John 1.1-18 is one of the most profound sections of scripture. Indeed, one of the most wonderful pieces of writing in all history. And it has come to us from outside of time, from the Word, who was ‘in the beginning.’
At His coming, we read that the world did not receive Christ, nor did His people, the Jewish nation. Yet He made Himself known. To those who did receive Him, He made them sons of God. Here is divine persistence, grace that will be known, even when the recipients were unwilling. Christ was sent into a sinful and ungrateful and rebellious world, and to an ungrateful and rebellious nation. Christ gave His life for such as these. It was indeed while we were still sinners that Christ died for us; and, when we were His enemies, that He reconciled us (Romans 5.8,10).
On coming into the world, Christ became flesh; He became fully human. His glory, seen in this perfect humanity and perfect deity, was full of grace and truth.
And we have received the fullness of His grace, one blessing after another, or ‘grace upon grace’ (v16). Genesis 22.17 contains a similar use of repetition; ‘in blessing I will bless you’. Divine blessing is multiplied; such is the nature of grace. This grace comes from the Father through Jesus Christ.
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (the phrase is repeated in v14, 17). Such qualities run through all His words and His works and His relationships. And, by implication, His followers walk in His ways of grace and truth.