St. John begins his first letter in a tone of wonder and awe. “We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life...” John and the other apostles have seen the Word of Life in person, the One Who was from the beginning, before the beginning, from all eternity, but has appeared in time. They have seen Him with their own eyes, looked at Him, touched Him. The Incarnation really happened. God really became Man, and they have been in the closest of contact with Him. This is amazing, truly marvelous, and John can't seem to emphasize it enough.
John goes on to explain that “this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us...” Jesus is Life, and Life walked on this earth in person. John can and does testify to that. He declares that the Eternal Life was with the Father and has been revealed to us. Jesus has come among us to give us eternal life, to give us Himself.
John and the other apostles “declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” This fellowship is koinōnia, communion, the intimate sharing of life and love. Because Jesus, Who is Life, has given us eternal life, we have entered into communion with Him and with the Father and with all who share in this eternal life.
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