Psyche or Zoe?

The following statement is attributed to Jesus of Nazareth, as he came near the moment of his own demise: Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. (John 12:25.) First, the phrasing in the original Greek which English Bibles have as "hate" does not mean self-hatred or self-deprecation. It was a way to describe loving something and prioritizing something much less than something else.

The key here is that Jesus is setting a choice before himself, his initial group of followers, and all who would follow him afterward. Two different Greek words are used which are both translated "life" in most English Bibles. The first word is psyche. This means life as defined in human terms, based on human experience, identity, achievement and desires. Psyche describes life in which we determine what will make us happy and content, and what it will mean to truly live. It is self-focused. The last word translated "life", attached to the adjective "eternal" is zoe. Zoe is something markedly different. This is life in abundant trust of God, on God's terms. It is the life vitality that is a relationship with the living God. This is life that assumes God loves us more than we love ourselves, and that God can provide life fulfillment and purpose beyond anything any human being can dream. It relies on God even when the path ahead is uncertain, and when reliance on psyche life is most tempting.

Here are some questions to consider and possibly to discuss:

Why do we cling so desperately to psyche-life?

Jesus would express his own turmoil in making this choice. His choice for zoe-life would lead him to the cross. What does it mean for us to die to psyche-life?

Who do you know who has died to self and become alive in Christ? What does that person's life look like?

What keeps you or any of us from throwing ourselves headlong into zoe-life? What would it take to make that step?

I'll see you around the next bend in the river.