Jesus Christ: Superior to the Law
16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17
By way of introduction, as we are studying John one thing to keep in mind that in Jesus’ time the Pharisees were the prominent religious group; they were law-keepers, those who thought that they were honoring God by keeping and teaching the Law.
The problem is that for all their teaching of the law they, themselves, were law breakers and hypocrites. Jesus said in Matthew 23:25, Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25 The religion of the Pharisees, then, was an external religion, focusing on appearance, behavior; looking good on the outside, but entirely neglecting matters of the heart and thought life.
And in reality the religion of the Pharisees, is every other religion except Christianity, which is not focused on law and rules, but rather on Jesus Christ, who is full of grace and truth. This type of religion that focuses on the law, on the dos and don’ts, is a hypocritical religion. It is a religion that requires others to measure up, demands others to meet the standard, but does not do so itself. It is a religion that is externally focused, caring more about appearance and behavior than hearts and lives.
I want to say something to you very clearly this morning: this type of religion has no part in Christianity, and it has no part in our lives. True Christianity is about extending God’s grace to those who fail, loving those who sin, forgiving those who do wrong, restoring those who fall, and then teaching them how to live. It’s about grace and truth: Jesus!
So now we come to our text for today and immediately we see a comparison, and this comparison is the subject of the sermon. Note the comparison in verse 17: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
The comparison is between Moses and Christ; between law, and grace and truth, or between law and the gospel. Now, when we talk about this comparison, I do not want to say that these two are in opposition to each other, as if to say law is bad and grace is good. That is not true. They both serve a good purpose; the law to show us our sin and condemnation, grace to show the pardon and salvation that is in Jesus for everyone who repents and believes. So the law is good and necessary; its stated purpose is to show us how horribly wicked and ungodly we are by birth, that is, to magnify sin so that we might despair of ourselves and be led to Jesus for shelter and safety.
So John brings a comparison to our hearts and minds, a comparison between Moses and Christ, between law and gospel. So I want us to take this comparison a little deeper, so that we might understand more fully the benefits of being in Christ. Look at 2 Corinthians 3. In 2 Corinthians 3 we will note the comparison very clearly:
7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! 10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. 11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! 12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Here we have a comparison and contrast. It is a contrast of the letter and the Spirit, law and gospel. Let’s take a closer look and examine the law. Look at verse 7; it calls the law “the ministry that brings death.” You see, human beings are not able to keep the law perfectly, and James says that if we break the law in one point we are guilty of breaking all the law; and the law says that law breakers must be put to death. In essence the law says “be perfect or die.”
Now notice verse 9; it calls the law “the ministry that condemns.” So the law is a ministry of death and damnation. If we look at the law with its requirements of perfection, its standards of flawlessness, there is not one of us who measures up to it; the law condemns us. The law represents the character of God and, as such, it requires our perfection. The problem is we are born with sin natures, unable to keep the law, and so the law condemns us to death. It is a ministry of death and condemnation. You remember that when the law was first given through Moses that 3,000 people died soon thereafter. I mean, as soon as the law was given there was immediate death; whereas, when the gospel was preached at Pentecost, 3,000 people were made alive and joined with the church. That’s the contrast.
Now, why call this a ministry? I mean, I’ve actually never heard of someone starting up a ministry to those who are in need of death and damnation. See, it is a ministry to us when we consider that the law is designed to lead us to the cross where we might find forgiveness and pardon and life. So it is indeed a ministry as it points out our need of Jesus Christ. Who needs a doctor, except those who know they have a fatal disease and who need a Savior, except those who know they are condemned to death? That’s the value of the law, it shows us our need.
Now look at verse 14; it tells us that the law also brings dullness or darkness. “their minds were made dull” or rather like the KJV “their minds were blinded,” “for to this day the same veil remains when the Old Covenant is read.” If I were to put a veil on you right now, things would become dark, and you would be practically blind. That is what focusing on the law brings. It brings death and damnation and darkness. But it’s a glorious ministry as it points to Jesus, who was condemned in the place of all believers and died our death.
