Grace: God’s Unmerited Favor from Genesis to Revelation

Have you ever wondered what grace truly means in the Bible? We sing about it (“Amazing Grace”), we name our children after it, and we thank God for it.

But when we open the King James Version (KJV) and see the word "grace" page after page, what exactly is God showing us?

Let’s take a friendly journey together – from Genesis to Revelation – to explore all the facets of grace in Scripture.

Along the way, we’ll see how grace intertwines with mercy, favor, and blessing; how it empowers us to live for God; and how it’s woven into every story God tells us (with even a special pattern involving the number 5!).

What Does “Grace” Mean in the Bible?

When Christians talk about grace, we often hear the phrase “unmerited favor” – and that’s a great start.

In the New Testament, the Greek word for grace is charis, meaning a favor, a gift, or kindness, especially God’s kindness that we don’t deserve.

It’s God bending down to us with love and blessing when we haven’t earned it. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as grace is chen (pronounced “khayn”). Chen carries the idea of favor and acceptance​ biblestudylessons.net.

Think of chen as someone being pleasing or favorable in another’s eyes – like when a king is pleased with someone and shows them kindness.

In fact, chen is also translated as favour or precious in the KJV. So from Hebrew to Greek, grace is about receiving kindness we haven’t earned. It’s as if God is smiling upon us just because He loves us.

To put it simply, grace is God’s goodness toward the undeserving. Every single one of us needs that kind of grace! (I know I do.)

And the Bible is literally filled with it – the word “grace” appears 170 times in the KJV. Over 100 of those are in the New Testament, but that doesn’t mean grace wasn’t around in Old Testament times. Far from it!

Grace in the Old Testament: Foreshadows and First Glimpses

Some people think grace is only a New Testament idea, but the Old Testament overflows with God’s grace (even if the word “grace” isn’t always used). In fact, the very first time the word shows up is right before the flood: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” kingjamesbibleonline.org.

Isn’t that amazing? Humanity was drowning in wickedness, yet God looked at Noah with favor.

Noah wasn’t perfect, but he “found grace” – God chose Noah and his family to rescue, even as judgment came on the world. From the very start, the Bible hints that God’s plan has always been to save by grace.

Throughout the Old Testament, we see this grace in action. Here are a few beautiful examples:

• Moses & Israel: After Israel sinned with the golden calf, Moses prayed and said, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin…!” Moses knew their only hope was God’s grace. The Lord replied that He showed mercy and grace to whom He wills (Exodus 33:19). He even described Himself as “the LORD, a God merciful and gracious” (Exodus 34:6, KJV). Despite Israel’s failures, God’s favor didn’t abandon them – His grace carried them to the Promised Land.
• Ruth & Boaz: Ruth was a Moabite widow – a foreigner with no claim on Israel’s God. Yet when Boaz showed her kindness, Ruth was astonished and asked, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes, seeing I am a stranger?” ​kingjamesbibleonline.org. Boaz’s generous favor (allowing Ruth to glean grain and ultimately redeeming her as his wife) is a touching picture of God’s grace. Ruth did nothing to earn Boaz’s favor; it was undeserved kindness – just like the grace God extends to us through our Redeemer, Jesus.
• Esther: A young Jewish girl becomes queen of Persia – how? Scripture says Esther “obtained grace and favour in [the king’s] sight” above all others. God’s hidden hand of grace positioned Esther to save her people. Her story shows grace can promote and protect even in the most unlikely circumstances.
• David & Mephibosheth: King David sought to show kindness (grace) to the family of his late friend Jonathan. He found Mephibosheth, a crippled man who considered himself “as a dead dog.” David brought him into the royal palace to eat at the king’s table continually – an honor Mephibosheth could never earn. This compassionate act (2 Samuel 9) is grace illustrated: the king giving a royal inheritance to someone who expected judgment or rejection. (In many ways, it’s a reflection of our story with God!)

These are just a few of many stories. Whenever you see words like favor, kindness, or mercy in the Old Testament, you’re often seeing God’s grace in action.

God was lovingly gracious back then too, pardoning sinners, rescuing the undeserving, and giving victories to His people. All of this was laying the groundwork for the ultimate act of grace to come.

Grace and Truth Came by Jesus Christ

Fast-forward to the New Testament, and grace takes center stage through Jesus. John 1:14 describes Jesus as “full of grace and truth.” And John 1:16 joyfully declares, “And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace”.

