An “Eternal” Kind of Life?

Today is another episode of “pointing out the obvious…when we’re paying attention.” And it’s one of my favorites! It comes to us from Jesus’ frequent statements recorded for us in the gospel of John regarding “eternal life.”

Eternal life does NOT = eternal death

Let’s dive headfirst into pointing out the obvious: life isn’t death isn’t life. It’s important to note this, however, because oftentimes Christians talk about life and death and the after life as if “eternal life” is actually fancy religious speak for being eternally dead…but in a good way. Let’s just point that out for what it really is – nonsense. If Jesus meant to say we’d be eternally dead, he surely could have. But he didn’t. He promised eternal life. So whatever he was talking about, the mental picture we should have is one of being alive.

Eternal life is a present reality.

Now we get a really crazy, but very cool observation. When Jesus speaks of eternal life, he speaks of it as a present reality. It’s not something promised for later, but now. Obviously anything that lasts forever is equally significant for later. The significant point here is when this eternal kind of life begins. And according to Jesus, it’s now.

Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24)

Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood (participating in my life) has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day (John 6:54)

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-28)

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die (John 11:25-26)

An interesting paradoxical picture emerges surrounding eternal life. It’s consistently taught by Jesus as present reality. It’s also consistently contrasted with the alternative – death. But in two of the references, Jesus also notes the paradox of the in-between. We know from experience that these corruptible bodies don’t last forever. We know from experience that Christians die. We know by faith that dead Christians are already resting in the presence of Jesus in a place he once called “paradise.” But let’s please not forget what the New Testament so frequently insists upon – death isn’t going to be any more effective on Jesus’ people than it was on him.

In Christ, it’s probably helpful to remember that death is a bit like taking a nap. Then we wake up, stretch, and keep right on going – except in a resurrected body that will never again know sin, decay, disease, pain, tears, or death. You’ll still be you. I’ll still be me. We’ll pick up where we left off, except having been renewed with all Creation and under the fully manifested reign of Jesus Christ.

It’s gonna be great. I sincerely hope to see all of you there!

Countercultural Essentials

syn·cre·tism
ˈsiNGkrəˌtizəm

  1. the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought.”interfaith dialogue can easily slip into syncretism”
  2. the merging of different inflectional varieties of a word during the development of a language.

Syncretism isn’t a word most of us probably use on a regular basis, but it’s something Christians should be aware of every single day. Syncretism is what has happened when people can no longer discern the difference between what it means to be a good American (or republican, or democrat, or social activist, or capitalist) and a Christian. It is evident when people no longer accurately discern a difference in values, agendas, priorities, and perspectives. Syncretism reminds me of a timeless quote from an old movie, “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” That’s syncretism. Genuine Christians are absorbed by their surrounding cultures. They fade away and they don’t even know it.

The Solution
There’s a simple solution to this problem. The Bible. Not the Bible as a superstitious or nostalgic relic to be placed on end tables and bookshelves. Not the Bible as a source for fuzzy-feeling quotes to hang on the wall and affirm whatever we already desire and think. The solution is the Bible as the long story of what God is up to in this world. If we will actually read it, it provides everything we need to untangle ourselves from the patterns, perspectives, and priorities of the world around us.

When Jesus kicked off his ministry, the first words Mark records for us are every bit as crucial for us today as they were in the first century:

“God’s reign is unfolding and Jesus is becoming King. You’re going to have to rethink everything and learn how to live in response to the circumstances in which you now find yourself” (Mark 1:15).

Let’s do it. Let’s turn away from old thinking and old ways of living. Let’s live like people who understand that Jesus is King and that we’re already determining our places in his kingdom by our everyday lives here and now.

The Main Thing

Deliverance and Destiny
I read Psalm 136 this morning. Amidst the echo of “God’s steadfast love endures forever”, the author remembers the defining story of Israel (and the entire Old Testament) – the deliverance of God’s people from slavery in Egypt into God’s promises and destiny.

When Jesus’ ministry reached its climax at his death and resurrection, it was during the celebration of this national Jewish holiday that he was crucified. God’s people were busy sacrificing a lamb and eating a sacred meal in remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt. And at the same time, Jesus was celebrating the same meal with his disciples and reinventing it for his followers forever: “Take this bread…it is my body. Take this cup…it is my blood.” And then Jesus was crucified. He was buried. He rose again.

A Sin Story??
Sometimes Christians talk as if the primary thing Jesus does is deal with sin. People who like big religious words call this dealing with sin “atonement.” And while this is certainly part of what Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplish, it’s not the main thing.

There’s actually a Jewish holiday specifically for that purpose. Conveniently enough, it’s called the “Day of Atonement.” Like Passover, sacrifices were made by the priests and the sins of the people were taken care of year by year. Jesus certainly could have died and been resurrected surrounding the Day of Atonement if he wanted us to understand his significance primarily in terms of his dealing with our sin. But he didn’t.

