How would you describe who Jesus is? When the apostle John tries to describe Jesus, he reaches beyond time and space, and begins even before creation. In fact, John explains that Jesus is the eternal God. And all life that exists now, is here because of Jesus.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
John 1:1-3 (NIV)
John’s view of Jesus is incredibly vast! And it forces us to stop and realise how beyond comprehension Jesus is.
But then John says something that I think is revelatory. He says that Jesus is LIFE.
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
John 1:4 (NIV)
Jesus is life
For John, Jesus is LIFE. Think about that for a moment. The absolute fullness of life, or life as God wants it to be, is wrapped up in, and defined, by Jesus. He is life. And He is the only One who can define what life is.
John uses the word “life” 36 times in his gospel – more than double any other New Testament book. And that’s significant.
In order to explain what this LIFE is like, John includes in his gospel various metaphors or pictures that Jesus used. Here are some of the things Jesus says about Himself:
- He has living water (John 4:10-11).
- He is the bread of life (John 6:35).
- His words are spirit and life (John 6:63) and they are the words of life (John 6:68).
- He is the light of life ((John 8:12).
- He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
- He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)
It seems that everything that Jesus is, has LIFE attached to it! And the most amazing thing is that Jesus makes His life fully available to us too.
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10b (NIV)
This life has both a present and a future dimension. And Jesus brings His life to each of us when we believe in Him (John 3:15).
Abiding in Jesus’s life
John paints an amazing of picture of what this life looks like for us in John 15. Jesus says that He is the vine and we are the branches. All we need to do for His life to flow into us, is stay well connected to Him. And as we do this, we will produce much good fruit.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 (NIV)
The thing is that branches don’t have to try very hard to produce fruit. They just have to be good channels for the nutrients to pass along. The life comes from the vine, and flows into each branch.
I’m sure each of us want to be the absolute best branches we can be – the best channels for the things of God, producing the best fruit of the Holy Spirit. And when Jesus’ life flows in us, that’s what happens.
Jesus’ life has power over darkness
One of the most amazing things John tells us is that Jesus’ life has absolute power over darkness. Jesus’ life switches on the light, and darkness can never switch it off!
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4-5 (NIV)
His life is eternal; it has always been and always will be. His life is all-powerful; death was totally overcome with Jesus’ resurrection life. And His life is what flows in us and produces an abundance of good fruit, as we abide in Him.
So let’s not forget to recognise and appreciate how powerful Jesus’ life really is. Only life that comes from Jesus will overcome darkness. And that’s the life that He has given to each of us, because we are connected to Him.
Be blessed today as you abide in His abundant and all-powerful life.