That phrase “grace for grace” can be understood as grace upon grace – like an ocean wave of grace that just keeps coming.

In Jesus, God wasn’t stingy with His favor; He lavished grace on us, one blessing after another. The next verse contrasts the eras: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” kingjamesbibleonline.org.

Under the Law, we saw our sin and our need. But in Jesus, we see God’s gracious answer to our need. Jesus lived out grace everywhere He went. He touched lepers, ate with sinners, welcomed outsiders, and forgave even the worst offenders.

Think about the woman caught in adultery (John 8) – the Law said she should be stoned, but Grace Incarnate said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Or recall Zacchaeus, the despised tax collector – Jesus’ gracious visit to his house led to a transformed life. Over and over, those who had done nothing to deserve God’s love (and knew it) received love overflowing from Jesus.

The Ultimate Proof of God’s Grace Is the Cross

We deserved punishment for our sins, but Jesus took that punishment for us. It’s like the acrostic some use for G.R.A.C.E.: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.

On the cross, Jesus paid the price to give us the riches of God’s forgiveness and eternal life. No wonder we call it amazing grace!

Romans 5:8 puts it like this: “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

That is unmerited favor of the highest order. And when Jesus rose again, it was God’s gracious gift of new life triumphing over our old life of sin and death.

Now, Through Jesus, Grace Is on Full Display

Ephesians 2:8-9 famously says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”.

We can’t earn salvation; we simply receive it by trusting in Jesus. It’s a free gift. If you’ve ever received an unexpected gift, you know the mix of joy and humility you feel – Really? This is for me? That’s how salvation is.

God is essentially saying, “I love you and I want you to be Mine forever. I’ve done everything needed – just believe and accept it.”

Isn’t it relieving to know we don’t have to strive or prove ourselves worthy of God’s love? Grace means God’s love is a settled offer, given freely in Christ.

Living by Grace: Grace for Daily Christian Life

Grace doesn’t stop at the moment we get saved. It’s not as if God said, “Alright, I won’t punish you – you’re forgiven. Now you’re on your own, good luck.” No way!

The same grace that saves us also teaches and empowers us every day.

Titus 2:11-12 says: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly…”.

Did You Catch That? Grace Teaches Us

It’s like a patient mentor, helping us grow. Rather than using guilt or fear to motivate us, God’s grace changes our hearts from the inside.

When we realize how kind He has been to us, we want to please Him. Grace makes us eager to do good works, not as a payment but as a thank-you offering (Ephesians 2:10).

Of course, there’s a flip side: some might misunderstand and think, “Well, if I’m under grace, I guess I can do whatever I want, right?” Paul anticipated that.

He writes in Romans 6:1, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” and his answer is “God forbid!”.

In other words, no way! If we truly “get” grace, we won’t want to keep offending the One who loved us so much. Grace isn’t a free pass to sin; it’s the power to overcome sin.

Think of it this way: Mercy withholds the knife we deserved, and Grace hands us a lifeline and says, “Let me help you up.” When you know God has been that gracious to you, it changes how you live.

You find strength to say no to temptations that used to hold you, and you find a new desire to reflect Jesus in your attitudes.

The Apostle Peter Encourages Us to “Grow in Grace” (2 Peter 3:18)

– which implies we can keep experiencing more and more of God’s favor and transforming power as we walk with Him.

On a practical level, living by grace means a few things for us as believers:

No more performance anxiety before God.

You don’t have to wonder each day if you’ve prayed enough, read enough, or been good enough for God to love you. He already loves you perfectly in Christ. You can live in the security of that grace and serve Him from a place of peace. (What a relief, right?)

Approach God with confidence.

Hebrews 4:16 invites us: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”.

Because of Jesus, God’s throne is a throne of grace, not judgment, for His children. When you pray, you can be sure God’s heart is open to you. Need help or forgiveness? Run to Him, not away. Grace means His door is always open.

Extending grace to others.

If God has been so kind with us, we’re called to be kind and gracious with each other.

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you,” Paul writes (Ephesians 4:32).

A grace-filled life will create a gracious spirit in us toward family, friends, even enemies. We start to see others through God’s eyes – as souls in need of the same grace we received.

Real-life application: the next time someone wrongs you, remember how much God forgave you, and let that grace flow through you to them. It’s not easy, but God’s grace enables us to forgive and love supernaturally.

