The LIFE

When Jesus declared, “I am the life” 1, He made a profound claim about His identity and purpose. This statement, part of His broader assertion to be “the way, the truth, and the life,” reveals His unique role as the source of both abundant life in the present and eternal life beyond death. To understand what Jesus meant by being “the life,” we must examine His authority, His resurrection, and the transformative implications of His claim, supported by Biblical evidence and historical testimony.

The truth – About authority

To comprehend the nature of true life—both in this world and beyond—one requires a guide with unmatched authority and a proven record of embodying that life. Jesus stands alone as this perfect exemplar. Unlike any other figure in history, He not only lived a sinless life but also conquered death through His resurrection.2 This event, central to Christian theology, distinguishes Him from all others who have offered moral or spiritual guidance. As the apostle Paul writes, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile”.3 The resurrection validates Jesus’ claim to be “the life,” as only someone who has transcended death can authoritatively speak to life after it.

Historical evidence supports the resurrection. The New Testament records that over 500 witnesses saw the risen Jesus4, including His disciples, who were transformed from fearful followers into bold proclaimers willing to face martyrdom.5,6 Their courage stemmed from encountering the risen Christ or hearing reliable testimony of His resurrection. Secular sources, such as the Jewish historian Josephus, also reference Jesus’ crucifixion and reported resurrection, lending further credibility to these events (Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, 18.3.3). This historical and transformative evidence underscores Jesus’ unique authority to define and offer “the life.”

The truth – About this life in Him

The life Jesus offers is both immediate and eternal, beginning the moment one places faith in Him and extending into eternity.7 Scripture is clear on this; eternal life is in Jesus, and anyone who has the Son has this life and those who don’t, do not have this life.8 This life is not merely existence but an abundant life, rich in purpose, joy, and peace through a relationship with God.9 It transcends worldly measures of success, such as wealth or comfort, and centers on spiritual fulfilment and alignment with God’s will.

However, this life does not exempt believers from suffering. Jesus Himself endured trials, betrayal, and crucifixion, learning obedience through suffering.10 If the sinless Son of God faced such challenges, believers should expect hardships as part of their journey.11,12 Suffering, while painful, can refine faith, build perseverance, and draw one closer to God.13,14 The life Jesus offers is not defined by the absence of trials but by the presence of divine purpose and hope amidst them.

This understanding is critical in a fallen world, marred by human sin and its consequences.15,16 The brokenness we see—war, injustice, and suffering—reflects humanity’s rebellion against God’s original design. Yet, through Christ, believers find meaning and restoration, living out God’s purpose despite the world’s imperfections.

Suffering is inevitable, necessary, and beneficial.17,18,19,

The truth – About what it means to “be the life”

Jesus’ declaration, “I am the life,” carries profound theological weight. It is one of seven “I am” statements in the Gospel of John, each revealing an aspect of His divine identity. 20,21,22,23,24,25 Specifically, His claim to be “the life” encompasses several dimensions:

  1. Source of Eternal Life: Jesus is the sole mediator of eternal life, which is knowing God intimately.26 As 1 John 5:11-12 affirms, eternal life is found only in Him, emphasising His exclusivity as the path to salvation.27
  2. Abundant Life in the Present: Jesus promises a life of fullness, marked by purpose, contentment, and spiritual vitality. This abundance is not material prosperity but a deep sense of meaning derived from living in communion with God.28
  3. Resurrection and Victory Over Death: Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life”, proving His power over death through His own resurrection.29 This assures believers of their future resurrection and eternal life.30
  4. Exclusivity of His Claim: By stating, “No one comes to the Father except through me”, Jesus asserts that He alone is the way to God. This exclusivity is not arrogance but a reflection of His divine nature and redemptive work.31

The truth – About the conclusion

Jesus’ claim to be “the life” is a bold invitation to experience life in its fullest sense—both now and forever—through a relationship with Him. His authority is grounded in His sinless life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection, validated by historical witnesses and the transformed lives of His followers. This life is not free from suffering but is enriched by purpose, peace, and the promise of eternal communion with God. By embracing Jesus as “the life,” believers find meaning in a fallen world and hope for eternity, confident that He has conquered death and offers life abundant to all who trust in Him.

To enter this life go, to the TRUTH pages which gives guidance on the conversation which you need with God.

References

  1. John 14: 6. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. ↩︎
  2. 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4. For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ↩︎
  3. 1 Corinthians 15: 17. and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. ↩︎
  4. 1 Corinthians 15: 6. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep ↩︎
  5. Acts 4: 18-20. And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your ownjudgment; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ↩︎
  6. Acts 7: 59-60. They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep. ↩︎
  7. John 3: 16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.  ↩︎
  8. 1 John 5: 11-12. And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who has the Son has the life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. ↩︎
  9. John 10: 10. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. ↩︎
  10. Hebrews 5: 8. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. ↩︎
  11. John 16: 33. These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” ↩︎
  12. 2 Timothy 3: 12. Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  ↩︎
  13. Romans 5:3-5. And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ↩︎
  14. James 1: 2-4. Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ↩︎
  15. Romans 3: 23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  ↩︎
  16. Romans 5: 12. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned— ↩︎
  17. 1 Peter 4: 12-13. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. ↩︎
  18. Romans 5: 3-5. And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ↩︎
  19. Hebrews 2: 10. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the originator of their salvation through sufferings.  ↩︎
  20. John 6: 35. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.  ↩︎
  21. John 8: 12. Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” ↩︎
  22. John 10: 9. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  ↩︎
  23. John 11: 25-26. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. ↩︎
  24. John 14: 6. Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. ↩︎
  25. John 15: 1-2. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.  ↩︎
  26. John 17: 3. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ↩︎
  27. Acts 4: 12. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” ↩︎
  28. John 10: 10. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. ↩︎
  29. John 11: 25. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies,  ↩︎
  30. John 6: 40. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” ↩︎
  31. Colossians 1: 19-20. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. ↩︎