Sun, 11 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Zephaniah 3:9-10

⁹ “For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples
to a pure speech,
that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD
and serve him with one accord.
¹⁰ From beyond the rivers of Cush
my worshipers, the daughter of my dispersed ones,
shall bring my offering.

In chapter 3, Zephaniah brings a word of judgment against Jerusalem because of her corrupt leaders. But then he turns to promise a great hope as the nations are converted and Israel is restored to prominence.

What do we learn from this?

Here is another passage of scripture that promises a time when there will be a mass conversion of people throughout the world. We are seeing this fulfilled to a certain extent today, as the gospel is preached across the world and people are being converted. But obviously, there is much yet to do. We have not arrived at a time when we can say that this passage is completely fulfilled. It does give us great hope as we work to bring the gospel to the people of the world, because we know that the gospel is going to have great success.

Where is Christ in this passage?

This passage promises a time when people throughout the world are brought into the church and join in the worship of God. They join with one accord, united in a way they never could never have been united before. Their unity is based upon what Jesus Christ has done for them, redeeming them from their sins and bringing them into the family of God.

And so they join the bride of Christ, and worship their redeemer, uniting with fellow believers throughout the world and throughout all time.

Sat, 10 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Revelation 1:1-8

¹ The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, ² who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. ³ Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

⁴ John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ⁶ and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. ⁷ Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Today we begin the last book of the New Testament. Oftentimes we call this book Revelations, and we eagerly search the book to find interesting and exciting things revealed that are going to happen in the (supposedly near) future. But the more appropriate name for the book is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and the main emphasis is to encourage the first century Christians in the face of tremendous persecution.

What do we learn from this?

When we focus on trying to find the future in the Revelation of Jesus Christ, we can easily miss something much more important. We can miss Jesus Christ.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Jesus Christ is all through this book. In the first eight verses quoted above, we find Him numerous times. The book is the revelation of Jesus Christ, and John bears witness to the testimony of Jesus Christ that he saw. Jesus Christ is revealing this, and there is a promised blessing upon those who hear, and who keep what is written in it.

John tells us that Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. We learn about His character (He is faithful in what He tells us), His activity (He came to earth to die and be raised for the justification of His people, becoming the firstborn of the dead), and His authority (He right now is the ruler of all the kings).

He loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. John gives us more details of His activity of redemption as we learn that it is due to the shedding of His blood, and that due to His atonement, we are brought into His kingdom and made priests.

John then reminds us of the second coming of Jesus Christ, and eagerly calls for it.

We would do well to focus on finding Jesus Christ as we read this book of His revelation to us rather than seeking to find in it the key to predicting future events.

Fri, 9 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

2 Chronicles 9:22-28

²² Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. ²³ And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. ²⁴ Every one of them brought his present, articles of silver and of gold, garments, myrrh, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year. ²⁵ And Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots, and 12,000 horsemen, whom he stationed in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem. ²⁶ And he ruled over all the kings from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt. ²⁷ And the king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stone, and he made cedar as plentiful as the sycamore of the Shephelah. ²⁸ And horses were imported for Solomon from Egypt and from all lands.

We are at the high point of the kings of Israel.

What do we learn from this?

The Chronicler tells us of Solomon’s vast wealth, power and influence. In this chapter, we see that kings and queens come from vast distances to have an audience with Solomon. He controls the land from the border or Egypt to the Euphrates river in the north. God has greatly blessed and prospered Solomon.

Where is Christ in this passage?

The people are looking for the Messiah, the Son of David who will sit upon the throne. In many ways, Solomon was a picture of the coming Messiah. In this chapter, the emphasis is on the power and wisdom of Solomon, making us think of the coming Messiah.

However, we know that Solomon was greatly flawed. He sinned greatly in marrying foreign wives and tolerating and encouraging their worship of idols. We know the kingdom is going to be split in two because of Solomon’s sin. But the Chronicler has chosen to not dwell on those sins, and instead points us to the high point of the kingdom, encouraging his readers to think of the glorious kingdom under the coming messiah.

Jesus Christ is the great Messiah, reigning as the Son of David. He is the one greater than Solomon. And He is today building His kingdom to the ends of the earth as the gospel goes out in power and converts people through the world.

Thu, 8 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Luke 22:31-34

³¹ “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, ³² but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” ³³ Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” ³⁴ Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

In this chapter, we are presented with a stark contrast between two disciples. In this chapter, Judas agrees to betray Jesus. We know how things end for Judas. He is struck by remorse after his act of betrayal, and he kills himself. Judas was one of the disciples, one of the intimate followers of Christ, but he is lost. He is the son of perdition, and Judas is now in hell.

But also Jesus tells us that Peter will deny Him three times before the start of the next day. Peter is adamant that he will do no such thing, but here we also know how the story goes. Peter does deny his Lord, just as Jesus said. But afterwards, Peter repents of his sin of denial, and later is restored. As we see the story continue in the book of Acts, we know that Peter is used mightily by God in spreading the gospel. His sin, though serious, was not unforgivable.

