READING: 1 John 1:1-4:6
It seems appropriate on this Christmas Eve to be reminded of Jesus’ coming to earth. In today’s reading, John begins his letter with phrases and images that confirm Jesus’ incarnation through what John and other early believers (likely, the apostles) experienced with Him. In fact, he drives home this truth by recurrently noting their own experience with Jesus.
They were eyewitnesses who had heard, seen, observed, and touched Jesus. In fact, John four times speaks of “seeing” Jesus, and twice within these verses he refers to their seeing and hearing Jesus (1 John 1:1, 3). In addition, they had heard the message from Him.
John’s motive for sharing this news was his desire for his readers to have fellowship with other believers—all who ultimately had fellowship with the Father and the Son. They wanted others to enjoy the fellowship they had with Him.
You and I cannot often speak about such experiences of hearing and seeing Jesus directly, but we can nevertheless know Him personally and deeply—and look forward to when we will be those who see and listen to Him.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you give much thought to Jesus’ incarnation?
DAILY PRAYER: “Lord, I praise You for coming to live among us.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 John 4:7-5:21
