Eyewitness
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:1-4)
Thought For Today:
Have you ever noticed how news channels often use the phrase "Eyewitness News"? Meaning they are reporting exactly what was seen. John said that the apostles were eyewitnesses because they had seen God. He said, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)."
I would have loved to be present when Jesus revealed Himself to His apostles. I can only imagine what was going through their minds when Jesus walked through the wall and told Thomas to touch His wounds. When they saw Jesus walking on water, healing the blind and deaf, they were amazed. John said, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him" (John 1:14-18).
John also wrote that no man had seen God at any time but in this case, he spoke of times before. But then he said, God declared Him. In other words, the disciples witnessed the revelation of God swelling in Christ Jesus. "Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God" (Isaiah 43:10-12). If you have experienced the process of spiritual rebirth, you are also a witness to His divine work.