What do we learn from this?

What is the difference between Judas and Peter? Both committed heinous acts against Jesus. Yes, Judas’ act was worse, but was it beyond forgiveness? Why did Peter repent savingly, and all Judas felt was worldly remorse? Why will we see Peter in heaven, but Judas is in hell, when both acted against their Lord?

Jesus tells us why there is a difference. Satan wanted Peter, just like he wanted Judas. But Jesus prayed for Peter. Therefore, although Peter would fall grievously, his faith would not ultimately fail and he would return to be a source of strength to the other believers.

The difference between Judas and Peter is Jesus intercessory prayer. Jesus prayed for Peter’s restoration after his sin. Therefore, although his faith faltered greatly, it did not fail, and Peter persevered in his faith to the end. But Jesus didn’t pray for Judas, and he was handed over to Satan as an unbeliever, outside of faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed for the believing, though faltering Peter. Jesus did not pray for the unbelieving Judas.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Jesus Christ intercedes for His people. And all those for whom He is interceding will be unfailingly saved. There is nothing that can separate Him from the ones for whom He intercedes. Nothing at all.

Romans 8:31-39

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Wed, 7 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Habakkuk 2:1

I will take my stand at my watchpost
and station myself on the tower,
and look out to see what he will say to me,
and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

Yesterday, in chapter 1, Habakkuk asked God why He doesn’t judge unfaithful Israel. God’s answer shocks Habakkuk. God tells Habakkuk that He will judge Israel in Habakkuk’s lifetime by bringing the Babylonians to carry wayward Israel into captivity.

What do we learn from this?

Habakkuk is astounded and asks God how He can use the evil Babylonians to judge Israel, when Babylon was worse than Israel. Habakkuk freely pours out his questions to God, and in in chapter 2, we have God’s answer.

We see in verse 1 that Habakkuk is expecting God to answer his question. He uses military terms to describe his watching from the rampart, awaiting God’s reply. Obviously, Habakkuk is expecting God to answer his questions. He does not know when, where or how. But he will be on the lookout, waiting for God to reply.

The application for us is in theory as simple as it is obvious. We need to bring our cares and concerns to God in fervent, expectant prayer. If you have something that bothers you, then like Habakkuk you should pray to God and watch fervently for God’s reply. Like the importunate woman in the parable by Jesus, we need to continue to bring our cares and concerns to God in prayer.

Habakkuk expected an answer from God, and was not disappointed. God did answer. The answer wasn’t what Habakkuk expected or what he wanted. But God did answer.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Habakkuk doesn’t understand how the wicked can flourish and how God can use those who are more wicked to punish those who are relatively less wicked. Why do the righteous suffer under the wicked? When will God act?

The book of Habakkuk teaches us that we can ask God the hard questions. But we do not get the kinds of answers we expect. Rather than God explaining His actions to us, He points us to the cross. He points us to His character, and tells us to trust Him. This is the point Habakkuk gets to eventually, and the book ends with what I think is the greatest statement of trust expressed in scripture.

How does Habakkuk end up trusting God? It is the result of struggling with issues of pain and evil. Seeking to understand pain and evil drives us to God. It drives us the the God who suffered for us, and bore the penalty of our sins on a cross one afternoon on a hillside outside Jerusalem. It drives us to Jesus Christ.

Tue, 6 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

1 John 5:21

Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Idol worship was rampant in the Roman world. John was most likely writing to people in Ephesus where idol worship was the accepted practice. So we aren’t surprised that John would warn against idolatry. We must be careful that we worship God only in the way he has commanded. John is just telling them to follow the second commandment.

But John has not said anything about idolatry prior to this point in the book. It seems rather odd that he would bring it up now. Is he introducing a new idea as the very last statement of the letter?

What do we learn from this?

Throughout the letter, John has been dealing with the problem of false teachers who caused great trouble in the Ephesian church. These false teachers eventually left the church, but they left the congregation confused, and so John writes to encourage them and undo the damage done by these trouble makers.

So, with that context, when John warns the congregation against idols as the last statement in his letter, I think he is making a final statement about the false teachers. He is saying that they have so perverted the gospel with their false teachings that they were in essence teaching people to follow idols. From what we can tell, the false teachers were not teaching them to worship the wood, stone, or metal statues so common in worship at that time. But they were leading people away from God. They taught that people can attain salvation apart from the death of Jesus. They taught that Jesus was not fully divine and fully human. They denied the incarnation, and they denied that our conduct as Christians is important. They taught what Paul referred to in Galatians 1:6 as “another gospel”. John is warning that to follow the false teachers would be to worship another god, to follow another gospel. So John warns the people to actively be on guard against false teaching creeping into their church.

