Jesus proclaimed, “Truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death” (John 8:51 NIV). While some may doubt Jesus’ words, believers are entitled to accept this statement without reservation. His declaration stemmed from His understanding of human value. Questioning the state of those created in God’s image impacts uninformed non-believers, whether they have passed away or are living. Sceptics existed during Jesus’ era, have persisted throughout history, and are still present today. Jesus once addressed a question regarding the resurrection that the Sadducees asked.
Jesus replied “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living” (Matthew 22:29-32 NIV).
The Sadducees asked this question based on their disbelief that the resurrection would ever occur. The grand resurrection of humanity is described as happening after the millennium (Revelation 20:11-15). Many live their lives unaware of the resurrection that will occur on the Day of Judgment. The Book of Revelation depicts a time when every human who has ever lived will be judged based on their life’s actions and behaviour.
Jesus pronounced that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were alive, though invisible to the physical eye. This is just as those in this world cannot see God and Jesus Christ. Jesus is acknowledged to have been resurrected physically after being buried for three days and nights. Despite the Jews securing the tomb with guards, they could not prevent Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples were able to interact with Him post-resurrection, just as they had before His death.
Nevertheless, after His resurrection, Jesus ceased to interact with humanity. His mission had been completed. There was no reason for Him to continue in His physical life. Humans witnessed a physical Jesus led to crucifixion, whose death and resurrection occurred precisely as prophesied. Everything unfolded according to the intended fulfilment. For believers, the motivating truth is that Jesus is alive, while His resurrection is still a mystery that baffles non-believers.
Jesus’ promise that adherents to His teachings will not experience death heightens scepticism among non-believers. How can one be deemed alive after death? Nonetheless, the story of Lazarus and the Rich Man illuminates the concept of an afterlife. It remains unclear, however, whether this is a literal account or a parable used by Jesus to convey a moral lesson. If taken at face value, the narrative suggests an afterlife where souls can communicate with each other, yet are unable to interact with the living.
The declaration by Jesus that those who believe in His word would not die suggests that such individuals would no longer be concerned with their physical state. They continue to live in their physical bodies for as long as God wills, but they relinquish the importance of their physical existence. Fearless of death, they undertake bold actions that those without faith may view as perilous. This is why such individuals are often characterized as fearless.
“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:15-19 NKJV).
Physical nature often gravitates towards what is deemed attractive, shunning what is considered unpleasant. Individuals who exhibit such behaviour could be classified as pretenders, unable to embrace God’s calling fully. They are akin to the people from Jesus’ time, whom He labelled as hypocrites. Essentially, the term “hypocrite” aptly describes those who are reluctant to cast aside worldly desires from their lives. The prophecy of John in the Book of Revelations highlighted a warning to such people:
“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:16-19 NKJV).
An individual acknowledged as a child of God does not regard eternity as a distant prospect. They inhabit a state of eternity even within a physical form. They do not identify with those who consider physical life merely a blessing. Rather, they value their terrestrial existence to the extent that it constitutes a living sacrifice for others. Like Paul, they find themselves conflicted between two inclinations.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:21-25 NIV)
The labour of love is never a chore for a child of God. For them, engaging in God’s work is a delightful activity, even though it may seem arduous to worldly individuals. They may endure harsh treatment, such as imprisonment like Paul, yet they still find joy in these trials. In essence, a child of God is beyond comparison with anything worldly. There is no reason to pity them; rather, one should interact with them as they would with Christ. They epitomize the truly liberated souls on earth.
Following His departure, many of Jesus’ contemporaries likely realized they had missed the opportunity to learn more about life from Him. While most religious leaders recognized His remarkable wisdom, they deemed it beneath their dignity to engage with Him publicly. The respected Pharisees, in particular, found it difficult to express open interest in His teachings.
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:1-8 NIV)
The etiquette in question would deem it improper to visit Jesus at an unsuitable hour. However, Jesus was not particularly troubled by those who physically interrupted Him to seek information. Instead, He was more concerned with those who shunned Him for any reason. Serving others was one of His distinguishing traits, as opposed to insisting on being served. This principle also extends to those who have become God’s children.
Nicodemus posed a crucial question that delved into the significance of eternity. Like many, he was cognizant of the physical realm yet perplexed by the spiritual one. As a Pharisee, he was open to the concept of spiritual existence. He regarded Jesus as someone who could elucidate the enduring enigma of eternity. With reverence, he approached Jesus, intending to offer Him praise. It wasn’t until Jesus introduced the concept of being ‘born again’ that Nicodemus inquired about the mechanics of such a rebirth.
Nicodemus knew he had a physical father and mother. Yet, the birth Jesus spoke of was enigmatic. A born-again person is no longer defined by their physical parents. Jesus instructed that such individuals should not call anyone on Earth ‘father,’ as they have one Father in heaven: “And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9 NIV). This statement is unequivocal.
Although Nicodemus appeared genuine, his inquiries regarding spiritual rebirth needed further explanation. The Pharisees were regarded as authorities in scriptural understanding. The teachings of Jesus were not outside the Scriptures that Nicodemus believed he understood. For elucidation, Jesus cited Scriptures that hinted at the Messiah they were expecting.
“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still, you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:9-15 NIV.
In the aforementioned Scriptural passage, Jesus elaborates that earthly beings are unable to comprehend heavenly matters. The sole method to grasp these divine concepts is through affirmation from the one who descended from heaven. Nicodemus had already acknowledged Jesus’ divine origin. Consequently, it was wise for him to accept Jesus’ words unconditionally. However, the significance of Nicodemus’ belief in Jesus’ words is not the central issue.
Rather, it is the impact of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus on the reader that holds importance. The teachings of Jesus resonate with some individuals, but not everyone. The messages of Jesus may not be comprehensible to those who are not predisposed to understanding them. It may not be possible for the author to ever know some of those people, except through communication with them. The core value lies in acquiring spiritual knowledge, which enables one to discern between physical existence and spiritual essence.
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:6-10 NIV).
Paul clearly distinguishes between the realm of the flesh and the realm of the Spirit. The greatest misconception is to believe one can partake in spiritual blessings while indulging in the works of the flesh. It is not sinful to lack the Holy Spirit, but it is deceitful to claim its presence when it is absent. For those who possess the Holy Spirit, the call is for a profound transformation, to renounce worldly deceptions and embrace true spirituality.
The idea of eternal life is within reach. The need for validation from others becomes unnecessary when Christ is the model for Christianity. Direct knowledge is unmatched. Nicodemus was challenged to accept Jesus, who came down from heaven, rather than seeing Him just as a theological speaker about eternity. By adopting Jesus’ teachings, one begins to live in eternity.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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