Psalm 51 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

Psalm 51: Today’s reading is a psalm asking for God’s forgiveness and is attributed to King David. After David had arranged to have Uriah killed in battle so that he could marry Bathsheba, who was pregnant with David’s child, the prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin.

Today's Scripture: Psalm 51:1

Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins!

Today's Reading

¹ Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love.Because of your great mercywipe away my sins! ² Wash away all my evil and make me clean from my sin! ³ I recognize my faults; I am always conscious of my sins. ⁴ I have sinned against you—only against you— and done what you consider evil.So you are right in judging me;you are justified in condemning me. ⁵ I have been evil from the day I was born; from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful. ⁶ Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. ⁷ Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. ⁸ Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; and though you have crushed me and broken me,I will be happy once again. ⁹ Close your eyes to my sins and wipe out all my evil. ¹⁰ Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. ¹¹ Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me. ¹² Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. ¹³ Then I will teach sinners your commands, and they will turn back to you. ¹⁴ Spare my life, O God, and save me, and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness. ¹⁵ Help me to speak, Lord, and I will praise you. ¹⁶ You do not want sacrifices, or I would offer them;you are not pleased with burnt offerings. ¹⁷ My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; you will not reject a humble and repentant heart. ¹⁸ O God, be kind to Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. ¹⁹ Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifices and with our burnt offerings;and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

Reflect

How would you describe the tone of David’s prayer? What does he confess? What does he ask of God? Can this prayer serve as a model of confession for you? What do you need to confess to God today?

Pray

Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love, and wipe away all my sins. Create a pure heart in me and put a new and loyal spirit in me. Keep me forever in your presence so that I may know the joy that comes only from you and your salvation. In your holy name I pray, Amen.Those in need of God’s forgiveness

Prayer Concern

Those in need of God’s forgiveness

John 10:22-42 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 10:22-42: Jesus continues to describe his relationship with his followers. Some of the people ask if he is the Messiah, and Jesus responds by declaring that the deeds he does by his Father’s authority speak on his behalf. Some of the people attempt to stone him, whereas many other people believe in him.

Today's Scripture: John 10:27

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Today's Reading

²² It was winter, and the Festival of the Dedication of the Temple was being celebrated in Jerusalem. ²³ Jesus was walking in Solomon's Porch in the Temple, ²⁴ when the people gathered around him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? Tell us the plain truth: are you the Messiah?” ²⁵ Jesus answered, “I have already told you, but you would not believe me. The deeds I do by my Father's authority speak on my behalf; ²⁶ but you will not believe, for you are not my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never die. No one can snatch them away from me. ²⁹ What my Father has given me is greater than everything, and no one can snatch them away from the Father's care. ³⁰ The Father and I are one. ” ³¹ Then the people again picked up stones to throw at him. ³² Jesus said to them, “I have done many good deeds in your presence which the Father gave me to do; for which one of these do you want to stone me?” ³³ They answered, “We do not want to stone you because of any good deeds, but because of your blasphemy! You are only a man, but you are trying to make yourself God!” ³⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written in your own Law that God said, “You are gods.” ³⁵ We know that what the scripture says is true forever; and God called those people gods, the people to whom his message was given. ³⁶ As for me, the Father chose me and sent me into the world. How, then, can you say that I blaspheme because I said that I am the Son of God? ³⁷ Do not believe me, then, if I am not doing the things my Father wants me to do. ³⁸ But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, you should at least believe my deeds, in order that you may know once and for all that the Father is in me and that I am in the Father. ” ³⁹ Once more they tried to seize Jesus, but he slipped out of their hands. ⁴⁰ Jesus then went back again across the Jordan River to the place where John had been baptizing, and he stayed there. ⁴¹ Many people came to him. “John performed no miracles,” they said, “but everything he said about this man was true.” ⁴² And many people there believed in him.

Reflect

How does Jesus respond when asked if he is the Messiah (verses 24-30)? Why do people want to stone him (verse 33)? How does Jesus respond (verses 34-38)? Reread verses 27 and 28. What reassurance does Jesus give his followers? Is there someone you know who needs to hear these comforting words today?

Pray

Loving Jesus, as one of your sheep, you know my name. I thank you for eternal life with you and the assurance that no one can ever snatch me away from you. Help me to listen to your voice so that I always follow you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those who are being led astray by false teachings

John 10:1-21 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 10:1-21: Jesus uses the images of shepherd, gate, and sheep to describe his relationship between himself and his followers. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice and follow him. Unlike a thief who comes only to steal or destroy, and unlike a hired worker who fails to protect the sheep, Jesus as the good shepherd is willing to die for the sheep. Jesus’ words once again cause division among the people.

Today's Scripture: John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep.”

Today's Reading

¹ Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth: the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The man who goes in through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him; the sheep hear his voice as he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought them out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. ⁵ They will not follow someone else; instead, they will run away from such a person, because they do not know his voice. ” ⁶ Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he meant. ⁷ So Jesus said again, “I am telling you the truth: I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All others who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. Those who come in by me will be saved; they will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep. ¹² When the hired man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. ¹³ The hired man runs away because he is only a hired man and does not care about the sheep. ^14-15 I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them. ¹⁶ There are other sheep which belong to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd. ¹⁷ The Father loves me because I am willing to give up my life, in order that I may receive it back again. ¹⁸ No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father has commanded me to do. ” ¹⁹ Again there was a division among the people because of these words. ²⁰ Many of them were saying, “He has a demon! He is crazy! Why do you listen to him?” ²¹ But others were saying, “A man with a demon could not talk like this! How could a demon give sight to blind people?”

