Friend of Jesus
1 JOHN 1: 1-10
(November 30)
Friends... what would we do without them? They are there in our times of struggle and fear. They rejoice beside us in our victories. We all need them. God designed us to crave them. They make life happier, and they make our hearts stronger.
When we think of our friends, we can recall the ones who were especially close to us. Those that stood out among the others as truly devoted to us, and purposely thoughtful about how our lives were going. What great value they add to our lives!
John, the writer of this letter, was not only one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, but he was also "the disciple whom Jesus loved." He, Peter, and James had an especially close relationship with Jesus, with John being the closest.
Those the letter was intended for had been exposed to false teachings. There was a group of people who had left their church and were sharing their beliefs that spiritual things were good and physical things were bad. In their belief, the divine Christ was not the same human Jesus who went through suffering for the sins of man. According to these false teachers, they had a direct knowledge of God. They also claimed to be morally perfect. (Insert laughter!) Despite all that they claimed, they lived lives full of sin, lacking in love, and brimming over with pride.
John hoped to strengthen the faith of those who were hearing these lies. He encouraged them to stand firm in what they believed and had heard from the apostles, and to not be swayed by this group. The best way they could express the gospel was through love and living a right life. He also offered them assurance that forgiveness, victory, and eternal life through Christ was theirs if they walked in righteousness.
By the time this letter was written, between A.D. 85-90, Jerusalem had been destroyed and Christians were scattered throughout the lane. Christianity had been around for more than a generation, having faced severe persecution.
The main problem of the church was a declining commitment to faith and many believers were starting to conform to the standards of the world. They were not standing up for Christ and their faith was being compromised.
John wanted them to turn back to Jesus and to realize that he was the sacrifice for their sins. They no longer had to sacrifice the blood of an animal as was done in the Old Testament. They now had the "real cleansing"... Jesus, the "Lamb of God."
"But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin." (I John 1:7)
Sin brings death. Jesus died, not for his own sins, but for the sins of the world. By committing our lives to Christ, his death becomes ours. He paid the price for our sins and his blood purifies us. Christ rose from the grave. We rise to a new life of fellowship with him when we commit to follow him.
This friend of Jesus, a very special friend indeed, wanted the people to know WHY Jesus endured what he endured. He wanted them to understand the importance of his friend's sacrifice. He wanted that sacrifice to MEAN SOMEHING to the world, and not allow it to be ridiculed by a bunch of sinful, prideful false teachers.
His friend was so important to him. And he wanted that friend to be the most important component of the lives of others. He was on assignment, fulfilling the call given to him by Jesus, and being devoted to his good, good friend.