Life Made Visible

Christmas time, with its busy celebrations, may make us timid regarding the truth of Christ. Amongst the tinsel it seems too dogmatic to speak about God come in our flesh. The Epistle of John is written so that people like us will believe that in Jesus Christ, the life and love of the Father is clearly seen, and seen in a way that includes us so that we may live in that very same life and love.

In John's day, timidity was being caused by opposition from within the church. As it is today, different gospels may be more attractive to the flesh than the truth. John reminds us that he has heard, seen, considered and touched God's life in the flesh of Jesus. God's coming was public and objective. His life and love is now realised in human flesh.

After the resurrection Jesus invited his disciples to 'handle' him.
John refers to this and says he has touched the visible, risen glorified humanity that is now with the Father: Jesus as he now is for his church.

The witness is clear. The life of the Father was present in Jesus. It was liveable in human form and manifest as fellowship and joy with the Father. We have good reason to be bold, not timid.