7002 - Life In Jesus - John 1:4b

Our study in the gospel of John has brought us to verse 4 of chapter 1. It reads:

“In Him was life and that life was the light of men.”

This verse is a reference to Jesus. In previous verses He has been identified as the Word and as the creator. He is also identified as God himself.

Now, in verse four another identifying word is applied to Him. “In Him was life…”

The Greek has three words translated with ‘life.’

One of these is ‘psuche’, which carries the meaning of breath or soul. This is the idea of natural life. It also carries the idea of seat of personality.

A second word is ‘bios.’ It denotes the manner of life in regard to its moral conduct, as well as the means of making a livelihood or a living. This speaks of life extensive.

‘Zoe’ is the word appearing in verse four. This speaks of life as a principle, in the absolute sense, a depth of living. It is associated with holiness and righteousness. This word is used in expressing the life of a believer, a noble word expressing the highest and best which the saints possess in God.

‘Zoe’ is also the word found in John 3:36 which says: “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him. Both times ‘life’ appears is a translation of ‘zoe’

Used in the common Greek language this does not always express the deep, abiding life associated with Jesus Christ; however, in Christian literature and usage this almost always carries the connotation of eternal, spiritual life.

Let us remember that Jesus, the Son of God, was the principal hero-figure in the drama of providing redemption for the entire fallen, sinful, human race. His expressed purpose for coming into the society of earth, and taking the form and nature of human likeness, was to live a sinless life until adulthood. At which time he would be arrested and falsely accused of subverting the Jewish nation. Finally he was nailed to a cross on the hill of Calvary, where He died a painful death.

Neither the Jews nor the Romans comprehended that they were serving to carry out God’s purpose for redemption of mankind from their slavery to sin. In God’s plan Jesus was serving as the atoning sacrifice for all men (1Jn 2:2; 1Tim 2:6), as He ransomed mankind from the slave market of sin
(Mt. 20:28).

Romans (3:25) declares: “God presented … [Jesus] as a sacrifice of atonement…” This was the culmination of God’s eternal plan for reconciling the fallen human race to himself.

When Adam sinned, it was necessary for God to withdraw from him. Now, after more than four-thousand years, the blood of Jesus Christ has washed away the stain and blemish of sin from those who have accepted the gift of eternal life from dear Jesus. Now we are enabled to come boldly into the throne room to commune with God. Furthermore, the Trinity God has come to reside in the inner spirit of every believer, so we do have an intimate, personal relationship with Him.

Those who through the years have placed their faith in Jesus Christ have come to experience the ‘zoe’ life which Jesus has bestowed upon everyone who has trusted Him for eternal life.

We have come to experience the benefit of the life which we received in Christ. We have been assured that Jesus: “has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.(2Tim 1:9)”

“In Him was life and that life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)