Wednesday, March 25
In life, we know death is certain. The pain, the suffering, the grieving comes for all of us. So, what should we do with so much death around us? In John 11, Jesus teaches us in the face of death, we must love. Love deeply, love passionately, love expecting nothing in return.
You may have seen the YouTube video that visualizes the average time you have to live. (If you haven’t, I encourage you to Google “The Time You Have (In Jellybeans).” The artist brilliantly demonstrates how short our time on earth is. This reminder of our mortality is a powerful incentive to make the most of the present moment, appreciate the gifts you have been given, and shower your family, friends, co-workers, and even your enemies, with love.
When Jesus goes to be with Mary and Martha as they mourn the loss of Lazarus, Jesus knows his own death is just a few days away. What would you do if you knew your death was just a few days away? Jesus’s lesson for us in John 11 is to live urgently and love incessantly. Make time for the people you love and then show them how much you love them. Death is certain. We must move through life in Jesus’s footsteps: making the most of our time, showing mercy and kindness, and loving like today may be our last.
Prayer: Dear God, help us live our life with urgency, purpose, and grace. Make the thought of our own mortality be a constant reminder to value the present moment and love with abandon. We ask this in your holy name. Amen.
– Anthony Mague