We know this verse by heart, right?
John 3:16 "For Elohim (G-d) so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (chayyim)."
But, truly, what does this mean? Is this something new that Yeshua (Jesus) did for mankind, or did the right to eternal "chayyim" always exist? This is a really deep study, for sure.
I am only beginning to understand a little Hebrew, but the word for "chayyim," "chayyim," or "chay," is a huge word. It encompasses the whole Bible.
We see it in creation. Genesis 2:7 "Then Adonai, our Elohim, formed a person from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of chayyim (life), so that he became a living being."
Think of this: He breathes chayyim into us. He gives us chayyim. And then of course, He is life. Through all His giving chayyim to the world, He also gives us rules for living our lives.
Exodus 15:25 "There Adonai made laws and rules of chayyim (life) for them, and there He tested them."
What are the rules? The Torah. The first five holy books of the Bible. Spoken by the Holy One, blessed be His Name, to give us a way to chay - live. How to live our lives by worshiping Him and serving others. It wasn't only for the chosen people of Israel but also for those who joined them or sojourned with them. As it is today. If you are sojourning with the Jews, Adonai says you must follow the Law, the Torah.
Numbers 15:15 "One ordinance (law) shall be both for you of the congregation, and also for the stranger that sojourns with you, an ordinance forever in your generations: as you are, so shall the stranger be before Adonai."
So, if Yeshua says that if we trust in him (remember he was a Rabbi teaching Torah), then we will have chayyim forever. I really believe he is saying that if we believe in him, we will know the Torah, and in that we will find eternal chayyim (life). Torah is eternal life.
We have been programmed to believe that, in order to get eternal life, all we have to do is trust in Jesus. But, there is so much more. We must follow him as a wise and wonderful Rabbi, and obey him by obeying the commandments - the Torah - or else we are condemned.
Proverbs 3:1-2 "My son, don’t forget My teaching, keep My commands in your heart; for they will add to you many days, years of life and peace."
Even Yeshua says it clearly, John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep the commandments."
There it is. He didn't nail the Law to the cross. He didn't have to get rid of it. Instead, He gave us a way to follow him through it, through studying and obeying His Torah, to the best we are able. The biggest deception believers of Yeshua have been given is that you don't have to follow the Law anymore. We can't change what Adonai has said or directed, ever. And to say that we don't have to obey the Torah is changing the Torah.
Deuteronomy 4:2 "In order to obey the mitzvot (Laws) of Adonai your God Elohim, which I am giving you, do not add to what I am saying or subtract from it." And later, He speaks to do so, will make you a false prophet.
Aren't we so grateful Hashem has given us eternal chayyim, by trusting in Him and His Commands? And then sending a sheliach (representative) to teach us even further?
More clearly explained in the Torah:
Deuteronomy 4:2 "That you may fear Adonai your Elohim, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged."
We are truly blessed. Continue to follow Rabbi Yeshua - and you will begin to understand how it all fits together.