…if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
1 Peter 2:3*
Gracious – I’m not really sure I know what this word means in English, much less how to define it in Bible-speak.
The dictionary says that it refers to the qualities of someone who is kind and courteous, such as a gracious host. OK, it might fit, but Jesus is a lot more than just a nice guy.
The word actually entered the language with Middle English around the 1300s and was borrowed from the French. It meant “filled with God’s grace.” Now, that seems to be more like it. Jesus was certainly “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
It occurs a lot referring to God in the Old Testament especially in the Psalms. Here, there is a long string of other character traits that are linked to the gracious LORD.
“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth“
(Psalm 86:15).
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8).
“Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous” (Psalm 112:4).
“So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:13).
I think I’ve got it now. When I look at Christ with the eyes of faith, I can very clearly see the Grace of God. The Savior is filled with God’s grace which obviously makes Him Gracious.
*see also Psalm 111:4, 116:5; 145:8 and 17
March 18
