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This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lhm.org.
[Jesus says,] “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. However, I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
This year’s theme for our Hispanic Heritage Month at Lutheran Hour Ministries is “Abraza la Vida,” or “Embrace Life.” This is an invitation to recognize the life God gives us, the life He prepares for us, the life He alone can offer. We’re not talking about a life without problems, or without challenges or sorrows, but rather a better life here on earth, and an eternal life that—according to the Bible—is perfect, abundant, and that God gives us only by grace.
In the Scriptures, Jesus says that He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6b). And in John 10:10b, He actually declares that His purpose to come to this world, to our world, is simple and powerful. He says, “I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly.
However, things in this world may not be as easy as we would like. Right? There are pains that don’t end by talking to someone, whether a pastor or a therapist. There are challenges that overwhelm us, crush us, and leave deep wounds and profound sadness within us. There are situations that seem to have no solution, or that sometimes we cannot change even if we wanted to. This reality leads the world to alarming suicide rates, and to see life ending solutions as the only path. That’s why life in this world seems to have little value.
Furthermore, whether we like it or not, we have long lived in a culture marked and shaped by death. If we go back to Genesis, to the very beginning, we know that sin opened the door to death (see Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12-21). Death was never God’s plan or His goal when He created men and all things; it was the consequence of our disobedience.
In a culture of death, in our human nature that believes death is the only alternative, in a world that places very little value on life, Jesus presents Himself to us with a different proposal: eternal life.
Remember: “For God so loved the world that [He sent Jesus,] so that those who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). In fact, Jesus came to experience the death we deserved so that we might live forever. He conquered death so that in His resurrection, we too may rise again and live eternally in His presence. That is His plan for you and for me!
When the Holy Spirit empowers us to embrace life, we are prepared to welcome Jesus in our hearts, recognize His sacrifice, and celebrate the blessings that come when our sins are forgiven by Him … blessings of comfort in our pain, support in our grief, and yes, life when we are dying.
WE PRAY: Lord, in a world filled by death and sorrows, bring the balm of the eternal life that Jesus won for me on His death and resurrection. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Germán Novelli-Oliveros.
Reflection Questions:
- Why do you think people worry so much about temporary life in this world, and not about the eternal life that lasts forever?
- What did Jesus do to turn our death into life? Why is this important for you now?
- What can we say to people who don’t see life as a gift from God or as something valuable?
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