Listen

So Jesus spoke again, “I assure you that I am the gate of the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and outlaws, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.

John 10:7-10

Think

To a somewhat confused audience, Jesus says he’s the gate of the sheep. Sheep? Hey, who are you calling a sheep, Jesus? (Hint: It’s me, baaa, I’m the sheep, it’s me.) Besides being wooly, sheep are actually pretty smart (just like you!). They can learn tasks quickly and even learn the distinct voice of their shepherd. But, despite being smart problem-solvers, sheep still need their shepherd to provide for them by opening the gate — making the vast, delicious pasture available to them.

Now, I know you aren’t eating grass (hopefully), but Jesus is still opening a gate to abundant life for you. In his time in history, Jesus taught that abundant life looked like the opposite of the oppressive Roman Empire: wholeness, food security, equality, health, and safety. Yes, abundant life still looks like this today, but I also wonder what it might look like at school. Maybe you can make a running list in your notebook of good, abundant-life-type things you see in your day — times you notice respect, equality, encouragement, and joy.

Erin Spengeman Hutchison

Question to Ponder:

What abundant-life-type thing will you pack in your backpack and look for at school today?

Pray

God, thank you that you call us to abundant life.

Help me see signs of abundant life around me so that I can join in and help make abundant life happen.

Amen.

Go

What did you decide to put in your backpack?

Imagine you’re packing what you need and zipping up your backpack.

As you grab your backpack and go, remember that God is going with you, too.