Life-spark: Heaven-born life is complete and forever. (John 3:31-36)
The two main words for ‘life’ in the New Testament are ‘bios’ (biological life) and ‘zoe’ (spiritual life). Bios is earthborn aliveness, zoe is heavenborn aliveness. Bios is terminal aliveness, zoe is eternal aliveness.
Jesus taught about zoe life. He, the heavenborn, had a higher education than any other person who has left footprints on this planet: “The One who comes from above is head and shoulders over other messengers from God … the heavenborn is in a league of his own.” (John 3:31, MSG)
Jesus used the term ‘born from above’ when He was talking to Nicodemus (John 3:3, MSG). In Romans 8:29 Christ is called “the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (NLT) He is the first of many heavenborn daughters and sons. When a person is born again, born from above, he or she is born into a new kind of life – deep, unending zoe life.
The purpose of John’s gospel is to help people believe in Jesus as the giver of eternal life. Jesus used a courtroom metaphor when He said that He Himself “… sets out the evidence of what he saw and heard in heaven.” (John 3:33a, MSG)
For years, scientists have been looking for signs of life on Mars. The biggest sign of life is Jesus Christ, and all other signs of life point to Him, the source of zoe life.
“That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn’t see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that.” (John 3:36, MSG)
If Christ is who He says He is, if He is eternal aliveness, then to be disconnected from Him is to be destined for darkness and deadness. To choose to reject Jesus is to reject light and life. Do you want to see eternal life? Do you want to see the bright splendor of heaven? It all starts with seeing Jesus for who He is – Eternal life available to you through faith.
Life-challenge: Commit to higher education. Alone with Him, ask Him out loud to be your class professor and to teach you more every day about zoe life.