And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)
Eternal life is both beyond our imagination and taken for granted. We have overused the phrase, so we don’t think about it; it is nearly a cliché. Besides, who can really understand it? As a result, we don’t stop in our tracks when we hear it or read it. We superficially affirm it and move on.
The same could be said about knowing God. It is both a common phrase and a strange concept—how do you actually know someone you can’t see, someone who rarely speaks in words that can be heard with the ears? Thus, we superficially affirm it and move on.
But perhaps Jesus meant what he prayed in John 17! Perhaps he yearns for each of us to actually receive a life that is so vast, so thick, so real that the only way of describing it is “eternal,” “abundant,” or “infinite.” Perhaps he looks at each of us and thinks, “I want you to have the fullness of what I have with the Father and the Spirit—a life of love and security, of depth and substance, of richness and joy; a life with no boundaries and no limits, where neither death, futility, nor frustration ever encroaches.”
The only place where this life exists is in the life of the Trinity. The only way to receive it is to know the Father, Son, and Spirit. Not know in the sense of reciting the data, but know in the sense of heart-level intimacy and awestruck contemplation. Jesus’ prayer is that we would know God, and therefore have this life, but he usually only reveals himself to those willing to wait in prayer-filled faith, to listen to God in silence, and to read his word with expectancy.
Steven+
The Feast of the Ascension
Tomorrow (May 18th) is the Feast of the Ascension. Even though it is one of the seven principal feasts of the church calendar, it is often forgotten, likely for two reasons: One, we don’t realize that it is important. And two, it always falls on a Thursday, rather than a Sunday. But we shouldn’t forget it—imagine forgetting Christmas just because it fell on a weekday! The four movements (incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension) of the work of Jesus Christ are all essential, and each needs to be remembered and celebrated.
The ascension matters for a variety of reasons. Jesus told the disciples that it was better for him to go away, a statement that we might still struggle to believe. After all, wouldn’t it be easier if Jesus were still here, with us? But the ascension was better than remaining, according to Jesus. Here are a few reasons why:
First, Jesus ascended so that the Holy Spirit could be given by the Father, through the Son. As Jesus was anointed with the Spirit to begin his ministry, the Church was anointed with the Spirit for its ministry. Without the ascension, there is no Pentecost, and no gift of the Spirit to each of us.
Second, Jesus went to present his sacrifice of himself to the Father, which the Father accepted as perfect and sufficient. Hebrews describes Jesus as the great high priest, entering the Holy of Holies in the heavenly temple with his own blood to atone for our sins. When he ascended, the sacrifice was accepted, and therefore we are freed from our condemnation, impurity, and shame.
Third, Jesus went to intercede for us before the Father. Because he ascended, we have a high priest pleading on our behalf before the throne of God. We have an advocate in the throne room!
Fourth, because Jesus joined himself to human nature in the incarnation, he took human nature back into heaven with him in the ascension. Because we are joined to him—made a part of his body—and because he has ascended, we have been brought into heaven and seated in the heavenly places. Because of the ascension, we have access to the throne of God.
Fifth, Jesus went to receive his kingdom. Although we are still waiting for all things to be subject to Christ, our king has returned to his rightful place, which indicates to us that the war has already been won and the kingdom of God is secure. His work on earth is finished, even though he is still at work through the church by his Spirit. Because he ascended, we can be at peace in the security of God’s victory.
Take time tomorrow to meditate on each of five truths. Let them strengthen and encourage your faith. And if you can, join us at the church at 5:30pm for a short Ascension Day Eucharist!
In the Name of our Ascended Lord!
Steven+
Walk for Life
On Saturday, May 6, we will be sponsoring the Pregnancy Resource Center’s annual Walk for Life. If you are available that morning, sign up to pick up donuts, help make coffee, work at the table at the park, or clean up afterwards. We need volunteers from 7:15-11:00am. Even if a sign-up slot is full, come anyways! We want as many people as possible to help out and enjoy the time together. Contact Tori or Katherine if you have any questions!
The PRC’s work is a great example of what I Peter 1:16 is referring to when it says that we are to be holy, because the Lord is holy. Peter is quoting Leviticus, where this phrase occurs multiple times (e.g., Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 20:26). Throughout Leviticus, God calls his people to holiness—to be unique, set apart from others, consecrated for God as his missional presence in the world—and gives specific commands that illustrate what this “set apartness” looks like. The people of God are supposed to stand out clearly as “God’s possession,” and it is in concrete actions—like sexual purity, keeping the Sabbath, economic justice, and faithful worship—that this uniqueness is practiced and seen. The actions that demonstrate this “set apart for God” status aren’t random, but instead flow from the character of God. To be holy—set apart as a living testimony to God’s nature—is to look like God in a world that oftentimes rejects him.
These commands include protecting those who are vulnerable and have no voice or power in the world. The poor, immigrants, the blind, hired hands—the examples given in Leviticus 19 make it clear that God is particularly concerned with what happens to those who get forgotten and trampled on in the societies of the world. (According to Ex. 22:22-23 and Matt. 25:31-46, this includes orphans and widows and those who are hungry, naked, or in prison.) God’s character is supposed to mark his people, which means we should stand out from others as those who care about the suffering, the vulnerable, and the powerless. In doing this, we act as God’s testimony of his own character to the world.
It is this call that the PRC is fulfilling when it seeks to protect both the unborn and young mothers and fathers. Through pregnancy tests, compassionate and objective information, mentoring, parenting classes, and other services, the PRC cares for those who are vulnerable. They are embodying holiness, because they are putting into practice the character of God in the world.
Join us as we support them!
Steven+