The Cost of Abundant Life

For most of us, John 10:10 is a familiar verse: "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.” (NKJV) Sometimes we see the first verse quoted. Sometimes it is just the last half that is used. We like to focus in on the last part, don’t we? But, we must never forget the context.

Here’s verse 11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” While we are quick to recognize that Jesus is talking about self-sacrificing love and service, we must take time to consider the full extent of what Jesus is talking about. Consider verses 17-18:

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father." (ESV)

Jesus is speaking about nothing less than his death and resurrection! And, His coming to give us life “more abundantly,” or “to the full” (NIV), required both. We could not have truly abundant life while bound by our sin, so His perfect sacrifice on the cross was vital. Neither could we have new life from God without His resurrection. Paul reminds us of this in Romans 6:4:

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

So, when you hear, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” remember the cost (the cross) and celebrate the new life that came through the resurrection!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker