Have life and have it abundantly

One of the most often quoted statements of Jesus is: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV) Have life abundantly!

What does having life abundantly mean? What is the first thing that you think of? Is one of the things that you think of an “All You Can Eat” buffet? Does it mean – any car I want to drive? Does it mean a plethora of shoes in the closet? Does it mean a different outfit for everyday? Does it mean one of each type of hobby tool? Does it mean the latest, greatest, fastest and coolest technology? Does it mean traveling anywhere? Does it mean having enough money in your pocket to do anything you want anytime you want?

What did having life abundantly mean to the Disciples that first heard these words? What has having life abundantly meant to generations of believers across the cultures of the world down through the centuries?

Have life abundantly does have a ‘material’ aspect to it but it is so much more! There are plenty of people that are followers of Jesus, who have full pantries that have no abundance in their life. There are plenty of followers of Jesus that have ‘everything’ but would not describe their lives as abundant.

The context of Jesus’ statement about abundant life is relationship. It is about the relationship of the shepherd to the sheep. The context is the relationship of Jesus to the Father and the Father to Jesus and those following Jesus.

Abundant life is not even about having more relationships. In our ‘Facebook’ world it has become normal for people to have dozens or hundreds of ‘friends’ but no friend. Abundant life is describing relationship with Jesus, with the Father and then ‘rich’ relationships with others.

No one worries about ‘stuff’ at the end of their life – they worry about relationships. At the end of life people don’t regret ‘not enough stuff’ but they do regret shallow and empty relationships.

When does ‘abundance’ become ‘indulgence?’ I’m not sure that there is a clearly defined line but when abundance becomes indulgence – no one wins and there is no ‘abundant life.’

Jesus, Teach us what you meant: to ‘have life and have it abundantly.’ Amen