Today is another episode of “pointing out the obvious…when we’re paying attention.” And it’s one of my favorites! It comes to us from Jesus’ frequent statements recorded for us in the gospel of John regarding “eternal life.”

Eternal life does NOT = eternal death

Let’s dive headfirst into pointing out the obvious: life isn’t death isn’t life. It’s important to note this, however, because oftentimes Christians talk about life and death and the after life as if “eternal life” is actually fancy religious speak for being eternally dead…but in a good way. Let’s just point that out for what it really is – nonsense. If Jesus meant to say we’d be eternally dead, he surely could have. But he didn’t. He promised eternal life. So whatever he was talking about, the mental picture we should have is one of being alive.

Eternal life is a present reality.

Now we get a really crazy, but very cool observation. When Jesus speaks of eternal life, he speaks of it as a present reality. It’s not something promised for later, but now. Obviously anything that lasts forever is equally significant for later. The significant point here is when this eternal kind of life begins. And according to Jesus, it’s now.

Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24)

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood (participating in my life) has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:54)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-28)

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die (John 11:25-26)

An interesting paradoxical picture emerges surrounding eternal life. It’s consistently taught by Jesus as present reality. It’s also consistently contrasted with the alternative – death. But in two of the references, Jesus also notes the paradox of the in-between. We know from experience that these corruptible bodies don’t last forever. We know from experience that Christians die. We know by faith that dead Christians are already resting in the presence of Jesus in a place he once called “paradise.” But let’s please not forget what the New Testament so frequently insists upon – death isn’t going to be any more effective on Jesus’ people than it was on him.

In Christ, it’s probably helpful to remember that death is a bit like taking a nap. Then we wake up, stretch, and keep right on going – except in a resurrected body that will never again know sin, decay, disease, pain, tears, or death. You’ll still be you. I’ll still be me. We’ll pick up where we left off, except having been renewed with all Creation and under the fully manifested reign of Jesus Christ.

It’s gonna be great. I sincerely hope to see all of you there!