I went to a funeral a while back where one of those giving a eulogy said this about the man who had died, “His eternity started today.”
I understand it. I just don’t believe it.
No, not like I don’t believe in eternity. I just no longer believe it starts when you die. There is this idea in the church and the Bible that Jesus came to give us eternal life. This means that when your heart stops pumping blood, your soul can keep on going in the presence of God. This idea is central to the Biblical narrative. However, what is not central is the idea that this begins at death. I think Jesus came to give us LIFE and life to the fullest. NOT only when one dies. But TODAY.
Jesus famously said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” I don’t think he meant in like 70 years after a long happy life. I think he meant now.
Now that I’m working with Generation ministries at JCC, I spent a lot of time at the Christmas Eve services around the parent check-in area and working in several of the kids ministry rooms as a volunteer. One of my learnings was just how many people truly come to our church once every 4-6 months and still consider this “their church”. I know this because when checking kids in, there were quite a few people who had no idea how our “new” check in system worked. The system is 4 months old!
This also happened when we put the new system in. For months afterwards we were still getting first timers to the system who were not first timers to our church.
No, I don’t think going to church is the litmus test for what being a Christ follower is all about. But I do think that a lot of people are holding out for Jesus to be their Savior at death and missing the point in life. Most aren’t missing church cuz they’re engaging Jesus in their days elsewhere passionately and don’t need this community of faith. As I work with students and families, my goal is not to help them get ready for death. It’s to challenge and join them in a better way of life that alters the hope they have both in this life and the life to come.
Living like Jesus is not about he afterlife. It’s about life.
If our message is that the gospel is a post death reality, then it’s no wonder people are not interested in following Jesus. It’s for dead people. Dallas Willard eloquently said once that, “the gospel is not about getting people to heaven after they die. It’s about getting them there before they do.” I think he’s right.
It’s time to bring some heaven to earth in us. Today!
