What Is Eternal Life?

Today is Maundy Thursday, the day on which Christ’s church commemorates His last supper with His disciples. At the last supper, Jesus and His disciples were celebrating the Jewish festival of Passover, which this year began on Tuesday. Passover doesn’t always fall during Holy Week, but this year it does.

The apostle John records Jesus prayer for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers in John 17. I love the first part of His prayer:

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:1-3.

I love how Jesus defined eternal life. He didn’t speak just of what happens to our soul after our earthly body dies. Eternal life is something to enjoy right here and now. Eternal life is knowing the one true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He sent.

Our God is not an impersonal, Heavenly being that is unconcerned with our daily lives. He is a God who wants to know us personally and intimately, who wants to give us eternal life here and now. And He gave us a means to know Him – through His Holy Word and His Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised His disciples, and us, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26. Through His Holy Spirit we can read the Word of God and understand what it means for us. We can know the heart of God and His love for His people.

I was reading a blog last night that was linked from my dashboard. The blogger commented that life doesn’t come with an instruction book. I thought about posting a comment that it did, indeed, come with the best instruction book of all, but that most people don’t bother to read it. But after looking at the rest of the blog decided the comment was not likely to be well taken. I did say a brief prayer that he would find God’s Word to guide his life, and in retrospect maybe I should have stepped out in faith and posted the comment.

I am thankful for God’s Word, for the blessing of knowing my God who loves me and would do anything for my best interest. He wants me to have eternal life, and an abundant life now and forever. He wants that for you, too.