April 13,
2008
Message
The Rev. A. Thomas Carlson
Scriptures: Psalm 23
Acts 2:42-47
John 10:1-10
We have heard, even used, the
expression, “I’m good!” The emphasis is
usually not on what kind of person I am (although I’ve heard it that way) but
on how you’d perceive our lives going!
Never have I heard people say, “I’m bad!”
We live in a time and place that
focuses on “the good life.” It’s
interesting that in the current political scene, more Americans are concerned
about the economy than terrorism and the war.
We worry about the possibility of losing “the good life.” Things are important to us even more
important than knowledge.
This story is true even if it is
only a reflection of our times. . . .
“The college faculty gathered for
their weekly meeting. A professor of
archeology brought with him a lamp recently unearthed in the
“A professor of philosophy was
particularly intrigued. He grabbed the
lamp and rubbed it vigorously. Suddenly
a genie appeared and made him an offer.
He could choose one of three rewards:
wealth, wisdom, or beauty.
Without hesitating the philosophy professor selected wisdom. ‘Done!’
said the genie and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
“All the other faculty members turned
toward the professor, who sat surrounded by a halo of light. At length, one of his colleagues whispered, ‘Say
something. What wise insight do you now
have?’
“The professor, much wiser now,
sighs and says, ‘I should have taken the money’”
How does the “good life” match up
with the life Jesus offers? We have
heard more than one TV evangelist declare, “God wants His people to have nice
things.” Looking at their lifestyles
(now under the scrutiny of a U.S. Senator), these folks are doing just fine
themselves! Following Christ or the
prosperity gospel are not one in the same.
Being faithful does not guarantee having “nice things” or lots of
stuff! That’s why we need to take a
closer look at the verse where Jesus promises more than “the good life.” John 10:10b.
“I have come that they might have
life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (KJV).
“I came to bring them life, and far
more life than before.” (J. B.
Phillips).
“I came so they can have real and
eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (The Message).
By comparing these three
translations, we are able to discern that while the “good life” isn’t
necessarily bad, Christ is talking about something more rich and
wonderful! It really is important for us
not to confuse the two.
So, let’s be clear from the start. .
. the abundant life in John 10:10 is not about “stuff” but rather “spirit.” What bugs the human spirit that Jesus
confronts and deals with?
I start with anxiousness and
fear. No one disagrees that life should
be 100% fearless. Some fears are inbred
for our protection but unnecessary fear can cause one havoc. In fact, a person consumed by anxiousness and
fear has been labeled a “functional atheist.”
In my reading this week I found this
adaptation of a Japanese version of the 23rd Psalm. I believe it speaks directly to what Jesus
says in John 10:10. Listen:
“You, O God are my pace setter. .
. I shall not rush. You make me stop for quiet intervals. You provide me with images of stillness which
restore my serenity. You lead me in the
way of efficiency through calmness of mind and your guidance is peace. Even though I have a great many thing to
accomplish each day, I will not fret, for Your presence is here. Your timelessness, Your all importance will
keep me in balance. You prepare
refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity by anointing my mind with
Your oils of tranquility. My cup of
joyous energy overflows. Truly harmony
and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours for I shall walk according to
Your pace, O God, and dwell in your house forever.”
If a Christ follower has really
learned to live by these verses, I can still hear the phrase “I’m good,” but it
means that I have experienced the abundant life in Christ.
Secondly, I feel John 10:10 takes on
depth and meaning within the context of community. What I am saying is that Christianity is not
a solitary religion. It just can’t be “Jesus
and me.” That would make it too easy to
slip back into the rut of selfish living.
When we are busy acquiring,
accumulating, and consuming the “good life,” it leaves little time for
fellowship, relationships, and community.
As one writer notes: “the world
of acquisition, accumulation and consumption is a lonely life, an isolated
life, where one spends a lot of time building and filling barns--and now
self-storage lockers--with more and more stuff.
There is no room for fellowship, relationship, and community in such a
scheme.”
The early church described in the
book of Acts would have failed miserably by our standard of the “good life.” Yet because there was such a powerful sense
of community, these early Christ followers clearly identified themselves as
full recipients of the abundant life to which Jesus referred!
For an early Christian to say “I’m
good” meant “my spirit is good” and my life has meaning within the context of
my faith community.
Finally, to say “I’m good” in the
context of “stuff” and saying “I’m good” in the context of “spirit” usually has
to do with where the good is coming from.
In the context of John 10:10, being good, experiencing the abundant
life, is born out of gratitude for what God in Christ has done on our
behalf. The abundant life is always
a gift of grace.
The epistle for today captures this
truth: “He Himself bore our sins in His
body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by
His wounds you have been healed.” Then
he adds these words: “For you were like
sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of
your souls.”
The challenge for Christ followers
in every age and place is that when “stuff,” while not necessarily bad, starts
to consume our lives, that we are able to step back and realize that
there is more. We need to read once
again with fresh eyes John 10:10. “I
came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they
ever dreamed of.” (The Message).
The “stuff” is there and it isn’t
going away that easily but what about the “spirit”? How are you “good” today? Amen.