Lent Reflections - Life to the full
The studies we are doing are taken from John’s gospel.
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Many Christians may recall memorising this verse in Sunday School:
​“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
​The writer of the gospel, the Apostle John, takes us on a journey through the life and teachings of Jesus. The verse above will be the foundation upon which we build our reflections.
Jesus said:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” John 14:1-4
There are three important facts for us to ponder as an encouragement:
  • ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled’
  • ‘Believe in God; believe also in me’
  • ‘If I go (and prepare a place for you) I will come back and take you to be with me’
It is over 2000 years since Jesus was crucified and rose again. We have the advantage of hindsight, which the disciples did not have.

​Jesus promised:
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 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 am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”   John 9-11
From the story of the Good Shepherd, Jesus teaches us these truths. We are safe if we follow him and he will enable us to not only have life, but to have life to the full. The fulness of life that Jesus promised comes from God’s indwelling Spirit. It is important to let the Shepherd be the Shepherd. How easy it is to be robbed of our peace and joy. We all make mistakes and can struggle with the consequences of those mistakes; it is fear and guilt that rob us of our peace.

Lent is a wonderful opportunity to grow more fully into what Jesus has given us on the cross. It is an opportunity to walk more closely with the Lord and it is vital that we recognise those things that rob us of the peace and joy that we have in the Lord.
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We cannot expect Jesus to do for us what we can do for ourselves. For example, it is up to us to accept the forgiveness offered when we own up to our mistakes. That is what it means to allow ourselves to be loved. It is one thing to be forgiven by someone else, but another to forgive ourselves. 
Merle Sparkes

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