Scripture Introduction
I was reminded a couple of week’s ago that some Jewish people find the Gospels offensive, even “anti-Semitic.” One writer described John’s gospel as a “polemical pamphlet against Judaism.” I disagree; John does show us the conflict between Jesus and certain Jewish leaders, but not because they are Jewish. The argument is over Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah who offers salvation as a gift of grace rather than a reward of works. That is a large pill for the religious (those who work hard to be good) to swallow.
Today’s text culminates the conflict that has been increasing in intensity since chapter five. It is accurately called a “classic summary of the true grounds of the clash between Jesus and the Jews” (Beilner, quoted in Ridderbos, The Gospel of John, 324). It ends with “mid-eastern mob violence” – they pick up stones to throw at him. This reaction is a premonition of the cross to come. I will be reading in John 8. [Read John 8.48-59. Pray.]
Introduction
A friend convinced Phil to go deep-sea fishing, something he had never done before. Now that he was in the middle of the ocean, he felt sure this was the dumbest thing he had ever done. Who would have believed that seasickness could be so awful? With every pitch and roll, Phil wondered if he could survive the remaining two hours of the trip. One of the deckhands said to Phil, “Don’t worry, young fella. Nobody ever died of seasickness.”
Phil responded: “Great! You just took away my last hope for relief.”
We may feel there is little worse than death; that is certainly one reason people refuse to discuss the topic until it is too late. And when we do talk about death, we may imagine (like Phil on the fishing boat) that death could only be good if life is really terrible. Yet the Bible has this strange verse in Philippians: “To die is gain.” English Philosopher Francis Bacon said that people naturally fear death as children fear the dark. How, then, can death be a gain?
I appreciate John Bunyan’s description both of the fear and the victory of death in Pilgrim’s Progress. As Christian and Hopeful approach the end of their journey, they are given a view of heaven so magnificent that they fall sick with desire. But they must cross the river.
Here is Bunyan’s description: “The pilgrims then, especially Christian, began to despond in their mind, and looked this way and that, but no way could be found by them by which they might escape the river….
“Then they addressed themselves to the water, and entering, Christian began to sink, and crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, ‘I sink in deep waters; the billows go over my head; all his waves go over me….’
“And with that, a great darkness and horror fell upon Christian…. He in great measure lost his senses, so that he could neither remember nor orderly talk of any of those sweet refreshments that he…met with in the way of his pilgrimage. All the words he spoke [showed] that he had horror of mind, and heart-fears that he should die in that river, and never obtain entrance in at the gate. Here also…he was [much troubled by thoughts of sins he had] committed, both since and before he began to be a pilgrim….
“Then said Hopeful, ‘My brother, you have quite forgot the text where it is said of the wicked, “There are no [pangs] in their death… they are not troubled as others; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.” These troubles and distresses that you go through in these waters, are no sign that God hath forsaken you; but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that which…you have received of his goodness, and live upon him in your distresses.’
“Then I saw in my dream… Hopeful added these words, ‘Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.’ And Christian cried out, ‘Oh, I see him again; and he tells me, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.”’ Then they both took courage…. Thus they got over.” Bunyan then tells their glad into Zion, the new Jerusalem.
In our text this morning, we have a culmination in the conflict between Jesus and the church leadership. It seems to have nothing to do with death and resurrection. In fact, when they call him a Samaritan and demon possessed, I expect Jesus to defend himself. Instead, he focuses on who he is, what he promises, and what is required.
When you play sports, the coach often says, “Keep your eye on the ball.” Jesus does that. Rather than be distracted by complaints and criticism, Jesus speaks about his person, his work, and his gospel.
