And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.

The Apostle John has seen. He writes of it three times in this short chapter: “Which we have seen with our eyes (vs.1),” “we have seen (vs.2),” and again “which we have seen (vs.3).” Not only has he seen, but he has also heard, looked upon it, and handled it with his hands. And he was not the only one! “We have seen,” he writes, including his fellow disciples. They have seen, heard, touched it for themselves, so it is true. There is no doubt. John can with the utmost confidence bear witness to it and declare it (vs.2).

What is the undoubted truth that John has seen and now preaches to us? “That which was from the beginning.” These words echo the first chapter of the Gospel he wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” They echo the first verses of Genesis as well: “Then God said…” Indeed, John preaches about the Word of life, the Logos through which God created the heavens and the earth.

It is Christ Jesus, the living Word, to whom John is drawing our attention. As a disciple, John had the privilege of walking and talking with Jesus. He heard Him, saw Him, witnessed Him, and touched Him. John’s testimony is true and trustworthy because he was with Christ.

Why does John stress with such persistence that what he has seen is true? Our verse tells us: “That your joy may be full.”

Sometimes our faith is weak, because we doubt if the Gospel’s blessings are for us. Aren’t we too sinful to accept that? Or, we have become skeptical. We look around us and see a world where the fulfillment of God’s promises seems all but improbable. Doubts cloud our brains; disbelief chills our hearts. All joy seems lost.

If you recognize these feelings, let John’s words rescue you from your doubtful state of mind. It is true! Full joy can only be found in fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ (vs.3)! That fellowship is as full as joy can become. There’s no doubt about it, and John wants us to know.

Have you heard and accepted the living Word yet? Have you seen and witnessed the beauty of Christ? Has He become your personal Savior? If not, your joy can never be full. There will only be full joy in your life when Christ is at the center of it. So, turn to Him, who “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (vs.9).

Do so today, and you will discover a joy you couldn’t imagine before. The joy of living with Christ, the living Word and the Giver of eternal life (vs.2). To Him be all the glory!

By Anton de Vreugd, Bible League International staff, the Netherlands