MORNING MANNA           8/14 /20

We often hear questions about life after death, but another question that we need to ask “Is there life after birth?” I mention that because some folks merely exist rather than living life to the fullest. And when we speak of life we need to consider both physical and spiritual life. The natural man is born dead on arrival spiritually speaking. He is dead in his sins until he receives Christ and is born again. Christ made it clear that He is our life in John 6:35-70.

Jesus didn’t come to provide physical life (bios). he came to give us spiritual life (zoe) – a quality of life described as more abundant. As someone said, “Jesus didn’t come to add years to your life, but to add life to your years”. Indeed He did. That’s what we see in our text.

The context pictures Christ as the good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. But, not only does He save us, He also supplies our needs as well. Sheep need a shepherd and man needs a Savior, and there is only one – Christ the Lord. He is the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. Thankfully His concern goes beyond their minimum needs. His desire is to provide them with a life that is more abundant. Albert Barnes wrote, “The word (abundantly) denotes that which is not absolutely essential to life, but which is superadded to make life happy”. In other words Jesus was speaking about superabundance! That ought to get our attention.

Sadly a lot of folks are willing to settle for a lot less than God desires for them. They limit what He wants to do and would do if they simply trusted Him. Rather than living “more abundantly” they settle for less than the best. They rob themselves because they don’t realize that God’s will is not only right, it is best – always! -HDS