What We Have in Common
Well, it’s happened again! Sometimes when I’m doing my devotional reading, a passage from the Bible will stick with me. I resist the urge to do a full Bible study at that point, because my aim is to read the chapters for the day.
But when this occurs, I’ll make a note of it and dig into it later.
This is one of those times!
Here’s the passage:
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-- 2and the life was revealed, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was revealed to us-- 3what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.- 1 John 1:1-4
I have two basic observations. First, I noticed that John seems to really like the first person plural. These four verses refer to “we,” “us,” and “our” 11 times. I thought that was a lot, which in turn led me to consider the rest of the letter. It turns out that John mentions these terms 132 times! In one way or another, 1 John focuses on us!
But who are we?
Reading through the rest of 1 John, I got the idea that the apostle is identifying two groups. One is himself and the band of believers around him. The other is Christians in general. Anyone who trusts in Jesus Christ is part of “us.”
Second, John intends for his letter to foster fellowship. He believes the truth he’s communicating will build up relationships within the body of Christ.
I think that’s great, except for one problem.
The root of the Greek word translated “fellowship” (koinonia) is koinos which means “common.” When John and other biblical authors write about Christian fellowship, they’re talking about what we believers share in common with each other.
I don’t have an issue with this, because the fellowship we have in Christ is a great blessing from God. But when I ponder the first few verses of 1 John, I can’t help but spot a big difference between John and me.
The apostle had direct contact with Jesus for about three years. I haven’t. John’s ears heard Jesus preach and teach throughout Judea. Mine haven’t. John touched the Lord with his own hands. I didn’t.
There seems to be a major gap between the first disciples, those who experienced Jesus in history, and those who came later. Like me. And like you, too!
Our experience of Jesus is spiritual; John’s was spiritual and material. Our is mediated; theirs was direct. How can we have fellowship with people like John?
I detect an answer in two aspects this passage emphasizes. One is life. John refers to “the Word of Life” (vs. 1) and “eternal life” (vs. 2). The other is the message. We find this again in “the Word of Life” (vs. 1), but also in “testify” (vs. 2), “proclaim” (vss. 2-3), and “write” (vs. 4). Combining all of these, I would say that they highlight the core of the gospel which is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The risen Savior is the One Whom all believers have in common. We live because He does. And we come to know Him through the gospel.
This means that the gospel within the church is how people can encounter Jesus Christ. Sounds like a radical claim? It is! But it’s true! Through God’s Word, we meet Jesus. Through the good news, we receive Christ’s eternal life. And as we gather with other believers, we grow in that gift together.
We have Jesus in common.
A first-century Christian has no greater rank than a 21st-century believer. In Christ, we’re one.
This is the great blessing of the gospel.
(Bible verses are from the NASB20.)
(Image is from https://www.scpresby.org/uploads/1/2/0/2/120277859/pray_orig.jpeg.)
