John 8:51 Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death. 52 At this they exclaimed, ‘Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?’
These verses are such an odd exchange. It reminded me that the politics of power is nothing new. It can even impact faith. No I’m not talking about the “R” or “D” kind of politics but the dictionary kind: “activities associated with governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having, or hoping to, achieve power.”
Jesus’ words: “Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death” challenged the Jew’s power over their people and that was the real conflict they had with Him. Their political authority gave them the ultimate power to end life, but Jesus continued to proclaim He had the ultimate power to end death.
Believers in Jesus Christ already have been given the promise of the power over death wrapped in the mystery of being “born again.” Born again is the indefinable personal moment of recognition that Jesus Christ guarantees your “new” life will not see or taste death. That life has already begun in you. You are living it right now. It doesn’t promise you won’t die but that by obeying His word in this life you will be able to see and taste the power of life that continues beyond death.
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