Day 7: John Chapter 5 (part 2)

This passage moves from speaking of the eternal life, which seems to be offered in the present, to the future resurrection anticipated by Jewish apocalyptic thought present at the time of Jesus' ministry. Some would understand these two concepts, eternal life and the resurrection, to be synonymous yet it does not account for the shift in grammar present in this chapter. Jesus speaks of those who believe in them to have eternal life alluding to a present reality opened up to the believer at the moment of conversion. The resurrection is certainly a future event here as He speaks of "the coming hour" multiple times. The greek translated eternal life (zoein aionian) may be better translated here in the literal: "life of the ages." This helps us to understand eternal life as the life that is offered in the kingdom of God. Life in the present reality yet transformed and transforming of reality as lived in the power and grace of the kingdom of God.
Jesus returns to the concept of eternal life: "You search the srciptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have eternal life (v. 39,40)." Here again Jesus deconstructs the notion that eternal life can be had any other way than through him. The scriptures do not contain eternal life rather point the way to eternal life, a life of the ages, a life in the kingdom of God through the message of Jesus. If you are waiting for the resurrection to recieve eternal life then you have missed the point. Live in the eternal kingdom of God right now. Be transformed and transform this world through the work of the Savior. Believe in the one God has sent so that you may have "his word abiding in you (v.38)." Do not get caught up in the first century cultural preoccupation with the resurrection. Live in the kingdom and accept the eternal llife Jesus offers to each of us right now. Then, and only then, will you be free to do the work of the kingdom in this present reality; which is, among other things, to feed the hungry, love the unloved, and trust our Savior will work through you to redeem this world.

Day 6: John Chapter 5 (part 1)

In a controversial move Jesus heals the man at the pool the Hebrews called Bathzatha. The Jews (who in John's gospel are the religious authorities) take offense to this act because the man was asked to carry his mat which is a violation of sabbath law. This presents Jesus with an opportunity to show the blindness of the religious authorities to the work of the Lord. Their faith is in the law and keeping its commandments. But Jesus is establishing himself as the present authority: "My father is still working and I also am working (v.17)." The manifestation of eternal life is not enclosed in the Law rather it is embodied in the person of Jesus: "Anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life (v.24)" Eternal life is granted the moment we hear the word and believe. Yet what does it mean to pass from death to life? This is to be born again anew. All the Jews see is the violation of the Law, a system of judgment. Yet the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing (v.20)." Eternal life is the revelation of the work of the Father. Through Jesus we are ushered into the vision of the Kingdom which is the work of the Father. The Kingdom, inaugurated by Christ, is there before us. The Father is still working, and has been working, to bring about redemption in the now. Our acceptance and belief of this reality is our entry into its very life. It is to have eyes to see the work of the father. The choice is ours: Do we see a man carrying a mat on the sabbath or the Glory of God working to redeem this world. Anyone who sees the later believes in the kingdom and has surely passed from death to life.