What is Eternal Life?
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." ⏤ John 17:3 NIV
Here, Jesus is praying before being arrested and going to the cross. His disciples are with him, and he defines eternal life (aiōnios zōē) for them. "This is eternal life." Eternal life = knowing God.
Bewilderness
A dog barked in a distant hollow. Truck tires crunched on a gravel road far away. The woods were peaceful, but I was getting a little panicked.
It was the end of a November day that had started well before dawn, frosty and moon-shadowed. I was a teen boy outdoors in the Appalachian forests and fields with my father, uncle, and one of their buddies. Now, several hours later, darkness was settling back in. And I was lost. I knew the woods well but had crossed the wrong ridge, and nothing looked familiar. A dog barked in a distant hollow below. Truck tires crunched on a gravel road far away. The woods were peaceful, but I was getting a little panicked. I backtracked, crossed the correct ridge, and returned to safety. Once I recognized the familiar, I settled down and could navigate the right path.
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Life is like this. There are a lot of uncertainties. Today, some in my family are facing employment questions. Others are dealing with health issues. Add to these the crosswinds in society. It's unsettling.
Bewildering events remind me to practice the primary spiritual discipline of finding Jesus. Throughout the Gospel narratives, Jesus slips away from people's notice. His parents lost track of him when he stayed behind in the synagogue. Jesus escaped crowds who wanted to make him king or to find a place of solitude with the Father. Outside his tomb, he appeared as a gardener. On the way to Emmaus, he looked like an uninformed traveler. He may even be disguised as the poor, marginalized, hungry, thirsty, or unsheltered. To feel secure and properly oriented, I need to find him. That's always my first task when I am in the wilderness. He might calm the tempest. But even if the storms continue to rage, he will be a secure foundation, provided I remain. Jesus never really leaves. He never forsakes. He's probably looking for me, too. So, where is Jesus?
On Being Neighborly
I recently saw a social media post about the angle of the sun and the risk of sunburn. The main takeaway is that the sun's intensity in April is comparable to that in August. Where I live, August feels different than April; August is hot and humid, while April is generally pleasant.
What a beautiful morning it is! The sun is shining, temperatures are in the 60s, and a gentle breeze is blowing. The trees are adorned with leaves in a variety of spring greens.
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Thread 1
When walking, running, or biking in neighborhoods, you are sure to encounter some annoying driving habits. Everyone's in a rush, seldom watching for the unexpected. I appreciate those drivers who choose patience and concern for others, demonstrating kindness toward their neighbors.
Thread 2
Today, I noticed a man strolling through a nearby neighborhood. Our only connection was my wave. He wore a doctor's mask, which triggered memories of 2020 and the pandemic. I thought, "That mask isn't necessary outdoors!" My nicer self led me to consider reasons he might have for wearing one. Ultimately, I came to, "What's it to me?" He has his reasons, and I'm in no position to judge him or anyone else.
Thread 3
I recently saw a social media post about the angle of the sun and the risk of sunburn. The main takeaway is that the sun's intensity in April is comparable to that in August. Where I live, August feels different than April; August is hot and humid, while April is generally pleasant. Surely, the sunburn risk is greater in August than in April, right? No, it's the same. It may even be greater in April because I am still so pale, and the air feels deceptively cool. This highlights a possible disconnect between feelings and reality. Feelings are valid, but it’s essential to recognize and consider the truth.
Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor. In his kingdom, love is everything. We tend to define who our neighbor is based on feelings. But when someone asks Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" the Master tells a story about a Samaritan man, an outcast who helps his enemy in extravagant ways.
As I operate on feelings,
Jesus reveals the truth.
That truth is up for my consideration.
What will a step of faith look like?
- love
- Holy Spirit
- humility
- church
- politics & society
- mission & witness
- holiness
- parable & metaphor
- identity
- eternal life
- doubt & deconstruction
- leadership
- grace
- justice
- scripture
- spiritual life
- advent & christmas
- poverty & compassion
- imagination & creativity
- technology & ai
- knowing God
- human dignity
- faith & trust
- incarnation & cross
- kingdom of God
- community
- reconciliation
- spiritual formation
- epistemology
- prayer
- gratitude
- culture
- creation & nature
- discipleship
The God of the Bible looks like Jesus, the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. It would be just like him to go to the cross.