The human story can be described in four eras. And in each of them, the light of Jesus shines in a different way.

Moonlight
“You search the Scriptures... and it is they that bear witness about me” (Jn. 5:39). In the Old Testament era, Jesus was there, but He was not seen directly, like the light of the sun reflected by the moon. The law shows us why we need Jesus. The sacrifices show what we needed Him to do. The promises show what He would accomplish when He came.

Floodlight
“I am the light of the world” (Jn. 8:12). The coming of Jesus Christ was like a burst of light in this dark world. But men loved darkness rather than light. Jesus was opposed at every stage of His ministry. It should not surprise us when we find that the world is a dark place.

Starlight
“Be blameless and innocent... in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights” (Phil. 2:15). Christian believers who hold fast to the Word of Life shine like lights in the world. God’s plan is that people will see the light of Christ through His people.

Sunlight
“The sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings” (Mal. 4:2). One day, we will see the full light of the sun. The Lord Jesus Christ will return in power and glory. “Night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light” (Rev. 22:5). We will live in the light of the presence of the Lord forever.

In what ways can you be starlight to the world around you?

What does a more abundant life look like? It is a life with:

More peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (14:27). Jesus can give more peace than any of us has yet received.

More love. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (15:13). Jesus has more love to give than any of us has yet known.

More joy. “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (15:11). Jesus can give more joy than any of us have yet experienced.

More faith. “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). Jesus can give more faith than any of us has yet exercised.

More repentance. Repentance is the means by which we become more like Jesus, saying “no” to worldly passions and “yes” to upright, self-controlled, and godly lives. Jesus can give a deeper repentance than any of us has yet discovered.

More strength. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Jesus can give more strength than any of us has yet enjoyed.

More hope. “This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:21-23). Jesus can give us the hope that we need.

Which of these blessings do you feel you need more of right now?

Jesus came so that you may have life. If you are in Christ, you have it. Life is in Christ, and if Christ is in you, life is in you.

But Jesus does not stop there. He adds these four marvellous words: “and have it abundantly.” What does this mean? It would be easy to say, “Jesus wants you to have a life of total fulfilment, health, wealth, and satisfaction. He came so that everything you want could be yours.”

But that would be a complete misunderstanding of this verse. Believers get sick, experience loss, and know disappointment. Most of all, if we follow Jesus we must be ready to deny ourselves and take up our cross every day (Mat. 16:24). So, what does “and have it abundantly” mean? It means that Jesus Christ has more to give than any of us has received.

This life that Jesus gives makes it possible for us to face loss, difficulties, and disappointment. If you have suffered loss from thieves, these words are especially for you. Jesus came so that you would have all you need, for all that you face.

Don’t be satisfied with a small measure of life—a little faith, a little peace, a little joy. Jesus Christ has more to give than any of us has received!

How do you get more? The same way you got what you have in the first place—by coming to Jesus. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Mat. 7:7-8).

What does it mean to you that Jesus came so that you would have all you need, for all you face?