This is the second edition of tracing the theme of “Life” in John’s Gospel. Today’s reading came from chapters 4-5, and here are some instances of theme continuing. 

1. Water Theme Continued 

In John 4, Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well and Jesus uses the water in the well to teach a spiritual lesson. He says in verse 13, “whoever drinks of the water that I give him, will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 

John 5 opens with Jesus encountering a man who is an invalid who longs to get into a pool that is thought to have healing powers. Instead of helping the man get into the pool, Jesus commands him to “Get up, take your bed, and walk” (v8). Jesus gives life to the man’s physical body. 

2. Healing of the sick boy

After encountering the Samaritan women, Jesus travels to  back to Cana, where he turned water into wine. An official comes and asks Jesus to heal his son who is ill. Jesus simply says, “Go; your son will live” (4:50). Jesus sustains life. 

3. Explicit ‘life-giving’ verses

There are several verses in John 5 that teach us of the life giving power of Christ. Here are the references:

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.” – John 5:21

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” – John 5:24

““Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.” – John 5:25-26

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, ⁴⁰ yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.” – John 5:39-40