1 John 1:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
It is obvious, I think, that if something is present at the beginning it had to exist before the beginning. Jesus is eternal.
The existence of Jesus is fully witnessed by those who walked with Him. John and the other apostles walked with Jesus daily. They witnessed God in the flesh with their eyes, ears, and hands. Jesus was no figment of their imagination.
God revealed Himself to the world! Twelve men were eyewitnesses to the presence of God in their own lives. Not only did Christ walk with them for three years but after His death, burial, and resurrection He lived in their lives. We will never have the experience the Apostles had. But God has revealed Himself to us in a mighty way through His creation, our conscience (Romans 2:15), the incarnate Jesus, and His Word, the Bible. We have a choice, either accept God’s revelation or reject it. Twelve men walked with Jesus, one rejected.
John is revealing His eyewitness of Jesus to His readers. We have a choice to either accept or reject John’s revelation. In verse 3 John writes “that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
The acceptance of Christ is more than an intellectual exercise. It is a life-altering choice, a commitment to God. Acceptance of Jesus is dying to self and the world and allowing God to live in you. It is as Luke wrote in Luke 9:23, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Twelve men walked with Jesus. In the end one committed suicide. He chose to reject Jesus. His ideals were worldly. The other eleven became ardent followers of Christ. No matter what persecution came their way, they stayed true to the calling of God in their lives.
Today we have a choice. We choose the Jesus of the Scripture or reject Him. We either live for the world or live our lives for Christ.