Each day of our 2017 fast will include a short reflection on each of the 7 Movements of Discipleship. The 7 Movements are the way we explain the transformations that come as we follow Jesus.
As we begin this week of prayer and fasting, we reflect on the first and primary movement that we make as disciples of Jesus: moving from death to life.
"Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24
I'm struck by how 'otherworldly' this verse is and yet, at the same time, how simple and straightforward it is.
It's 'otherworldly' because Jesus is saying that there's a realm of death that many are living their lives in and there is a realm of life that some cross over into and beginning living within. That's a bit odd, no? I'm not sure that most people walk around thinking that.
Yet he's very straightforward about it and explains it very simply: he says that if you hear what he says and you believe God the Father (meaning what God the Father is saying through Jesus' life and words) then you are (currently) in the realm of life and you possess this incredible thing called eternal life.
Eternal life is life infused with God. It is the life of the garden of eden from Genesis 1. It is a quality of life beyond what even the most ambitious go-getters are looking for. It's a life filled with wonder, with beauty, with joy and with a love so powerful it even makes dead people live.
Do you hear Jesus' words? Do you believe that God sent him and all that his life, death and resurrection means for you? Then you have crossed over from death into life. So, what else are you looking for? And have you really grasped that for yourself?
If that's not you yet--consider that. Consider Jesus. His life was so historically and profoundly impactful that we're here writing blogs and singing songs about him today. Your life is worth enough that you should seek out what life means and how to get the most life out of life that you can. I believe that this road will lead you to the historical person of Jesus as he is presented in the New Testament--freed from the baggage that 2000 years of broken human beings have done in his name.
This movement from death to life is something that we can consider each day as we continue to choose life and relationship with God as he has been revealed in the person of Jesus and as we have the privilege of offering this life, spilling over the rim of our lives, to others who are thirsty and looking for life.
As you begin your time of prayer and fasting, make space to remember a greater reality: that in Jesus, you are living in the realm of life where your reality is infused with the presence of God and the unbelievable announcement that you, yes YOU, will not be judged. You can rest.
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To go deeper, consider reading Ephesians 2:1-5.
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Join us for one of the corporate prayer times during the week:
Wednesday, January 11th at 680 rue Richmond 6:30pm - 8:00pm
or
Thursday, January 12th at 4250 avenue Marcil (Apt. 21 Buzzer: 28) 7:30pm - 9:00pm
We will break the fast and celebrate together on Saturday, January 14th at 680 rue Richmond 10am - 12:30pm. We will have a time of prayer followed by brunch together. Please bring a dish to share.