The Zoe Life, Part II

“The Zoe Life, Part II”
By Pastor Kent Munsey
April 26, 2020

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

• John 20:30-31, NIV

Jesus came so we might experience the Zoe life: life to the fullest. 

In the Zoe Life Part I message, we learned that if we want to experience Zoe Life we need to (1) be true to ourselves like Joseph of Arimathea, and (2) let go of the past and embrace what God wants to do now. 

Continuing our discussion of the Zoe life, we can learn more about how to experience it by following the stories of Jesus’ disciples, Peter and Thomas after the resurrection. 

1. Slow down and walk into the things that really matter.

John was the first to arrive at Jesus’ empty tomb. In his youthful eagerness, he got there first, but he did not go in. However, when Peter arrived, he walked right into the tomb. 

Oftentimes as a society we value getting there first and getting there fast. We value success and speed. We’re so focused on the speed and the stats, but Zoe life can only be found when we slow down.

Jesus spent 30 years trying to understand what it meant to be human, building his connection and empathy for us. He found out what it meant to carry burdens and handle pressure, and he took his time to walk into what really mattered. 

Success is not necessarily defined by speed or arriving first. It is not performance-based; it is relational. Jesus died for us to be able to have a relationship with him. Are we willing to slow down and spend time with God?

We often look at what Jesus did, but we forget who he was. Those who knew Jesus the best loved him the most. Some of the things that matter most are our relationship with God, our spouses, our kids, our parents, and the other relationships that God has entrusted to us. If we don’t slow down and engage in those relationships, then we are not experiencing the Zoe life. 

2. Learn how to be a scar-toucher.

Jesus’ disciple, Thomas, teaches us how to be a scar-toucher. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, Thomas wasn’t there. When he was told about Jesus’ appearance, he said he would not believe it unless he touched the scars of Jesus himself. After seven days, Jesus appeared to them again and  invited Thomas to touch his scars. 

When Thomas touched the scars of Jesus, he was able to acknowledge him as Lord. Jesus' humanity revealed his divinity. It’s the pain and suffering that points us to the goodness and glory of an almighty God. In every place that Jesus bled on Calvary, there is a redemptive purpose and value for us (Isaiah 53:5). 

We have to learn how to touch pain, suffering, and humanity with humility and hope. When we  can touch the scars of others with this Zoe life, we can reveal the goodness of God, the grace of God, and Jesus is then glorified.

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

1. What are the things that really matter in your life? 

2. How would you like to slow down this week to focus on the things that really matter?

3. What are the pain points of others in our lives that we can touch with God’s grace?

4. How have you experienced Jesus’ divinity through pain and suffering?