“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:10-11 (ESV)
Most people have their own idea of what an “abundant life” looks like. Many people think an abundant life consists of having plenty of things, namely money. Having a lot of money gives a sense of security. If we don’t have to worry about how we’re going to pay bills, afford nice things, pay for college educations, etc., we think life gets a lot easier. However if we read other statements by Jesus, money is not what He had in mind.
“And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’ And he told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:15-21 (ESV)
Some people define an abundant life as fighting for good and right causes, helping people that are suffering from discrimination, oppression, or hate. What could be more virtuous than self-sacrifice for the benefit of others who are less fortunate? Such altruism is certainly commendable and can be very worthwhile, but such actions can also be done for self-centered and guilt-based reasons, as well. More importantly, even good works done with the best of intentions provide benefits only in this temporal world and not for eternity. Mere religious practices clearly are not viewed by Jesus as an abundant life, either. Jesus is not impressed by mankind’s outward efforts and earthly actions. Rather, Jesus’ urgent focus is the condition of a person’s heart, and it’s the person’s heart that drives the person’s actions.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4 (ESV)
Some people think of power, prestige, and influence as the definitions of an abundant life. The rich, powerful, and influential often enjoy an abundant life by the world’s definition. However, Jesus could not be clearer in His view of the pursuit of worldly position and influence. Jesus’ viewed the world’s power brokers as being the opposite of His mission and the Gospel He preached.
“But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” – Matthew 20:25-28 (ESV)
So, what did Jesus actually mean when He used the phrase, “abundant life”. Let’s consider Jesus’ example from John 10 where He refers to Himself as the “Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for the sheep”. Jesus clearly implies that the sheep lead a threatened, anxious, and paltry life without Him. The “thief” is ever-threatening, ever-pursuing the sheep in order to destroy them. Clearly, Jesus conveys a great peril for the sheep without His own good presence, protection, and even self-sacrifice for them. The sheep are delivered safely to green pastures, calm waters, and a blessed life by means of Jesus’, the Good Shepherd’s, loving, sacrificial, and good work on their behalf. Jesus implies that abundant life for the sheep is impossible without His care and protection because Jesus’ good work is in direct opposition to the thief’s intention to “kill and destroy”. There is no other Good Shepherd, and Jesus presents Himself exclusively as THE Good Shepherd.
Jesus gives abundant and eternal life to all who trust in Him and Him alone to save them from their sins. Jesus provides the sheep rest from all the threats, anxieties, turmoil, and their own sinful folly. That rest that Jesus provides is abundant life. It is life as Almighty God intends for His people. Those who look to Christ to save them find that rest in this world and for eternity. Abundant life does not mean that a Christian’s life is without trial, sorrow, etc. However, it does mean that for now and all eternity, the Good Shepherd will provide for the sheep and deliver them eternally into God’s presence where they are secure and blessed.
Dear reader, do you see the parallel between you and the sheep? You and I are in great need like the sheep. We are in great need of deliverance from our sins because our sins bear an eternal consequence before God. God is holy, and we are sinful. However, Jesus Christ came to save sinners and provide rest from all that threatens us. The greatest threats that hangs over each of us walking this earth are our sins and the looming judgement day. I urge you to repent of your sins and turn to Christ in faith today. In doing so, you will find abundant and eternal life in the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
“The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” – John 10:3-5 (ESV)
May Your Eyes Be Opened To Your Need of Christ,
Eric Conner
Photo by Julian Jagtenberg from Pexels
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