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The last part of John 10:10 has always been one of my favorite verses – “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” But it is a verse that really needs to be understood in relation to the first part of the verse – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”
It is very sad for me to look around and see so many people who have life (bios) but who do not have LIFE (zoe). Jesus offers the world LIFE in the fullest sense. He uses the Greek work zoe here, in contrast to the word bios – which has to do with biological life. Zoe life is full of vitality. It is animated. It is genuine and authentic. It radiates joy and peace. It is the difference between merely surviving and thriving. The thief (the enemy of our souls) has done a pretty good job of stealing LIFE from people. He has destroyed lives. Jesus has come to restore us to LIFE. He not only wants to give us eternal life so that we can enjoy life with Him forever but He also wants to give us the kind of life on earth that we were created for… zoe life. Abundant life. Life to the full.
How do we get this kind of life? The bottom line is summed up by this statement that is expressed several times in this passage: Listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd. There are many many voices in this world that are competing for our attention. And these voices are full of temptation and are very seductive. You don’t have to look far to see how much we have been seduced by this world – usually no farther than our own lives. Here are a few things that are true about the Good Shepherd that we need never forget when we are being baited by the other voices in our world:
- He is good – intrinsically. And therefore He does only what is good for us.
- He knows us – a shepherd knows sheep. He knows what we need. He knows our weaknesses. He knows how to lead us so that we can find good pasture.
- He laid down His life for us.
- He tells us what to do for our provision and protection – not because He is a despot or power hungry lord.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23
Next Week’s Passage: John 10:22-42
This is so true! There are alot of competing voices.