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More Abundantly

In John chapter 10, Jesus spoke with some religious leaders, trying to help them understand His purpose. He knew they understood God as a shepherd because they had studied the Psalms. So, He used the metaphor of a sheep pen to describe Himself as a shepherd. They didn’t get it. Then He described Himself as the gate to the sheep pen. They still didn’t get it. Finally, Jesus made it plain. I like to imagine Him thinking, “Okay, here’s the three-year-old version.”

In John 10:10, Jesus described Satan as a taker of life and Himself as the giver of life. He said He came that we might have life, and life to the full, or in other translations, life more abundantly.

This makes sense. If giving is at our beginning, and generous is who we are, then our lives should come from the abundance of Christ. The translation of “abundantly” is from the Greek word, perissos. The root word “peri-” can be translated as all-around, equidistant. It’s where we get the word perimeter. The second half of the word, “-sos,” basically means “your very own.”

Like you would for toddlers, Jesus painted a word picture. The enemy takes life, but I give life, abundant life, life with your very own perimeter (sheep pen) all around you. Tracking?

Giving to God is like nothing else. We give something He already owns, and get back everything we could never earn.  

So, generosity? Yup. We entered the pen, the full life, the generous abundance, and safety of the perissos, when we gave our whole life to Jesus at the gate. But, it’s not an equal exchange. We might have a loaf and two fishes, but given to Him, they can feed five thousand. Outside the gate, our tithe may be a widow’s last dime. Inside the pen, it’s a lavish gift fit for the Good Shepherd. Outside the gate, we’re vulnerable to the taker of life. Inside, our weakness becomes abundance. Giving to God is like nothing else. We give something He already owns, and get back everything we could never earn.

Listen, Jesus isn’t standing at the gate asking for admission. He already paid that. He wants permission to transform your life into abundantly more than you could ever ask, think, or imagine. So, will you sit outside and get nickel-and-dimed by the thief or give your whole soul, finances, family, worries, wins, losses, life, and loves back to Jesus as you enter into life more full, more eternal, more abundant.

Pray: Jesus, thank You for making a way for me to enter the abundance of God. Is there any place in me where I’m allowing the thief to steal, kill, or destroy? Is there anything I’m holding back from You?