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THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST 10/01/2023
The book of John discusses the person and divinity of Jesus perhaps more than any other Gospel. A concept derived from John’s text is the fullness of Christ. “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace” (John 1:16). Such a concept should be carefully considered, as it holds eternal implications for believers. The most common interpretation of this verse reasons that grace upon grace is to be understood as “in addition to.”[1] The point here is that “God is wise in dispensing his ‘graces’ in small doses, so that people do not receive more than they can cope with; John is emphasizing the superabundance of God’s grace.”[2] Not only is God’s grace abundant among his people, anything else lacks, for as many have discovered in less than ideal ways, fullness and complete satisfaction is only found in Christ. My aim here is to draw four imperatives from the concept of Christ’s fullness: four imperatives that hold eternal implications.
Jesus
Is Complete; We Are Not
The
Apostle Paul contends that God’s people are continuously being made into the
image of Christ and, in fact, being transformed from one degree of glory to
another (2 Cor 3:18). Such a process is often referred to as progressive
sanctification. The idea is that although humanity is woefully sinful and
battles against the nature of the flesh, Jesus Christ begins a process of
change upon one’s salvation and a process that will continue until that person
is with Christ. The battle against the flesh is real and should not be taken
lightly. In fact, I would argue that the war waged between flesh and spirit is
even more real than the physical battles we face daily, for the spiritual
battles are eternal, while the physical battles of this earth are merely
temporal. When we fail, make mistakes, and sin, we should be encouraged by the
fact that Jesus is changing us, the evidence of which is our pattern throughout
life. Certainly, believers make mistakes, for everyone holds a fleshly nature;
yet, one who is a Christian sees the pattern of sin decrease as he or she
becomes more like Christ.
Christ is not the map to the treasure; he is the treasure; he is the prize. He and he alone is complete. Therefore, receiving his fullness is to become like him. Even at our best behavior, it is but a piece (and a small piece at that) of fullness of righteousness. Jesus alone is full and complete so any fullness we obtain is the result of Christ’s fullness. We are his; in his fullness, Jesus makes us like him, i.e. we receiving his fullness.
All
Aspects of the Gospel Point to Christ
All
aspects of the gospel point to the person and work of Jesus Christ. This
includes the gospel message found in the Old Testament, for even the covenants
of old point to Jesus Christ the Messiah. Paul says that Jesus is the new and
better Adam (Rom 5:12-21). Without seeing typologies where they do not exist,
consider that the entirety of Scripture revolves around the Messiah, Jesus
Christ. Thus, Jesus is surely the new and better Adam; yet, he is also the new
and better Moses; he is the new and better David; he is the new and better
Esther.
Consider the vast accounts found in the Old Testament text; those accounts point to one who would come who is better and offers a better way. Therefore, while Moses led the people of Israel out of bondage, one would come who would lead all of God’s people from the bondage of sin in a better way. While Esther is responsible for saving her people, the Jews, from sure destruction, Jesus saves all his people from the eternal wrath of the Father. These Old Testament (and New Testament) people who accomplished incredible works through God are merely types of the token to come in Jesus Christ. The miracles present in the Old Testament are partial compared to what is found in Jesus Christ. All blessings received on this earth are partial; yet, God’s people will experience the fullness of knowing Christ and worshiping him (1 Cor 13:12). In Christ is fullness and a fullness to which believers now have access. We may live and rest assured that the fullness of God is ours in Christ.
Jesus
Is God
To consider the fullness of Christ is to consider his position as God. The entirety of John 1 suggests that Christ is equal to the Father, for Jesus the Son is God. Other biblical accounts reveal people who were simply used by God, e.g. Moses, Abraham, Elijah; yet, only Jesus Christ is God himself. To know Jesus then is to know God. Reading Old Testament accounts of people God used in mighty ways, e.g. Moses, Abraham, David, etc. gives a glimpse into him who would come as the Messiah, for those mighty men of God are but types of the token. Fullness is found only in Christ. Even when God uses his people today, a significant reason many understand that the works completed are not of themselves is because fullness is only found in Jesus. In fact, Christians can do nothing apart from Christ. It is Christ’s imputed righteousness alone that allows believers to accomplish work for God’s kingdom. Anything done apart from Christ is lacking, for he alone is God and he alone is complete. The fullness of Christ, therefore, acknowledges that Jesus is God and nothing is done apart from him.
Only
Jesus Satisfies
As
Christians, considering these aspects of Christ’s fullness offers a plurality
of truths; yet, perhaps, the most personal truth in contemplation here is the
fact that Jesus alone satisfies. As worshipers of God, it is vital that we
realize a God who completely satisfies as nothing and no one else is able. When
we try to find satisfaction in anything or anyone else, such an object becomes
an idol; God fosters worship from his people, which means that Christian
satisfaction must only be found in him.
Such a truth is personal because so many have discovered it through searching for satisfaction in other places or people. Anything but Christ that might quench a temporary longing may only be partial. Money is partial, but Jesus fully satisfies every need. Human affection is partial, but Jesus fully satisfies all desires of love. Knowledge is partial, but Jesus offers infinite and abounding wisdom that may never be found in human devices. Everything else is partial, but Jesus is full and fully satisfies. To experience the fullness of Christ then is to know and understand that he alone satisfies every desire the human heart has and not in a mere temporary manner but eternally. Because of this, God’s grace abounds and is abundant in our lives, i.e. grace upon grace, which could never be replicated or overwritten. Jesus satisfies; God’s people have received his fullness; let us then live in such joyful reality.
[1] D. A. Carson, The Gospel according to John, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Leicester,
England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991), 131.
[2] Carson, 132.
