John 10:1-10
10:1“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. [1]
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Jesus says that He has come that we might have life “to the full.” Other translations render this “abundant life.” We might say “the good life.” What is it?
Numerous answers are put forth by our culture and our own inclinations, some so deep in terms of how we look at the world that we take for granted that they are true. The good life has to do with wealth, pleasure and leisure. The good life is about youth and beauty, health, popularity and power. For some, the good life is good relationships, academic or career accomplishment, or having the right possessions. Our world is geared to move us to strive after these things.
But Jesus has none of this in mind when He talks about life to the full. The abundant life He came to bring is the life that is found in relationship with Him. In particular it has to do with entering through the gate and finding our identity, purpose, and significance in Him. Everything else becomes details in comparison. Life is found in Jesus.
Lord Jesus, keep my heart fixed on You, that my priorities would reflect Yours. Lead me to seek and find in You alone the “life to the full” that is found in You.
What is the Word leading you to pray about today?
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[1] The New International Version. (2011). (Jn 10:1–10). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
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