Peter Hammond and Brian Abshire wrote a book about conflict in the church (Character Assassins, Christian Liberty Books). To set the stage for their teaching, they describe the “incessant and usually unpleasant” criticism that John Calvin faced from fellow protestants and theologians. Then they document how Christians slandered Martin Luther, attacked Jonathan Edwards, condemned William Carey, defamed Samuel Marsden, harassed Hudson Taylor, ostracized David Livingstone, assailed Charles Spurgeon, and excluded George Whitefield from the church. They conclude by quoting D. James Kennedy: “To avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. There is no defense against reproach – except obscurity. If I tried to read, much less answer, all the criticisms made of me, and all the attacks leveled against me, this office would have to be closed to all other business.” In other words, Keep your eye on the ball – conflict quickly distracts leadership from what is critical.
That seems to be Jesus’ approach in this text. Rather than answer all objections, he preaches again his main point (the resurrection). In so doing, he tells us three things:
1. There Is a Promise To Be Believed
John 8.51: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
Of course every one dies. God assured Adam and Eve that death would be the end result and just judgment for rebellion. And so it is; and all must climb down into the grave and cross the same river (as John Bunyan so graphically described). Pastor George Swinnock (c. 1660) said: “Against this arrest there is no bail.”
So what does Jesus mean when he promises that some will never die? Three things, actually.
First, he reminds us that death is not really death. The dictionary defines, “death,” as “the end of being alive.” But by that definition, no one dies. Yes, your body will be laid in the grave, but your soul neither ceases to exist nor quits being alive. When Jesus was on the cross he said to the repentant thief, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Your body’s “death” here, frees your soul to live there. Though each body ceases to function and falls into dust, your soul, or spirit, lives forever. Death is not really death, but passage to life.
Second, Jesus refers the fact that death is not death forever. Paul applies this in 1Corinthians 15. We sow bare kernels of corn in the dirt, but what sprouts forth is substantively different. “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body” (1Corinthians 15.42-44). Yes, you will die; but Christ’s victory so swallows death as to prevent you from ever seeing it. Death is not death forever – it is a planting for a resurrection to life wondrous beyond words, and all you will see is the resurrection!
Third, and primarily, Jesus teaches here that his followers will not face the “second death.” That phrase refers to the punishment due those who refuse to honor and worship God the Son, a punishment pictured in the ruin of the body in the grave. The second death, however, ruins the whole man in hell.
Revelation 20.6: Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power….
Revelation 20.14: Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
Revelation 21.8: But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.
Recently there have been special stories in the Wall Street Journal for both women and men. First was a story about the many style-advice books for women who want to look younger. Charla Krupp (who authored How Not To Look Old, Amazon’s current top-selling fashion book), says: “Looking younger isn’t just about vanity…. It’s about our personal and financial survival.” The story for men explained the popular new article of clothing: “When Jeff Lewis had trouble buttoning his trousers recently, he didn’t go on a diet or hit the gym. He reached for a new device: ‘bodyshaping’ underwear. Basically, a girdle, but don’t call ‘em that.”
Man and women may scratch and claw to climb out of the grave or to escape the currents of the river. But Jesus offers to carry you across the river and rescue you from the second death. That is his promise. Which leads us to….
2. There Is a Condition To Be Met
John 8.51: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
The promise of eternal life is not given to all, but to those who keep Jesus’ word. How do we do that?
First, we must hear his word, and to do that, you must know both what he says and how it applies. I grew up in a church felled with fine, religious people. But many of them would not know the teachings of Jesus from the Dali Lama. They memorize only the most repeated Scriptures, and confuse those with pithy maxims like, “God helps those who help themselves.” Do you really know what Jesus taught? You have not kept his word if you do not know what it says and cannot apply it to yourself.
Second, we must believe his word. The spirit of our age asks us to pick and chose the most pleasing parts of each religion we find. As a result, many professing Christians believe only the happy verses, those in which God gives me money and makes make me happy. That is not belief. Jesus’ word is all of a piece, indivisible and united. It stands on its own – those who would keep it must believe it whole.
