At the end of John’s First Letter, we see how all the parts come together, focusing more intensely on what the whole Letter is about, or focusing, if you will, on the one color that stands out the brightest, or on the one color that brings clarity to the whole: the color red.
The reason the color red is so important is because it reveals the price of God’s love in conquering sin and death on the cross. (1 John 5:4-5). Jesus’ crucifixion brings victory, but at a cost, the shedding of blood (1 John 5:4). Indeed, at Jesus’ crucifixion, this very victory comes by water, blood, and Spirit: when Jesus dies on the cross, both water and blood come from Jesus’ side (1 John 5:7, John 19:34). But the Spirit also bears witness to these facts. The Spirit testifies to God’s great love for us, and not only for us, but for the whole world (1 John 4:16, John 3:16).
In short, God’s great love is written in red, but it is also drenched in water and soaked in the Spirit (1 John 5:9). The victory we have in Christ is the victory we have received by the One who overcomes sin through death. If we take this piece out of the picture, then the picture doesn’t make sense.
Jesus’ death defeats death. This is the testimony we share. Hopefully, this is the testimony on our hearts (1 John 5:10). God’s love-blood for the world is written in red. Not as show, not as a spectacle, but as a witness, as a reminder, of our own sinfulness and God’s power to forgive it. It comes as way to identify with others, especially those who suffer. It is a love that will not let go.
Pastor Andy Kinsey
The reason the color red is so important is because it reveals the price of God’s love in conquering sin and death on the cross. (1 John 5:4-5). Jesus’ crucifixion brings victory, but at a cost, the shedding of blood (1 John 5:4). Indeed, at Jesus’ crucifixion, this very victory comes by water, blood, and Spirit: when Jesus dies on the cross, both water and blood come from Jesus’ side (1 John 5:7, John 19:34). But the Spirit also bears witness to these facts. The Spirit testifies to God’s great love for us, and not only for us, but for the whole world (1 John 4:16, John 3:16).
In short, God’s great love is written in red, but it is also drenched in water and soaked in the Spirit (1 John 5:9). The victory we have in Christ is the victory we have received by the One who overcomes sin through death. If we take this piece out of the picture, then the picture doesn’t make sense.
Jesus’ death defeats death. This is the testimony we share. Hopefully, this is the testimony on our hearts (1 John 5:10). God’s love-blood for the world is written in red. Not as show, not as a spectacle, but as a witness, as a reminder, of our own sinfulness and God’s power to forgive it. It comes as way to identify with others, especially those who suffer. It is a love that will not let go.
Pastor Andy Kinsey
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