We recently watched the Netflix documentary “Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever.” It was about tech millionaire Bryan Johnson, who according to the Netflix promo, is the man who wants to live forever—well, at least extend his life by 200 years.

There was something oddly fascinating about watching Bryan down a gazillion supplements (okay, it was just a mere 91), eat meals that didn’t resemble anything we cook or save from the New York Times Cooking app, work outad nauseam, hook up to machines for all sorts of read-outs, undergo light therapy and sleep for precisely eight hours a night.

On the Netflix Tudum site, an article promoting the movie asks, “If given the chance, would you want to live forever?” I wonder how many people, after watching the documentary, said, “Sign me up for forever.”

In a post on X, Johnson claims he is building a religion and that his “Don’t Die” movement will “save the human race” and usher in “an existence more spectacular than we can imagine.” Johnson boasts on his website, “Blueprint,” that he is the healthiest person on earth. He says that he is “asking the question, 'Are we the first generation that won’t die?’”

I hate to break the news to Bryan Johnson (actually, I don’t hate to break the news), but that question has already been asked and answered by the invader of paradise who assured its newly created residents, “You will not surely die.” It’s the same ancient lie no matter how you dress it up or swallow it down.

In the inspired irony of Scripture, Jesus shatters the “Don’t Die” myth. When his disciples walk up the stairs to the upper room, their dusty sandals leaving footprints on the stairs, he knows the hour of his death has come. And what does he do? Figure out an algorithm to live forever? Since the Father already had that planned, Jesus takes off his outer garments, picks up a basin and towel and washes twenty-four dusty feet. He doesn't reassure his followers that no one is going to die, but he loves his own to the end—his end. Instead of supplements, he gives bread. Here, take eat, “This is my body, which is given for you.” He hands them the cup. Here, drink, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” In the darkness of a garden, Jesus looks into the cup swirling with the sins of the world and cries, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) He looks again, knowing he alone is the worthy Lamb sacrificed for our sins, so that we may live forever.

We love our life, we lose it. We hate our life in this world and keep it for eternal life (John 12:25). We eat Living Bread and are satisfied. We drink Living Water and never thirst again. We die and live forever because the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost, the sick, the poor and hungry. He has come to save the Bryan Johnsons of the world with the promise that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life—something more spectacular than we can imagine.