I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:9-10
Jesus was born into this world, much like everybody else. He had an earthly mother and people to raise him. Yes, Jesus came to die for us. Yes, he came to pay the penalty for our sins. But he also came that the sheep may have life, and have it abundantly. The sheep will go in and out and find pasture. They will forsake many things in this world, but they will follow him and receive many times more good things in this life. Some of those things are tangible, many are not. What is this life other than what flows out of the heart to overflowing? Life is not only what we receive, but it flows out of us to others. It affects others. By God's mercy, my life will do the same. Are you one of his sheep?
Just as Christ's death seems to often be the focus of many Christians (instead of the resurrection), it seems that many Christians focus on the sinfulness of the sheep, not the life - sweet, hard, freeing, endless - that He gives. I am one of His sheep and although I don't want to downplay the need for His death, I rest in the resurrection life that He gives. As I choose to walk in this strength moment by moment, His very life abounds...
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