Bible Verse: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Scripture Reading: John 10:1-18
Mountain Men is a show on the History Channel that follows individuals who are living outside many of the comforts (and they would say complications) of modern (and particularly city) life. While not all of them survive on a subsistence basis, they have all adopted a more rugged lifestyle than many of us experience.
Eustace Conway, one of the longtime characters of the program, lives on 1,000 acres in North Carolina.
He has a quote that is often used in the promotional materials for the show:
“What do I do for a living? I live for a living.”
Seems simple and yet inspiring at the same time. Theirs is a life that is undoubtedly hard work, but for each of the characters in the show, they would say that not only is it their life of choice, they love the way they live.
Regardless of the kind of life we wish for—the dirty fingernails of a life scratched from the earth, or the manicured ease of high-rise living (and neither is better or godlier than the other)—life without Jesus is less than life.
In one of His tense exchanges with the religious leaders of His day, Jesus utters these words:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
In complete opposition to the thief (with whom Jesus is not so subtly comparing the religious leaders), Jesus says that He offers life, and not just survival, but full life.
The Greek word translated as “full” here (perrisos) can also be translated as “abundant” and is often used to describe a situation that is “more, greater, excessive, abundant, exceedingly, vehemently.”
Jesus gives life; the challenge for us is what we consider a full life.
Do we define “fullness” by the culture around us or do we look to God for His definition of full? A love of God and a love of neighbour? It’s easy to slide away from God’s definition and follow the world. Let’s pray for clarity of mind to continually adopt God’s gift of full life.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for offering and providing full life. It is easy for me to think that I understand what full life is, but that is conditioned by the definition of success in society. I want to love You and my neighbour with all that I am. Strengthen me through Your Spirit to live in Your fullness.
Reflection: Is there anything you are dissatisfied with in life? What is the root of your dissatisfaction? Ask God to help you see life clearly and according to His views and values.
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