From: May 18, 2024
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV).
Jesus came that we might have life. The Greek word here for “life” is “zóé” (ζωή), which speaks of both physical and spiritual life. This life originates with, and is sustained by Jesus, who is life itself.
This “zoe” life of Jesus is described in the gospels both by its quantity (eternal), and here, its quality (abundant). To say that Jesus offers abundant life is to say that he offers life beyond measure, full and overflowing. Many focus on the eternal nature of this life, but miss Christ’s emphasis on its “abundance” for the present. In Christ we are to thrive, living life to the full, bearing fruit, and exploding with vibrance all around!
Are you experiencing this abundant life that Christ promised? It is found only in Jesus. He is the only source of abundant and everlasting life. If you want to live your best life now, look to Jesus!
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we look to Your Son, Jesus for abundant life. Forgive us for looking for life in this world apart from Him. Satisfy our souls today with the Bread of Life. Quench our thirst in the River of Life. Fill us afresh by the Spirit of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 18, 2023
“I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd” (John 10:16 NLT).
Jesus infuriated the Jewish leaders with His dual claim to be the only Door by which the true sheep of Israel might enter God’s Kingdom, and the “Good Shepherd,” whom only the true sheep of Israel would follow. Jesus called those who claimed to be shepherds of Israel, “hired hands” who only cared for themselves. In contrast, Jesus said, “I AM the Good Shepherd, I know my sheep and my sheep know Me and I sacrifice My life for the sheep.”
So being born into the Jewish fold wasn’t enough. Jesus was calling out the true sheep from the Jewish fold who would be spiritually born again by believing in Him.
Then, Jesus shocked them further by announcing that He had other sheep not in the Jewish sheepfold. Who are these sheep? They are those who would believe in Jesus among the Gentiles. This is the “mystery” of the Church that the apostle Paul described in Ephesians, saying, “the Gentiles are fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Eph. 3:6).
The implications of this were not missed by the Jewish leaders. They had the circumcision, the Torah, the Temple and the traditions, but Jesus was saying it wasn’t sufficient. Their religious works would not save them. Only faith in Him would save. Even the Gentiles who had none of these things would be able to be saved by simply believing in Jesus as the Christ. It was through Jesus that the promise to Abraham would be kept, that “all the nations of the earth would be blessed through his Seed” (Gen.22:18). That Seed, that Shepherd, is Jesus. He is the One who calls His sheep from two folds to become one flock with one Shepherd.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful for Jesus, our Shepherd. For we are members of His flock. We are Your children by His blood. We hear His voice and He knows us by name. Hallelujah! We praise You, Father, for so great a salvation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 18, 2016
Jesus came that we might have life. The Greek word here is ζωή (zóé), which speaks of both physical and spiritual life. This life originates with, and is sustained by Jesus, who is Life. “Zoe” life is described both by its quantity (eternal), and its quality (abundant). Receiving Jesus, we receive His life. Many focus on the eternal nature of this life, but miss Christ’s emphasis on its “abundance” for the present. In Christ we are to thrive, living life to the full, bearing fruit, and exploding with vibrance all around!
From: May 18, 2015
Jesus came that we might have life. The Greek word is ζωή (zóé), which speaks of both physical and spiritual life. This life originates with, and is sustained by Jesus, who is Life. “Zoe” life is described both by its quantity (eternal), and its quality (abundant). Receiving Jesus, we receive His life. Many focus on the eternal nature of this life, but miss Christ’s emphasis on its “abundance” for the present. In Christ we are to thrive, living life to the full, bearing spiritual fruit, and exploding with vibrance all around!
From: May 18, 2014
Some thought Jesus “demon possessed and out of his mind” when they heard him speak of his coming death and resurrection. Certainly, they are closer to the truth than those who would make Jesus merely a good man or a good teacher. A mere man doesn’t speak of having the “authority,” the power to control his life, so that no one can take it from him unless he gives it willingly. And further, that having given it, he could “take it up again.” No, in this his critics rightly understood his claim. For if Jesus doesn’t actually fulfill his outrageous claim to die sacrificially and rise again, then he is either a devilish liar or a raving lunatic. Yet, Jesus did fulfill his promise to die for us and rise again. And so, he spoke the truth and showed himself more than mere man. He is neither liar or lunatic. He is the Lord.