Contemplative Bible Reading

1 John 1:4 (New Living Translation)

We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

John writes a letter to fellow Christians. Why? Well, to teach, I guess. That is what all these writings in the Bible are about, right? Yes. To some degree, but look at the above sentence.

John is full of joy. John wants the reader to have this same joy. John is a “joy writer.”

Hmmm. Ever know someone who walked in the room and the room changed from whatever to laughter? The person “livened up the party?” Well, this is the letter from John. Not happy? Read the letter from John.

What is so “happy and joy” about the letter from John? Simple. God is in the light. We are in the light with God. We aren’t slowly and fearfully feeling our way in the dark. We aren’t stubbing our toe on that chair that someone didn’t put under the table where it belongs.

John is a joy writer telling us of the joy of running around and enjoying a life in the light.