And The Life Was Manifested: 1 John 1:2

1 John 1:2 Legacy Standard Bible

2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—         

John begins this letter focusing on Jesus Christ. He says and the life was manifested. John’s life was forever changed the day he met Jesus Christ and began to walk with Him. John came to know eternal life through knowing Jesus Christ. Jesus fully became man so that He could take our place and take the wrath and punishment we deserve. The righteousness of God had to be satisfied and His wrath was poured out fully upon Jesus. The word manifested means reveal; make clear. To appear (in sight) — to come into sight or view.[1] The life John speaks of is Almighty God. In Jesus Christ God became manifest. Before Christ came many who read the scriptures had thoughts concerning God and what He may be like. But in Jesus Christ we see the fullness of God made manifest with the express purpose that we would come to know Him and be saved.

And we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life. John as an eyewitness has come to bear witness and proclaim the eternal life that is found in Jesus Christ. The word witness is the Greek word martyreō and it means bear witness, testify. Refers to giving accurate information about which a person has direct knowledge.[2] John is able to give a first-hand account because he walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry. He ate with Jesus. He lived with Jesus. He was at the foot of the cross when Jesus died and heard every word Jesus spoke from the cross. He ran to the empty tomb and saw first-hand that the stone was rolled away and it was empty. He was in the room when the Living Christ appeared. This isn’t some made up fairy tale that John has, but all that he writes is led and guided by The Holy Spirit.

The word proclaim is the Greek word apangellō and it means announce; report; tell. To bring back message — to inform someone of someone else’s message; sometimes without any definite idea of the message’s source.[3] The message concerning Jesus Christ burned with in John. He was commissioned by God to announce this message that if anyone would hear and put their trust in Jesus Christ, they would find eternal life. What is eternal life? Eternal life is knowing Christ personally. It is ruling and reigning with Jesus Christ. This world is not our home and every day our focus and aim must be to abide in Jesus Christ. It is in abiding in Him that we will be transformed and changed. May our hunger for Him and His kingdom exponentially increase daily.

Which was with the Father and was manifested to us. Jesus has always been with the Father. He is eternal. It is through Jesus Christ that all things were created and by His word all things are held together. The Father and The Son have always been one. Jesus was manifested to us. When Jesus came, He fully became man. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary, used the physical egg in Mary’s body and by the power and might of The Holy Spirit the baby began to grow. In Jesus Christ we have one who fully understands us because He has walked in our shoes. Everything we need is found in Christ alone. May our lives be built upon sound doctrine and may we truly commit to be students of God’s word.

Prayer

Father thank you for your grace and mercy. Jesus thank you that you came. Thank you that you have provided eternal life. Thank you that our salvation is not based on works or performance, but it is solely based on what you accomplished at Calvary. Jesus help me every day to honor and glorify you in all things. Use my life for your purposes and plans. Holy Spirit fill my life, lead, guide, direct me in all things. May the fruit of The Spirit and the gifts of The Spirit be manifested. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

Reflection Question: What does eternal life mean to you? What were the events that surrounded you coming to Christ? Have you shared this with anyone recently? If not what is holding you back from proclaiming to others the eternal life found in Jesus?

[1] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).

[2] G. D. Taylor, “Testimony,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[3] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).