ODJ: Elixir of Life

January 28, 2017 

READ: John 4:3-15 

Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life (v.14).

The elixir of life is a mythical potion that enables those who drink it to live forever. Russian scientists claim to have made a breakthrough in developing an “elixir of life” after discovering bacteria that survived from ancient times in Siberian permafrost. They injected the bacteria into themselves, and claim they no longer get the flu and feel much more healthy and alive.

Designed to live in the paradise God provided, Adam and Eve were permitted by Him to eat from almost every tree in Eden, including the tree of eternal life (Genesis 2:8,16-17). But they willfully ate from the fruit of the one tree they were to avoid (v.17, 3:1-7). Because God didn’t want them “to live forever” in their rebellious sinful state, He lovingly prevented them from eating from the tree of life. And all human beings from that time forward were banished from dwelling with Him (vv.22-24).

The good news is that God still desires that we be with Him. And “by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13-14), we can live with Him forever (Revelation 21:3). “Anyone who believes [in Jesus] has eternal life” (John 6:47).

Eternal life isn’t simply endless existence. It’s quality of life: the adventure of “[knowing] the only true God, and Jesus Christ” (17:3). It’s not simply about future existence, but also something we enjoy today (5:39, 6:47-51; Revelation 22:14). The Jewish idea of knowing someone was all about real relationship and complete intimacy (Jeremiah 31:33-34; 1 John 5:20). That’s what we can experience—a life of knowing, loving, and obeying God, both now and forever.

Jesus offers the elixir of life to all who will drink it (John 4:10). Come, drink, and enjoy eternal life with Him! (v.14).

—K. T. Sim

365-day plan: Genesis 44:1-34