Finding Pasture

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

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

I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."

                                                            John 10: 9-11

Jesus says that He is the door to our salvation and He is the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He promises us salvation, life abundant and pasture in these verses. He also contrasts Himself with the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. Our enemy, the devil doesn't care about us, all he wants is our destruction; but Jesus loves us so much that He has provided for our every need.

I learned early on as a Christian that Jesus is the door to my salvation, He is the only way for me to get to the Father and I am so thankful for this. However, I think sometimes I have overlooked the part of the verse which says I will go in and out and find pasture. This gives me a sense of being satisfied or content, because that pasture represents the meeting of my essential needs - food, water and rest. I imagine that a sheep would feel content and cared for when these basic needs are met. But Jesus promises us even more: that we might have life abundantly. We experience the blessings each day of belonging to Him; even though we face trials and difficulties, we have abundant life because we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He lays down His life for us that we might have eternal life - this future life will be more abundant than anything we can imagine.

Jesus wants to provide us pasture. He wants to take us to a place of rest and security. That place is in Him; when we come humbly before Him and seek His presence, He brings us a peace and rest like no other. He wants to feed and nurture us; God's word is overflowing with words of encouragement and help; it is our daily bread, but we must eat in order to be nourished.

Will you follow Jesus to that pasture? You will find that He will give you life, and life abundantly.