This post is Day 25 in a series of studies about “Psalm 23”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Psalm 23 – Day 25

The Gospel of John tells us things the others do not. He is more sensitive to feelings, emotions, and he gives us a more intimate view of Jesus. In this verse he emphasises the words of Jesus contrasting the thief with destruction, and the Saviour offering life. Life in abundance.

John 10:10-11

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. Who lays down His life for His sheep.

The Thought

We return today to the New Testament teaching on a “good shepherd”. The one that David knew long before Jesus came to earth.

We return too to a verse we looked at on Day 11, but with a different emphasis.

John, the writer of the 4th gospel is the one known to many as “the beloved disciple”. Four times in his gospel John refers to himself as “The one Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 20:2, 21:7&20). Jesus loves us all. So John wasn’t any more loved than all the other disciples. But he certainly recognised that he was loved. The others were not so sure or not so easily convinced.

John’s gospel tells us things that the others don’t. He is much more sensitive to feelings, and emotions, and his gospel gives us a more intimate view of Jesus.

In the verse for today John emphasises the words of Jesus contrasting between the thief with the destruction he brings, and the Saviour offering life. Life in abundance.

Remember that the prayer Jesus taught His disciples told us to ask for our bread each day, He never told us to have fridges and freezers stacked full ready for any occasion.

I am not saying those things are wrong. But I am saying that our attitude to “life to the full” probably has a different meaning today than it had in Jesus’ day.

Action

Think today what “Life in abundance” means for you. Do you feel that you have it? Or are you longing for it? How will you know when you get it?

Ask God to confirm to you that, like John, you are loved by Jesus.