Huell Howser died last month. If the name sounds familiar, but you can’t figure out why, think KCET public television. Huell, with his folksy Tennessee drawl, contagious smile and ever-present sun glasses, was the host of the program “California’s Gold”. He is probably best known for his enthusiastic responses to what he saw—“That’s amazing!”, “Can you believe this?” and to his camera man, “Louie, come here and get a shot of this!”
In an interview several years before his death, Huell explained that he was just running around having adventures. “People see me and say ‘If Huell can do it, I can do it! Huell is us!’” Providing an account of eyewitness experiences presented in a compelling “you need to try this, too” style, Huell challenged us to become part of the California adventure. My family visited several places because Huell had been there and recommended it. Eyewitness accounts can make or break a story. Someone sharing information they’ve only heard of or read about doesn’t have the punch of someone who can say “Been there, done that. I know what I’m talking about”.
John was one of the eyewitness writers of the New Testament who had followed Jesus as a disciple from the very beginning. He observed all that Jesus did, including the miracles he performed. John was there when Jesus fed the 5,000, walked on water and healed the blind. John also heard all that Jesus said when he taught the crowds and spoke privately to his disciples. Most importantly he heard Jesus’ declaration of being the Bread of Life and the Living Water and God’s pronouncement that “this is My Beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” (Matthew 17:5). You can almost hear John exclaiming “That’s amazing!”
John knew Jesus as a close companion and he wanted others to know him as well: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and our hands have handled … we declare to you … that your joy may be full (1 John 1:1-4). John is the one who emphatically states that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1) and that Jesus was that Word come from heaven to earth (John 1:14). John also declares that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
I can almost hear John saying “Can you believe this?” He certainly did. He was there when Jesus, the Son of God, died on the cross, and he knew it was the blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). John was passionate about sharing the story of Jesus, about giving out the Good News to all people. He wanted others to experience the adventure of knowing God, of being forgiven of their sins and of having eternal fellowship with God (1 John 1:9). Enthusiasm can be contagious.
Those who are part of God’s family because they believe in Jesus, have repented of their sins and accepted God’s forgiveness have much to be enthusiastic about. Jesus tells us that even those who have not seen but have believed are blessed (John 20:29).What a privilege to be accepted into God’s family as His child.
Are you enthusiastically sharing this blessing with others? Is what you share about your relationship with God causing others to exclaim “That’s amazing! That’s something I want to do”?