January 2 Life in Jesus

John 5:24-27 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. 25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.”
 
THERE is a hymn called “Wonderful Words of Life”:
 
Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.
 
Christ, the blessèd One, gives to all wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.
 
Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify us forever.
 
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
 
   How wonderful it is that the Lord said, “whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned”. How beautiful, too, are the words, “For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself.”
   Jesus taught these life-giving words to people intent on destroying him. He spoke into deadened ears to offer new understanding. The Savior urged his beloved Jews to hear – to listen and know – that he had come unto them to speak resurrection. Jesus, the Son, is one with the Father. Life is in the Father. Life is in the Son. Life is in in you when you know Jesus’ wonderful, beautiful words.
   Believe and be saved.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the sweet, sweet sounds of life coming from your Word each day. I pray I listen and believe. Amen.