Sweet Indeed

a It's the general nature of things to deteriorate with time, however, there are exceptions: cheese, cast iron, antiques, friends, among others.  Length [of time] typically improves these things.

 

John writes, "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 John 1:1-3).  Yeah, that's one l-o-n-g, run-on sentence -- ninety-eight (98) words -- but it gets better-and-better the longer it goes!  "From the beginning" - the beginning, always a good (in this case, significant) place to start: In the beginning God" (Gen 1:1) and "In the beginning was the Word" (John 1:1). Mortal men (like you and I) "heard ... seen .. looked upon ... touched" vivid and personal descriptions with no speculation to Christ's humanity.  "The Word of Life" - John's oft repeated message of Jesus as God-in-the-flesh. "Our fellowship" - not merely human in nature, but divinely sweet because of Christ.  English teachers may cringe at the number of thoughts crammed into one sentence but by sentence end, the message is enough to produce a shout'n holler from the quietest of worshipers!  John’s sentence delivers a sweet message of hope and truth … yes, sweet indeed!