We are given many stories and life events in the Bible that carry a greater message. These greater messages present truths to develop faith and help us know how to live and face all manner of situations. Many of these stories have been rehearsed from childhood.
John chapter six presented three of these types of events.
- The feeding of the multitude
- The Lord walking on the water
- The discourse of the Lord being the Bread of Life
Intertwined in these events is the truth of life triumphant over death. On the surface, we can easily miss this point by only seeing the wonder of Christ’s ministry and works. It is easy to take note of dramatic and emotional events. It is easy to see the big parts and miss the meaning or lesson behind what is happening.
Look closely at the emphasis of life triumphant over death in John 6.
- The word “life” occurs eleven times in this chapter —(verses 27, 33, 35, 40, 47, 48, 51, 53, 54, 68)
- The word “live” occurs four times — (verses 25, 51, 57, 58)
- The word “living” three times — (verses 51, 57, 69)
- “Not die” occurs once in verse 50.
- “Resurrection” is mentioned four times — (verses 39, 40, 44, 54)
- On the other hand the word “dead” occurs twice — (verses 49, 58)
There is a substantial reason to believe that life triumphant over death takes an important place here. The Holy Spirit is emphasizing the central truth that in Jesus Christ life is triumphant over death. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We should expect that He has come to conquer death.
This is a prevailing testimony in the New Testament. This testimony is clearly evident in John’s Gospel. The purpose behind Christ’s healings, miracles and signs is to reveal His triumph over death.
In John 3:16-17 NKJV Jesus told Nicodemus: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Everyone can find life that triumphs over death in Jesus Christ the Son of God.
In John 4 – Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well.
She came to the water, but was not satisfied. Jesus offered her the Water of Life. She could drink Living Water that springs up into eternal life. This was a new life for her and the people of Samaria.
In John 4 – the official’s son was at the point of death.
Jesus told him to “go home, your son lives.” The boy had a complete healing as a result of what Jesus said.
In John 5 – the people around the Pool of Bethesda were blind, lame, and paralyzed.
It was a picture of suffering and dying. When Jesus came by, He gave new life and healed the sick. Jesus changed the destiny of that man at the pool.
John 5:24 NKJV Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
John 6 continues with that theme.
This follows through to the end of the Gospel. John 6 shows us life triumphant over death. Victory over death is our greatest physical or spiritual need.
We are in a constant battle to really live! When death entered through sin, it impacted every facet of life. The power of death is the struggle against mediocrity and failure. Life triumphant is the pursuit to live our best life now. It is the drive behind a purpose-driven life. It is the power of Christ being lived in us.
How do we constantly and consistently live triumphant over death? To understand, we must look at the first man and his wife.
Adam and Eve were in a state or condition of continual and constant life. Death was unknown until sin entered. Sin brought about a change in everything. Before sin there was no curse, no sickness, no separation, and no death. After sin, all creation came under the power of death. The ground became cursed and in sorrow and toil mankind eats of its fruit. Man’s labor is filled with thorns and thistles.
Genesis 3:19 NKJV In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”
Think about the depth of change that happened when death entered by sin.
In the Gospel of John, we hear Christ’s message of victory over death. Jesus supplied miracle bread for a hungry multitude. He called Lazarus out of the grave and from the power of death. He is the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for the sheep.
The testimony is victory over death through the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the prevailing message throughout the New Testament. Jesus came into this world to bring life triumphant over sin and death.
A tremendous amount of the Word of God supports this position.
The Lord Jesus Christ came to give a present and continuous LIFE TRIUMPHANT in His redeemed ones.
What the Lord gives is in stark contradiction to the world. We were in darkness and Jesus brought glorious light and life.
In the world there is abundant evidence of the power of death. We see it in the lack of peace, joy, and love. It is prevalent in sickness, disease, and pain. The power of death is seen in war, hatred, prejudice, and terrorism. Hospitals and nursing homes are filled with pain, suffering and the power of death. We all are in a constant vigil to suppress and combat its power. The kingdom of darkness and death rules the world.
Christ came into this world that we might have life.
His power to conquer death is witnessed throughout His ministry and life. He fed the multitudes, calmed the sea, and raised Lazarus from the dead. These things supplied a momentary and temporary solution to pressing problems. The people hungered again. Tempests and storms would arise again. Lazarus would die again.
Jesus Christ’s life and triumph over death has a lasting and continuous testimony.
John 6:53 NKJV Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
The original language implies something that we may miss in translation. This is something that has been done, but has an outcome that has not been fully realized. What Christ has done in the past has the capacity for continuation. Literally it is completed in the past, but has not reached its final effect. It has not reached an end although it is already done.
John 6:54 changes the tense: “He who EATS My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
He who keeps on eating, or makes a habit of it reaps the benefit of Christ’s life and power. This eating is something that is done in the beginning and is carried on continually.
