#DailyDevotion Jesus Is The Eternal Life Of God In The Flesh

Monday Easter 2

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

 

John begins his epistle much like his Gospel, “from the beginning.” With this he connects us to the beginning of the world in Genesis. For the same one who spoke creation into existence, who is the Word through whom everything was created is that word of life John is talking about here. For the creation the word of life made was very good. Now John is testifying that this word of life has become one of us.

 

He was with God in the beginning and was God and is God. Now he is human, the Creator taking on creation to redeem it. John was with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry as were most of the apostles. They can testify that Jesus was not a phantasm, a ghost or a spirit. They were taught by Jesus. They touched Jesus. They ate with Jesus. They saw him with their own eyes, crucified, dead and raised from the dead, then ascended to glory.

 

Through Jesus’ ministry his teaching and his signs manifested him as the one who is the Life of the world. Because he gave up his life for the world now we may possess this life, eternal life through faith in him. Those who heard and seen what he taught and did can testify that Jesus is God manifest in the flesh who came into the world to save the world. Jesus is eternal life.

 

Throughout John’s Gospel he shows how Jesus consistently taught that if you trusted in Jesus for your salvation, if you believed him and his works, then you possess eternal life now and in the world to come. Jesus was one with the Father in word and deed. He was made manifest as the promised seed of the woman, the seed of David, the Lord of Israel in the flesh as promised. This eternal life was manifested in to the apostles in the flesh of Jesus.

 

Now he is proclaimed to you that you may believe in Jesus and have eternal life in Him. You have heard how Jesus died and on the third day rose again never to die again. His death and resurrection is your salvation if you believe he did this for you, and he did. He came into the world to save the world. You are part of this world so he came to save you and give you the gift of eternal life, the life he has had with the Father from the beginning. He gives it to you now as a free gift. Rejoice in it.

 

Heavenly Father, Jesus was with you from the beginning and through him you made all things. You sent him to us to redeem us, save us and give us faith that we may have a share in his eternal life. Grant us faith always that we may possess this life now and forevermore. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.