Third, we must treasure Christ’s word. If I give you a gift, and you toss it in the trash on the way out the door, you have not kept my gift. If, instead, you take that gift home, and throw it in the back of the closet, forgotten but “technically” not thrown out, you still have not kept my gift. My gift is kept only when it is valued by you, treasured and desired. “Keeping” a Bible on the mantel and “keeping” the water glass off it is not keeping Christ’s word. You must remember and relish its work in your life.
Fourth, we must obey Christ’s word. Last week in worship we read the Beatitudes. Those are great words, we need to hear and recite together how Jesus applies the law in pointed ways. But are you making provision for obedience? Are you taking those apart and applying them in your life? Are you confessing failures and asking for the grace of the Spirit? Are you making plans for victory and building patterns which create new habits for living? If not, then in what sense are we keeping Jesus’ word? “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”
3. There Are Proofs To Be Had
Jesus begins verse 51 with two words: “Truly, truly.” Whenever he wants to wakes us up and remind us to pay attention, he says: “Truly, truly.” In other words, “What I am about to say is most important, most critical, most powerful.” And you can see why. People naturally fear death as children fear the dark. “Pay attention.” Jesus says, “I am giving you the solution to the sting of death.”
The topic is certainly worthy of attention. A question remains, however, how do we know his promise is true? Jesus gives some answers here.
You can look at the God-centeredness of Jesus’ life and teaching. Unlike other men who want your devotion, Jesus does not seek his own glory. He does the Father’s will and trusts that God will justify him.
You also can consider the faith of Abraham. Abraham believed in Jesus, kept his word, and trusted in his grace. Even though he did not have the advantage of living on this side of the cross and resurrection, he believed God and lives.
But most importantly, you can trust Jesus because he is God in human flesh. That is verse 58: “Truly, truly [there again is the double oath], I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” Not, “Before Abraham was, I was.” Jesus is not merely communicating prior existence; he says, “My name is ‘I AM,’ the same name which God gave to himself in the Old Testament.” These men understand precisely the claim of Jesus; they pick up stones to execute him for blasphemy.
Now the obvious question is: anyone can make the claim; how do we know this is true?
Tim Keller pastors a PCA church in Manhattan. He is a well-known apologist for Christianity in our generation. On March 5, 2008, he was invited to speak about his book, The Reasons for God, at the Authors@Google series. Google says of these lectures: “Previous participants include: novelist Martin Amis and Nobel-prizewinning economist Joseph Stiglitz to primatologist Jane Goodall and U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton.” (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kxup3OS5ZhQ)
He made his presentation and the floor was opened for questions. The final questioner said: “You make all these claims for Christianity, but I don’t buy it. There is no reason to accept that your religion is any better than any other. In fact, what prevents me from saying, ‘I am god and you must worship me or I will send you to a worse hell than you Christians have ever imagined’? Why is my story not equal to yours?”
Keller said, “If you died on the cross, after living a life in which everyone is amazed at the quality of it, and then afterwards, hundreds of people see you, with the nail prints still in, over 40 days, then that is different…. Paul says in 1Corinthians 15, that five hundred people saw Jesus alive, most of whom are still around. You can go and talk to the eye-witnesses.”
The resurrection of Jesus is attested to my thousands and is the final proof of Jesus’ divinity and the guarantee that those who keep his word will never see death.
4. Conclusion
“To the best of our knowledge, the New Hebrides had no Christian influence before John Williams and James Harris from the London Missionary Society landed in 1839. Minutes after going ashore, both missionaries were killed and eaten by cannibals” (John Piper, online paper).
Eighteen years later, Pastor John Paton, 32-years old, sensed God’s call to return to these people with the Gospel, but some objected. Paton wrote: “Amongst many who sought to deter me, was one dear old Christian gentleman, whose crowning argument always was, ‘The cannibals! You will be eaten by cannibals!’”
To this Paton responded: “Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer” (John Paton, Autobiography, Banner of Truth, 56).
Death will soon serve each of us as dinner to worms, or maybe a few to cannibals! But not all who die, die. Will you, today, begin to call on Christ for ears to hear and power to obey his word, and so keep it and never see death? You think about that.
