“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.”
(1 John 5:6)
The apostle John presents one of the most comforting and glorious testimonies concerning Christ when he declares that He came “by water and blood,” for these words represent the completeness of Christ’s saving work and the fullness of redemption found in Him alone.
Throughout the Old Testament, both water and blood were used in the ceremonial law to teach Israel about cleansing, forgiveness, purification, and reconciliation. These ceremonies continually reminded God’s people of two great realities. First, sinners are guilty before a holy God and require atonement. Second, sinners are polluted by sin and require cleansing. Blood addressed guilt. Water addressed defilement. Together they testified that fallen humanity needed far more than outward reform. Men needed forgiveness and transformation, both pardon and purification.
When Christ came into the world, He fulfilled everything those ceremonies foreshadowed. He came by blood. Through His sacrificial death, He satisfied divine justice and secured eternal redemption for His people. Unlike the blood of bulls and goats which were only a type, His blood actually removes guilt. It reconciles sinners to God, satisfies the demands of the law, and provides complete forgiveness for all who believe. Every sacrifice under the old covenant pointed toward this one perfect offering.
Yet John carefully says that Christ came not by water only, but by water and blood because the Savior does more than remove guilt. He also cleanses the sinner. The water points to the sanctifying work accomplished by Christ through His Spirit. Those whom Christ justifies, He also renews. Those whom He pardons, He also transforms. He breaks the dominion of sin and progressively conforms His people to His own image. The gospel is therefore not only a declaration of forgiveness but the beginning of a new life.
John then introduces a third witness: “It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” The Holy Spirit applies Christ’s work to the hearts of believers. He opens blind eyes to see the beauty of Christ. He persuades sinners of the truth of the gospel. He grants faith, produces holiness, and assures believers that they belong to God. Thus the Spirit continually bears witness to the sufficiency and reality of Christ’s redemption.
There is a beautiful harmony in this threefold testimony: the blood removes guilt, the water cleanses corruption, and the Spirit applies and confirms these blessings in the soul. Together they testify that Christ is a complete Savior. He addresses every aspect of human need, reconciling sinners to God and restoring them to holiness.
The sacrifices, washings, ceremonies, and ordinances of the Old Testament all converge in Christ. What was anticipated through shadows is accomplished through the Savior. Centuries before Christ appeared, God was already preparing His people to understand the work His Son would accomplish.[1]
Christ is the fulfillment of every promise, the substance of every shadow, the answer to every need, and the source of every blessing. Through His blood there is forgiveness. Through His grace there is cleansing. Through His Spirit there is assurance and life. Truly He is the Christ who came by water and blood.
Contemplations:
- Marveling at Christ’s Complete Salvation. I often focus on only one aspect of salvation. I think about forgiveness because I am deeply aware of my sins, yet this passage teaches me to appreciate the fullness of what Christ provides. He not only removed my guilt through His blood but also continues to cleanse and renew me.
- Rejoicing in the Unity of Scripture. When I think about the relationship between the Old Testament ceremonies and the work of Christ, I am amazed at the wisdom of God. What may appear at first to be disconnected rituals are actually part of one great plan that points to the Redeemer. Seeing how the water, blood, sacrifices, and ordinances foreshadowed Christ strengthens my faith and increases my appreciation for God’s sovereign purpose throughout history.
- Valuing the Ministry of the Holy Spirit. I sometimes underestimate how much I depend on the Holy Spirit. Without His work, I would neither understand nor embrace the gospel. He continually directs my attention to Christ, convicts me of sin, comforts me in affliction, and strengthens my faith. Reflecting on His witness reminds me that every spiritual blessing I enjoy has been applied to me through His gracious ministry.
- Resting in Christ’s Ongoing Work. I often get discouraged by my weaknesses and failures. Yet this passage reminds me that Christ’s work did not end at the cross. The Savior who purchased redemption continues to apply its benefits. He remains committed to completing what He has begun. This truth encourages me to persevere with hope, knowing that my growth in grace ultimately depends on His faithfulness rather than my own strength.
Prayer (Adoration)
Most glorious Lord Jesus, I adore You as the perfect and all-sufficient Savior. In You every promise of God finds its fulfillment, and through You every blessing necessary for salvation is secured for Your people. You have accomplished what no earthly priest, no ceremonial ordinance, and no human effort could ever achieve.
I marvel at the wisdom displayed in Your redeeming work. Long before Your coming, the ceremonies of the law pointed forward to You. The sacrifices proclaimed the need for atonement. The washings testified to the need for cleansing. Generation after generation was instructed through these shadows until the fullness of time arrived and You appeared as the substance of every promise.
I adore You for Your precious blood. Through Your sacrifice, guilt is removed, justice is satisfied, and sinners are reconciled to God. No stain is too deep for Your cleansing power. No sinner who comes to You in faith is turned away. Your righteousness is perfect, Your sacrifice is sufficient, and Your redemption is complete.
I adore You for the sanctifying grace that flows from Your saving work. You do not leave Your people in the bondage of corruption. You renew their hearts, transform their desires, and conform them to Your likeness. The grace that pardons also purifies. The grace that forgives also restores.
I adore the Holy Spirit who bears witness to the truth of Your gospel and applies Your blessings to believing hearts. Through His ministry, Christ becomes precious, Scripture becomes living, and salvation becomes a present reality. Through His gracious work, believers are strengthened, comforted, and preserved.
Lord Jesus, all that I possess spiritually comes from You. Every blessing of grace, every evidence of salvation, every hope of glory, and every promise of eternal life rests entirely upon Your finished work. Therefore I gladly ascribe to You all honor, praise, thanksgiving, wisdom, dominion, and glory. You are worthy of everlasting worship because You came by water and blood and have accomplished eternal redemption for Your people.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References:
John 15:26; Matt. 3:16; Eph. 5:25; Heb. 12:24
[1] John Maynard, The Law of God Ratified by the Gospel of Christ, (London: Printed for Francis Tyton .., 1674), 169-172.
