Monday 27 December 2010

Background

Today is the day when Christians remember St John theEvangelist, according to Christian tradition the author of John'sGospel and the three letters which bear his name.

Today's passage comes from the first of these letters, one of aseries written to Christian communities which have been shaped byJohn's Gospel and seek to follow in that tradition. However, itaddresses a situation in which division has now arisen within thecommunity.

From later references in the letter, it appears that this isbecause there are some who deny that "Jesus Christ has come in theflesh" (1 John 4:2). This may be an early reference toDocetism, a heresy which emerged in the second century and whichsought to downplay the full humanity of Jesus.

Accordingly, this letter begins with a testimony which emphasisesthe truth of the Incarnation in words which resonate with thePrologue to John's Gospel (John1:1-18). It also serves to affirm the physical humanity ofJesus, in terms of a witness to what we have "heard", "seen","looked at" and "touched with our hands" (verse 1). Moreover, thistestimony is shared so that "you also may have fellowship with us"(verse 3) and share in that fellowship with the Father andSon. 

The passage continues with a theme which again picks up on thelanguage of the Prologue, that "God is light and in him there is nodarkness at all" (verse 5). It explores the nature of thatfellowship, in terms of what it means to "walk in the light" (verse7). It also recognises both the prevalence of sin in everyone(verse 8) and the willingness of God to "forgive us our sins andcleanse us form all unrighteousness" (verse 9). 

To Ponder

How important is the full humanity of Christ toour faith?

How far do we recognise one another's humanity inour common life together?

To what extent is it right to value truth ofdoctrine over unity in fellowship as 1 John appears to do?