It’s easy for Christians to fall into a rut: Church is a thing you do, prayer is a box to check, and faith seems far from “the real world.” This fall we let Jesus himself confront our ruts. “Do you believe this?” he asks (Jn. 11:26).
To believe in Jesus is to experience him. It’s more than logic, argument, and doctrine. It is intimate knowledge of God himself. This fall, let Jesus himself speak to you in his seven “I AM” statements in the gospel of John. How is he changing you? What response is he inspiring in you? To believe in him changes everything.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Ponder:
Ponder the I AM statement: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Consider how Jesus said “way,” singular. Ponder how our society is pluralistic – many ways. What do you think when you hear Jesus’ exclusive claim?
Word
John 10:18
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
Meditation: Adult Moment by Susan Becher Schultz
I’ve been asked by my therapist this week to think back to when I first felt like an adult. She said, for one of her friends, it was when they realized they could stay up all night and no one would yell at them. They felt crummy, sure, but no authority figure was there to tell them to go to bed. She mentioned another friend felt it when they bought an entire cake to eat by themselves, and didn’t have to share it with anyone.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever felt this first ‘adult‘ moment, which is probably why she assigned this homework to me. I’ve entered into a new stage of life where I’m learning a lot of new things in both my career and in grad school. I feel like a little kid, having to ask for help from coworkers, professors, and other students. In fact, there’s a lot of times in life where I feel like a scared little kid instead of an adult.
When I read through this passage in John, the word ‘authority’ jumped out at me. The power of Jesus’ words struck me. He is referencing his relationship to the Father, but in no way does he come across as a child. Jesus does not stutter, or second guess his abilities. He is firm in his description of his role as the good shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10: 14-15)
He is also firm in his own choice to lay down his life, as well as his choice to rise from the dead.
“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” (John 10:18)
Jesus makes it known that yes, he is the Son of God, but he has choice and knows exactly what he was put on earth to do. He doesn’t hide behind the legs of his Father, but fully stands with and protects those who believe in him. He chose this life as much as it chose him. He is autonomous. He is, obviously among many other greater descriptors, an adult.
When I look to Jesus in this passage, I see someone that could have made a lot of different choices. Yet, Jesus chose to be the good shepherd. He chose the more difficult path, not for his own benefit, but for each and every one of us.
This passage helps me to see adulthood means not only choice, but also power. Seeing Jesus express his authority in this way, adulthood is framed in a new light. One where all my worth doesn’t have to revolve around how good I am at my job or at school, or change according to who I know and am connected to. Adulthood can look like standing firm in the knowledge that I have a Savior out ahead of me, guiding me. Yet this guidance doesn’t take away from my autonomy, it only enhances it, shaping me as I become the kind of adult I hope to be.
Jesus, always be our guide. Let us trust in your authority and leadership. Help us to follow your example when we lead others. Amen.
Prayer
Jesus, you said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” In a world of competing ways, show me the narrow path that leads to you. I have tried paths that lead to nowhere. You alone are truth and life. Draw me close to you. Amen.
Benediction
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (I Tim. 1:17)