Intro to Eternal Life

Last night we were talking about eternal life, and the fact that this was one of the revelations that Jesus came to bring. I was just doing some research this morning and there are only two verses in the old testament that talk about eternal or everlasting life:

Psalm 16:11 NIV
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Daniel 12:2 NIV
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

Yet, this was clearly a thought that was already in discussion at the time Jesus appeared, for the rich young man asks Jesus about eternal life as described in these verses from Matthew's Gospel:

Matthew 19:16-21 NIV
[16] "Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?”
[17] “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
[18] “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “ ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, [19] honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
[20] “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
[21] Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

According to some research I did, it was in the first century Rabbinical thought that the whole concept of eternal life was first seen. I find it interesting that this topic would start being discussed , and developed right before the coming of Jesus. It's almost like The Father was setting the stage for Jesus to come and bring deeper revelation. The two verses in the Old Testament are bolstered by 40+ verses in the New Testament where Jesus reveals this, and Paul and others expound the topic further.

I think this is similar to the topic and thought that gentiles were included in salvation. Something that was alluded to in the Old Testament, but then brought to full revelation in the New Testament, and specifically by Peter and Paul. Paul writes about it in Ephesians 3:6 NIV: "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.". Peter's revelation is recorded in Acts 10:9-48.

Anyway, back to Eternal Life, using the exegetical tool of first mention, we can learn some very important points about this eternal life that Jesus reveals. If we go back to the verse in Psalms, David has a prophetic vision of what was to be made available through Jesus, this eternal relationship that is filled with joy and exists in God's presence. Daniel receives a revelation that this concerns life after death. So we have an idea that there is life after death, that can be filled with joy in God's presence, but there is no mention of how to enter into this eternal or everlasting life.

The rich young man in asking Jesus about this eternal life reveals two things that were evident in the teaching of the day. First, they did not know how to achieve eternal life. Secondly, they figured it must be something related to the commandments God gave them, but it was works based. The young asks what thing must I do?

Jesus, in His response, sets the stage for His further revelations. In verse 21, at the very end, Jesus gives us the first key of understanding, that this life is entered into through relationship with Him. I think that many people miss this key point, and have mentioned it before. It wasn't so much the selling of his possessions that was required, but rather the following Jesus - being in relationship with Him. The possessions were just in the young rich mans way, and Jesus was encouraging him to clear the way so that he might be able to enter into relationship. Jesus also did not discount the commandments, but rather used them as the jumping off point. They are important, as is a moral, obedient life for us all, but they can not replace a relationship with the Lord. It is only through coming into relationship with Jesus that we enter into life eternal.

This topic is much too broad to cover in a single day, but I leave with these verses from 1 John 5:11-12 NIV:

[11] "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

Amen