John 5:26 In him was life_

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. John‬ ‭5:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Seeing and doing. This is Jesus’ theme in this conversation. Earlier he says in verse 19; he can do only what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does the son also does. Verse 21; The Father raises the dead and gives life and the Son gives life to whom he pleases. Verse 22; the Father judges no one but has entrusted all judgement to the son.

Of all the statements, to me this one seems the most amazing. The creation of life is an exact reflection of who God is.

At the beginning of the book of John, he writes:

In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. John 1:4

Life is the differentiator. Men may make marvelous things, but to create an organic being, insert breath, a heartbeat, electrical impulse, thought, soul, personality, expression, love… this is a mark of the creator. Of course life is all around me in plants, animals and many other things. When biologists attempt to define life, it’s important to identify the physical characteristics or expressions which one sees from an organism that is alive, namely: homeostasis, metabolism, growth, adaption, response to stimuli, and reproduction. But the life that is most extraordinary is that of man. A living soul and spirit. Breath.

In Genesis 1, after the creation of all the creatures, birds, plants and animals he made “man, in our image according to our likeness.” There is a reflection of the divine in humans. In Genesis 2:7 he says: “Then the Lord God formed man of the dust from the ground, and breathes into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Man is the crowning achievement of creation. The only threat to that life was man himself. God gave him responsibility and told him he could do pretty much what he wanted but in 2:17 that day you eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is the day that life is in jeopardy. More directly, “you shall surely die.”

So, life came. Then death. Then a promise. Now the promise had arrived in the form of Jesus Christ. Is it any wonder that he should have life in himself too? His very presence means the promise that hovered for 4000 years since that first betrayal in the garden had finally arrived. Jesus is the very ticket man needs to enter life. He is the lamb. And believing on him brings life indeed.

What is so thought-provoking about this verse is that life, a character or trait that belongs to God is now transferred, or given to his Son. When he touched a little girl that was dead, Tabitha arose. When Lazarus had been dead four days in a tomb, Jesus called him out.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ‭‭John‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

He is light. He is life.

He then asked the same of the disciples:

As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Life.

If you think about it, modern medicine has become very good at resuscitating bodies that have flatlined. Or a man and woman have been given seeds which they may plant to produce a living soul. A gardener may plant all sorts of lifeless seeds and produce crops of growing, living plants. We’ve been made to tend to life, and to me it seems quite extraordinary. But to take something that is dead and make it alive again, that is unique.

In John 20 Jesus says to his disciples:

“Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you…If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John‬ ‭20:21, 23‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

What the Father has given the Son, the son has given to me.

In Isaiah, he prophesies of today:

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Isaiah‬ ‭60:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Nations will come to YOUR light. Or life. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ‬‬

Imagine… being light and life, just like Jesus. Just like God.