Friday, October 20
In Him was life
Scripture: John 1
John 1:1–4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind.
Observation
John’s magnificent prologue (1-18) is a clear statement of the deity of Jesus and is worth memorizing. Verse 4 is an allusion to Psalm 36:9 “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” John puts it succinctly: “In Him was life.”
This could refer to the self-existing life of God. It could refer to eternal life (which is how John usually uses this term), or spiritual life. Thus, Jesus is the life-giver, not only physical life via creation, but spiritual or eternal life via the new birth through His sacrifice.
Later in John’s gospel (14:6), Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” I am the life.
If you are looking for life—eternal life, abundant life, life to the full—look no further than Jesus!
Application
We’re all looking for life—now and forever.
We look for life now in so many places. You’ll hear people who are enjoying what they’re doing say, “This is the life.” And there is certainly nothing wrong with enjoying a day at the beach or barbecuing on your deck! But the life we hunger for is more than just an occasional good day doing what we enjoy.
We also long for life eternal. We long for justice and understand intuitively that it won’t all happen in this life. We long to live beyond our own death. And we long for life now that is full, abundant, and flourishing. Life with a capital L.
Jesus says, “I am the Life.” And John begins his gospel with “In Him was life” and reaffirms it over and over—John uses this word “life” (GK zoe) 36 times in his gospel. It is one of John’s favorite words about Jesus.
In Him is life.
Look no further than Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, I love You. I’m so grateful for the life You’ve given me. Today, I want to bask in the Life that is found only in You!
More: Ezekiel 33-34, Mark 4