So, grace saves us, and grace shapes us into the image of Christ day by day. It truly is our lifeline from beginning to end!

Grace in the Lives of Biblical Figures

One thing I love about the Bible is that it doesn’t just define grace – it shows it through stories of real people.

These stories invite us to see ourselves and be encouraged that the same God of grace is at work in our lives. Let’s look at a few snapshots, almost like a “family photo album” of grace:

Paul (formerly Saul of Tarsus):

If there’s anyone who showcases the depth of God’s grace, it’s Paul. He literally persecuted Christians, hauling them to prison. He considered himself “the chief of sinners.”

Yet Jesus met him in mercy, knocked him off his horse (talk about tough love), and turned him into a chosen apostle. Paul never got over that grace.

He wrote, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). God’s grace not only forgave Paul, but empowered him to labor abundantly for the Gospel.

Paul’s life shouts one thing: No one is beyond the reach of God’s grace! If God could love and use a man like Paul, He can love and use you and me, no matter our past.

Peter:

Bold, impulsive Peter – he swore he would never deny Jesus, but then did it three times in one night. Imagine the crushing guilt he felt. Yet after the resurrection, Jesus specifically sought out Peter to restore him.

Three times Jesus asked, “Do you love me?” – giving Peter three chances to reaffirm the love he once claimed so confidently.

Jesus then charged Peter, “Feed my sheep,” effectively saying, “I still have a plan for you.” That is grace. Peter went on to become a pillar of the early church, not by his own strength, but by the grace of God.

In fact, Peter later wrote about “the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, [make you] perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10).

Peter knew from experience that God’s grace restores and strengthens the broken.

The Prodigal Son (Luke 15):

Though a parable Jesus told, it’s worth mentioning because it paints one of the clearest pictures of grace. A young man rebels against his father, wastes his inheritance in sinful living, and hits rock bottom.

Deciding to return home, he plans to beg just to be a servant in his father’s house.

But what happens?

“When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran... and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

The father throws a celebration for this unworthy son, reinstating him with robe, ring, and sandals – symbols of full sonship. The prodigal didn’t get a lecture or “I told you so”; he received a warm welcome and a feast!

This is Jesus’ portrait of our heavenly Father’s grace toward anyone who turns back to Him.

It’s lavish, undeserved, and joyous. (If you’ve ever felt you’ve failed God one too many times, remember this story – God’s grace is ready to run toward you, not push you away.)

The Thief on the Cross:

Talk about waiting until the last moment. Here’s a man being executed for his crimes next to Jesus at Calvary. In his final hours, he simply says, “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.”

And Jesus replies, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Wow. This thief could offer Jesus nothing – no good works, no church attendance, not even a proper life to show for.

But he received salvation in an instant by grace through faith. This shows us it’s never too late to turn to Jesus and that none of us can boast. From first to last breath, we rely on grace alone.

These stories (and so many more) let us feel grace, not just understand it. The people of the Bible were as flawed and human as we are.

Their victories were by grace, and their failures were met by grace. It’s the same for us today. God’s grace writes the story of our lives, too, as we trust in Him.

Grace and Its Closely Related Friends: Mercy, Favor, Blessings

Sometimes all these beautiful biblical words can get jumbled, so let’s pause and clarify how grace relates to a few other concepts:

Mercy:

If grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve (favor, forgiveness, blessings), mercy is God not giving us what we do deserve (judgment, punishment). They are two sides of the same coin, often mentioned together.

Hebrews 4:16 (we saw earlier) speaks of obtaining mercy and finding grace to help. We need both!

Imagine a judge sparing you from a deserved sentence (mercy) and then also paying your fine and welcoming you home as family (grace). Our God does both through Christ.

The KJV sometimes uses the phrase “lovingkindness” – that carries both mercy and grace in it.

The Psalms repeatedly say, “the LORD is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalm 145:8).

We can rejoice that He is merciful and gracious – He cancels our debt and fills our bank account with His goodness.

Favor:

Favor is essentially a synonym for grace. In fact, many verses in the Old Testament use favor for the Hebrew chen. When someone had God’s favor, they had His grace upon them.

For example, when God answered Moses’ plea for His presence to go with Israel, He said, “Thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name” (Exodus 33:17).

Some modern translations say “found favor.” Favor is being on someone’s good side. Through Jesus, we are on God’s good side permanently!