If we are going to enjoy this Life Triumphant over death, we must first receive Christ, and then we must continually receive Christ for the maintenance of the testimony.
This is not something that we can do yesterday and not do today. Feeding on Christ must be done continuously, daily, or habitually. Let me say it another way. We trusted in Christ to give us new life through salvation, and we continually trust Christ to shield, protect, and give life daily. If we are going to continually enjoy the benefit, we must continually feed upon Christ.
Several things are implied by this “feeding upon Christ.” What is feeding upon Christ?
This relates to several simple things that are realized in the testimony we demonstrate by our lives. As we continue with the Lord, we will discover the power of this testimony and triumph over death. This victory that we have in Christ is up against the wide-open forces of the Devil. We are being “made or enabled to stand” where all hell rages. We stand against principalities and powers of darkness in this evil world. We can do this through the power of Christ’s life within us. When we take our place with the Lord Jesus, the issue will be either the destruction of our testimony or the tremendous victory over all of the powers of the Devil. When we look at it from that standpoint everything takes on a greater degree of importance.
We are a living testimony of Christ’s triumph.
How do we feed on Christ? We feed on Christ in prayer.
We receive an impartation of Christ to His own when we pray. We may go to prayer in exhaustion and arise renewed. We may enter prayer with frustration and defeat, and arise in victory. We come to God in distress and walk in life.
Is the answer or victory realized because we have uttered some form of prayer?Formal praying does not bring much life. A form of prayer can minister death.
True prayer is seeking the Lord and having fellowship with Him. This kind of prayer takes hold of the Lord and will not let go. We give ourselves up to the Lord in prayer. He comes to us and renews, refreshes, and lifts us up. He comes and heals us and gives life. Prayer may be physically challenging, but we arise and go in the strength of it.
Christ is ministered to us by the Holy Spirit through prayer. This is a peculiar function of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes from what belongs to Christ and imparts and builds us up with it. We feed upon Christ, and He becomes our life.
How do we feed on Christ? We feed on Christ when we feed on the Word of God.
The Word of God strengthens, enriches, and builds us up. All study in the Word of God has some benefit, but this must be more than a technical study of the Word.
There is spiritual value and life in the Word of God. Again this is a function of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit quickens and gives life to the Word. Christ’s words become Spirit and life to us. When this happens, the Word of the Lord is filled with life and power. When we feed on the Word of God, it is not just a good read. His Words become life altering. His Words have transforming power. We take in what He has said and walk in obedience to it. We can never be obedient to any part of the Word of the Lord without gaining Christ. We live by the Word of God, by being obedient to it. Obedience to the Word is life and Christ is increased in us.
How do we feed on Christ? We are fed and gain sustenance by fellowship.
When we feed upon the Lord, He becomes our life. This brings us into the divine order of spiritual fellowship. This fellowship is with God and with one another. This was an important function in the early church.
Acts 2:42-43 NASB95 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
We find a tremendous means of grace when the Lord’s people are together. When we gather together, it is easy to get carried away with all kinds of matters and interests.
Fellowship that brings strength must center on Christ. We are strengthened, enriched, and built up by imparting Christ to one another. We should seek and cherish spiritual fellowship. The Lord promised “When two or three are gathered together in My Name, I will be there.” Something is lost in our lives when this does not happen.
What is feeding on Christ? We feed on Christ and are increased by worshipping God.
What is worship? Worship is bringing something to the Lord, for Him. We are enriched and increased when we take account of Who He is and speak to Him of what He is to us. We grow spiritually and are enriched when we worship.
Worship brings us into God’s presence. Just start telling the Lord how great He is to you. Start loving Him from your heart and with your mouth. Soon you will find His strength, blessing, and healing flowing into you.
When we draw near to the Lord, He draws near to us and life triumphant over death is ours. In His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.
What is the effect of feeding upon the Lord? There is a difference between our struggling to be like Jesus and our taking Him to be what He is in us.
Struggling to be like Jesus reveals our weakness. Most people try to be like Jesus by their own effort. When we do that, we realize how weak we are.
When we start feeding on Jesus, we find that:
- He is sufficient.
- He is enough. We don’t have to add to Him. It is not Christ and this or that.
- He satisfies our soul.
- He builds us up. We are strengthened and renewed in Him.
- The pathway of victory and life is through Christ the Victor.
- He is what you need.
- He has triumphed over sin and death.
He is life for us physically, spiritually, and morally. Take Him by prayer, by the Word, by obedience, by fellowship, by worship; take the Lord! You will never live in victory, if you do not pray. You will never live in victory, if you do not feed every day upon the Lord in His Word. Use spiritual fellowship for spiritual ends. God intends to lift up a testimony of life triumphant over death in you. Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to quicken this life in you. His power in you will exhibit Christ’s triumphant life. God intends to demonstrate this life to the world through you. He will show this victory to the powers of darkness. He will conquer the effects of sin and death and demonstrate the victory of the glorious Christ in you.
