Jesus says: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full – John 10:10

WATCHWORD AUGUST 2026
“Jesus says: I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10

I invite you to read John 10:1–11. This passage introduces Jesus through two beautiful images: He is both the Good Shepherd and the Gate. At first, this may seem unusual, but together these pictures reveal who Jesus is and what He offers to us.

Jesus explains that He is not like a thief, a bandit, or a stranger who comes for selfish gain. Instead, He is the true Shepherd who knows His sheep, calls them by name, leads them, protects them, and provides for them. At the same time, He is the Gate, the only way to safety, salvation, and the abundant life God desires for His people.

When Jesus speaks these words, He has just healed a man born blind and confronted religious leaders who cared more about their own position than about God’s people. Through the image of the shepherd and the sheep, Jesus contrasts their self-serving leadership with His loving care.

The heart of this passage is our monthly watchword: “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly”. Jesus is not promising a life without hardship. We know that life brings illness, loss, loneliness, and change. There are seasons when we cannot do the things we once could, and there are days when we may wonder if we have been forgotten.

Yet, Jesus assures us that we are His sheep, and He knows us by name. The Good Shepherd does not forget His flock because they have grown older or weaker. He continues to call us, guide us, and walk with us.

The abundant life Jesus promises is not measured by wealth, success, or even the number of our years. It is the deep assurance that we belong to God, that we are loved beyond measure, and that we are never alone. Nothing can separate us from the care of our Shepherd.

May this be our encouragement: the Good Shepherd knows your name. He is your protector, your guide, and your source of life. Through Him, we have the abundant life of God’s love and the promise that He will never leave us.

Pastor Ingrid van Sittert