What is the Abundant Life?
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
Blindness and Sheep
Jesus had just healed the man born blind in John Chapter 9. The healed man was worshiping at the feet of our Lord when some Pharisees arrived. Jesus told the healed man, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind (9:39). This prompted the Pharisees to ask, Are we blind also? (v. 40).
The conversation continued in Chapter 10, the context of which is Jesus as the Good Shepherd who is known by His sheep. His sheep know His voice and will not follow another. Jesus went on to speak about a contrary group of those who don't enter by the door. Jesus referred to them as thieves and robbers (10:8). Most likely, Jesus is referring to the religious leaders as false shepherds who don't care for the sheep. By contrast, Jesus is the door to the sheepfold and the Good Shepherd who saves His sheep. The illustration wasn't understood by those who heard it (10:6).
Life in Abundance
Then, in verse 10, Jesus said: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Jesus explained to the Pharisees – and to all who were willing to listen, you and me included – what He means by the phrase abundant life. There have been many books and messages on this phrase, some good and some false. To get a grasp on the issue, let's look at the context, ask a few questions and think of the responsibilities of a shepherd.
What do shepherds do? They guard the sheep from robbers, protect the sheep from predators, and provide for the sheep out of love. The sheep know the shepherd's voice and when he calls to them, they hear him because they know him. Therefore, Jesus is saying that He loves His sheep, protects them from religious predators, guards them from lies (though we have responsibility too) and provides for their needs.
In this context, Jesus is saying the abundant life is:
intimate fellowship with God;
freedom from sin and death;
and freedom from the bondage of legalism and religious lies and liars.
We find nothing in context that the abundant life is where all our problems are fixed, we are granted perfect health, receive lots of money, or that life is a fairy tale with no problems. Jesus doesn't say, our best life is now. If our best life is here on this earth, then we are sad creatures.
Free From Bondage
Jesus chastised the Pharisees, who though zealous for the Law, placed legalistic restrictions and heavy spiritual burdens on the people whom Jesus came to free (Matthew 23:4; Luke 11:46). Jesus came to show His sheep – all believers – that He is the only way of salvation.
You may wonder why so many of Christ's redeemed are still in bondage to religion. One big reason is that they have not been taught correctly or do not make the effort to understand what grace is truly about. Some get wrapped up in formulas and others in experience. Our relationship with Christ is based on objective truth and the fellowship we have with Him is because of Him and His grace.
To live the abundant life is to live in the light of God's grace. To live apart from His grace is to be enslaved to legalism. Be careful who you listen to. Are you listening to false shepherds or the voice of our Good Shepherd? He is the doorway to the sheepfold where there is protection, provision, and intimate fellowship with God.
Living in the shadow of the Shepard's protection is far better than wealth, health, or anything else the world has to offer! To worship Jesus, as did the healed blind man, is to experience the kind of fellowship with God which leads to abundant life!
Michael Weis is a pastor, video operator, editor, and social media manager at Zion's Hope.