“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.” (John 9:1) Then the discussion starts. Questions about what his sin was. Jesus said there was no sin. He, Jesus, spits on the ground, makes a clay, puts it on the man’s eyes and tells him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. He does and comes back seeing. Hallelujah!
Well, this just kicks up a firestorm and everyone gets in on the act. The neighbors take him, the man who was blind, to the Pharisees. After all, no one regains their sight on the sabbath. It had to be someone who was not of God that performed this ‘miracle’. The plot grows. The Pharisees take issue with Jesus’s response in verse 39.”
Jesus has their attention and he tells them why he has come. John 10:10 says, “…I am come that they (the sheep) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Same verse he also says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Here he’s referring to those who came before him. They could not give the sheep an abundant life. Jesus is the giver, the only giver.
This abundant life is spelled out in Psalm 23. Green pastures, still waters, restored soul, walk in paths of righteousness; only the Lord is the shepherd. And those who follow him know his voice.
“Listen for the voice of God.” said Pastor Josh. The sheep know his voice (verse 4 and 16 of John 10). Both the ones in the fold and the others not of the fold. “The abundant life is what God does on the inside of us.” continued our pastor. It’s a new meaning, a new purpose, a new vitality. Those who know Jesus and what he is all about experience an abundant life. It’s a new life.
“The world can take a lot from us but it cannot take an abundant life.” said Pastor Josh. The chapter that follows the story of the good shepherd is the one that Jesus brings Lazarus back to life (John 11:43). “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (verse 25).
“One day there will be a call from God and it will be universally answered. Life is short, make the most of it. Eternity is a long time, prepare for it.” said Pastor Josh.
Well, this just kicks up a firestorm and everyone gets in on the act. The neighbors take him, the man who was blind, to the Pharisees. After all, no one regains their sight on the sabbath. It had to be someone who was not of God that performed this ‘miracle’. The plot grows. The Pharisees take issue with Jesus’s response in verse 39.”
Jesus has their attention and he tells them why he has come. John 10:10 says, “…I am come that they (the sheep) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Same verse he also says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Here he’s referring to those who came before him. They could not give the sheep an abundant life. Jesus is the giver, the only giver.
This abundant life is spelled out in Psalm 23. Green pastures, still waters, restored soul, walk in paths of righteousness; only the Lord is the shepherd. And those who follow him know his voice.
“Listen for the voice of God.” said Pastor Josh. The sheep know his voice (verse 4 and 16 of John 10). Both the ones in the fold and the others not of the fold. “The abundant life is what God does on the inside of us.” continued our pastor. It’s a new meaning, a new purpose, a new vitality. Those who know Jesus and what he is all about experience an abundant life. It’s a new life.
“The world can take a lot from us but it cannot take an abundant life.” said Pastor Josh. The chapter that follows the story of the good shepherd is the one that Jesus brings Lazarus back to life (John 11:43). “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (verse 25).
“One day there will be a call from God and it will be universally answered. Life is short, make the most of it. Eternity is a long time, prepare for it.” said Pastor Josh.
