This is Eternal Life (John 17:3)

The Gospel of John was likely written late in the life of apostle John. By then, the temple was destroyed and the church had gone through a round of persecution that resulted in the death of Peter and Paul. It is likely that John was a the last surviving apostle when he wrote. He would also have been aware of the other three gospels circulating among the churches. It is known that near the end of his life, there was another round of persecution of Christians, but it is unclear whether this gospel was written before or during the persecution. Nevertheless, persecution was a reality fresh in the mind of John and his potential readers.

English Standard Version Chapter 20

31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

This verse is John’s statement of purpose. His concern was for his readers to believe in Jesus and have life. Why was he concerned? Wasn’t there already three gospels in circulation that testified to who Jesus is? As we can read in the epistles and the beginning of revelation, the early church soon had to deal with all kinds of problems within the church on top of persecution. There were competition, disagreements, factions, judging and despising one another, and people leaving Jesus altogether. Having lived a long life and witnessed that have happened, I think John saw that the churches needed a more complete picture of who Jesus was, to help them to learn anew what does it mean to believe in Jesus.

English Standard Version Chapter 3

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Relationship with God began with the love of God. (Jn 3:16)

Eternal life is relational. It began in the heart of God. He loved, so he gave the one who is most precious to Him. Let’s pause and think. What is your most treasured possession? How much love for a person would you need to have to give this treasure possession to that person? God gave his best, in order that we may actually begin to know him and live in relationship with him. How amazing! The God of all creation actually loved us so much that he gave us his best!

English Standard Version Chapter 5

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

Knowing the Bible will not give life. Knowing Jesus through the Bible leads us to life. (Jn 5:39-40)

Jn 5:39-40 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”

The Jews were diligent in studying the scriptures to make sure that they keep the law well. They thought that their effort in keeping the law will help them to avoid curses and make them eligible for God’s blessings. They did not realize that the scriptures testify to the fact that it is only through Jesus that the curse of sin is broken. They did not realize that through Jesus, they can be blessed to be God’s children.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Those who belongs to Jesus knows His voice and follows Him (10:27-28)

Additional reference: Jn 10:3 “To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”

Sheep depend on shepherds to care for them. They totally trust the shepherd and only trust in him. When the shepherd calls, they follow. The shepherd will take good care of the sheep. He wants the sheep to be strong and healthy. In order for the sheep to live well, they must trust the shepherd and follow him wherever he leads. Walking day by day with Jesus, listening to His voice and following him until all eternity, is eternal life. That means eternal life is simply a life of love and obedience towards Jesus from the day you believe till eternity.

English Standard Version Chapter 14

20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.

As we love and obey Jesus, we will know Him and His love more. (Jn 14:20-21)

Additional reference: Jn 17:26 “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.””

Lovers act upon their love. And as the actions communicate their love, it helps to deepen their relationship. For God loved, so he gave. And we are appreciative. But love cannot stop at appreciation. For heartfelt appreciation ought to spark love in our hearts that prompts a response of love as well. Relationships are built upon the reciprocal communication of love. So even as respond to Jesus in love, we will know Him and His love even more. Why does love involves commands? Because the object of our love is not equal to us. He is our creator and our Lord. But our creator and Lord loves us. Keeping Jesus’s command is our way to express our love to him in a manner that is befitting to who he is.

English Standard Version Chapter 13

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Our love for one another communicates our love to Jesus, and communicates Jesus to the world. (Jn 13:34)

This is the commandment that Jesus highlighted. Nothing expresses our love for him better than when we love one another. As much as we understand and appreciate his love, he wants it to be expressed in practical ways to one another. No amount of singing or praising will equate this. In the early church, this often meant that they practical lay down their lives for one another in the face of danger and persecution. And all who watched and marveled at this love came to know Jesus. That is why the church kept growing despite of persecution. Sitting in the comfort of this room, how can we love one another?

English Standard Version Chapter 14

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

English Standard Version Chapter 14

If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Eternal life is knowing the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with us. (Jn 14:15-17; 14:23)

As we live according to His love, the fullness of the presence of God is in us. Living eternal life now is not meant to be a quest to strive to love on our own. It is enjoying the fellowship of God in us as we actively love according to His word.

Conclusion

Eternal life is not about waiting to go to heaven to rest from our work on earth. It is living a dynamic life now in the presence of God. It involves knowing Jesus through the Bible. It involves listening to him, trusting him and following him. It involves keeping his commandment to love. It involves loving despite of persecution. It is life that knows the fellowship of God in us. Eternal life is an active relationship with God where we delight in his presence and delight to bless him by loving people.

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