Christ our Life
I. In Christ all shall be made alive; but that the depth and extent of the Scriptural term life can never be limited to the mere revival of the soul from death or unconsciousness seems obvious on the most cursory inspection of the sacred volume. So far is mere immortality from answering to this gift of life, that there is a species of immortality to which the title of death, "eternal death," and the "second death" is given. It appears hence that this life, as well as the death spoken of in the text, is essentially a moral, not a merely physical, state or notion; that it is a blessed and spiritual vitality. To express His highest spiritual bestowments no term is more frequently employed by our blessed Lord than "light." Now, this light is itself perpetually connected with His descriptions or intimations of the life He was to bestow. "My followers shall have the 'light of life,'" He declares to the Pharisees; while the shadow of death is, as you know, the constant type of a state of hopeless spiritual ruin.
II. The more you reflect on this mighty theme, the more you will see that Christ's offer, instead of being limited to any of the forms of life, grasps them all; that He must raise the dead as Judge and Saviour, that He may punish and that He may save; that He bestows a quickening principle of spiritual life upon the soul, which must pass the grave, for nothing holy can perish; it partakes of the Divine nature; it is incorruptible seed, and must flower in Paradise; finally, that of this last consummate state He is also Lord and Donor, and in love shall rejoice as He beholds the same light which once was dawn hereafter settling on that noon which knows no sunset.
III. "He that keepeth My saying shall never see death." Many a dark century has passed away since the walls of the temple echoed these glorious words words, one would deem, that, uttered from God to man, might well change the face of the world. It is no momentaryadoption of the faith and law of Christ to which eternal life is the promised recompense. God will not condescend to take His place among the fashions of the day. Christianity is a new life.
W. Archer Butler, Sermons, Doctrinal and Practical,p. 90.
References: John 8:51. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iv., p. 89; H. Wilmot-Buxton, The Life of Duty,vol. i., p. 176. John 8:54. Contemporary Pulpit,vol. ix., p. 241.