READ: John 1:1-4
… from the beginning, which we have heard,… seen, … looked upon, and … handled, concerning the Word of life— … and we … witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us … that you also may have fellowship with us; and … with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.… that your joy may be full. – 1 John 1:1-4
John writes here to a congregation, possibly Ephesus. There, some denied the deity of the Lord Christ. This false teaching undermines His mediatorship and work of reconciliation. The reconciliation and salvation of all are thus at stake. Meanwhile, these heretical members had left (1 John 2:19), but the danger remains that their false teaching has found acceptance in the congregation.
The apostle immediately rejects this false teaching. He and the other apostles, as eyewitnesses, have seen the Son of God and His miracles, and heard His preaching as from God in tangible human form (v.1). Think also of the transfiguration on the mountain. John has irrefutable proof that Jesus is the Son of God (see also John 1:14).
He points out that Christ as the Son of God existed “from the beginning” of time (cf. John 1:1). Through Him, God created and sustains the world (John 1:3, Col. 1:16-17, Heb. 1:2). All things have their existence in Him.
In Him is true life, the light. He was with God, and He was God: God from God, Light from light (see Nicene Creed). He was life (John 1:4). And He was and is Himself eternal life “with the Father” (v.2).
The Son is in direct communion with God the Father and, just like the Father, is the Source of all life (John 5:26). God the Father expresses Himself from eternity through Him as “the Word.” We can know God only through the Son (Col. 1:15). Eternal life thus comes through the Son to all who believe in Him, as eternal communion with God. Reason for unspeakably great joy (v.4, 1 Pet. 1:8-9)!
When do we experience the joy of verse 4?
Singing: Ps. 111:2