Abundance And More

Abundance and More Text: John 10:10

I ASSURE you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber. 2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The watchman opens the door for this man, and the sheep listen to his voice and heed it; and he calls his own sheep by name and brings (leads) them out. 4When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. 6Jesus used this parable (illustration) with them, but they did not understand what He was talking about. 7So Jesus said again, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that I Myself am the Door for the sheep. 8All others who came [as such] before Me are thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not listen to and obey them. 9I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely], and will find pasture.10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

Jesus’ discourse on Himself as the “Good Shepherd” flowed directly from chapter 9, as Jesus continued to talk to the very same people. The problem with chapter 9 was that false shepherds who drew them astray from the true knowledge and kingdom of Messiah led Israel.

In chapter 10, Jesus declared Himself to be the “Good Shepherd” who was appointed by His Father as Savior and King, in contrast to the false shepherds of Israel who were self-appointed and self-righteous.

Listen once more to this contrast form true to false shepherds.

True: Psalm 23:1AMP THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

Isaiah 40:11AMP He will feed His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young.

False: Jeremiah 23:1-2NLT “What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord. 2 Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them.

Ezekiel 34:1-4NKJ And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them.

This whole chapter speaks of the false shepherd. However, not only will false shepherds pay a terrible price for their disobedience, those sheep that follow him or her will also.

Our God is a God of abundance. Here Jesus is using a metaphor of Himself being a shepherd over sheep. Moreover, the sheep that listen, follow and stay in His presence will always have pasture. (Abundance).

John 10:10b I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

The believer’s life is a life of obedience. God said in Isaiah 1:19-20NKJ If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Willing and obedient… refuse and rebel. The prophet offered his readers the same choice God gave Moses in Deut.28, a choice between a blessing and a curse.

You will eat the good of the land, live in abundance, walk in God’s favor, or be devoured by the sword. In other words, on one hand, they may eat the fruit of the land on the other; conquering powers may eat them.