Book of 1 John

1 Jn 1 Chorazin
Chorazin was an ancient village in northern Galilee, 2½ miles (4 km) from Capernaum on a hill above the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Chorazin is now the site of a National Archaeological Park. Extensive excavations and a survey were carried out in 1962-1964. Excavations at the site were resumed in 1980-1987.
The site is an excavated ruin today, but was inhabited starting in the 1st century. It is associated with modern-day Kerazeh.

In a world of complexity, people crave simplicity.  Retailers use simple slogans to sell us products, and the best teachers make complicated issues as simple as ABC.

Steve Jobs, cofounder of Apple Computers, said, “Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get your thinking clean, to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there you can move mountains.”

That describes 1 John. It’s deep as the ocean, yet simple enough for anyone to read with benefit. John didn’t write in a linear way, so his book is hard to outline. But its circular style corresponds to the way we live and learn.

John emphasized a number of subjects – love, light, knowledge, life – and kept circling back to them throughout his letter.

He presents Jesus as the Son of God who came in the flesh. Those who reject Him are heretics, antichrists, and liars. Those who receive Him are children of light with assurance of everlasting life. It’s as simple as that, and as certain.

The purpose of 1 John is stated at the end of the letter:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 Jn 5:13).

1 Jn 2 Olive Oil Press
The majority of the structures are made from black basalt, a volcanic rock found locally.
The main settlement dates to the 3rd and 4th centuries. A mikvah, or ritual bath, was also found at the site. The handful of olive millstones used in olive oil extraction found suggest a reliance on the olive for economic purposes, like a number of other villages in ancient Galilee.

Christian living isn’t easy, but it is simple and certain – a matter of staying in the light, walking with Jesus, confessing sins, loving others, and knowing we have eternal life. That’s the wonderful message of 1 John.

Key Thought:

Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh. Those who reject Him have the spirit of antichrist. Those who receive Him are children of light with the assurance of everlasting life.

Key Verse:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 Jn 5:13).

Key Action:

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn 3:16).

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