Crossing over

Crossing Over to Life: The Promise of John 5:24

In the Gospel of John, Jesus delivers a promise that resonates with hope and transformation: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24, NIV). This verse is a beacon of grace, offering a vivid picture of what it means to trust in Christ—a journey that spares us from condemnation and leads us across a great divide into eternal life. Let’s unpack the powerful imagery and truth in this verse, exploring how it speaks to our faith today.

Escaping the Outcome of Judgment

The Greek phrase behind “will not come into judgment” is eis krisin ouk erchetai, which literally means “does not come into judgment.” The word krisis (judgment) often carries the weight of condemnation in John’s Gospel, pointing to the divine verdict on sin. Imagine standing before a courtroom, facing the consequences of a trial. For those who believe in Jesus, this verse declares that we are spared from entering that courtroom altogether. Through faith, we are not subject to the outcome of condemnation that sin deserves.

This isn’t about physically walking into a place of judgment, like entering a house or city. Instead, it’s about being exempt from the spiritual state of being condemned. Jesus’ words assure us that faith in Him—trusting the One sent by God—secures our freedom from the penalty of sin. It’s as if the gavel of divine justice has already been struck in our favor, not because of our merit, but because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This is the heart of the gospel: through faith, we are saved from the outcome of judgment and welcomed into God’s grace.

Crossing Over: A Transformative Journey

The second part of John 5:24 paints a vivid picture of transformation: the believer “has crossed over from death to life.” In Greek, the verb metabebēken (from metabainō) means to “cross over” or “pass from one place to another.” This evokes the imagery of crossing a river or border, a powerful metaphor for a decisive, life-changing journey. In the ancient world, crossing a river—like the Jordan in the Old Testament—often symbolized leaving behind one reality for a new one, such as moving from exile to promise or from danger to safety.

Here, Jesus uses this imagery to describe a spiritual crossing. “Death” represents more than physical mortality; it’s the state of spiritual separation from God, marked by sin and brokenness. “Life” is zōē aiōnios, eternal life—a vibrant, unending relationship with God. Through faith, we cross a great divide, leaving behind the realm of death and stepping into the reality of divine life. This isn’t a future promise alone; the perfect tense of metabebēken tells us this crossing has already happened for the believer, with lasting results. The moment we trust in Christ, we’ve crossed the border into God’s kingdom.

A River of Grace, A Border of Faith

Picture a river, wide and turbulent, separating two lands: one of darkness and despair, the other of light and hope. Without a bridge, crossing seems impossible. Yet Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, becomes the bridge. Faith is the step we take to cross over, trusting the One who has already paved the way. Like the Israelites crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, we move from the wilderness of sin to the abundance of God’s grace.

This imagery also recalls boundaries—lines that mark a change in identity or destiny. In the ancient world, crossing a border meant entering a new realm with new rules and promises. For us, crossing over from death to life means entering a new reality where we are no longer defined by sin but by God’s righteousness. It’s a permanent shift, a one-way journey made possible by Christ’s finished work on the cross.

Living in the Promise Today

John 5:24 invites us to live confidently in this new reality. We don’t have to fear judgment, because Jesus has already secured our acquittal. We don’t have to linger in the shadow of death, because we’ve crossed into life through faith. This truth transforms how we face each day:

Rest in Assurance: Knowing we won’t “come into judgment” frees us from fear of condemnation. We can approach God boldly, trusting His grace.

Embrace Eternal Life Now: Eternal life isn’t just a future hope; it begins the moment we believe. We live in God’s presence, empowered by His Spirit, today.

Share the Journey: The promise of crossing over is for “whoever hears and believes.” We’re called to share this good news, inviting others to cross the river of grace through faith in Christ.

As you reflect on John 5:24, imagine yourself standing on the far side of the river, safe in the land of life. The judgment you deserved has been lifted, and the border you crossed by faith has changed your destiny forever. Let this truth anchor your soul and inspire your walk with Jesus, the One who makes the crossing possible.