3-10-2021

 Good Morning All,   

             John 6:47; “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.”

    “Truly, truly” who talks like that?  I know I don’t.  I would guess that most of you don’t either.  I would also guess that Jesus probably did not talk this way either.  The difficulty is that the New Testament is written in Greek and sometimes the translations are awkward.  Some Greek words do not translate well into English.  In addition, Greek grammar is somewhat different than English as well.  The more literal the translation, the more awkward the sentence structure. 

   So, when Jesus says, “truly, truly” what was he saying?  The better translation would be “amen” which means, “it is so, or it is true.” Hence the “truly” in the newer translations and the “verily” in the King James.  Verily comes from the Latin word “veritas” or truth.

   So, we can see that Jesus is telling us, he is speaking the truth to us.  The truth, which Jesus defines Himself as the Truth, is being spoken to us.  These are the facts, the certain truth, even the guaranteed truth.  Remember, God took an oath when He made His covenant with Abraham.  God made a sacred promise to Abraham that He would never break.  You and I, through the blood of Jesus, are the beneficiaries of that oath.  Every time Jesus spoke to the people, He kept making this same promise, the promise of eternal life for those who believe that Jesus gives it to them.

    I would suspect that if Jesus had been born a Midwesterner, He would have said it like this, “Anyone who believes has eternal life, I guarantee it!”  Next time you read your Bible and you read Jesus saying, “truly, truly” or just “truly” or even “verily” try reading it as Jesus is saying, “I guarantee it!”  To the thief on the cross Jesus said, “today you will be with me in paradise, I guarantee it.”  Or “whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.  I guarantee it!”   Or “if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death, I guarantee it!” Or “whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. I guarantee it!”

    We have Jesus’ guarantee on every promise that He has made to us.  Jesus put His stamp, His mark, on you to seal that promise, guaranteed to you by Jesus.  What an amazing gift!  What a generous act of love!  Jesus makes us this promise, fulfils it on Calvary and delivers it to you in your Baptism.   Promises of eternal life, eternal companionship, peace, comfort, hope, love all made to you, all guaranteed and delivered.  Anyone who believes has eternal life, guaranteed.

Father of all mercies, you grace is poured upon in an unquenchable river of love.  Keep us mindful of Your guarantee as we look to Jesus for our hope, our future, our comfort, and our life.  Give us peace to walk in Your holy will.  Move us to love those who are hurting, to comfort those who suffer and to encourage the downtrodden.  Direct us as we go.  Be with those who are lost and suffering and bring to them the light of Your truth.  In the precious name of Jesus, we do pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret