Today’s reading is 1 John 4.
No one has ever seen God. Even Moses who was granted to see a modicum of God’s glory had to be covered by God’s hand in the cleft of the rock and not actually see God. However, John declares he saw something. He saw Jesus. And Jesus lived in such a way John was convinced Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior of the world.
Recall what Jesus taught the apostles on the night of His betrayal.
I am the way, and the truth, and the life…If you had known me, you would have known the Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him…Whoever has seen me has seen the Father…Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.
John 14:6-7, 10-11 (ESV)
Do you wonder what kind of things would cause a monotheistic Jew to believe Jesus and 0ffer testimony is His favor? Aren’t we blessed that he provided a record. He saw water turned to wine, the blind see, the sick made well, the lame walk, the dead raised. He listened to Jesus teach. He saw Jesus interact with opponents. He witnessed Jesus interact with friends. He observed Jesus change lives. He experienced Jesus.
His conclusion was Jesus is the Messiah. He is the Son of God. He is the Savior of the World. But notice the important point John makes. Knowing Jesus was not simply an issue of doctrinal faith. Knowing Jesus led John to know and believe the love God has for us. God is love. And John knew that because John knew Jesus. John knew that because he watched Jesus die, then he saw Him alive on the third day. No longer did John believe God loved him because He delivered Israel from Egypt. No longer did John believe God loved him because He delivered Israel from Assyrian and Babylonian captivity. He knew God loved him and all of us, because God has delivered us from death through His Son Jesus.
And this is perhaps the biggest key Christianity has going for it. Christians actually know God loves the world. Who else does? We know God loves the world because we know God sent His Son to save us. Who else has any basis for knowing God loves?
John sticks by his eye-witness testimony. But then he explains why his testimony matters. He saw the Son of God come into the world and by that, he finally learned how much God loves us.
Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is 1 John 4.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does 1 John 4 prompt or improve your trust in God?
Read the Bible 