In December 2007, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman starred in a film about two men with terminal cancer. In The Bucket List, the pair set out on a road trip to do the things they wanted to do before they kicked the bucket.
The phrase “kick the bucket,” meaning “to die,” apparently originated in 16th-century England. Then, a wooden frame used to hang an animal for slaughter was called a “bucket,” and an animal might kick against it in trying to free itself.
Today, bucket lists are common. What do some people aim to do before they kick the bucket? Here are some samples:
- Visit every state in the U.S.
- Hike the Appalachian Trail
- Run a marathon
- Paint a masterpiece
- Write a book
- See the seven natural wonders of the world
- Become a top-notch gamer
- Create a video that goes viral
- Go skydiving
- Swim with dolphins
- Ride, buy, or restore a vintage car.
Should Christians have a bucket list? If so, what should be on it?
Another question: Did Jesus have a bucket list? Before He died, did He want to visit any of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, such as the Great Pyramid of Egypt or the Lighthouse of Alexandria?
The question is ridiculous: why would the world’s Creator want to visit any man-made structures? However, Jesus did have a bucket list. He said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John 4:34).
Finishing the Father’s work included preaching the Gospel to the poor, healing the brokenhearted, freeing captives, and healing the sick (see Luke 4:18). Ultimately, the Father’s work meant dying for us. As His crucifixion neared, Jesus told His disciples, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour” (John 12:27).
Jesus later told the Twelve, “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father” (John 16:28). Jesus anticipated being in Heaven again.
Heavenly Bucket List
How should we evaluate bucket lists as we consider Jesus’ example? Let’s start by considering the seven wondrous no mores of the “new heaven” and “new earth” (Revelation 21:1) revealed in the Bible’s final book:
“There was no more sea” (21:1). In Bible times, the ocean represented danger and violence, contrasted with “the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (22:1 CSB).
“There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain” (21:4).
There will “be no more curse,” for sin and its effects will be banished, and the Lord’s “servants shall serve Him” (22:3).
“There shall be no night there . . . for the Lord God gives them light” (v. 5).
Once we take up residence with God, we “shall go out no more” (3:12), and “no one may take [our] crown” (v. 11).
We must remember the earth is not our home; instead, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20).
“You don’t need to squeeze happiness in here because death is coming. Death is not a threat to happiness. It’s the door to happiness. It’s not the end of your bucket list.” – John Piper
We must also remember that Jesus might return before we die! Meanwhile, let’s become more heavenly-minded by prioritizing our relationship with Jesus, increasing our investment in world missions, and actively loving lost people. That’s a bucket list!
Lance Colkmire is the editor of Evangel magazine