Abundant Life
Illustration★★★★Before Columbus set sail to cross the Atlantic, it was
believed that the world ended out somewhere past
Gibraltar. The royal motto said plainly “Ne Plus Ultra,”
meaning, “there is no more beyond here.”
But then, when Columbus returned, he had actually discov-
ered a whole new world. The ancient motto was now
meaningless. In this crisis, someone made a noble and
thrifty suggestion, which Queen Isabella acted on. It was
simply that the first word, “ne,” be deleted leaving just two
words: plus ultra—‘“there is plenty more beyond.”
Plus ultra. There is plenty more beyond if you take the first
step, if you begin your journey of an eternity, with the Lord
Jesus Christ. “I came that they may have life, and have it
abundantly” Gn. 10:10).
Found in Contemporary sermon illustrations, Colaianni, James F, Colaianni, James F., 1922 · page 11
The point
Columbus's voyage changed the world's motto from 'Ne Plus Ultra' (no more beyond) to 'Plus Ultra' (plenty more beyond); abundant life comes by taking the first step with Jesus.