40|50 Project: 40 Days To Heal A Nation’s Racial DivideSample

Day 11: Abundant Life

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Jesus is so clear on what He offers us: abundant life. Having just healed a blind man and revealed truth to the Pharisees that they are blind, Jesus tells a parable in John 10 to contrast the difference between Himself as the Good Shepherd and the religious leaders whom He compares to thieves and robbers. The thief steals, kills and destroys, but Jesus does the opposite. He gives abundant life, demonstrated by His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep.

When we think of racism in our countries, its fruit is often theft, death and destruction, the opposite of what Jesus gives. As His followers, we want to demonstrate His willingness to give up our lives for others, not take lives. We want to be on His side for abundant life.

That word "abundant" in the original Greek is περισσός, pronounced per-is-sos', meaning "more than enough, exceptional, all-around, beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation; "more abundant," over and above..."

The word "life" in this passage is the Greek word ζωή, pronounced zóé, mostly used with 'eternal' life. This is different from the other words for life: ψυχή, translated psuché, (psych), meaning soul and βίος, translated bios, meaning flesh/body. 

So, the abundant life that Jesus gives us is the zoe life that is more than enough, exceeding expectation, above and beyond, life in its fullness. How can we partner with this truth of abundant life today? 

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Thank You for giving us abundant life. Please enable us during this 40-day fast and prayer to value life, honor life and live life. Please give us courage to stand up to those who are stealing, killing and destroying. Please protect us and our families, in Your Name, Amen.