Devotion
"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
Have you ever noticed that your life is being consumed little by little? We often look forward to an abundant life, thinking that if we just strive a bit harder, acquire more wealth, a higher position, or a more flawless resume, we can live this so-called "abundant life." Yet, driven by daily busyness, tackling one task after another, we feel an inner emptiness, physically and mentally exhausted, as if we have been completely hollowed out. Have you ever experienced this kind of powerlessness?
In John chapter 10, Jesus uses the parable of the good shepherd to illustrate His identity and His relationship with us. Jesus says: "I am the gate for the sheep... whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture" (v. 7-9). The gate is where the sheep go in and out, and it is also the guarantee of safety for the sheep. Jesus says He is the pathway for our lives and He is the safeguard of our life's security. Regarding His second identity, Jesus says: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (v. 11). This demonstrates that Jesus' relationship with us is that of a shepherd and his flock. He takes the responsibility to care for us, even at the cost of His own life.
Therefore, in verse 10, Jesus sharply exposes the danger brought by another character: the thieves who do not enter through the "gate for the sheep." Their purpose in climbing over the wall is "only to steal and kill and destroy." Here, the "thief" represents the evil one in the spiritual realm. In our daily lives, it often disguises itself as the success-driven culture forced upon us by the world, the endless anxiety about the future, and the ceaseless comparisons on our phone screens. Under the guise of "making you better," these things act like a black hole, slowly overdrawing and draining our life energy, plunging us into a deep sense of powerlessness and emptiness.
Thankfully, the scripture does not end in despair. Jesus then declares the true purpose of His coming into this world: "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." The "abundance" Jesus speaks of is entirely different from the "abundance" defined by this world. The world's abundance drives us to constantly grasp, acquire, and pile up material goods and achievements, which often results in heavy burdens and overwhelming pressure. The abundance given by Jesus, however, is the rest we find after restoring our connection with God (Matthew 11:28); it is the wellspring of living water so that our lives will never thirst again (John 4:14). He continuously renews our lives, causing us to overflow with satisfying joy from the inside out.
Therefore, true abundance is not about how much quantifiable material wealth you possess, but about having an inner peace and joy that cannot be taken away by your circumstances, whether you are on a mountaintop or in a valley. This kind of abundance does not require us to exhaust ourselves by running around trying to "hollow ourselves out" in exchange. As long as you believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of your life—because He has already shed His blood and laid down His life on the cross for our sins—He freely gives this "abundant life" to us.
If you are feeling physically and mentally exhausted today, as if you have been hollowed out, please try to temporarily halt your hurried footsteps. Ask yourself: What am I pursuing? What are the dominant thoughts or values guiding me? Did these thoughts enter through the gate, or did they climb over the wall?
Is it truly the Savior Jesus who nourishes my life, or is it the "thief" who is stealing my inner peace? Please stop feeding the black hole of your desires and return to Jesus, the giver of abundant life. Let His life water you, so that your soul may find rest and satisfying joy.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, You are the gate for the sheep, and You are the good shepherd. Thank You for shedding Your blood and laying down Your life for us, granting us a brand-new and abundant life.
We ask You to open our eyes so that we can see through the lies that consume our lives; guard our hearts, and do not let the desires of this world steal our thirst for You.
May we all come before You to lay down our burdens and anxieties. Heal our dry and weary hearts and let us find true rest and satisfaction in You. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.