Because I live...

     I was just looking again at the readings for next Sunday.  The Gospel lesson from John chapter 14 includes these words of Jesus, "Because I live, you shall live also."(v19)
It got me to thinking about what kind of living/life that we have been given in Christ.
That will be the subject of my blogging this week.
Today, however, I want to focus on some other words from Jesus about the life we have in Him.
It comes from the "Good Shepherd" text in John chapter 10. 
    So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...."
    What does it mean to have life abundantly.  Is it the same as if Jesus had said instead, "that you may have an abundant life?"  What do you think of when you hear THAT?  I think that many would think that abundant life means having everything you could possibly desire here on earth.  Some think of it as lavish living.  A great big home?  Lots and lots of money piled up?  Or how about that old bumper sticker: "He who dies with the most toys wins"? 
    When it comes to Jesus, He desires to give us true life; life that is beyond this world; life that is eternal.  So when Jesus says that He has come that we may have life and have it abundantly, He desires for His "sheep," that is us, to have the gift of eternal life with Him.  Indeed, that makes Him a very GOOD SHEPHERD.  Next time, I will write about Jesus Himself as the LIFE, as in John 14's "I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE."
Thanks for reading!  God Bless you!