Earlier in the letter, John has commended them for their victory over the false teachers. But he here warns that they must not ever let up in their vigilance. This is a warning to us as well. Yesterday I was orthodox. I was true to scripture. But what about today? Have I allowed myself to compromise on the truths of the gospel? We must all guard against false teaching as we live in a constant battle for the truth.

John gives us great assurances in his letter. If we know these facts, if we accept what John has written to us in this letter, what should we do? He tells us as the final statement of his letter. Guard the truth. We have a very precious gift. John warns us to guard it carefully. Keep yourselves from idols.

Where is Christ in this passage?

This is the negative statement of what John has told us many times in the letter. John has said it positively many times. For example, in 1 John 2:28 he says “And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” To keep ourselves from idols is the negative way of saying that we should abide in Jesus Christ.

Mon, 5 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

2 Chronicles 5

¹ Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the LORD was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated, and stored the silver, the gold, and all the vessels in the treasuries of the house of God.

² Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. ³ And all the men of Israel assembled before the king at the feast that is in the seventh month. ⁴ And all the elders of Israel came, and the Levites took up the ark. ⁵ And they brought up the ark, the tent of meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the tent; the Levitical priests brought them up. ⁶ And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. ⁷ Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim. ⁸ The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark, so that the cherubim made a covering above the ark and its poles. ⁹ And the poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the Holy Place before the inner sanctuary, but they could not be seen from outside. And they are [a] there to this day. ¹⁰ There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the people of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. ¹¹ And when the priests came out of the Holy Place (for all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves, without regard to their divisions, ¹² and all the Levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kinsmen, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with ¹²⁰ priests who were trumpeters; ¹³ and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD,

“For he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever,”

the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, ¹⁴ so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.

Solomon has completed the construction of the temple, and he now moves the ark of the covenant into its Most Holy Place.

What do we learn from this?

The ark of the covenant represented God, and as Solomon moved it into the Most Holy Place, he was asking God to be present at the temple. This place was the focus of Israel’s worship, and their desire was that God would be present and that He would be pleased with their worship.

In the midst of all the sacrifice and worship surrounding the transportation of the ark into the Most Holy Place, the glory of the LORD appears in the temple, and the priests are forced to flee. God does honor them with a physical manifestation of His presence, just as He did with the original tabernacle. But even as they are honored by God’s glorious presence, they can’t stand before Him, and abandon their posts.

God was pleased with their worship, and He demonstrated in a dramatic way that He was favoring them with His presence. In our worship also, God is also present, even though we don’t have a glory cloud appear that drives us out of the sanctuary. Yet we know that He is present none the less.

Hebrews 12:18-24

¹⁸ For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest ¹⁹ and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. ²⁰ For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” ²¹ Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.” ²² But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, ²³ and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, ²⁴ and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Whether we realize it or not, as we gather together in worship, we are faced with the awesome presence of God in all His holiness. As we see from the times in scripture where God presented a glimpse of His glory, people would flee. In today’s passage, the priests who were trying to lead the people in worship of God had to stop because God’s glory compelled them to leave their posts.

We can’t come to God on our own, or all we find will be terror and fear. The only way we can approach God is through a mediator. But as we come to God through Jesus Christ, we are accepted by Him, and join with the angels and all the rest of the people who truly worship Him. Because Jesus Christ has atoned for the sins of all who come to Him in faith, we can approach God knowing His wrath has been appeased and we need not flee from His presence anymore.

Sun, 4 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Luke 18:9-14

⁹ He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: ¹⁰ “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

If you watch any TV program, sooner or later you will see them deal with the topic of death. And every program will present the same view on how you are to be right with God at death: If your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, you will be accepted into heaven. The view in popular culture is that you are right with God based on your deeds. This view is not unique to our time. Jesus had to deal with people who believed they could be good enough to be accepted by God.

What do we learn from this?

To disabuse the people of His day of their own ability to be right with God based upon their deeds, Jesus presents a contrast between the most humanly upstanding person in their society (a Pharisee) and the most corrupt (a tax collector who was a collaborator with the Romans and extorted money from his own people to pay Rome and additionally took as much on the side as he could).

The Pharisee presents himself to God based upon his own merits. He isn’t like the common sinners, and his conduct is far superior to that of the tax collector. In his mind, he is better than the average person, and therefore he trusted in himself that he was righteous.

But the tax collector realized his own sinfulness, and so instead of trusting in himself, he throws himself upon God’s mercy.

What the Pharisee missed is that God doesn’t judge us based upon our relative conduct. He doesn’t see that one person is better than the average, and therefore accept them as righteous. Nor does God weigh our good deeds against our bad deeds and judge us by whichever is the greater. Instead, God judges us against the standard of scripture, and as we saw in James the other day, if you sin even once, you are guilty before God and are under His wrath.

