dying in our place, so we should rest in him alone for salvation.

The apostle John affirms this by saying that Jesus was “full of unfailing love and faithfulness” and that he had given his people “one gracious blessing after another.” That is, John had never found Jesus lacking in any way. John’s description invites us to trust Jesus’ ability to meet our needs. All believers receive Christ’s blessings, but nothing can deplete Christ. No matter how much we receive of him, he keeps on giving. We don’t need to seek any other source of spiritual power but Christ.

Getting Personal

What gracious blessings have you experienced because you know Jesus?

What other spiritual sources have you been tempted to consider recently (in the media, in books, in conversations)?

The author of Hebrews gives the secret to running the race of life. He says, “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NLT). Jesus is the initiator and the perfecter of our faith. He is all we need.

What helps you keep your eyes focused on Christ?

Talking to God

Thank God for the “gracious blessings” of his unfailing love and his faithfulness. Ask him to expand your vision of his glory and keep your focus on Jesus.