It’s worth noting: Jesus Himself “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

If our Lord experienced living in the Father’s favor day by day, how much more do we need that favor (grace) active in our daily lives?

Blessing:

Blessings are the gifts or outcomes of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:3 says we have been “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.”

That’s another way of saying God’s grace has given us every good thing we need in Jesus. When you think “blessing,” think of something good that comes from God’s favor.

Even in the Old Testament, the great priestly blessing given to Aaron was soaked in grace-language: “The LORD bless thee and keep thee; The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee” (Numbers 6:24-25).

God’s gracious shining face is what produces the peace and blessings that follow. So grace is like the cause, and blessings are the effects in our lives.

All these words – mercy, favor, blessing – are like different flavors of God’s love. Grace just happens to be the blanket term that often includes them all.

To someone who’s hurting and feeling unworthy, grace says, “You are loved and valued.” To someone who’s guilty, grace says, “You are forgiven.” To someone who’s weak, grace says, “I will strengthen and help you.”

And often, when God gives grace, He is also showing mercy (pity on our misery) and sending blessings (tangible help or joy). Praise God, He doesn’t just give us one aspect of His love – He pours out the full package!

Symbols and Pictures of Grace in Scripture

The Bible not only talks about grace, it paints pictures of grace through symbols and metaphors that stick in our minds. God knows we sometimes need a visual or tangible analogy to grasp spiritual truths. Here are a few powerful images connected with grace:

The Throne of Grace:

We mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating. In the Old Testament, God’s presence was symbolized by the Mercy Seat on the Ark of the Covenant – a place where blood was sprinkled for atonement.

It was a shadow of what was to come. In the New Testament, with Christ’s sacrifice completed, we’re told to approach God’s throne with confidence because it’s a throne of grace.

Think about a throne… usually a symbol of power and judgment. Yet for God’s children, His throne is defined by grace. That means the King who sits there is ready to extend scepter of favor toward us.

This image invites us to pray boldly. Next time you pray, picture entering a grand throne room – but instead of fear and trembling, you see a warm smile on the King’s face. That’s the reality in Christ!

The Torn Veil:

When Jesus died on the cross, the huge veil in the Temple (that blocked off the Holy of Holies) was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom. That wasn’t just a random miracle; it was loaded with meaning.

It signified that the barrier between a holy God and sinful man was removed.

We now have direct access to God’s presence by grace. In essence, the torn veil is the opening of a new and living way (as Hebrews 10:20 puts it) to draw near to God.

It’s as if God tore down the “keep out” sign and threw open the doors of His house, saying, “Come on in, I want to be with you!”

If you’ve ever felt distant or unworthy to be close to God, remember that torn curtain. It’s a symbol, shouting through history that grace has made a way for you to enter in.

Overflowing Cup:

King David famously wrote, “My cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5). While he doesn’t use the word grace there, what a picture of the effect of grace! God doesn’t just give us a drop or half-cup of blessing – He fills our cup to overflowing.

That’s grace: abundance. Jesus demonstrated this in the feeding of the five thousand, where a little boy’s lunch of five loaves became enough to stuff thousands of people, with basketfuls left over.

God’s grace always proves more than sufficient for our need. Paul experienced this when he begged God to remove a painful “thorn in the flesh.”

God’s answer was, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul concluded, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

In other words, when we are weak, God’s overflowing grace supplies strength. We may feel empty, but He will fill our cup every time – and then some.

Jesus feeding the five thousand is a vivid illustration of God’s grace: abundant provision when we have nothing of our own. With just five loaves and two fish, Jesus satisfied the hunger of a multitude, and there were twelve baskets of leftovers – truly “grace upon grace”.

This miracle shows us that God’s grace meets our needs with room to spare, reminding us that we can always trust His generous heart.

Adoption:

The New Testament talks about believers receiving the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15). In the Roman world, adoption was a powerful concept – an adopted child was deliberately chosen and given full rights of inheritance.

This becomes a metaphor for grace. God didn’t just forgive us and say, “Okay, you can go free now.” He went further and said, “I want you in My family.”

He gives us His Spirit, by which we cry, “Abba, Father.” Imagine a poor orphan being adopted by a king – overnight, the child’s status changes from destitute to royalty, all because of the father’s choice. That’s what God did for us.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1). Our identity is completely transformed by grace.

