Christ Made Manifest: Day 1
“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. 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. 4And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” 1st John 1:1-4 (ESV)
From the very beginning of creation, and before, The Word was and existed. This is a bit mind-boggling if you sit for even a fraction of a second and think about it. Before anything we have ever known existed, The Word was; the life was. What an amazing truth! John begins his letter here laying the groundwork of his message. This is not simply some new message that the early church was proclaiming. Rather, this message was the fulfillment of all the Old Testament and even the fulfillment of life itself! You see, when scripture uses the word “manifest” it is not like the false notion of today. Today we hear the word manifest used in the way of “willing something to be.” In scripture, manifest means “clearly appeared” or basically “CLEAR AS DAY SEEN.” See the difference? John isn’t saying that The Life was “willed into existence” by their wishes. Rather through Christ’s first coming, life itself was made flesh. For the first time in all of creation, they could see, feel, and hear, life itself.
John isn’t making some random grandiose statement, rather it is very similar to what Paul writes in the book of Colossians. One reality that the early church grasped really well was the dual nature of Christ Jesus; both his divinity and humanity. The human nature of Christ was not seen as discrediting his divinity, rather the early church was in awe that the deity, Christ, came in flesh; manifest (CLEAR AS DAY SEEN) for the world to see and believe. Now it is not common for us to refer to Christ as “the life made manifest” however, that is exactly who Christ is. Paul would say it another way -
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” - Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)
Don’t take each breath for granted. Don’t just try and muster through life on your own strength. Christ himself is life. We must surrender ourselves before him for our every breath and every step. Now this doesn’t mean every waking second we have to be on our knees in prayer, but knowing this truth should cause our hearts to ponder of the greatness and magnitude of who Christ is. This truth should cultivate our hearts with gratitude and amazement. Today, be reminded of just how awe-striking Christ is. He isn’t some distant historical figure. He is life itself made manifest.
