The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10
The Broadway musical Hamilton includes a line that echoes throughout the entire musical that stopped me in my tracks when I heard it. The line is this, “Look around, look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now.” In a world where we can become so caught up in the news and social media or become overwhelmed in our day-to-day responsibilities, sometimes we need a reminder to pause and be grateful for the life that God has given us. Life is a gift, and we have so much to be grateful for every day. As followers of Christ, we know that Jesus came to bring life for all who believe in Him, and this life is not only eternal life but abundant life that is available to us right now on earth, too.
Jesus made it clear in His teaching that He wanted His followers to experience a full, joyful life both on earth and in eternity. He taught in John 10:10, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” The thief in this statement represents Satan and the things of him. He brings things that only steal, kill, and destroy. All of the things that bring pain and destruction on earth are of him. Anything that steals, kills, or destroys is not of Christ. Jesus, on the other hand, brings life. Not only does He bring life, but He brings life that is “rich and satisfying.” Even here on earth, we can experience the fullness, richness, and satisfaction that Christ brings to our lives.
Matthew 11 helps us understand one reason why Christians can experience a rich, satisfying life on earth. Jesus also taught His followers that He offers rest in Him. Jesus called anyone who was weary and burdened to come find rest in Him (verse 28). When we come to Jesus, He carries our burdens and heaviness and offers rest instead. Because of this, we can experience fullness on this earth.
When Jesus came, He changed everything. He came to bring life. Yes, He offers eternal life, but He also offers abundant life on earth for everyone who places their faith in Him. When we look to Him, we can experience peace, joy, and hope today. In Him, we can live a rich, satisfying life right now.
Read John 10:10 one more time. Next, read Matthew 11:25-30. After reading these verses, journal. Make a list of what these verses teach about the abundant life that Jesus offers. After reading, thank God that we have life in Him, both in this life and the one to come.
Read Matthew 11:25-30(NLT)
At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
“My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
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