We go from strangers to beloved sons and daughters. (Whenever you feel unsure of your identity or worth, reflect on this: you are a chosen, adopted child of God – not because you earned it, but because He set His love on you.)

There are many other symbols we could explore

• The Passover Lamb (Jesus, by whose blood we are spared)
• The Year of Jubilee (debts forgiven, slaves freed – a year of grace every 50th year in Israel)
• The Headstone/Capstone crying “Grace, grace” in Zechariah 4:7, pointing to the completion of God’s temple not by might, but by His Spirit.

Everywhere we look, God has embedded signs of His grace so that we would recognize it and remember it.

The Number 5: The Signature of Grace?

Throughout the Bible, certain numbers seem to pop up with symbolic significance. One of those is 5, which many see as the number representing grace.

This isn’t some secret code or magic trick; rather, as we look at how 5 is used in various places, we notice a pattern of goodness and favor associated with it. Here are a few fascinating examples to consider:

Five Loaves (and Two Fish):

We just talked about Jesus feeding the 5,000. It’s no coincidence He used five loaves of bread. That number 5 (multiplied by itself into 25 loaves’ worth of provision if you will) shouts grace.

In fact, John 1:16, “grace for grace,” has often been paraphrased as “grace upon grace,” which reminds us of 5 × 5, or 25, symbolizing grace multiplied.

The result of that miracle was sheer grace: everyone fed to the full, not by their work, but by His power.

Abraham’s Negotiation:

In Genesis 18, Abraham humbly interceded for the wicked city of Sodom. He asked if God would spare the city if 50 righteous people were found, then 45, then 40... He drops the number by five twice in a row (from 50 to 45, then 45 to 40) and then switches to tens.

In total, Abraham petitions the Lord five times on behalf of the city’s people. Though ultimately Sodom didn’t have even 10 righteous, Abraham’s persistence shows a desire for mercy – a grace outlook.

Some commentators have noticed the pattern of fives there and seen grace at work in Abraham’s heart (and indeed, Lot’s family did experience God’s grace in being led out).

Joseph’s Story:

If you love the story of Joseph (Genesis chapters 37–50), you’ll appreciate how many times the number 5 shows up in his saga – always in contexts of favor. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver (that’s 5 × 4).

Later, when he’s exalted in Egypt, he gives his brother Benjamin five times as much food as the others, and later Benjamin gets five changes of clothes and 300 pieces of silver (300 = 5 × 5 × 12).

Pharaoh himself showed favor to Joseph’s family by having them choose any part of the land and sending wagons – an overflow of grace neither Joseph nor his brothers earned.

It’s as if the narrative is winking at us with every mention of “five,” saying, “See? God’s grace is at work!” By the end, Joseph forgives his brothers (total grace) and saves them from famine.

They found grace in his eyes because of who they were – his brothers – not because of what they had done (which, frankly, was pretty awful toward him).

This points us to how we receive grace because we’re now Jesus’ brothers and sisters, part of His family, not because of our merit.

Tabernacle Measurements:

When God gave Moses the blueprint for the holy tabernacle in the wilderness, the number 5 was all over it. The curtains were 5×28 cubits, the boards were 10 cubits high and 1.5 wide (all divisible by 5), 5 bars held the boards, etc..

The altar was 5 cubits by 5 cubits. Even the anointing oil had quantities like 500 shekels, etc. It’s as though the entire structure where God would dwell among His people was imprinted with 5’s – a dwelling built on grace.

The lesson: approaching God has always been based on His grace, even in the sacrificial system. Those sacrifices were a grace-filled way for sinful people to come near a holy God (ultimately pointing to Jesus’ sacrifice).

The Fifth Hebrew Letter (ה “He”) and Names:

Here’s a neat nugget – in Hebrew, the fifth letter he (which also represents the number 5) is often linked with God’s grace in rabbinic thought.

For instance, Abram’s name was changed to Abraham (adding the letter he) when God made a covenant of grace with him, and Sarai became Sarah. It’s as if God “added” grace to their very identities.

The letter he in ancient script looks like a window or an open breath – rabbis say it signifies the breath of God or revelation.

Indeed, grace in our lives is like the breath of God giving us new life. (This is more of a fun fact than a doctrine, but it does make you go hmmm!)

Whether or not we catch all these number patterns, one thing is clear: God is a God of order and meaning, and nothing in Scripture is arbitrary.