Now let me just make this practical to us: let’s just think in terms of local churches for a minute. One of the worst possible tragedies that can happen to a church is that they begin to focus on law, rather than gospel. Law is synonymous with condemnation and death, and they put the veil of darkness over their people. What happens, is the church attempts to motivate people through threats of the law, and they become very behavior oriented; maybe it has to do with what we wear, or the kind of music we sing, or what we are allowed to do in our spare time. And a subtle spirit of legalism comes in and people start getting focused on externals, looking good, sounding good, presenting an image of “having it all together.” This is a church that instills fear, brings bondage, lacks joy, and promotes sin. Yes, law-oriented churches actually promote sin. 1 Corinthians 15:56 says, “The power of sin is the law.” See churches that are law-based, that attempt to keep the lid down tight on sin and control behavior through law, discover that sin pops out the sides, shows up here and there, because law gives power to sin. And in comes pride and quarreling and division, as the body of Christ comes under this influence of condemnation, blindness, and death. What has happened to this church? The law has begun to permeate where grace and truth should be reigning. Churches should be built on Jesus, Who is full of grace and truth. He is so wonderful, so beautiful, that if I could I would set HIM right here before you to look at, and turn us away from legalism and bondage and bickering.
Does this mean that the law is our enemy? No. The law is a ministry to us. The design of the law is to show us how bad we really are, to convince us that we cannot please God by our own efforts, that we are not capable of perfect obedience, so that we might then experience condemnation and guilt and a fearful expectation of judgment.
Whoa, wait a minute; we are supposed to experience condemnation, guilt, and fear of the judgment? What happened to being joy-filled? The law is a ministry of condemnation, a ministry of death. Why? The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24
When it says “the law was put in charge” it is the word for a “schoolmaster,” or one that would take children by the hand and lead them safely to school. The law, with its condemnation and death, takes us straight to Jesus where we are saved and justified through believing in Him. Oh how marvelous this is, that just by simple faith in Jesus, and repentance of our sins, we escape condemnation and judgment and wrath. What a contrast this is: the law requiring our death and damnation, the gospel condemning Jesus in our place, and putting Him to death instead of us.
So we’ve looked at the Law that came through Moses; now let’s look at the grace and truth that comes through Jesus. Look there at verse 9; it says the New Covenant is a ministry that brings righteousness. The law condemns; the gospel brings righteousness. Look for a minute at the perfect life of Jesus Christ. He never once sinned, He lived a completely righteous life; and when we repent and believe, His righteous life is credited to our account, as if we had lived His life ourselves. This is amazing! But this is what Romans 5:10 says “How much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.” All believers are viewed as law-keepers, holy and righteous, because His life counts for our life.
But not only His life for our lives; His death is also credited to our account. So that by His life and through His death we are declared righteous: “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son.” Romans 8:3 The law was powerless to make us righteous, so God sent His Son to live for us and to die for us, so that all who believe are declared righteous. Abraham believed God and it was credited to Him as righteousness. The law condemns; the gospel provides righteousness.
But look at verse 17; Christ not only provides righteousness but also release from the Law, freedom from bondage. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Through believing the gospel, we are declared righteous and we are released from bondage. Churches that focus on law are bound up in rules, in appearances, in rituals. Jesus releases us from all that; liberates us from bondage to the law and puts us under grace. Oh how I love being freed from condemnation and freed from bondage, and how I love being with Jesus.
But Christ not only provides righteousness and release, but also radiance. Look at verse 18: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
So let me apply this for a minute: in a church that turns away from law-focus and turns to the Lord, there comes a gracious righteousness, a liberating release, and a glorious radiance. As we focus together on Christ and His gospel, we begin to be transformed into His image, becoming people who love grace and truth.
Through Moses came death, damnation and dullness; through Jesus comes righteousness, release and radiance. What a comparison this is. Now, let’s complete this comparison by looking at Hebrews chapter 12. We’re comparing law and grace today, and Hebrews 12 gives us a visual comparison between the two; and this visual image is presented in the form of two mountains. Note the comparison as we read:
18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned." 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear." 22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:18-24
We see the law as a mountain burning with fire; this is obviously Mt. Sinai, where the law was given, and note verse 18; the mountain was filled with darkness, gloom and storm; that’s the Law. Then it says that the people do not wish to hear God’s Word. You can see that in verse 19, and the stated reason why they don’t wish to hear the Lord is because they cannot bear what was commanded. We can’t keep God’s commandments. We cannot bear them. God is too holy and we are too sinful and, therefore, we do not delight in His Word. It condemns us, it frightens us. That’s verse 21, “the sight was terrifying” so that Moses was “trembling with fear.”
