JESUS IS REAL

SCRIPTURE:

“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. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you that we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.”  (1 John 1:1—4)

OBSERVATION:

John wrote his eyewitness experience of his encounter with Jesus.  Jesus was from the beginning.

• Which we have heard
• Which we have seen with our own eyes
• Which we looked at
• Which our hands have touched

John was NOT alone in this encounter with the Word of life.  He said “WE” indicates that the disciples had a close-up encounter with Christ.  John continues to say that.

• We have seen it
• We have testified to it
• We proclaim it

John’s purpose in writing this to the believers who are his audience is to encourage them about the reality of life in Jesus.  John’s testimony urges believers to the reality of who Jesus is.  Jesus is not a fabricated story, but a real person, encountered by the earlier disciples.

Every believer must have a real encounter with the WORD OF LIFE.  Every believer MUST HAVE FELLOWSHIP with the Father like John and the other disciples had.  Every believer must have a personal FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER and His SON JESUS CHRIST.  Every believer must share their experience with Jesus with others.

John’s message is a great reminder that my faith is NOT built on just a belief but on an ACTIVE relationship and fellowship with the Father, and His son Jesus Christ.  Like John, we are encouraged to share the testimony of our fellowship with Jesus the Word of God that has changed our lives.  I may not see Jesus in the flesh, but His WORD is with me.  I must make time to fellowship with his word daily.  The Word Of Life is with me, and I must make time to fellowship with Jesus over his word.  His word lives in me, he is my light and life.

APPLICATION:

What a great reminder by John.  I will continue to make time daily to fellowship with Jesus’ word.  So often I forget the importance of spending time meditating on Jesus’ words of life.  Daily, I will continue to discipline myself to spend time to hear his wisdom and receive his word in my life.  I desire to fellowship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus my savior daily to hear his wisdom, correction, and encouragement, and be led by his Spirit to his truth.

PRAYER:

Jesus, teach me how to be silent and sit before you to hear and to be taught by you.  Teach what to value in our time together daily.  Teach me how to walk with you in such a way your testimony is something I love to share with others.  Fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit and lead me to walk in your truth.  Help me to make it a joy to spend time with your word.  Amen!