John 10:1-10 (NRSV)
Read John 10:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 10"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. Verse 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. Verse 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Verse 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. Verse 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Verse 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. Verse 7So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. Verse 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. Verse 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. Verse 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Devotion
Quite often we hear the phrase “the good life.” It usually involves the promise of financial security, carefree living and lots of leisure time to do those things you’ve always wanted to do. Those can all be attractive in their own way. But there is another kind of life that people of faith are invited into.
Jesus proclaims in John: “I come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” We are invited to embrace “the abundant life” with the risen Christ. It probably won’t look a whole lot like the “good life” others promise. It does, however, offer us the fullness of God’s love and grace, the hope of new beginnings, having meaning and purpose, a peace that passes all understanding, the joy of living in community and an opportunity to shine the light of Christ to others every day. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for the abundant life that you offer us through Jesus. May we embrace that abundance and never be content with anything less. Amen.