John 10:10-11 Abundant Living and Laying it Down

Is there any coincidence that these two verses are side by side?

“¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ¹¹“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:10-11

Jesus came to give us life and in order to do so the shepherd had to lay down his life for the sheep. There are few verse pairs in scripture that stand together with as stark a contrast as these. God’s love for us is so vast, so wide and deep and pure and good. Most people would say, “I am here so that I might have life and have it to the full.” Jesus knew the only route to full, abundant living was through self-sacrifice.

If you aren’t experiencing life to the full maybe you are getting in the way of the process.