“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10
This verse is a pretty familiar one for many of us. Ironically, it rarely gets quoted as a whole verse; we may quote how the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but less frequently I hear people mention the second half about having abundant life. Jesus purposefully wanted to contrast what the thief, the enemy, does, and our need for a Good Shepherd and the life that He offers to us.
We are familiar with the works of the thief. We see the destruction in the world around us regularly, and the brokenness left in the thief’s wake. We hear of war and strife, people in poverty, experience brokenness in our families… looking around, it’s not hard to find darkness. Whereas the thief comes only to steal, to kill, and to destroy, Jesus came to bring life, and life abundantly.
What does it mean to have an abundant life? Many of us think of this and picture prosperity: always getting what we want, never experiencing pain or sickness, having lots of money, and all of our relationships are thriving. All joy, no sorrow.
And yet, if we take a look at our lives and compare to this picture of perfection, we know it can’t be right. It can be tempting to hear what Jesus is saying and ask, “Wait, how is the life I’m living an abundant life?” We make the mistake of equating abundance with extravagance. A day is coming when sickness and pain and sorrow will be no more, when we will no longer experience the attacks of the thief, but we’re still here. Can we have abundant life even amidst a world of darkness?
Yes, but it’s not what you think. An abundant life doesn’t mean that everything will be picture perfect, nor that you will always prosper. Rather, abundance is all about God’s giving and providing in every season, not what we gain. We see this most clearly when Jesus came — when the Word became flesh and dwelled among us. Jesus was born so that we may have life, and modelled for us what the abundant life looks like. Yet He did not have prosperity: He was born in a stable, not a king’s palace (Luke 2:7). When He travelled in His ministry, He often did not have a pillow for His head (Matt 8:20). And Jesus experienced the most excruciating pain in the world – death on a cross, even though He had done nothing wrong (2 Cor 5:21). And yet, He had everything He needed – the Father provided for His every need (Matt 6:30).
Again, abundance is not about what we gain, but about God’s giving and providing in every season. And the greatest gift He’s given is that of His Son, Jesus, who gives us new life: one free from the power of sin, able to walk in deep relationship with Him, and filled with His peace and joy despite our circumstances. We didn’t deserve the gift He gave, yet Jesus came and gave His life freely so that we may have life, and have it abundantly.
May your Christmas season and New Year be filled with His abundant life!