That which we have seen with our own eyes…

Much has been written down and preserved over the centuries that was not worth preserving.  If a king had not paid to have the words carved into stone, no one would bother to read them.  And then there are words recorded on humble sheets of papyrus and parchment which were then copied and recopied, translated and copied again; loved and treasured by generations.  Such are the words of Job!

Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!   Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!   For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.   And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!   (Job 19:23-27 ESV)

As far as we know, Job never did carve his words in stone but many others have, the epitaphs of those who died with the hope that they too shall see God with their own eyes “at the last”.

And this is the testimony of the apostle John:

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life–  the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us–  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 Jn. 1:1-3 ESV)

That which we have seen with our own eyes… looked upon and have touched… the life made manifest… we have seen it… that which we have seen and heard… we proclaim.  He is risen!