Jesus is My Life

John 5:24-29

 

1. Human desire to live longer is natural, because death takes away everything. Now average duration of life is steadily increasing. Every human in every age has wished longevity, but in contrast to the past, our contemporary humans seem to have more concern in longer extension of life. Biotechnology may be misunderstood as some technology to make life, and genetic engineering has succeeded in duplicating animals, though human duplication is prohibited. Life cannot be created by humans. Human science simply observes growth pattern of life organism and transfer or extending living cell like that of fire. Without a living cell, it is impossible to create another living organism either by parents or scientist. In fact, strictly speaking, every creative activity of human race is not creation but imitation of nature, God’s creation.

2. Then, what is the origin of life? Humans understand only the process, not the origin of life. It is mystery to human reason. It is beyond our capacity of understanding. We love life, but sinners misunderstand the essence of life. What is life? Is it simply an extension of animal life? We are talking about quality of life in capitalistic way, but what kind of life should we seek after? Christmas is the joy to the world, because He is the Savior of human race from death to life. Jesus said that I am the Life.

3. What does it mean that Jesus is the life? First, it means that Jesus is the Source of life. Jesus said in v. 26: “As the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.” We humans have life, but it is not our own. It is given temporarily, and it is fading away when we used it up. Only God is the owner of life. He has life “in Himself.” He is the Source of life. Just like the source of water is not dried up but a cup of water from it is used up, God Himself is the Life while our life is done when our life power is used up. God “Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.”(Ac 17:25) Like the branches of the vine tree, our life power is being dried up if we are cut off from God. The Son of God also has the life “in Himself.” So, He came to the world as the “life-giving spirit,”(1 Cor 15:45) and “the Bread of life”, “the Living Bread… from heaven.”(Jn 6:33-51) When we welcome Him to our life and we are connected, our life restores its vitality, never hungry again. We Koreans take everything good for body, but neglect anything good for soul. Because He is the pipeline of life from God to us, as soon as we are connected to the Source of life, our life restores its joy and passion to live for eternity. If your life is short of joy and passion, vigor and aliveness, check your connection to Jesus, who is your Life. If water is not strong enough, check the hose and faucet. Fix the holes and fasten the connection, and then life energy will become stronger again.

4. Second, it means that Jesus is the Giver of true reason for life. Jesus said in v. 25: “I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.” The spiritually dead is the one who does not “hear the voice of the Son of God,” while “those who hear will live.” Christmas is the time of life restoration by hearing the Word of Jesus Christ. We sinners lost the true reason to live, the reason why God gave us life. Sinners are wandering and failing, and wasting life by following some deceptive ever-changing trends and ideologies. Jesus the Good Shepherd of the human race said that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”(Jn 10:10) To follow the thieves of life results in wasting and destruction of life, because they are not your true shepherd of life. On the other hand, when we follow the Word of Christ, our life will be fully meaningful in eternity, never regrettable. Passionately love God and love needy neighbors around you, as Jesus commanded to you, and then your life will be most successful and praiseworthy. Then, “the fragrance of the knowledge of him… the aroma of Christ… the fragrance of life” will be spread around you.”(2 Cor 2:14-16) And the life of Christ will be manifested in your body. (2 Cor 4:10-11) But, if you do not really love God and you neglect to love needy neighbors around you, your life will be regrettable, whatever you possessed. Jesus clearly pointed out that “a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”(Lk 12:15) Stop to pursue your time-consuming addictions and love the worldly things. Life is short and flying. Christmas is the season to welcome Jesus in your life, straighten your life, and restore the true meaning of life.

5. Third, it means that Jesus is the Mover from death to life. Jesus said in v. 24: “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” When you welcome Jesus in your life, you are forgiven and freed from terrible condemnation to death in the Judgment Day, for God has given His Son “authority to judge.” And, your happy and blessed life is extended to eternity. Rev. W. B. Hinson, walked out to see the mountain, river, and stars that he has loved, and said to them: “I may not see you many more times, but Mountain, I shall be alive when you are gone; and River, I shall be alive when you cease running toward the sea; and Stars, I shall be alive when you have fallen from your sockets in the great down pulling of the material universe!” Yes, we will live out this world. We are freed from fear of death. Physical death is only a passing pain for us, and it does not terminate our blessed life. Even our body will be resurrected and joined again with our soul. Jesus said that “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”(Jn 11:25-26) As soon as Christmas came into our heart, we are “crossed over from death to life.” Because death controls only sinners, the forgiven has nothing with death. Therefore, when we firmly believe our eternal life, Christians do not fear death. Apostle Paul said that “I consider my life worth nothing to me.”(Ac 20:24) In the Day of resurrection, everybody will be resurrected, but there are two kinds of resurrection: “those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.”(29)

6. Dear fellow Christians, life are not an extension of animal life. Jesus is your life, everything for your joyful, meaningful, and successful life! Receive His life power everyday, hear His voice every hour, and believe your freedom from the power of death every minute! Amen.