7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” ~ John 10:7-11
In this devotional series, we will explore what Jesus meant when He said He came so we might have life—and have it more abundantly—and how we can experience this abundant life.
Jesus declares He came so that we—those who accept Him as LORD and Savior—might live an abundant life. What does that look like? It’s more than spiritual vitality alone. It includes your spirit, yes, but also your physical health and emotional peace. You’re not living abundantly if illness traps you in bed or limits what your youth should enjoy, nor if setbacks steal your joy. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy—through disease, despair, or temptation—but Jesus, our Door, leads us to green pastures. He feeds our souls.
As His sheep, we face a spiritual battle, but through Him, we overcome. He laid down His life, took our chastisement for peace (Isaiah 53:5), and left us His peace (John 14:27). So don’t let the world’s troubles conquer you. Lean on Him in prayer when storms hit, trusting His strength to carry you. Fix your eyes on His promises—like Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”—to rise above fear or failure. With His Spirit, we are more than conquerors through Christ, who saves and strengthens us.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for sending Your beloved Son to die on Calvary for us. Thank You, Jesus, for being obedient even unto death so that we might have life and life more abundantly. Teach me how to rely on Your grace so that I might be an overcomer. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.