Today I will be tracing the theme of Life across several chapters in John’s gospel today. 

1. Jesus, the Bread of Life

Several times in John 6 Jesus refers to Himself as the bread of life. He does this to contrast the bread that “Moses” gave them, that perished, along with those who ate it. The words “life,” “live,” or “living” occur 14 times in John 6 alone. The message is clear, unless you believe, partake, come to, and feed on Christ, you have no life. 

2. Water and Spirit

We saw the connection of water and Spirit back in John 3, and John 7:37-39 we see it again. ^{37 “}On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” ³⁹ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

3. Jesus, the Light of the World

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

Of course Jesus is speaking of spiritual things here, but it’s interesting to note that even biologically, this is true. Light and life go together. No light, no life. 

4. Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who has come to give life in abundance to His sheep (John 10:10). He does this by laying down His life in order that we may have life, even eternal life. 

5. Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life

John chapter 11 gives us the raising of Lazarus which is one of the greatest stories on planet Earth. Jesus intentionally delays in going to heal Lazarus so that He may manifest His glory in raising Him. 

Martha knows that Lazarus will raise again in some future event, at the resurrection, but what Jesus does is tell Martha that the event she looks longing for is standing right in front of her. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me though he die, yet shall he live'” (John 11:25).