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“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. ” John 10:10-11 (NIV). In this passage Jesus is explaining who he is to the Pharisees. Obviously, they had a life so they might have wondered why Jesus said that he came so his sheep could have life. Therefore, we understand that the life he gives us, his sheep, is not the same life that the rest of the world has. We have true life. It is a different life. It is a life with fullness, with depth, with meaning, with fulfillment. Then Jesus says he is the good shepherd, and in John 10 he has been explaining how he is a shepherd. I have to think that this made everyone there think about Psalm 23, which starts out ” The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, Continue Reading →

In the 19th century Karl Marx and Frederick Engels presented their strategy for producing the ideal society. It begins by the workers overthrowing the merchant class (“bourgeoisie”), by force if necessary. The workers then confiscate all the private property of the merchants and others. At the end of chapter two of the Communist Manifesto Marx and Engels claim this will lead to a society where “the free development of each is the condition for the free development of all.” Of course we object to their strategy but their goal wasn’t that far from what Christians hope for. We too await the day when everyone will be free to use the gifts God gave them. It seems God has put this desire for the ideal society into the hearts of humans so that we instinctively know it is the proper destiny for humanity. Thus, this desire for the ideal society is still alive. Continue Reading →

“For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” Luke 9:48, NIV. Once again Jesus declares that his kingdom is an upside-down kingdom. Humans strive for status in this life, but how many people are more concerned with their status in God’s kingdom? Our status in the kingdom of God is not dependent on our status in this world. God is not interested in our worldly status. Instead, it is the one who is least among us who is the most important; the least is the greatest. In this passage Jesus was trying to settle an argument among his twelve disciples about who was greatest. But this doesn’t just apply to the twelve; anyone who is willing to humble themselves like a child is great in the kingdom of God (Matt. 18:4). This is so encouraging to those who have no status in this Continue Reading →

“For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 1:11 (ESV) 2 Peter 1 lists virtues we should seek such as faith, self-control, endurance, godliness and brotherly kindness. Then God promises that if we practice these qualities we will have a “rich” entrance into the kingdom of Jesus! In other words, if we will diligently become like Christ, then we will be honored as we are entering heaven. Later, God will create a New Earth where we will live in God’s Kingdom on Earth forever and we will be tremendously blessed in that next age. Just imagine actually entering heaven and experiencing a big celebration for you personally because you dedicated your life to being like Jesus in your relationships and actions on earth. It might seem like God is going overboard to Continue Reading →