Day 10 ~ John 10

SCRIPTURE ~ John 10
KEY VERSE ~ John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

OBSERVATION ~ A number of times in this passage Jesus talks about the fact that the Good Shepherd "will lay down His life." Jesus spoke in parables, some didn't make sense to the disciples, others made perfect sense, and were perfect 'insults' to those who were unwilling to listen to Jesus. The Phrarisees were angry because again, Jesus was putting Himself up there with the Father. Consider this statement from Jesus in John 10:30, "I and the Father are one." This is the very reason the Jews why the Jews wanted to kill Jesus, see verse 33, 33"We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

The key verse is one of my favorites. Jesus tells us the thief, satan, seeks to steal, kill and destroy, while Jesus comes to give us life and give us a super abundant life. The literal Greek means exceedingly abundant, super-added, more than is necessary. That is the offer from Jesus.

APPLICATION ~ But how often do I accept the offer of the super abundant life? How often do I dwell on that which is superfluous, that which is petty and mundane!? My goal for at least today is to do that which will bring joy to my Father. I have already allowed the busyness and needs of the day to block and even derail me. Now, I need to give it back to God and seek to glorify Him by enjoying Him.

PRAYER ~ Father, thank you for the offer. Thank you for offering me this abundant life because You were willing to be the Door, to be my Shepherd, so help me not only to hear Your voice, but to discern Your message. May I move about for the rest of today and tomorrow and the days to follow in a manner which brings a smile to Your face, and thus to mine. Amen.