Thursday, August 8, 2024

The Word of Life is Communicable (1 John 1:2b-3a)

 

EVENING SD FOR 08-08-2024

 

My Worship Time                                                   Focus:  The Word of Life is Communicable”

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                    Reference:  1 John 1:2b-3a

 

            Message of the verses:  “and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also,”

 

            We continue to talk about the Word of Life and for John, that which was manifested to him—the Word of Life—became the basis for his proclamation of truth.  John just wanted to tell others about this and that is why he is writing this epistle.  John had a privileged life while he was in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that was for three years that he had this great privilege.  It was not a private experience to elevate him above others who were not so blessed, as if he were somehow one of God’s “favorite sons.”  Rather, his privilege became the platform for his responsibility and his mandate, as an apostle and eyewitness, to bear witness, to testify of the truth as seen in John 20:30-31; and 21:24, to those, including his readers, who had never seen Jesus. We will now look at these three verses:  Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”  “24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.”  Because of his widespread reputation as one who had been with Jesus as an apostle, John was a true and also a credible witness (“35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36 For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, "NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN." 37  And again another Scripture says, "THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED’” John 19:35-37).  As we know there were other New Testament books written by apostles or their associates which also present eyewitness accounts of Jesus and the truth of the gospel.  The other Gospels do that as seen in Luke 1:1-4 (“1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3  it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; 4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”)  Next we can look at Acts 1:1-3 to compare with the verses in Luke, as Luke wrote both books (“1 The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2  until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. 3  To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.”)  Another comparison comes from 2 Peter 1:16-21 (“16 For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased" — 18 and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21 for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”) So we have seen verses from 1 John, John, Luke, Acts and 2 Peter to make tis point.

 

            I will complete this SD by quoting from John MacArthur who also will quote from a man named John R. W. Scott in the second paragraph.

 

            “The apostle John knew that the matter of communicating the Word of Life was not an option but a command.  The content of the message was not to be hoarded but its unchanging truth declared far and wide.  Commenting on this passage, John R. W. Scott provided this key perspective:

 

‘The historical manifestion of the Eternal Life was proclaimed, not monopolized.  The revelation was given to the few for the many.  They were to dispense it to the world….He [Christ] not only manifested Himself to the disciples to qualify them as eyewitnesses, but gave them an authoritative commission as apostles to preach the gospel.  The author [John] insists that he possess these necessary credentials.  Possessing them, he is very bold.  Having heard, seen and touched the Lord Jesus, he bears witness to Him.  Having received a commission, he proclaims the gospel with authority, for the Christian message is neither a philosophical speculation, nor a tentative suggestion, nor a modest contribution to religious thought, but a dogmatic affirmation by those whose experience and commission qualified them to make it.  (The Epistles of John, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1964], 61, 62-63, emphases in orginal).’”

 

8/8/2024 7:55 PM

 

 

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