The beginning (1 John 1:1)

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

 

I want you to notice that the one who writes this is a man intimately acquainted with your saviour.

Matthew, when you read this, these very words, you are only one step removed from Jesus himself. This man touched Jesus, reclined against him, spoke to him, laughed with him. he gazed in awe as his master healed blind men and lepers. When Jesus cooked on the beach after the resurrection, this man smelt and tasted the fish. He is the man to whom your Lord entrusted the care of his very own mother. This man is someone who was not only in 'The twelve' but was in 'The three' and describes himself as 'The one Jesus loved'. Only one step removed from Jesus himself! How amazing is that? This man is someone you want to listen to, Matthew.

 

And look how convinced John is! This man he hung out with must have been something special. I know you know that, but stop looking through your Christian-eyes, Matthew. Think what that would have been like for a devout Jew like John. What would it take to convince him that this flesh and blood, meat and two veg human that he spent these years with, was the eternal word, pre-existent before creation, giving life to all? When did he realise? Was it only once he had risen from the dead? Think about that. How phenomenal would that have been. The realisation that not only was this a Holy prophet, but that he was God the son, the incarnate one. And he, John, had lived with him for three years, and seen some mind-blowing stuff.

 

This Jesus was from the beginning. As John states in his gospel, he was with God and he was God. Woah. That gives you chills.

I think Matthew you are going to have to listen to what this man has got to say.  Don't skip through it like you usually do. Don't just use it to get affirmation on social media. Linger with this a while. Spend some time in the company of the words of the man who was the disciple Jesus loved. Put your ear to his lips, because those lips proclaim the words his own ears heard from Jesus' lips. And you love him, Matthew. He is the one you love and his words are life.

 

Now settle in. What does John proclaim concerning him?