Thursday, May 22, 2014

John 5:28

“This ought not to surprise you at all.  In fact, the time is coming when all those who are in their graves will hear the voice of the Son of Man.” John 5:28 EFP

This text is an obvious reference to the resurrection.  Clearly Jesus is sweeping away any doubt about the event that will take place for all who die.  They will hear His voice calling them back to life—good and evil.  Note that they will be in their graves when they hear the voice that raises them back to consciousness. The statement is clear and sobering. 

But I can’t help but see a secondary meaning to the text.  It speaks to me as one who at one time was counted among the “living dead.”  I am not alone.  There are people all around me who do not know the meaning of life.  We are swallowed up by a quasi-life masquerading as the real thing.  It is more existence than the abundant life our Creator wants us to experience (John 10:10).  His voice is calling all the lost and lonely to come to the life-giver.  He calls us to come out of our grave of doubt, despair, and defeat.  He cries out for us to come out of the tomb of fear, failure, and faithlessness. He calles me into life.  And he reminds me daily that “whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:36)  It’s that simple.

No comments: