Jesus gave us the key to an abundant life. It’s not religion… it’s relationship. Religion crucified Jesus relationship raised Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus was in a relationship with his followers, and that has never changed.  That’s why he sent the Holy Spirit so that he could stay in a relationship with his followers.  Jesus is in us, we are in him, and he is in the Father.   

I think Jesus was full of joy, I like the picture of Jesus laughing and I particularly enjoy the TV series The Chosen. Lots of laughter and witty lines. There is a scene where Simon the Zealot has been given a knife upon completion of his Zealot training, and the knife is a work of art.  Jesus asks to see the knife and Simon gives the knife to Jesus.  Jesus admires the knife and then throws it in the river, turns to Simon and says ”Didn’t see that one coming did you!”.  Makes me laugh, because I can see Jesus as that sort of person enjoying life and showing people a different way of living.   

Speaking of religion….  such as Zealots, Pharisees, and Sadducees there is a lesson for us there as well.  They were religious, and they focused on a Holiness code that resulted in pride.  Holiness.  Holiness is nothing we do holiness is the presence of God.  Remember Moses on the mountain and God told him to take off his sandals, he was standing on holy ground?  The ground was holy because God was present.  We are the same as that piece of ground, we are holy because the Holy Spirit indwells us.  And so our response should be one of humility and not pride.  God gives grace to the humble and opposes the proud. 

The abundant life is a relationship with Jesus.  It starts with an encounter …an encounter with Him and once you experience it you start spending time together listening and talking.  Asking him to fill you with his presence and his love.  Looking for his presence in the activities of the day and in those around us.  Thanking him when we see his hand moving, asking for his help when we need it.   Speaking his words to those around us speaking in love because love is the conduit through which the Holy Spirit flows.  It was his last commandment to us before he went to the cross.  

Smiling and laughing enjoying life following Jesus that is the abundant life.  And it’s an exciting life, it’s the Great Adventure.  We only get one shot at this, so we had better make it a good one for us, for our children, and for our grandchildren.   

SELAH 

 

SCRIPTURES:     John 14:20 

Exodus 3:5 & Joshua 5:15 

James 4:6 

Ephesians 5:18 

John 13:34 

John 10:10 (KJV)           

 

PRAYER FOCUS:  An encounter with Jesus. 

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  Do I sense Jesus guiding me…. Do I have the Abundant Life? 

~ Written by Gene Bennett