Daily Word of Grace # 136 (September 22, 2020)

In our day in which most people have a cell phone and can record things that actually happen, we are reminded of the power of being an eyewitness and ear-witness.  It is hard to deny what you actually see and hear for yourself.  This is one of the things that made the ministry of apostles like Peter, James, and John so powerful.  When it came to the identity and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, they were eyewitnesses and ear-witnesses who actually saw and heard for themselves, and therefore would not and could not deny the reality of God’s love.  Late in his life John put it this way at the beginning of his first letter, “We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:1-3).  In fact, John was at the foot of the cross.  John saw the blood run down Jesus’ sacred face.  John heard Jesus gasp his final breaths.  John was both an eyewitness and ear-witness of the ultimate proof of God’s love for the world, a love that is as real for you at this moment as it was then, and will be forever.

Love and Prayers,

Dave