“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we saw 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 may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete.” -1 John 1:1-4
John, often known as the beloved disciple, lived with Jesus for almost three years. He witnessed Jesus preach, teach and perform miracles as they traveled from village to village. As John witnessed Jesus life, he became more and more aware that Jesus was the great revelation of God’s love. Jesus was God come to live among God’s people.
John was one of the youngest of the disciples. He spent his early life, learning at the feet of Jesus. He dedicated the rest of his life to share with others what he had witnessed in Jesus. He told the world about God’s great love and grace that was Jesus. He reminded everyone who would listen that, “In him was life and that life was the light of all people.” (John 1:4) John is said to have lived to sometime around 98 AD. From the time he met Jesus, until his death, the disciple John told everyone he could about Jesus and how God’s love changed his life.
It was John’s hope that all would experience the great joy he had in Christ Jesus; that all would come to know God as a God of love and grace, evident in the life of Jesus. John also knew that when we came to know Jesus and God’s abundant love we would also find deeper and more meaningful relationships with one another. John spent his days telling the world about Jesus and God’s love because he knew that faith in God’s love made all the difference in the world. Who can you tell about Jesus and God’s love?
“I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – Jesus (John 10:10)
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
