1 John Episode 1 - "That Which We Have Heard, Seen and Touched"

In Episode 1 of this series on 1 John, we introduce the epistle by exploring its historical background and purpose. We examine how John's opening words connect with the Gospel of John, emphasising that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who was heard, seen and touched by eyewitnesses. Discover how John's message invites us into genuine fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and how that relationship brings lasting joy, assurance and confidence in our f

Transcript

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Welcome to episode one of our journey through the first and second epistles of John. Over the coming weeks, we're going to slowly work our way through these remarkable letters, discovering not only what John wrote to believers nearly two thousand years ago, but what the Holy Spirit is saying to us today. As I've often found over many years of following Jesus, some of the deepest truths in Scripture are also some of the simplest. John's letters are not complicated theology for scholars. It's a pastoral letter from an elderly apostle to believers he dearly loves. His desire is that they know Christ, remain in the truth, love one another, and live with confidence in their relationship with God. In this episode, we're looking at 1 John 1 1 to 4, the opening verses of this beautiful letter. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled concerning the word of life, the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us, that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. Before we begin looking at these verses, it's worth asking a simple question. Why did John write this letter? By the time John wrote first John, he was probably the last surviving apostle. Peter had been martyred, Paul had been executed, James and the other apostles had long since died. John was now an old man, probably living in Ephesus, caring for the churches in Asia Minor. The church had grown enormously. Thousands had become Christians, but new problems had also appeared. False teachers were beginning to spread ideas that sounded spiritual but actually undermined the gospel. Some claimed Jesus wasn't truly human, others suggested that what we do with our bodies doesn't really matter because only the spirit is important. Some believed they possessed a secret spiritual knowledge unavailable to ordinary believers. Others were causing division by separating themselves from the churches. John writes to protect believers from these errors. But notice something beautiful. He doesn't begin by attacking the false teachers. He begins by talking about Jesus. That tells us something important. The best way to recognize counterfeit teaching is to know the genuine Christ. One of the first things you'll notice is how closely this letter connects with the opening of John's Gospel. Listen to the opening of John's Gospel. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Now listen again to 1 John, that which was from the beginning. John deliberately echoes his gospel. Both books begin by taking us back beyond Bethlehem, beyond creation itself, before time began. John wants us to understand that Jesus didn't begin his existence in a manger. He is the eternal Son of God, the one who was with the Father before the world existed. But while the gospel introduces us to who Jesus is, the epistle reminds us that this eternal son entered our world and became someone who could actually be heard, seen, watched closely, and even touched. John is saying I didn't hear stories about Jesus. I walked with him. I listened to him. I watched him. I touched him. This isn't second hand religion, it's eyewitness testimony. John doesn't immediately use the name Jesus. Instead he says that which was from the beginning. He's speaking about Christ's eternal existence. Jesus wasn't created, he has always existed with the Father. This echoes John's gospel, where Jesus is revealed as the eternal word. It's also a reminder that Christianity isn't based upon human philosophy. It's founded upon God's eternal Son entering history. John now becomes intensely personal. We have heard Marseille imagine listening to Jesus teach, hearing the Sermon on the Mount, listening as he calms storms, watching him comfort grieving families, hearing him say, I am the Good Shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life. John heard every word. As I reflect on this, I'm reminded how privileged we are. We may not have physically heard Jesus as John did, but through the scriptures his voice still speaks. Over the years I've discovered that one of the greatest joys of following Christ is learning to recognize his voice through his word and by the work of the Holy Spirit. Even after decades of walking with him, his word continues to encourage, correct, and strengthen us. That relationship with him becomes richer, not weaker with time. John repeats the idea of seeing several times. This repetition isn't accidental. False teachers were beginning to deny that Jesus truly came in human flesh. John responds, I saw him, not once, not briefly. For over three years he watched Jesus become tired, hungry, weep, laugh, pray, sleep, heal, teach, die, and then rise again. John isn't presenting theories, he's presenting history. Our hands have handled. This may be one of the most remarkable statements. John actually touched Jesus. He leaned against Jesus during the Last Supper. He saw him crucified. After the resurrection, Jesus invited the disciples to touch him. The risen Christ wasn't merely a spirit or an illusion, he was physically raised from the dead. This becomes incredibly important because our salvation rests upon a real incarnation, a real cross and a real resurrection. If Jesus didn't truly become human, he could not truly bear our sins. John then describes Jesus as the word of life. Again, we're taken back to John's gospel. Jesus is God's final revelation, he is the living word. But John adds another wonderful description. He calls him the life, not simply someone who gives life, he is life itself. Eternal life isn't merely living forever, it's knowing Jesus Christ. As Jesus Himself said in John's Gospel, this is eternal life that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Christianity is therefore centered on relationship, not merely religion. Eternal life begins the moment we come to know Christ. It is a present reality before it is a future hope. John tells us exactly why he's writing, so that you also may have fellowship with us. The Greek word for fellowship is koinonia. It means sharing together, participation, close relationship, partnership. Christian fellowship isn't simply enjoying one another's company, it's sharing together in the life of Christ. John says our fellowship is ultimately with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Everything else flows from that relationship. When we remain close to Christ, we naturally grow closer to one another. John's final purpose is beautiful, that your joy may be full. Notice he doesn't say happiness. Happiness depends upon circumstances. Joy depends upon Christ. Over the years I've met believers who have experienced illness, grief, financial hardship and enormous personal loss, yet there remained a deep joy within them. It wasn't because life was easy, it was because they knew the one John is writing about. Their circumstances changed, but Christ did not. John wants every believer to experience that same deep assurance and joy that comes from knowing Jesus personally. These opening verses remind us that Christianity is built upon historical reality. Jesus truly came, he truly lived, he truly died, he truly rose again. John isn't inviting us to believe clever ideas. He's inviting us into fellowship with the living Christ. In our own generation, there are many voices competing for our attention. Some question who Jesus really is, others reshape him into someone who fits modern culture. Still others reduce Christianity to a set of moral values or spiritual experiences. John's answer is simple. Come back to the Jesus who was heard, seen, touched, crucified, and raised. The authentic Christ is the foundation of authentic faith. That same invitation is open today. We too can know him, walk with him, hear his voice through his word, experience his presence, and discover the joy that only he can give. Thank you for joining me for episode one. In the next episode we'll continue into 1 John 1 5-10, where John introduces one of the great themes of this letter. We'll explore what it means to walk in the light, the reality of sin, confession, forgiveness, and living honestly before God. Until then, may you continue to grow in your fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. God bless.