What was from the beginning: 1 John 1:1

1 John 1:1 Legacy Standard Bible

1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 

            John the apostle is the one who wrote the letter of 1 John. Here he opens the letter describing walking closely with Jesus Christ and being an eyewitness. Sometimes people doubt the validity of the bible. But when we look at the original disciples, we see that all apart from Jesus served Jesus faithfully after His death and resurrection. They had seen the risen Christ. All ten of them outside of John died a martyr’s death. It shows us that their lives were not built on some made up fairy tale but indeed they had not only walked and seen the risen Christ but had come to believe everything that Jesus claimed.

            What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life. The word beginning is the Greek word beginning, ruler. That which is first, either in time or in rank and authority.[1]  It doesn’t speak of time or that Jesus was created. When it speaks of beginning it states that He waws always with the Father. Jesus has no beginning and no end. He is Almighty God. Those of us who serve and follow Jesus Christ we are set apart by this truth. He is the first-born over-all creation. It is in Him that we find salvation.

            John says we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and touched with our hands. All of these things point to John being an eyewitness of Jesus Christ. When someone is at a crime scene, and they are giving an account of what has happened the people you want to talk to are those who have an eye witness account. You don’t want someone who heard what happened from someone else. In that case often the facts and information can get twisted and construed. But someone who is an eyewitness is someone who has seen and encountered firsthand what has happened. John has heard, seen, and beheld and touched the risen Christ. John not only saw Jesus and walked with Him during His earthly ministry, but John saw and encountered the risen Christ. He laid his head on Jesus’ bosom during the last supper. He referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. This man gives us a fist hand account of who Jesus is. His words can be trusted.

            Concerning the Word of Life. Who is the Word of Life? The Word of Life is Jesus Christ. In John’s gospel he writes In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Word here means word. Generally, a thing that is spoken, or a matter. In the Septuagint, this word translates the majority of instances of Hebrew דָּבָר (dābār, “word”). Like the Hebrew word, logos has quite a large semantic range. In some cases, it simply means a word or a spoken word (e.g., Matt 22:46). At other times, it expresses the related meanings of a saying (e.g., John 12:38, 48) or an account (e.g., Rom 14:12; Heb 13:17). In a number of cases in the nt, logos is used to express the idea of divine revelation. Most important for such a discussion are its uses in John 1. In John 1:1, the logos is identified with God; later in that chapter, the logos takes on flesh (John 1:14). The Gospel shows that Jesus is this logos, and is, therefore, the ultimate divine revelation.[2] Jesus is the divine revelation of Almighty God come in the flesh. Under the Old Covenant they had the law and word of God, but they had never seen God. Some had encounters with Him, but in Jesus Christ we see God fully manifested in the flesh.

            He is the Word of Life because in Him only truly life can be found. Many will claim there are many ways to God or many ways to Heaven. But there is only one way and that is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the only place where forgiveness and mercy can be found. Jesus Christ is the only place where abundant life can be found. Every person who comes to Jesus comes broken by sin. It is only Jesus who can wash all sin away, restore every broken area, give brand new life, and offer complete forgiveness. In Him we are made whole, and the purpose of John’s letter is to present Jesus Christ. As we spend time in this letter my prayer and hope are that you are encouraged, blessed, and challenge to grow in your relationship with Jesus each day. I encourage you to take time praying before opening the scripture. To look at the reflection question and meditate on what God’s word is speaking to you in this season of your life.

Prayer

Father thank you for sending Jesus. Jesus thank you for coming. Thank you for being the Word of Life. Thank you for giving us your word. Help me to understand and apply your word to my life. Help me to grow in my relationship with you. Remove from my life anything that would hinder your work. May everything in my life be used to glorify you. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

Reflection Question: How has Jesus revealed Himself to you in real ways? Today if you had to share your faith with someone, what things would you point to in your life that Jesus has brought tangible change and restoration?

[1] Randall Merrill, “Authority,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[2] Michael Scott Robertson, “Divine Revelation,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).