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NIV is used unless otherwise noted.



Grace upon Grace

For from his [Jesus’] fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
John 1:16


Would you like for me to let you in on a secret?

The secret to a perfectly frosted cake is two applications of frosting. First, spread a thin layer of frosting over an assembled layer cake. Fill in the gaps between the layers and fill in any uneven places with a little amount of frosting. The main goal is to catch all the crumbs; therefore, the name “crumb coat”. Allow the cake to sit for a while or place it in the freezer until the crumb coat has hardened.

Next, lavishly spread the rest of the frosting on top of the cake. This second layer is easier to spread and generously applied. No more crumbs to worry about! The cake was prepared for the final layer with the first one. Feast your eyes on the gorgeous cake and then indulge.

The phrase, “grace upon grace” is similar in concept to frosting a cake, but has eternal benefits. The first grace of “grace upon grace” was Moses giving the Law which mirrors the light of God. Moses points to grace and reports the words of God to us in preparation for the last grace. Christ brought us the fullness of grace and truth and performs grace. Jesus is the Word of God. Jesus is the Light of God. John is contrasting Christ with Moses in John 1:17-18 in order to explain it for us.

Do you see a bit of comparison between the two layers of frosting and the two kinds of grace? But the cross where Jesus’ blood completely covered all of our sins is much more beautiful than any perfectly frosted cake!

Grace enabled us to see Christ for who He really is and is the supernatural power of God regenerating us.

It’s no secret that Jesus’ covering of blood was absolute in finishing His work in us.

Jesus, You are the Word throughout the Bible. Thank you for allowing us, your children, to continuously receive grace upon grace.

Karen Sims

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