John 5: 19-30

Eternal Life is life uninterrupted by death. This is the promise Jesus offers the world in today’s passage.

It was commonly accepted in Israel that a time was coming when God would make everything right. Through this general resurrection those who had sinned against God, those who had oppressed God’s people, and those who chose the path of evil for the pathway of their lives would be judged. And, those who had remained faithful to God would be vindicated. (See Daniel 12)

Jesus is announcing to the world that God the Father has sent him into the world to begin the work of birthing God’s New Creation. Those who believe and accept Jesus as God’s Son will enter into life everlasting. This new life begins now, at the moment you belief and is not diminished by mortal death. In God’s future your birthing into New Life will be completed by God giving you bodily resurrection that will be like none other than Jesus’ resurrected body.

Since the very first chapter John has been pointing to this new life in Christ: “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” (1:12-13) John will put a huge explanation point on this teaching in chapter eleven when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. God will crown His everlasting achievement in Christ through the death and resurrection of Jesus; John 20-21.

Hallelujah.

As we celebrate our everlasting life in Christ, let us not forget this Good News is fulfilled by God bringing his judgment upon the earth. The promise of our eternal life with God is also a promise for God to judge the evil in our world. As I scan the headlines today there are stories of violence and death in multiple sites in the Middle East and here at home in the USA. Evidence of the brutality of sin and evil abound. I am comforted by Paul’s assurance “that where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Romans 5:20) I am most comforted by faith in God’s promise to expose evil and make everything right. The righteous will be vindicated.

Hallelujah.

 

What word or phrase in these verses

attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

11-Mar-12     John 5:31-47