Eternal Life

As we celebrate Holy Week with both Good Friday and Easter on the calendar, I have been taking time to reflect on some of the events presented in the Bible that happened in that week.

The books of Matthew, Mark, and John recount that Jesus spent some time trying to explain to his disciples the events that were coming, including his arrest, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, as well as the greater purpose God had for them. They really did not understand what he meant, and some even argued with him, as they took his words very literally. They didn’t comprehend how these words of Jesus could possibly fulfill God’s plans for the promised Messiah.

Then, in John 17, we get an extended look at the words Jesus prayed to God during this time. Some of the words in this prayer show that it was intended for the disciples and even believers now to understand in retrospect. My favorite verse in the Bible comes from this prayer in John 17:3. “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

I grew up learning about God at school and in church, and the words “eternal life” and “salvation” were used frequently. As a child, I understood this to be talking about a future state, specifically heaven. I thought of this salvation as a sort of “insurance policy” for the future.

As an adult trying to faithfully teach the Bible to students, I went back to try to understand this further. I searched the Bible for references to eternal life, and this verse is the only place I found an actual definition. It shocked me that Jesus did not mention heaven at all in this passage! He talked about finishing the work God had given him to do on earth and about his authority to grant eternal life.

Considering that eternal life, according to Jesus, is really knowing God and Jesus in the present changed my entire perspective. As I have been reflecting on this again, I am struck by the fact that each day is part of eternal life. I’ve heard lots of students and teachers counting down the days left in the school year, but I am challenged not to live in such a way that I am so focused on the future. I want to be fully present and live each day, one at a time. I want to know God more each day. And I want others to experience the peace of living in this reality.

Whether or not you are a Christian, the challenge of being fully present each day is essential. We all know that kids grow up quickly, and circumstances can change in an instant. Being fully present with people each day is hard to do, yet it can also bring great joy and contentment. But being fully present with both the people in your life and God himself is truly living life abundantly (John 10:10).