John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Jesus gives a powerful statement of purpose for coming to live among us as the Son of Man and Son of God. It is in harmony with 1John 4:8 which says “God is love.” In that same chapter He goes on to say what it will cost to do this in verses 11, 15, 17, and 18. He purposed to pay for our abundant life by giving up His. The life He earned, deserved, and was worthy of, was freely given to us by Him laying His down.
So what is “abundant life”? It is a redeemed spiritual life within us, “zoe”, put there by being born again, free from sins penalty and power, and is over, above, extraordinary, and greater than what can be known without Him. It is life that raises the dead to life, and puts the disappointment and heartache of this world into a redemptive good purpose for His Kingdom and us. He can save all who call upon Him and make “something beautiful out of our lives”. Isaiah 61:1-3 won’t exhaustively answer the question yet it can really zoom in on a powerful way to view the abundant life.
Jesus was Isaiah 61:1-3 come to life in ways that had never been seen before. He is good news to people like us, meeting us where we are, in poverty of soul, broken hearted, imprisoned with fear and failure, anchored to old sins and terrible choices. Jesus meets us there and doesn’t stop. He adopts us, gives us His Holy Spirit, and makes something beautiful out of our burnt over life ashes. Also stated in the beatitudes, another strong abundant life text, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt 5:1-12).
When we are hurt, lonely, ashamed, guilty, fearful, sad, and angry, Jesus is willing and able to show up and breathe His transformational life into us. Abundant life can not be the absence of difficulty but rather His presence and power in the midst of it, transforming us, with the evidence of peace and growth. We make a serious mistake when our energies are focused on pain and its avoidance. Look for Him in these places. Listen for Him to speak to you and guide you through them into something that is fulfilling life in you, as well as a glory to God. Jesus will open our “prison doors” and “comfort” our griefs. Jesus is Lord of living a full life.
In light of His promise of abundant life, and His power to transform our most trying circumstances into a blessing, are there places in your life that you need to meet Him? Ask Him! Ask a friend for prayer! Jesus is near! His love will not fail!