1 John 1:1–4 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. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

The beginning of John’s first letter is similar to the start of the Gospel he wrote. He uses the same words and addresses the same topics: beginning, Word, life. In fact, He starts and ends this letter describing Jesus as being Life itself and the one who brings eternal life to us.

John also stresses that he and the other original followers of Jesus were eyewitnesses. Not only did they see Him, but they touched Him and they heard Him. That is why they testify to Him and proclaim Him to anyone who will listen. They want to let others in on this good thing we have. We are not trying to keep it to ourselves, but to share it with others.

John says this is all an effort to “Make our joy complete.” John’s joy in the Lord is already a reality, but he asserts that is cannot be complete unless his readers also came to hear and know and believe in Jesus as their Savrio, too.

You and I are joyful in the knowledge that we have forgiveness and life and salvation because of Jesus. Our joy becomes complete when we share it and others join us in that certainty and joy.

Lord, thank you for the joy I have in knowing and believing in Jesus as my Savior. Help me to share the joy with others that it may be theirs as well. Amen.