John 8:51

“Let me be as plain as I can be with you,” Jesus says, “If any soul clings to my word, he will never experience death.” John 8:51 EFP 

I am sure I have read this text before, in fact I have read it many time, but I do not remember ever pondering what Jesus says here. This is quite a statement by Jesus, and clearly unlike any other statement made by him. I am familiar with the texts that say that those who believe in Jesus “shall never die” (John 11:26), “[will have] everlasting life” (John 3:36), “[will have] life” (1 John 5:12). But somehow I do not recall unpacking exactly what he means by these words.

Mind you, Jesus is not saying that those who believe in him will not die forever. That would be easier to explain. Even the passages that say that eternal life is already present in those who accept Jesus are powerful statements about the present power of life for the believer. “He will never see death” are the words of Jesus in this passage. But people die. People “sleep” until the day of resurrection. So how can Jesus say that the believer who clings to Jesus’ words will not see death?

Perhaps the answer is found in the concept submitted by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8. Here we fine one key to grasping the concept of no death for the believer. In this passage Paul states that even death cannot separate us from the love God (Romans 8:38, 39). Death is a blink of an eye to the believer. The last breath before death is followed by the first breath of the resurrection morning. But there is also the concept of the first death versus the second death (Revelation 2:11; 20:6; 20:14; 21:8). The first death is the one most will experience because of our sinful state—it is not a final death. The second death is the death only those who refuse the gift of life from God will experience. It is final. That is the death believers will never experience. I say “Amen” to that!