Monday 12 January 2026

Psalm 119:1-16

Background
During the First World War, Rendel Harris a Quaker and biblical manuscript collector was twice in ships that were torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean, but he survived. On both occasions he was returning from a scholarly expedition in the Middle East. There is an apocryphal story that, on one of the occasions when he reached dry land, he was greeted by an eager customs officer who asked if he had “anything to declare”. It is said that his immediate response was to quote I John 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.”

John's Gospel and the three letters of John (we are reading the first letter this week) likely emerged from a community - from Ephesus? – rather than being written by one person. The first letter of John seeks to keep the early churches 'sailing in the light' and to avoid being shipwrecked by those who want to take a dangerous course.

John Wesley used the first letter of John more frequently than any other book of the Bible. He considered it the “sum of the whole gospel” and a “compendium of all the Holy Scriptures”. The author of the letter declares, in verses 1 and 2 that he is sharing the story of Jesus that he heard, saw, touched and witnessed from the beginning. Eyewitnesses are valuable in legal cases but more generally they are cherished because we can hear directly about something, such as an event in history, the reception of a film at its premiere or about a scientific breakthrough. When we listen to an eyewitness we take in more than facts. We make a judgement about the person speaking. An authentic witness is more likely to be believed.

Our author says “here are the facts” but he also reminds his readers that he, and they, through him, have been changed by Jesus. John 20:31 says that the gospel has been written so that readers have the opportunity to become a believer. In turn each new believer becomes a witness offering the same invitation by their life and deeds.

To Ponder:

• If you were asked "As a Christian, do you have anything to declare?" what would you say?
• What challenges do you face as a Christian? What threatens the life of the churches you know? How do you find the resources and encouragement to face these threats?

Prayer
Jesus, may we be faithful and obedient to your call to allow your light to show through us as we live as your image bearers in this world. It is in your name we pray. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Bob Sneddon
Bob Sneddon is a retired presbyter who lives on the south coast of England. He has had five varied circuit appointments over some 40 years and before that worked in India for a year. In retirement he is enjoying making a garden and walking.