1 John 1:1

If you didn't already know, John is the author of 1 John. This is John the disciple of Jesus.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

(v1, NIV)

John is talking about something here. What he is talking about was from the beginning. What does it mean to be from the beginning? Well, a more appropriate question would be what is the beginning with reference to? It could be at the beginning of a certain day, or the beginning of the year. The beginning could refer to the beginning of his life. The way John starts this letter is similar to the way he starts the gospel according to John.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

(John 1:1-2, NIV)

The beginning here is referring to the beginning of time. In the beginning was the word. In the gospel of John, the Word is Jesus and he was in the beginning. Similarly, in 1 John, he is talking about Jesus, who was from the beginning. Jesus has existed since the beginning of creation. Long ago before the earth was created, Jesus has existed.

There are a number of different interactions with Jesus that John specifies. There is seeing, hearing and touching. John isn't just talking about the way any believer interacts with Jesus as their personal savior. He is talking about those who have actually come into contact and experienced the living Christ as he walked this earth. John was one of his disciples, so he definitely got to see, hear and touch the living Jesus.

Seeing, hearing and touching Jesus means that Jesus actually came to earth in the flesh. As believers and followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not deny that he took on flesh. If you didn't know, well you know now. At least you know to look it up in God's word and see for yourself. Jesus came to this earth and took on flesh.

With reference to seeing, hearing and touching Jesus, John is referring to other people. He doesn't just say that he has seen, heard and touched Jesus. John uses the word "we" with respect to seeing, hearing and touching Jesus. Him and the believers, who he is writing to have seen, heard and touched the living Jesus Christ while he walked this earth. This letter is written long after Jesus has died on the cross and risen from the dead. However, at the time, some of them are still alive who have seen, heard and even touched Jesus while he was alive.

So there are those who have actually seen, touched and heard the living Christ. Not only have they done that, but they testify to it. They tell others and are not ashamed that they have actually seen Jesus while he walked this earth. It is Jesus that they proclaim. They were eyewitnesses who can confess Jesus and they testify him. It's not only that they testify him, but they testify him concerning the word of life. It is only through Jesus that we receive life. Those who have received Jesus will testify their experience with Jesus. Jesus is the savior and the giver of life.