Jesus: “The Word of Life”

Please enjoy and meditate on “The Word of Life” from the pen of Pastor Phil Newton of the South Woods Baptist Church of Memphis, Tn. It is brought to you by The Inverted Christian @

 https://www.invertedchristian.com/post/stand-still-and-hear-the-voice-of-the-lord-god

“The Word of Life”

“What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life. . .” (1 John 1:1–4).

John’s opening words in this epistle take aim at those who deny that Jesus the Son of God, eternal and infinite, came as a human being to do the work of saving a people to enjoy fellowship with God. While he aims to give assurance of eternal life for those believing in the Lord Jesus (5:13), he must first dismantle the voices and arguments of those who claimed that Jesus only appeared to become a human. John asserts, the eternal Word the Son came into the world to become part of the human race out of which He would save a people to be with Him forever.

He declares Jesus’ eternality, that He didn’t come into existence. He has always existed since He is God. “What was from the beginning,” carries the tone of Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1, testifying to God as the only eternal being who created and rules over all things. This One, John explains, entered into human existence in the act of incarnation. He was born as every other person; He faced the same needs as every other human to eat, sleep, grow, develop, and relate to others. He was no figment of the imagination as a spirit being. No, John says, “What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life.” Whatever a mere spirit might be it is not touchable as was Jesus. They listened to Jesus, had conversations with Him, saw Him as He scattered dust with His feet along the Galilean roads. They sat eye-to-eyeand looked at Him. They touched Him as would happen in the warmth of human relationships, hands on shoulders, grasping His arm or neck in an embrace of friendship. Here, “the Word of Life” they testified was a true human person while at the same moment, He existed as “the Word of Life” (the Logos who is God, John 1:1–4), the person of Deity. Does John unravel the great mystery of God becoming man? No, who can fathom the wonder and depth of such mercy shown to sinners, that the same God offended and declaring judgment against us has come as Savior of sinners? He just testified of its veracity, calling Jesus “the Word of Life,” the eternal God manifested as the Author and Giver of Life.

Then, in what may capture the incarnation stories in Matthew and Luke, while summarizing John’s prologue declaring the Incarnate Son, John writes, “And the life was manifested.” He who originated human life and who promised eternal life, He was manifested or made known. For centuries, the prophets foretold “A Son will be given to us,” “the virgin shall be with Child,” “from you [Bethlehem] One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel, His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity,” and “and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come into His temple.” Now, “the life was manifested.” John amplifies, “And we have seen and testify and proclaim to you eternal life.” This God has come, the same who is the Word of Life, who in His person as the God-Man, Creator-Redeemer, is “eternal life.” The hopes of the ages are found in Him. Who can give himself eternal life? None! But the One “which was with the Father [showing distinction in personhood] and was manifested to us [the incarnation]—what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also.” Here is the apostolic authority given by Jesus for us to hear of Him who is eternal life. Why this proclamation? John explains, “So that you too may have fellowship with us.” And to clarify what this life together means, “And indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” The Life was manifested. Jesus Christ has come. By faith, we fellowship with the Godhead and the redeemed.