John 10:7-10
“Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.“ John 10:7-10 NKJV
Abundant life sounds strange to our ears as we try to navigate the wilderness of uncertainty, loss, and pain that is our world as we know it now. This day and age is most definitely the one who has entered the sheepfold to steal, kill, and destroy.
In the midst of all of this, abundant life sounds like too much to even hope or ask for. The global economy has all but completely collapsed. Millions are unemployed or are at best underemployed. Many workers deemed essential still must struggle to make certain that they and their families have the essentials and are safe and well.
Food banks and pantries are stretched to capacity. Shelves are bare, accounts empty. The unhoused do not have the luxury to stay inside and be warm.
Preachers of prosperity gospel and politicians who seem to be slaves to capitalism and the pursuit of wealth rather than focusing on lives and safety might define abundant life as material possessions, large financial portfolios, and upward market trends. If these are the only ways to determine and measure the abundant life, then as we look around, abundant life is hard to see.
The religious leaders of Jesus’ time looked for abundant life as well as for a messiah. To them, Jesus was not it. In their eyes, there was no way He could deliver them or bring about abundant life. Jesus dared declare that He was the one and did not stop until He opened physical and spiritual eyes so that others could see who He was and what He could and would do. He presented a problem for the religious leaders who could not and would not see, they sought to kill Him. In response to them, He declares that He is an essential worker that is often overlooked and undervalued but who is essential for life and the well being of all a shepherd, a good shepherd.
The religious leaders are thieves and robbers. The people are the sheep. The shepherd knows and loves the sheep and, the sheep know the shepherd and will follow. The thieves have limited interest in the true well being of the sheep, but, the essential worker, the good shepherd, is willing to risk His well being, even His life.
The gate provides safety. Jesus declares that He is the gate, the way to salvation. Jesus further promises, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
Jesus does not compute life based on the number of things that one has. The abundant life that Jesus brings is more than what can be imagined or anticipated or calculated. With the promise of the Good Shepherd, even evil and death are not feared as we walk the journey of abundant life even through darkest valleys and the shadow of death.
With the promise of the Good Shepherd, tables are prepared before enemies, cups run over, and goodness and mercy chase after us. Abundant life is not measured in riches nor in length of years but can only be calculated through the equation of an empty cross, an empty tomb, and eternal life!!!
Father, thank You for the breath of Your Word that gives us life. Lord, let Your abundant blessings be my friend and family's portion today. Lord, we confess that sometimes we play life too carefully, not risking failure and loss and not reaching for Your opportunities and Your concerns. Lord, give us a heart that yearns to live life in all its fullness by seeking after Your Will. Thank you, Jesus, for being the one real shepherd that we can follow. Lord use us to be the touch of Your love to those they meet today.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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