The Meaning of Abundant Life
ON THE COVER:
by Pastor Kris TM
When I switched roles from Director of Children’s
Ministry to Pastor eight years ago, one of the
things I learned to do was guide people through
the process of planning a funeral: music, scripture,
remembrances, lunch, the cemetery. Although there
are a variety of readings that bring comfort at times
of loss, people often turn to the Gospel of John. Two
of the favorites are: “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the
truth and the life,’" and "‘I came that they might have
life and have it abundantly.’” (John 14:6 and 10:10b)
Early on, one of our elders told me that John 10:10b
had been a core verse for his life, so I decided I needed to get a better handle on
what Jesus means by “abundant life.” I read through the Gospel of John and jotted
down notes every time I found reference to “life”. I filled several pages in my
notebook.
Not surprisingly, abundant life is not about opulence or the abundance of stuff.
It is knowing that you are safe, trusting that your basic needs will be met, and
believing that you are never alone. Pretty simple, according to Dr. Karoline Lewis.
It’s protection, provision and presence. A sense of purpose
could be added, as well.
The stories we tell reveal something
about who we are. Some stories get
told more than others. The story of
Jesus holds details that define us,
but we often move quickly through
the drama of his last earthly days.
This year we’re slowing the pace and
digging into the details of what makes
Christian faith unique: Jesus, fully
human, fully divine dies on a cross for
us.
March 4:
John 18:28-40
"The reason Jesus Before Pilate
abundant
life
We have been reading through the Gospel of John this
John 19:1-16a
matters is that it is March 11:
year, so the ‘p’ words have been on my mind. One cold
Jesus
Condemned
day last month as I exited the freeway, the appearance of
not a given."
a young girl holding a sign asking for assistance startled
me. She looked so fragile. The ‘p’ words came to mind and
inspired a prayer for her that included shelter, protection
from those who might harm her, enough food, a sense of
God’s presence, and someone in her life to help her find
home. Since then, these words have inspired prayers for abundant life for the
people I love, too, as well as those I encounter in my day and in the news.
The reason abundant life matters is that it’s not a given. A variety of factors
deprive God’s people of abundant life – illness, financial difficulties, life
transitions, bullying, and so on. What would you discover if you put on the lens
of ‘abundant life’ today? Who has it? Who needs it? How might it shape your
prayers or stir you to action? Jesus said, “I have come that they might have life
and have it abundantly.”
Blessings to you in these days of Lent.
March 18:
John 19:16b-30
Jesus Crucified
March 25:
John 12:12-27
Palm Sunday
Read more about what's happening
during Lent and Holy Week on Page 5.
Next CONNECT deadline:
March 10, 2018
[email protected]
CONNECT newsletter online
bethlehem-church.org
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