James 2:8-13

⁸ If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. ⁹ But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. ¹¹ For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. ¹² So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. ¹³ For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Our only hope of being accepted by God is to come to Him on His terms, trusting in His provision for our salvation and not trusting in ourselves. The despised tax collector walked away from the temple that day justified. He was declared by God to be righteous, not because of his righteous deeds, but because he trusted in God’s provision for his salvation. The self-righteous Pharisee walked away still guilty of his sin and not justified before God. And everyone who follows the advice of the television shows that urge you to be like the Pharisee, will end up just as the Pharisee did. If you stand before God on judgment day trusting in your own righteousness, you will be damned along with the Pharisee.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Jesus Christ is God’s provision for our salvation. All those who trust in Him for their salvation will be justified. But all those who trust in themselves are rejecting Jesus Christ as their provision for salvation.

Sat, 3 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

Nahum 1:1-8

¹ An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.

² The LORD is a jealous and avenging God;
the LORD is avenging and wrathful;
the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries
and keeps wrath for his enemies.
³ The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.
His way is in whirlwind and storm,
and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
⁴ He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;
he dries up all the rivers;
Bashan and Carmel wither;
the bloom of Lebanon withers.
⁵ The mountains quake before him;
the hills melt;
the earth heaves before him,
the world and all who dwell in it.

⁶ Who can stand before his indignation?
Who can endure the heat of his anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire,
and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.
⁷ The LORD is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him.
⁸ But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries,
and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Jonah, possibly a hundred years previously, had preached to Nineveh, and they had repented. Here Nahum brings a message of judgment from God, but in this case we know of no repentance by the Ninevites. But in the midst of the message from Nahum, we learn of God’s wrath and His mercy.

What do we learn from this?

Micah tells us that God is jealous, avenging and wrathful. He will not clear the guilty. His wrath against His enemies is compared to a fire and an overwhelming flood. His wrath destroys everything before it, like a whirlwind or an earthquake, and His rebuke dries up the oceans.

Nahum makes the point: God hates sin, and although He is slow to anger, and does not destroy us the instant we commit any and every sin, yet Nahum tells us that God is angry at our sin and will not let our sin go unpunished. No one can stand before the wrath of God against sinners.

But also, God is good, and He will protect those who take refuge in Him. Those who do not take refuge in Him are subject to His vengeance and will have His wrath poured out upon them. But God shows mercy to those who trust in Him.

What hope there is for us in these verses. All we deserve is God’s wrath and punishment due to our sin. But He has promised He will protect all those who come to Him in faith, trusting in Him.

Where is Christ in this passage?

God will by no means clear the guilty. The punishment for sin must be paid in full. But for those who seek refuge in God through Jesus Christ, that punishment is paid by Jesus Christ. Upon the cross He has paid for the sins of everyone who comes to Him in faith. Therefore, God can be good, showing mercy to all those who come to Him for refuge, while at the same time not clearing the guilty. Their sins are fully atoned for in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Fri, 2 December, 2005: Today’s Bible readings.

1 John 1:1-4

¹ That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life– ² the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us– ³ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

This passage establishes the reality of Christ. When he tells us about That which was heard, seen, touched, John is referring to Jesus’ body. The apostle John wants to make it completely clear to us how real Christ was. His body was a real human body. John knows. He lived three years with Jesus. He ate with Him, walked with Him, talked with Him. He spent incredibly intimate moments with Jesus, as the closest of the inner three. John was the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” He rested on Jesus’ bosom at the last supper. (John 13:23)

What do we learn from this?

John saw Jesus after the resurrection, touched Him, ate with Him. John knows the reality of the incarnate and risen Christ. And John is not alone in his testimony of Christ. He is relating the common experience of the apostles. We have seen this. We share what we have seen, heard, touched.

I have never seen Jesus. Neither have you. Thomas refused to believe the reality of the resurrection unless he saw it. “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25) Thomas was granted his request for our sakes. Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29).

Saint Augustine writes of this passage:

And He did give Himself for a time to be handled by the hands of men, who always giveth Himself to be seen by the sight of the angels; and that disciple did handle, and exclaimed, “My Lord, and my God!” Because he touched the Man, he confessed the God. And the Lord, to console us who, now that He sitteth in heaven, cannot touch Him with the hand, but only reach Him with faith, said to him, “Because thou hast seen, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believe. We are here described, we designated. Then let the blessedness take place in us, of which the Lord predicted that it should take place; let us firmly hold that which we see not; because those tell us who have seen.

John wrote this book of First John to bring that blessing to fruition in our own lives. These are not fairy tales. Christ is real.

Where is Christ in this passage?

John is hammering home to us the reality of the incarnation. Jesus Christ had a real, physical body. To those who deny that God took on flesh and blood, John is a witness to the reality of the incarnation.