Lenten Bible Study: "The Good Life"

The First Sunday of Lent has past, and we are in the deep, in the thick of Lent, there is no turning back (in case you wondered). The First Sunday of Lent marked many things to many people I am sure, but for me it marked the beginning of the Lenten Bible Study that I am leading for the next six weeks. The Bible Study is titled “The Last Days of Jesus.” It is composed of a Gospel verse that relates to Jesus’ last days, and a complementary video series that includes a scene in the Holy Land, and a theological scholar’s reflections and insights on the passage. The theological scholars change from week to week and are set in different and interesting locations

throughout America.

            This week we studied Matthew 16:13-28, and heard our theological reflection from Dr. Matt Williams in Vulture City, AZ. Dr. Williams makes many wonderful points about this passage. But, the one that impacted me most was his discussion of “the good life.” “The good life,” these were words that welcomed me into my new home in Omaha, NE six months ago, as I crossed the state line between Iowa and Nebraska.

            Dr. Williams points out that in Matthew 16:24-25 Jesus reveals to his disciples, and us, a new, radical way to live to truly live the “good life.” “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” In Christ we give up our lives, and our selves, daily to follow and serve Him. Denying ourselves and taking up our own cross is not an easy charge, nor does it seem like the “good life” that our consumerist culture advertises to us everywhere we turn. But, Christ’s way is the only way, to a true, untarnished, pure happiness, and this is where we will find the one and only “good life,” which God had intended for us to live.

            This was the “good life” which I came to find upon entering the Resurrection House program, here in Omaha, NE. As, I denied my old ways of life, to take on a new one, trying to put Christ at the center of all I do and all I am. It is not easy, but I am finding everyday that I work to deny myself and take on Christ I find the “good life,” and it continues to get a little better.