Oct 31 2008
live on the edge
Here is a link to today’s text:
In Christ we can have abundant life now and forever. We live life on the edge of eternity. We live now with purpose and one day we will live forever in God’s kingdom. They way to live a life so that you can die with no regrets is to live as if you had one month to live. In the world, a long range plan may be 10 , 50 or even 100 years. In Christ, you can have a long range plan of abundant life both today and for all eternity.
Today’s Challenge:
Accept the gift of abundant life that God offers. Are you ready to make a pledge to never settle for a mediocre life of postponement and regrets? Are you ready to Live Passionately, Love Completely, Learn Humbly and Leave Boldly? Don’t take anything less than the eternal abundant life that God wants to give you.
Textual Reflection:
To get a sense for this text, it is probably worth reading the whole chapter to to get the context. Jesus is trying to explain who he is and what he has come to do. To do this, he uses a variety of images. He introduces these images through a collection of I AM’s.
With this image of the gate Jesus clarifies two very important claims. First he clarifies any confusion about his claim to centrality. Jesus claims that he is at the center of what God is planning to do. This is a claim of sharp particularity and if we are tempted to negate this claim we do so at great risk to the teaching scripture.
Secondly he claims that he comes to secure life for all those who will “enter through him.” I often need a reminder of what God in Christ intends for me. Lies speak in my head to say, “there is a better life than this. That short cut won’t matter.” Into that lie come the words of Christ. There is one way to enter the life for God made you and me. That one way is the through the forgiveness and lordship of Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus came. Jesus came to save those who are dead in our sin and to give us life. And not just any life, but the full life for which we were created.
on the walk
-Ethan
