John’s Gospel: Life

We need a story that explains life to us with answers to the great questions.

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Life is more than merely breathing. There has to be more than animal existence.
Each of us has a deep sense of purpose though we may not have a clue as to what that purpose may be. Hunting dogs do not question their instincts. They put their noses to the ground and chase their prey. Birds do not search their hearts for the meaning of the worlds gliding by beneath them. They form a V and fly away. Dolphins frolic in the sea untroubled by questions of purpose or destiny.

But we don’t. We question life. We seek sources of understanding: books, legends, traditions, science, technology, family histories, or even a god of some sort. We need a story that explains life to us with answers to the great questions:

  • How did the world come to be?
  • How was I formed in the original version of me?
  • What is the meaning of my life? Does it even have a meaning?
  • What happens when I die?

This story is called the metanarrative. Here is a definition:

“A metanarrative (also called grand narrative) is an overarching story or storyline that gives context, meaning, and purpose to all of life. A metanarrative is the “big picture” or all-encompassing theme that unites all smaller themes and individual stories.”(gotquesitons.org)

Evidence of God
The fact that of all life on earth, humans are the only creatures to demand an explanation of life is an evidence for the existence of God.  God put this desire there.  The one thing everybody agrees on about life is the reality of death. Jesus taught about life and even—eternal life!

“Hear my Word!”
The elders who opposed Jesus were not villains. Most of them were good men trying to do good things. Oh, there were power-hungry men among them who had no moral restraints on their efforts to hold on to power. Jesus would deal with them. With the miracles to validate His amazing claims, Jesus attempted to lead people to faith in Him.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.”

Not just life—eternal life! This was His message, the gift He was offering them. To follow Him was to live beyond death. Eternal life was His gift. The grave, yawning before every man, woman, and child would not have the final word for those who followed Him. He brought life beyond death, life forever.

Tell Me the Story of Jesus
No other messenger bears this message. No other prophet has come into life, passed through death, and emerged victorious on other side. This is the story we believe, the one we revisit in prayer every day and dream of through the darkest night. Here are our answers:

  • The world around me is His handiwork.
  •  I was made by His hand.
  • My life has meaning and significance by His declaration.
  • When I die, it will be but a passage to life eternal.

Life is more than merely breathing. There is so much more than animal existence.

Scriptures:
John 5:24-30

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed — in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are the Master of Life and the conqueror of death! Your victory is not a legend or myth; it is fact! Your story tells me what I need to know about life, death, and the life to come. I organize my life around Your call on my life. I prioritize my time according to Your priorities. You are my purpose, my power, and my reward. Your story is my story—I have my own chapter in it! Thank You, Lord.

Song:
Tell Me the Story of Jesus

Words: Fanny Crosby; Music: John R. Sweney

1. Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word;
tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels, in chorus, sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest! Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain:
Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word;
tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard.

2. Fasting alone in the desert, tell of the days that are past;
how for our sins He was tempted, yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His labor, tell of the sorrow He bore;
He was despised and afflicted, homeless, rejected and poor.

Refrain

3. Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, writhing in anguish and pain;
tell of the grave where they laid Him, tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender, clearer than ever I see:
stay, let me weep while you whisper, love paid the ransom for me.

Refrain

 

 

 


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About the Author

Full of passion for Jesus Christ, Stephen Phifer is a third-generation minister with more than three decades of experience as a pastoral artist, worship leader, and conductor.