The law not only fills us with darkness and gloom, but also with terrifying fear. It thunders forth from a mountain on fire, commanding us that which we cannot bear and terrifying us, making us tremble with fear. Kids, if you are drawing the sermon, draw a mountain that’s on fire and Moses quaking in his boots, and label it LAW. See, this whole scene shows us that we cannot approach God on that mountain. We can’t even come near to Him through the Law. The law is like the angels with flaming swords, barring guilty Adam from access to the tree of life. In other words, our best efforts to be good will not grant us access to His presence. This whole mountain scene shouts “stay away.”
But look at the next mountain, called Mt. Zion, which is another name for the dwelling place of God or the city of God, and vs. 22 says we come to a joyful assembly. As opposed to those filled with darkness and gloom, this church is joy-filled. Why? What do they have to be so joyous about? Vs. 23 says God is there. They’ve come to God. Under the law, people couldn’t come to God; but under the gospel, we come to Him. On what basis? We come to God on the basis of a Go-between. That is the word in verse 24 for Mediator, one who reconciles. Look at Job 9:32-34:
32 "He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. 33 If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both, 34 someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Job 9:32-34
Jesus is the One who arbitrates between God and us. He puts His hands on us both and brings us together; He removes God’s rod, His wrath, His punishment from us by taking the punishment for us. God struck His Son, and wounded Him, put Him to grief and caused Him to suffer, for us! This is the cause of our joy. We have an Arbitrator, a Go-between. See this joy-filled church is God-exalting and Christ-centered.
But not only is our joy in God and in our Go-between, but also in His grace. That’s verse 24, that Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. When Cain killed Abel, God said Abel’s blood cried out to Him. It cried out for vengeance, for punishment, for condemnation. It says, “You must pay!” That’s the law! But the blood of Jesus speaks a better word: it speaks of full pardon for those who sin, of forgiveness and grace, of clemency and mercy and freedom and life. The blood of Jesus says, “I paid for you!” The law is like the blood of Abel, it condemns and calls for our death, but the blood of Jesus pardons those who do wrong, forgives their sin, and releases them from all guilt. The Law came through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Let me make this personal to us for a minute by asking this: “Are you under law or under grace? Do you believe that God will accept you based on how well you do, or based on what Jesus did for you?” If you are under law and condemnation, I invite you to turn to Jesus, look at the cross, hear Him pray for you, “Father forgive him.” See Him die for you, taking all your condemnation upon Himself, pouring out His life’s blood to completely cover all your sin, and then fall to your knees in repentance, and submit your life to Him as Lord.
Now let me apply this to Christians: what are our homes like? Men, do we rule our families with law and order, or do we lead them in grace and truth? Are our homes places where parents threaten their children with thunderings from Mt. Sinai, trying to motivate them by fear, or do we display Calvary love? When we have to discipline our children do we discipline under the law and in anger, or do we discipline in love, and grace, and humility?
Our homes should be havens of grace and truth, where forgiveness is the norm, where we do not treat each other as our sins deserve, where we speak the truth in love, and our kids know that we discipline in love. Our lives, our homes and our church should be characterized by grace and truth.
There was a man once whose life was full of pride and anger, and sinful lust and immorality. He was characterized by bitterness; he hurt his family by constantly requiring them to live up to a standard that he, himself, didn’t even come close to, and everybody walked on eggshells around him fearing his next outburst of rage. He was under condemnation and guilt, trying to earn God’s favor by his own efforts, and it drove him to despair. But one day he looked at the cross, saw the wounds of Jesus for him, saw His blood flowing freely to cover his sin, saw Him die to forgive him and to buy him back from sin, and this man fell to his knees in sorrow over his sin, received the grace of God into His heart, began asking other people’s forgiveness, began forgiving others and bearing with them in their weaknesses. That man was me.
We end up where we began, with John 1:16 which says: From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16
Here are a few of the blessings for believers that we have seen today: We have complete and total forgiveness of our sins, the removal of all our guilt and shame, freedom from condemnation and death, righteousness through faith in Jesus, release from bondage to the law and, therefore, we are can be a joy-filled assembly of people who are not under law, but under grace, whose names are written in heaven.