Restoration
Instead, Jesus chose the Passover. Jesus wanted us to understand that through him, people would be set free from oppression and slavery in all its nefarious forms. And not for nothing. The whole point is that through Jesus, all is restored. We step under the reign of a rightful and good King. And in doing so, we begin a journey back into all of God’s promises and purposes.

Finally, let’s connect this back to the bigger story. God didn’t create people to be religious. He created people to be instruments of blessing throughout creation. He created us to reflect his goodness and likeness everywhere. He created us to govern creation on his behalf, to bring order from chaos, and to make creation fruitful.

In the big picture, Jesus’ story isn’t about sin or religion. It’s about setting everything right. It’s about freeing us to be truly human just like he was. Freedom from the kingdoms of darkness for life in the kingdom of God. That’s the good news. That’s the main thing.

Repent?

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

Mark 1:15

I went on a nice run yesterday and found myself returning to these foundational words of Jesus that kick off Mark’s account of the gospel (the story of Jesus). I think they are of critical importance if we are to make sense of either the New Testament or our own lives of faith. These opening words are the backbone of Jesus’ message and they reveal Jesus’ perspective on what’s taking place in the world.

Unfortunately, Jesus’ perspective and message have largely been lost. This loss has resulted in a loss of understanding and meaning. Today, a religious person might be inclined to think that repentance is the rough equivalent of being sorry for doing the wrong things. Perhaps it is regret for immoral thoughts or behaviors. This doesn’t at all fit what Jesus is talking about.

What Jesus is saying here is that something has happened in the world and that we’re going to have to rethink everything we thought we knew about the world in light of what has happened. And because of what has happened, we are going to have to live differently in response to the new circumstances in which we now find ourselves.

Repentance isn’t about being sorry for some moral failure as we’re going about our 21st century American lives. It is about recognizing that God’s redemptive mission for all of creation is underway. It is about recognizing that we are living in the midst of this story – that God’s story is our story, too. It’s about recognizing that we’re RIGHT NOW taking our places in an eternal story just like all those people we read about in the Bible. It’s about recognizing that WE are the servants in Jesus’ parable (Luke 19) who are deciding their fate in his eternal kingdom by how we live in response to the fact that Jesus is King.

If we want to make sense of the Bible and if we want to make sense of our own lives, this is the place we’re going to have to start (just like Jesus said). We’re not Americans sorting out jobs and finances and family dynamics. Those details will all blow away like smoke in the wind. Every single person you know is living before God within an eternal story. Every single person you know is ALREADY taking their place in God’s eternal story.

So yes. We need to rethink some things. We need to start living in light of the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Sure, let’s try to be nice and moral along the way, but what we’re really talking about is how we’re taking our places before the King of all creation.

Once we get this right and in view, the New Testament will come to life like never before. Our lives will make sense. We’ll see this world clearly enough to live well for all the days that God gives us until we stand before him.

Fruit? No fruit?

As I was reading this morning, I was once again struck by Jesus’ story of the sower in Mark 4:1-20. This passage seems to grab ahold of me every time I read it.

Two main points stand out in this parable. First, Jesus categorizes people into two simple categories in this story: those who bear fruit in response to God’s word and those who don’t. That’s it. Simple enough. On a personal note, let me say here how thankful I am for God’s grace. I am blown away both by God’s invitation to be a fruitful person in his kingdom and by his goodness in loving me through what often feels like a very marginally fruitful life.

Second, in his explanation to the disciples, Jesus offers three general areas that prevent us from being fruitful in response to God’s word. If you’re at all interested in living a fruitful life, these are worth noting:

  1. Distractions, negligence, apathy. The word is presented and/or heard, but that’s it. It goes nowhere. Satan takes the seed of God’s word away without the hearer even noticing. End of story. Obviously, if we realized the treasure of God’s word, we wouldn’t allow the devil (who is so inferior to God they’re not comparable) to take it from us. But as long as we’re distracted, negligent, or apathetic, God’s word can be stolen from us without a fight. Look for this to happen in any case where God’s word has little perceived value to the hearer.
  2. Outward pressure. As soon as we experience any pushback from our family or friends, our extended “neighbors”, or our surrounding culture, we cave. We fall away. The word has no bearing and bears no fruit in us.
  3. Inward desires. Maybe we genuinely value God’s word. Maybe we are strong enough to withstand the onslaught of the world around us. What still remains to be seen is what we want the most. What happens if God’s word runs contrary to our own wants and desires and dreams. What then? Jesus warns that for many, inward desires will render us unfruitful regarding God’s word to us.

So there you have it – God’s word to you from Mark 4. Now it’s your story. It’s a story still unfolding. The question for each of us: How will we emerge from within it?