By Randall L. Broad
Read: Hosea
1:1-3:5; 1 John 5:1-21; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 29:5-8
How
do we know Jesus is the Messiah? Some denominations think the primary proof is
the incarnation and others the resurrection, but this is a useless argument–taken with the crucifixion they encompass the
wholeness of Christ.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:
In the incarnation we learn of the love of God for
his creation; in the crucifixion we learn of the judgement of God upon all
flesh; and in the resurrection we learn of God’s will for a new world. There
could be no greater error than to tear these three elements apart; for each of
them compromises the whole.[1]
1Everyone
who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves
the father loves his child as well. 2This is how we know that we
love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3In
fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not
burdensome,. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who
is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son
of God.
1 John
5:1-5
The
theme in these first five verses is one of love, and obedience rooted in the
rebirth of faith. The idea of being “reborn” is embraced by some as absolutely
essential to salvation and to others as a process by which we are sanctified.
John makes clear it is an essential part of being able to love one another and
being obedient to Christ. Our reward for this love and obedience is the victory that has overcome the world (v.
4). It is interesting to note the use of the language in verse one for it
illustrates a connection between Gentile and Jew. Twice the sentence contains
the word ‘everyone’–including those who believe Jesus is the messiah
(Christians) and those who love the father (Jews). The Gentile is
‘reborn in their faith’ and the Jew is born with ‘the love of the Father’ which
by extension loves his child as well (v.
1). In both cases the foundation of their old religion requires a rebirth of faith as essential to
salvation. The author declares for
everyone born of God overcomes the world (v. 4), and he offers three proofs
of this victory (v. 6).
6This is
the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water
only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the
Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify: 8the
Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9We
accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the
testimony of God, which he has given about his Son.
1 John
5:6-9
Here are
three powerful verses written in the hand of a witness to the life of Jesus (1
John 1:1-4). John … proclaim(s) 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 (v. 3).
But now five chapters later, John offers the convincing proof of what he has
seen and believes about the Son of God.
For John
the proof was rooted in two human events: Jesus’ baptism (John 1:32-34) and His
death on the cross (John 19:17-18). And equally important was the testimony
(John 14:26; 15:26) of the Holy Spirit who was present with Jesus at His
baptism and His death; as well as sent to testify to the Apostle at Pentecost
(Acts 2:1-4). All three gospel narratives record when Jesus was baptized the
Holy Spirit came like a dove and rested upon Him (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke
3:22). It is from these descriptions many denominations believe baptism is
essential to salvation and is when we receive the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit. For those denominations baptism is essential to being born again. Yet
in John’s gospel, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove serves as a mark of the Chosen One.
32Then
John (the Baptist) gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven
as a dove and remain on him. 33And I myself did not know him, but
the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the
Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34I
have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”
John 1:32-34
In other
words, John the Baptist was sent to baptize in order to identify the messiah;
the one who would come by water and
would shed His blood on the cross (1
John 5:6). While the Spirit did remain
… there is no reason to assume it wasn’t with him before His baptism. The Holy
Spirit was with the man-Jesus from the time it conceived him to the day it left
Him on the cross (John 19:30), but it came in the form of a dove at His baptism
to identify the Messiah to John the Baptist and the world–evidence, proof,
testimony to the dual nature of Jesus. Because the Spirit was with him all the
days of His human life Jesus was fully-man and fully-God. So for John there
were three who testified: the Spirit, the
water and the blood; and the three are in agreement (v.8). For the Apostle
John these three testimonies was absolute proof of the Lordship of Jesus Christ
because it came from God.
10Whoever believes in the Son of
God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be
a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his
Son. 11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and
this life is in his Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever
does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5:10-12
For John these three witnesses all point to one absolute truth. God has
given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has
life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life (vv. 11-12).
Walk with the Lord …
Ephesians 1:17
(RLB231205)
© Copyright 2018: Randall L. Broad
Disclaimer: This commentary is written by Randall L. Broad. It is in no way affiliated with or represents any denomination, university, church, or pastor. Any errors or omissions are purely my responsibility.
[1]
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Ethics. New York: Touchstone, 1955: 130.
