Something is stirring in me today. "I come that they may have life, and have it to the full", John 10:10. This statement has long stirred me, but until 2005 I gave little thought to this. I think I gave mental assent to the statement, an academic "Yes", and filed it away. I never embraced this truth from my heart, the wellspring of life. But then, I'd never been given the full story of my heart, our hearts.
On Maundy Thursday (yesterday), I spent some time slowly reading John's extensive account of the Upper Room Discourse found in chapters 13 - 17 of his gospel. In my opinion, these chapters are among the richest passages to be found in Scripture. I was struck by some phrases that give some meat to the idea of John 10:10 life.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me." 14:1
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." 14:6
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 14:27
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain n the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." 15:4
"I have told you this so that my joy may be complete." 15:11
I know there are other phrases, but these seem to capture some of the hallmarks of an abundant life: joy, peace, bearing fruit (love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control) and an untroubled heart. Who wouldn't want this kind of life? How do we access these truths and all other truths spoken of?
There appears to be four separate times Jesus spoke of a Counselor to come: 14:15-18, 14:25-26, 15:26 and 16:5-15. In these passages we learn the role the Spirit of Truth will play in living abundantly, but there is a mystery of our faith, the Spirit dwells within us, in our hearts, the wellspring of life.
How is this possible if, as some point out, our hearts are not to be trusted? Ezekiel 36:26 tells us we will be given a new heart of flesh to replace the old heart of stone. It is this heart of stone Jesus spoke of in Matthew 15:19 that many will quote to show us not to trust our hearts. Jesus tells Nicodemas in John 3:3 that a second birth is needed. Paul tells us we are new creatures in Christ. This can only be true if we are given new hearts to hear, to listen to the Spirit of Truth.
More importantly, the new heart is necessary for the Spirit to dwell in us as this indwelling could not be possible in the old heart of stone. Put very simply, living the abundant life offered by Jesus is not possible if we hold our hearts at arm's distance in suspicion and fear.
Jesus' death we commemorate today makes everything else He taught possible, including our new heart. This death opened up the door so that we can whole-heartedly embrace the deep mystery of unity with God found sprinkled throughout the Upper Room Discourse. Jesus states plainly in 14:20, "On this day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you". We can only embrace this truth fully if we learn to live out of our new hearts bought for us on the cross.
Thank you Jesus for coming for me and making me a new creature with a heart of flesh designed to hear You. I can now know You and know Your voice guiding me.
