I John Chapter 1
These letters were written by John the son of Zebedee who also wrote the gospel of John and the book of Revelation. John like Peter has a lot of important truths he wants to share with us because he was there when Jesus, the Son of God walked this earth. He was an eyewitness and knew Jesus personally, so his words are very important to future generations.
John wanted us to understand that these truths are eternal, that Jesus is eternal. The words “from the beginning” refer to Christ’s existence before the creation of the world.
Let's Reflect
1. What does the gospel of John say about this beginning? See John 1:1
Now compare it to I John 1:1 and what do you see that John called Jesus in this verse?
This name for Jesus found in John 1:1 and I John 1:1 is so important. For the Jew, God was often referred to as “the Word” because they knew that God perfectly revealed Himself in His Word (Logos). The Greek philosophers had spoken for centuries about the Logos – the basis for organization and intelligence in the universe, the Ultimate Reason which controls all things. [Enduring Word Commentary]
John is saying that this Logos that we have been talking about, worshipping and writing about for so long – we saw Him (the Word), we walked with Him, we touched Him. He is God.
2. John wants to proclaim the truth of the eternal Jesus who is of the eternal Father so that we can have what with the Father and His Son?
3. These people had been waiting so long for the Messiah to come, and He did. John was right there when Jesus was there. What emotion should they be filled with knowing that the Messiah had come as was promised?
Micah 5:2But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
4. In this relationship that we have with God we must recognize that God is holy, there is no darkness at all. If we are to have fellowship with God, we too cannot have darkness. We need to believe that Jesus is the mediator who can give us fellowship with Him and with the Father. This relationship with God the Father was unheard of. People did not have a relationship with God until Jesus came and did what?
5. There will be times in our life when we will sin, what do we need to do to restore our relationship with God?