The recurrence of 5 in contexts of favor and blessing is a wink from God reminding us “I’ve got grace woven into everything.”

The more you study Scripture, the more these little gems pop out and enrich your appreciation for God’s master design.

Grace Foreshadowed and Fulfilled: From Type to Reality

The Old Testament is not just a collection of stories; it’s like a trail of arrows all pointing forward to Jesus and the grace He would bring. We’ve touched on how Noah’s ark, the sacrificial system, and certain people (like Boaz or Joseph) prefigure Christ’s work of grace.

Let’s zoom in on a couple of my favorite foreshadows and see their fulfillment in the New Testament:

Joseph – A Type of Christ’s Grace:

We saw how Joseph showed grace to his brothers. In many ways, Joseph’s life mirrors Jesus’.

Joseph was rejected by his own (his brothers sold him), endured suffering, and later rose to a position of savior (providing grain in famine) and lord (second to Pharaoh).

When his brothers came, guilty and afraid, Joseph forgave them and said, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20).

Doesn’t that sound like the cross?

The people meant it for evil, but God meant it for the saving of many lives. And what did Jesus say on the cross? “Father, forgive them…” Ultimate grace.

Joseph even provided for his brothers because they were his family, not because they deserved it – just as Christ grants us His riches because we are now “joint-heirs” with Him.

The parallels are stunning. It’s as if God gave us a living preview of Jesus’ forgiving grace centuries beforehand so we’d recognize it when the real thing came.

The Passover Lamb:

On the night before Israel left Egypt, God instructed each household to kill a spotless lamb and put its blood on their doorposts. When the destroyer saw the blood, he would “pass over” that house, and the firstborn inside would be safe (Exodus 12).

That lamb’s blood didn’t mean those inside were sinless; it meant they were under the blood, under grace, so judgment wouldn’t touch them.

Fast forward to the New Testament: *“Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover lamb. His blood, applied to our hearts by faith, causes God’s judgment to pass over us. We are saved from wrath through Him.

Every year the Jews celebrate Passover as a remembrance of deliverance by grace – and Christians can celebrate communion/Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of an even greater deliverance by grace.

When Jesus lifted the cup and said “This cup is the new testament in My blood, shed for you for the remission of sins,” He was instituting a grace-covenant far surpassing the old.

The Old Testament Exodus was about rescue from physical slavery; the New Testament Exodus (through Jesus) is about rescue from spiritual slavery. Grace upon grace!

Prophecies of Grace:

The prophets often mixed words of warning with words of hope – and those hope messages usually centered on God’s grace bringing salvation.

One beautiful prophecy is Zechariah 12:10, where God says: “I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him…”

This foretold a time when people who had rejected the Messiah would be moved to repentance by God’s Spirit of grace.

We see a glimpse of fulfillment in the New Testament: after Jesus was pierced on the cross, many in Jerusalem were “pricked in their heart” and repented in the book of Acts.

And many believe a fuller fulfillment is yet to come when Israel as a nation recognizes Jesus and turns to Him. Either way, notice that God’s approach is to pour out grace to bring about change. Grace leads to true repentance – it melts our hearts rather than hardens them.

Another prophecy: Isaiah 53, the famous chapter about the suffering servant, doesn’t use the word grace, but it’s essentially a portrait of grace. “He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities… and with His stripes we are healed” – could there be a clearer picture of undeserved favor?

We get healing and peace, He got punishment. That’s the great exchange of grace, prophesied 700 years before Christ and fulfilled perfectly in His passion.

Types of Christ’s Grace in Institutions:

Even some Old Testament institutions were grace pointers. The Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25) was every 50th year (notice the 5 and 10 multiple) where slaves were freed, debts canceled, and land returned to original families.

It was essentially a societal “reset” where people got back what they lost – a fresh start provided by God’s command.

When Jesus began His ministry in Nazareth, He read from Isaiah a passage about proclaiming liberty to captives and “the acceptable year of the Lord” (which alludes to Jubilee),

...and He said, “Today this scripture is fulfilled” in their ears. In other words, Jesus is our Jubilee – He came to set us free from spiritual slavery and cancel the debt of sin against us.

What an awesome foreshadowing that every half-century, Israel got a taste of widespread grace!

Similarly, the cities of refuge in Israel (Numbers 35) – six cities where someone who accidentally killed a person could flee to and be safe from revenge – those were like little grace havens sprinkled through the land.

