A Devotional Thought on 1 John 1:1-4

1 John 1:1-4 (English Standard Version)

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Where does the Christian faith begin? Some would say in a backwoods Roman province. Others would point to Old Testament stories like the burning bush or Abrams covenant with God. John, the beloved disciple, begins with the beginning. Before the very foundations of the world.

One of John’s big ideas is the divinity of Christ. His gospel, first epistle, and apocalypse all focus attention on his divine, eternal nature. In this passage, Jesus is from the beginning, experienced by John and his companions, and is the eternal life. Jesus is the basis for all John is teaching. He is the basis for the social fellowship in which John finds himself. Jesus is the basis for John’s joy.

Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by all those shiny things that exist in the world. Focus your attention on something that transcends time and space. Focus your attention on Jesus Christ. In so doing, your joy will be made complete.