John didn’t imagine Jesus—he heard Him, saw Him, touched Him, and invites us to get up close with the Eternal Word too.
Up Close With The Eternal Word
Have you ever met someone famous? I have—and I froze. I didn’t know what to say, just stood there awkwardly. But imagine meeting someone not just famous—but eternal, divine, the very Word of Life. That’s exactly what happened to John.
He didn’t just hear Jesus preach; he heard His voice up close. He didn’t just read about Him; he saw Him, touched Him, walked with Him. That changes a person. And it should change us too.
Today, I want to take you into those first two verses of 1 John and show you what John never got over.
1. The Eternal Word Became Audible
“which we have heard”(1 John 1:1a)
A. The Word Spoke with Clarity
John said, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard…” That’s not just poetry—that’s eyewitness stuff. Jesus spoke, and it was unmistakable. His words carried weight. People didn’t leave wondering what He meant—they either followed Him or walked away.
When Jesus spoke, demons trembled, storms listened, and crowds leaned in. No confusion. No fluff. Just truth, straight from God’s mouth (John 7:46). That same clarity cuts through our chaos today. His voice still brings peace to the noisy mess around us—if we’re willing to listen.
B. The Word speaks with Continuity
Here’s the good news—Jesus didn’t stop speaking when He ascended. He still speaks today, clearly and powerfully, through His Word (Hebrews 1:1-2). The same voice that calmed the sea now calls us through Scripture.
So if you’ve ever said, “I just wish God would speak to me,” open your Bible. His Word still heals, still convicts, still comforts. The voice John heard—we can hear too. But let’s not just read words. Let’s listen to the Living Word.
“This sermon material provides some ideas and thoughts for preaching through 1 John 1:1-2.”
2. The Eternal Word Became Visible
“which we have seen with our eyes…the life was manifested, and we have seen.”(1 John 1:1b-2a)
A. The Word Walked Among Us
John said, “which we have seen with our eyes…” In other words, Jesus wasn’t an idea or a spiritual blur—He was visible. They saw Him eat, sleep, cry, and laugh. He wore sandals, not halos.
Jesus showed up in person, not just sermons. He walked dusty roads, sat with sinners, and hugged children (John 1:14). He wasn’t distant—He was with us. That’s how far God went to be known. Real flesh, real footsteps and real love.
B. The Word Walks Before Us
Now here’s the beauty—Jesus didn’t just show up; He showed how to live. His life wasn’t just a rescue—it was a roadmap. John saw it. We can follow it (1 Peter 2:21).
Jesus walked in obedience, love, humility, and truth. That’s not just a goal—it’s our guide. When we’re unsure how to live, we don’t guess—we look to Him. He still walks before us through His Word, His Spirit, and His example.
3. The Eternal Word Became Touchable
“and our hands have handled…and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1 John 1:1c-2b)
A. The Word Touched Human Weakness
John said, “our hands have handled…”—and that’s huge. Jesus wasn’t untouchable; He entered our mess with open hands and a tender heart.
He felt pain, fatigue, hunger, sorrow—all of it (Hebrews 4:15). He didn’t run from our brokenness; He embraced it. That’s how He rescued us—by stepping into our weakness and offering Himself in our place.
B. The Word Touches Human Hearts
Jesus didn’t just touch lepers’ skin—He touched people’s souls. He didn’t stop doing that. Jesus still reaches into hearts, one life at a time.
The gospel is personal. It’s not just truth to know—it’s love to receive (Revelation 3:20). Jesus still knocks. And when He touches a heart, everything changes—peace, purpose, forgiveness, forever.
Conclusion
So here’s the question—how close are you to the Eternal Word? Not just in your theology, but in your everyday life?
John didn’t write this to impress us—he wrote it to invite us. He’s saying, “I saw Him, I heard Him, I touched Him—and you can know Him too.”
Jesus still speaks clearly, still shows up visibly through His people, and still reaches out to touch hearts—yours included.
If you’ve never trusted Him, today’s the day. Don’t just admire Jesus from a distance—come close. Come clean. Come home.
And if you already know Him, let’s walk a little closer. Hear Him better. See Him more clearly. Follow Him more boldly. Because when you get up close with Jesus, everything changes.
Source Material
The MacArthur New Testament Commentary 1-3 John By John F. MacArthur
The Epistles of John by Donald W. Burdick