They portray how Christ is our refuge; we flee to Him and find safety from the avenger of blood (God’s justice).

These types and shadows all whispered, “Grace is coming…hold on.” And in Jesus, every whisper became a shout of good news!

When we step back and see this grand tapestry, our faith is strengthened. We realize the Bible isn’t disjointed at all – it’s one beautiful story of redemption.

Grace was threaded through every page, finally revealed in full color when Jesus arrived. What a faithful God, to plan our salvation so meticulously and lovingly over the centuries!

Responding to Grace: Gratitude and Encouragement

By now, our hearts might be overflowing (our cup running over, you could say) with the magnitude of God’s grace.

The question is: How do we respond? God certainly wants us to receive His grace – first for salvation, and then daily for every need. But beyond receiving it, He invites us to live it out and share it.

The Apostle Paul in Romans 12:1 urges, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice…”

Essentially, in view of God’s mercies (grace), give yourself fully to Him. The logical response to lavish grace is lavish love and surrender. Not to earn favor, but because we already have it.

Think of a child who receives a wonderful gift from her father – her natural impulse is to hug him and say thank you. Our obedience, worship, and service are like that hug and “thank You” to God for His indescribable gift.

Perhaps you feel overwhelmed – in a good way – by the truth that God’s grace has covered your past, empowers your present, and secures your future.

Is this all really for me? you might wonder. Yes, dear friend, it is. God sees you, knows you by name, and His grace is personally directed at you. You’re not a face in a crowd to Him.

Remember how He told Moses, “I know you by name, and you have found grace in My sight”? He says the same about each of His children.

Maybe you’re walking through a tough season right now. Life has its trials – health struggles, financial worries, family heartaches. It’s easy to feel discouraged or alone.

But grace means you are never alone and never without help. *“God is able to make all grace abound toward you” (2 Corinthians 9:8) – meaning whatever the situation, He can give you the precise grace you need to endure or overcome it.

Sometimes we think, I can’t handle this. And maybe that’s true in our own strength. But there is grace available for every challenge.

It might come through a timely Scripture that gives you peace, or a fellow believer who encourages you, or a door of opportunity opening unexpectedly.

Stay on the lookout for those tokens of grace. They are God’s love notes to you in the middle of the mess.

Also, don’t underestimate the impact of your grace-filled life on others. When we show kindness undeserved, forgive the hard-to-forgive, or give generously without strings attached, people notice.

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Grace is that light.

In a world where so much is transactional (“you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”), showing grace stands out as something from another world – because it is; it’s from God’s kingdom. You might just open someone’s heart to the Gospel when they experience God’s grace through you.

Finally, allow yourself to delight in grace. Sometimes long-time Christians can get so used to talking about grace that we lose our wonder. Let’s never do that.

Take time to personally thank Jesus for His grace toward you – name specific ways He has shown you favor.

Perhaps start a gratitude journal and list daily “grace sightings,” whether big (salvation, family, health) or small (a kind word from a friend, a beautiful sunset that lifted your spirit).

Gratitude keeps grace fresh and sweet in our minds. It keeps us humble too, remembering every good thing is a gift, not a brag.

Grace is the heartbeat of our faith.

It assures us that on our best days and our worst days, God’s love for us doesn’t wax or wane – it is steady, fixed on favor because of Jesus. It motivates us to pursue holiness not as a heavy duty, but as a joyful response.

And it gives us hope that when we stumble (and we will stumble), we can get back up and run to our Father, not away from Him, just like the prodigal son did.

In a very real sense, we “stand” in grace (Romans 5:2) – it’s the firm ground beneath our feet as believers.

So, my dear fellow believer, be encouraged. The grace that saved you is with you right now. If you’ve drifted or grown cold, that grace is calling you back with open arms. If you’re strong and rejoicing, that grace is what’s enabling you and will keep you.

Every morning when you wake up, you can say, “God, thank You that Your grace is sufficient for me today.” And every night when you lay down, you can say, “Thank You, Lord, for the grace that carried me.”

This is the life we get to live – a life utterly dependent on and infused with the grace of our loving God.

In the end, grace isn’t just a concept – it’s Jesus Himself loving us freely. And because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, His grace will never run out on you.

Let that truth sink in, let it comfort you, and let it inspire you to draw nearer to Him than ever. After all, as John Newton – a man who knew a thing or two about God’s mercy – wrote: “Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” Amen.