I find the apostle John to be an intriguing character. The Bible holds five of his writings (the Gospel of John, his letters creatively titled 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, and the book of Revelation), most of which serve as some of the most interesting books of their type found in the Scriptures. What I like about John is mostly learned in his Gospel account (gospel means "good news", so in essence it is Johns account of the good news of Jesus Christ). John lovingly refers to himself as "the one Jesus loved" or as the guy who is faster than Peter. I like that. It's real. It's arrogant. What I also love is that John is an artist. You see, I am not an artist. I like art, but creation does not come naturally to me. When you read his writings everything is not chronological and orderly, rather things seem to be placed more poetically or artistically. Sometimes I'm not quite sure what John is saying, kind of like when I read poetry.That's cool. I like that.
With all that said, lets jump into 1st John (it's the letter near the back of the Bible on page 743 if you've got our Renovatus black Bibles). This letter was written when John was very old. I imagine him sitting at some old rustic wood desk with a quill and parchment leaning awkwardly on the table because of the pain in his back. With all his years of mission work, of leadership, of imprisonments, of service for his beloved friend Jesus fresh in his mind he has sat to write to his church in Ephesus. He has spent many years in this city as their elder and now people have begun to teach things that question the very foundation of John's life. These people (or "false prophets" as John calls them) are callled Gnostics. Gnosticism doubts the true nature of Jesus. Because, in thisbelief system, nature and humanity were at it's core flawed and corrupt. The Absolute Supreme Being (God) is unknowable. Jesus, therefore, could not be God in flesh, because matter is evil. Therefore, Gnostic's, believe that when the man Jesus was baptized, the spirit Jesus descended on him and lived and worked through him until shortly before the man Jesus was killed. This is, by far, an oversimplification, but it will due for now.
This was what John's most loved church in Ephesus was beginning to accept as truth, a 'truth' that John vehemently disagreed with.
With all that said, let's interact with John's words:
John 1:1-4
The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen.
We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is Jesus
Christ, the Word of life. This one who is life from God was shown to us, and we
have seen him. And now we testify and announce to you that he is the one who is
eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was shown to us. We are
telling you about what we ourselves have actually seen and heard, so that you
may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his
Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy will be
complete.
Here is our goal:
- What connections can we make between the way John started his letter and what we know about its recipients?
- What are you first impressions of John's words? Knee jerk reactions?
- If you have knowledge or insight please share them
- If this reading brings up thoughts or questions please share them
- And let's never forget the application. If we don't let God's words change our behavior we'll make baby Jesus cry. What does application look like? How? Why?
Please comment freely.
