ESOCS Devotional 3 January 2025 – The Word of Life
MEMORY VERSE: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.” 1 John 1:1
TEXT: 1 JOHN 1:1-2, 6
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— 2 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—
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
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Two remarkable elements stand out in the first verse: (a) Jesus’ pre-existence, and (b) Jesus as the Word. First, verse 1 is very reminiscent of how both Genesis and the Gospel of John commence: “In the beginning….” (Gen. 1:1); “In the beginning….” (John 1:1); “That which was from the beginning….” (1 John 1:1). Jesus Christ was with God in the beginning. Before the beginning of the universe, Jesus was with God. He pre-dates everything! He is pre-existent – “That which was from the beginning … concerning the word of life….” (1 John 1:1)
Second, Jesus’ name and title, Jesus the Christ, isn’t mentioned until verse 4. Rather, John refers to Him in verse 1, as the “Word of Life.” In his writings, John sometimes uses the term logos or “Word” in a special way, as “the independent personified expression of God, the Logos.” (John 1:1-2, 14; Revelation 19:13). John’s usage of logos most likely draws on a Jewish background, in particular, as the prophetic word of God that came to prophets in the Old Testament – the Word that accomplishes God’s work (Gen. 1:1; Is. 55:11). Up to this time, the Word was abstract. Now, in Jesus, it is concrete.
Jesus is the exact expression of God’s word and will, thus He is God’s word personified. In Jesus, God expresses Himself with complete clarity: [He] “speaks the words of God….” (John 3:34); “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father….” (John 14:10); “These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me” (John 14:24).
Dearly beloved, I bring to you this morning the same word which existed from the creation of the world. As we join Apostle John as eyewitness to Gods manifestation, we also establish His authority to teach about Jesus, and declare that Jesus was a physical being – “touched with our hands” – in whom the Logos of God dwelt. For every situation you would apply this word today, may there be resounding testimonies. Amen.
CHALLENGES
- What is your understanding of who the Lord Jesus is?
PRAYER POINT
- Father, teach me to always dig deep in your words and make available your wisdom and understanding. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 2:1-end; 63:1-end; Luke 3:21-38; 1 John 2:1-17
ESOCS Devotional 3 January 2025
