“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— 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—that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” 1 John 1:1-4
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-4,14
John the apostle had a keen eternal perspective and an intimate friendship with Jesus. He had known and walked and served with Him. His gospel begins before the beginning of time, and his grasp of Christ’s eternal nature, likely the outflow of his bent to quiet contemplation and observation, is profound. In words, he brings this infinite Savior to life as present flesh and blood whom we can hear, see, and touch. All who would read his accounts he introduced to the wondrous God-man, full and fluent with grace and truth.
When we are in Christ, we carry within the seeds of eternal life to sow in the here and now. Our touch of the infinite and filling with the forever Spirit make us agents of eternity through our moments, days, and interactions. Are we aware of the difference we can make? Are we ready to give reason for our unshakable hope and joy? (Psalm 16:11; Nehemiah 8:10b; 1 Peter 3:15)
The deeper and richer our relationship with Christ, the greater measure of Him we will know by intimate experience to pass along to others. To whom can we manifest His wonder and beauties by extending love, kindness, forgiveness, grace? In what dark places are we shining His light of truth? How can and will we interject consideration of eternal life into immediate stresses and pressing conundrums?
“Eternal God, whose power upholds
Both flower and flaming star,
To whom there is no here nor there,
No time, no near nor far,
No alien race, no foreign shore,
No child unsought, unknown:
O send us forth, Thy prophets true,
To make all lands Thine own!
O God of righteousness and grace,
Seen in the Christ, Thy Son,
Whose life and death reveal Thy face,
By whom Thy will was done:
Inspire Thy heralds of good news
To live Thy life divine,
Till Christ has formed in all mankind
And every land is Thine!” ~Henry Tweedy (1929)
Lord, may my God-touched hands hold You fast, move at the impulse of Your love, and ever offer the hope of eternal life.
As the rain and snow 