13th April 2008 (4th of Easter)

John 10:1-10

Jesus tells us that he came so that his sheep may have life – ‘life to the full’ (John 10:1-10). We all want life to the full, even if we are not quite sure what that means. In this self centred, consumerist culture we are encouraged to imagine life to the full as life filled with lots of opportunities: to have fun, to enjoy the best gadgets and cars and holidays, to have lots of friends and sex and sport – or whatever takes your fancy. Others will say that a full life is a busy life, full of worthwhile opportunities, a life in which all our gifts and talents and potentials are developed to the full. Others will say that life to the full is life full of love – in which we know ourselves to be loved, and have lots of people around us whom we love.

What would Jesus say life to the full was? If he came to give life to the full, and tells us to follow him, then surely he himself knew what life to the full was all about. Yet he had no possessions to call his own, he had no cars or computers or mobile phones, he was not a member of any football team, he didn’t go off to the tropics for a holiday. Sometimes he was so busy he didn’t have time to eat. He did not live long on earth; his life ended in the most dreadful manner, crucified, deserted by his friends. And he taught that those who want to save their lives will lose them, that those who lose their lives will save them, that we cannot follow him unless we ‘hate’ our own lives, and take up our cross.

So what does Jesus mean by life to the full? In a nutshell, it is life as the Creator intended. But that needs unpacking, because we often have such a low view of what the Creator wants for us. Life to the full surely includes:
  • Life in relationship with God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – knowing God’s presence and love and guidance.
  • Life as a citizen of heaven, with heaven’s resources available to us.
  • Life which fulfils all our potential, using our gifts and talents to best effect.
  • Life which lasts for ever.
  • Life with meaning and purpose.
Jesus lived such a life on earth, and lives it now. Complete fullness of life is only possible in the new creation, but we can experience more now than we think! Jesus is our example!

Questions:

1) What does ‘life to the full’ look like to you?

2) How can we get more of it today?



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