This morning as I was sitting down to pray I heard 1111 and decided to turn to that page in my Bible, which happens to be in the concordance. I was scanning over the words on that page and the word "possess" caught my eye. There were two verses quoted for context, one in Num. 33:53, an d the other is John 5:39. Looks like time to do some digging.
Here are the verses - Numbers 33:51-54 NIV:
[51] “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, [52] drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. [53] Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. [54] Distribute the land by lot, according to your clans. To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one. Whatever falls to them by lot will be theirs. Distribute it according to your ancestral tribes."
- and - John 5:36-40 NIV:
[36] “I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish---the very works that I am doing---testify that the Father has sent me. [37] And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, [38] nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. [39] You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that (by them you possess) in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, [40] yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
In the verse from Numbers, the word translated possess is Hebrew word "yaras", which Strong's defines: to occupy (by driving out previous tenants and possessing in their place) by implication to seize, to rob, to inherit, also to expel, cast out, to ruin....
As I read the definition and see the context in Numbers, it is clear that this possessing of the land is something that requires work, determination and faith. This is not for the faint of heart, or the lazy. There is a permanence to this idea... to come in, take possession, make it your own and settle there. There is also a radicalness to the driving out and ridding that which was there previously.
Lately I have been thinking about our inheritance, as Co-heirs with Christ. When I think about inheriting something, in my natural and western understanding, inheritance is something that you receive because of relationship (usually bloodline) not something you have to earn (those are my thoughts about it). this taking possession of the land stuff seems like lots of work!
In the verses from John, the word translated possess is the original Greek word "echo". Definition: To have, to hold, to possess. In this case the Jews think they can possess eternal life through studying the scriptures.
Looking at the verses from John, we have actually heard this from our pastor recently, that all scripture is about Jesus, as He says in verse 39. There is also a diligence associated here, but it is in studying the scriptures. As noted above, they thought they could possess this eternal life just by knowing the scriptures, but Jesus points out in verse 40 that the way to possess this eternal life is through Him, through relationship.
I love how these two words and sets of verses effectively show the progressive understanding of what we are invited into, by the Lord. In Church we have been studying Genesis, and our Pastor talks about how everything ties back to the foundations of Genesis. Here we see a good example, for God's original intent was that mankind would live in relationship with Him in the Garden. After their sin, they are cast out, and the promised land becomes a sort of replacement, if you will, a place where they can live as assigned by God, and God would make His presence to dwell with them (In the Tabernacle, in the Holy of Holies).
The idea or concept of eternal life, is essentially the effort to get back to the life they lost in the Garden, living God's life. The Jews thought that by perfectly following the Law, they could somehow repossess that which they lost, and Jesus, in these verses, corrects that idea. He says all of the scriptures point to Him, and it is through relationship with Him that we are able to once again possess (if you will) this "eternal life".
A few verses earlier Jesus made the following statement - John 5:21 NIV: "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it."
This certainly seems like a very clear statement, but it was one that many missed, for they were thinking somehow their actions earned them this eternal life. Surprisingly, this is one we still miss, for many of us are continuing to try and earn our way to heaven, thinking it is by our efforts (or lack) that determines whether we make it into heaven or not. We miss the point that Jesus makes at the end of verse 21, He "GIVES" it!
We don't earn it, He gives it as a gift!
In interestingly, our whole service was focused on the fact that we receive Jesus' righteousness as a gift. Righeousness is not something we earn, something we can attain, which is one of the requirements for eternal life, and the only way we are righteous is through direct relationship with Jesus.
Getting back to the theme of possessing the land or eternal life, I wrote a reflection about 3 years ago on this theme that was quite insightful. I saw the parallel of possessing the Land in the Old Testament, with the ministry of Jesus, and the early Church. It is a helpful perspective concerning this theme today. Here is a link:
https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2021/12/possessing-land.html
Drawing these two ideas together, the idea of possessing the Land and possessing Eternal life, both are only accomplished through relationship with God! In his later writing John makes this abundantly clear. 1 John 5:11-13 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."
[13] I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."
This certainly seems very clear. I actually like the Passion Translation of these three verses a little better - 1 John 5:11-13 TPT:
[11] "This is the true testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has eternal life; whoever does not have the Son does not possess eternal life.
[13] I've written this letter to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you will be assured and know without a doubt that you have eternal life."
Interestingly, the Greek word that is translated in verses 12 "has" is the word Echo, which we saw briefly above. Here is the write up from Strong's -
"Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often used in similar contexts is יֵשׁ (yesh), which also denotes possession or existence.
Usage: The Greek verb "echó" primarily means "to have" or "to hold." It is used extensively in the New Testament to denote possession, relationship, or condition. The term can refer to physical possession, such as having an object, or more abstract concepts, such as having faith or a particular status. It is a versatile verb that appears in various contexts, indicating ownership, association, or a state of being.
Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of possession was significant, not only in terms of material wealth but also in terms of social status and relationships. The verb "echó" reflects this cultural emphasis on what one possesses, whether tangible or intangible. In the New Testament, this term is often used to describe spiritual states or conditions, such as having eternal life or having peace with God, reflecting the early Christian understanding of spiritual possession and identity in Christ."
I love how John writes to make sure that they understand and know that they HAVE this eternal life! If it is true for them, it is true for us as well!
We have this eternal life, if we have relationship with Jesus! In the same way that possessing the land required action on the part of the Jews, relationship with Jesus, as with anyone, requires active participation. We don't grow in relationship if we never converse (pray) or get to know the other person experientially. All healthy relationships are two-way, and mutually beneficial. In the same way that I must work at my relationship with my wife to keep it healthy and growing, I must commit to working on my relationship with Jesus. My "work" is similar to that which I do with any other relationship, I spend time, talk, listen, observe, interact with and share of myself. I "work" on my relationship with Jesus by spending a few hours every day in prayer, reflection, listening, and conversing. It certainly doesn't feel like work, but it is up to me to do!
What is amazing to me is that this relationship with Jesus also opens the door to Eternal life! As John writes, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have (possess) eternal life."
This leads me to the next question for reflection, what is this eternal life we possess, and what does it include? I think that will be subject for my reflection tomorrow.
This morning I am encouraged that relationship with Jesus is a restoration of what was lost in the Garden. I am encouraged that I have the invitation to step into real relationship with Jesus! I am encouraged that this relationship is a gift, and one that requires an investment on my part. I am encouraged that there is apparently more to relationship with Jesus than is obvious at first glance. I am encouraged to press in, to grow in my knowledge and experiential encountering of the Lord. I am encouraged and assured and know without a doubt, that I possess this eternal life!
Amen and Amen!
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