John 3:36
Thoughts from Amanda Cook
Dive Deeper
“Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day.”
Psalm 25:5
Behind the Scenes
This verse ends a conversation between John the Baptist and his followers. They come to him concerned when they see Jesus also baptizing people in the Jordan. John proceeds to testify about Jesus and the joy he has seeing Jesus and hearing His very words.
He goes on to delineate between those who hear Jesus and believe and those who hear and don’t believe. In verse 33, John says, “The one who has accepted his testimony has affirmed that God is true.” You see John understood who Jesus was. That he was the Son of God. And then John tells the good news, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…”
“Life” here is the Greek word zoe. One of the definitions is, “life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ…” (emphasis mine). Do you see those words? REAL, GENUINE, ACTIVE, VIGOROUS. That is exciting. That is good news.
Make it Real
I think in our world today, so many think that if they give their life to Christ, they will suddenly have a boring, uneventful existence. Like the monks in “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” ambling along chanting a dirge and banging themselves in the head with their Bibles. (Forgive the reference if you’ve never seen the movie – and also if you have seen the movie).
Our life in Christ is to be full and abundant, enjoying the blessings of this world. We are not to be dragging along beating ourselves (or others) with our Bibles just waiting to meet Jesus in Heaven. We shine our light best when we are living fully in God’s blessings AND in the hardships of this world. When we live joyfully, knowing the hope we have in Jesus, through good times and bad, we look different than the world. We look real, genuine, active, and vigorous.
You see, Jesus came so that we would have eternal life with God the Father in Heaven but also that we would have abundant life now. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” So, live that life. Live it actively, vigorously, knowing the hope you have in Jesus and shine His light.
Colleen McGeorge
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your Son and giving us zoe! I want to live abundantly, fully enjoying Your blessings and clinging tightly to You in the rough times. Show me Lord where I can live more fully and honor and glorify You in this world and the next. In Jesus’ mighty name – AMEN!