Reflect

Jesus says “I am the gate” (verses 7, 9) and “I am the good shepherd (verses 11, 14). These statements are among those that are referred to as the “I am” passages in John’s Gospel. Two previous readings this month (February 13 and 16) had two other of the “I am” sayings: “I am the bread of life” (6:35) and “I am the light of the world” (8:12). In Exodus 3:13-15, God’s name (I AM) is revealed to Moses. In John’s Gospel, Jesus’ use of the term “I am” connects him to God. As stated in 8:58, Jesus said, “Before Abraham was born, ‘I Am’.” In today’s reading, what do the images of “gate” and shepherd” convey to you about Jesus?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, and you were willing to die for my sake. Lead me each day with your gentle and loving voice. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those who tend flocks of sheep

John 9:1-41 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 9:1-41: Jesus heals a man born blind and does so on the Sabbath. The Pharisees seek to investigate the matter and expel the healed man from the synagogue. The healed man puts his faith in Jesus, and Jesus accuses the Pharisees of being spiritually blind.

Today's Scripture: John 9:39

Jesus said, “I came to this world to judge, so that the blind should see and those who see should become blind.”

Today's Reading

¹ As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born blind. ² His disciples asked him, “Teacher, whose sin caused him to be born blind? Was it his own or his parents' sin?” ³ Jesus answered, “His blindness has nothing to do with his sins or his parents' sins. He is blind so that God's power might be seen at work in him. ⁴ As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me; night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ While I am in the world, I am the light for the world. ” ⁶ After he said this, Jesus spat on the ground and made some mud with the spittle; he rubbed the mud on the man's eyes ⁷ and told him, “Go and wash your face in the Pool of Siloam.” (This name means “Sent.”) So the man went, washed his face, and came back seeing. ⁸ His neighbors, then, and the people who had seen him begging before this, asked, “Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?” ⁹ Some said, “He is the one,” but others said, “No he isn't; he just looks like him.” So the man himself said, “I am the man.” ¹⁰ “How is it that you can now see?” they asked him. ¹¹ He answered, “The man called Jesus made some mud, rubbed it on my eyes, and told me to go to Siloam and wash my face. So I went, and as soon as I washed, I could see.” ¹² “Where is he?” they asked. “I don't know,” he answered. ¹³ Then they took to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. ¹⁴ The day that Jesus made the mud and cured him of his blindness was a Sabbath. ¹⁵ The Pharisees, then, asked the man again how he had received his sight. He told them, “He put some mud on my eyes; I washed my face, and now I can see.” ¹⁶ Some of the Pharisees said, “The man who did this cannot be from God, for he does not obey the Sabbath law.” Others, however, said, “How could a man who is a sinner perform such miracles as these?” And there was a division among them. ¹⁷ So the Pharisees asked the man once more, “You say he cured you of your blindness—well, what do you say about him?” “He is a prophet,” the man answered. ¹⁸ The Jewish authorities, however, were not willing to believe that he had been blind and could now see, until they called his parents ¹⁹ and asked them, “Is this your son? You say that he was born blind; how is it, then, that he can now see?” ²⁰ His parents answered, “We know that he is our son, and we know that he was born blind. ²¹ But we do not know how it is that he is now able to see, nor do we know who cured him of his blindness. Ask him; he is old enough, and he can answer for himself ” ²² His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, who had already agreed that anyone who said he believed that Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. ²³ That is why his parents said, “He is old enough; ask him!” ²⁴ A second time they called back the man who had been born blind, and said to him, “Promise before God that you will tell the truth! We know that this man who cured you is a sinner.” ²⁵ “I do not know if he is a sinner or not,” the man replied. “One thing I do know: I was blind, and now I see.” ²⁶ “What did he do to you?” they asked. “How did he cure you of your blindness?” ²⁷ “I have already told you,” he answered, “and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Maybe you, too, would like to be his disciples?” ²⁸ They insulted him and said, “You are that fellow's disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. ²⁹ We know that God spoke to Moses; as for that fellow, however, we do not even know where he comes from! ” ³⁰ The man answered, “What a strange thing that is! You do not know where he comes from, but he cured me of my blindness! ³¹ We know that God does not listen to sinners; he does listen to people who respect him and do what he wants them to do. ³² Since the beginning of the world nobody has ever heard of anyone giving sight to a person born blind. ³³ Unless this man came from God, he would not be able to do a thing. ” ³⁴ They answered, “You were born and brought up in sin—and you are trying to teach us?” And they expelled him from the synagogue. ³⁵ When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” ³⁶ The man answered, “Tell me who he is, sir, so that I can believe in him!” ³⁷ Jesus said to him, “You have already seen him, and he is the one who is talking with you now.” ³⁸ “I believe, Lord!” the man said, and knelt down before Jesus. ³⁹ Jesus said, “I came to this world to judge, so that the blind should see and those who see should become blind.” ⁴⁰ Some Pharisees who were there with him heard him say this and asked him, “Surely you don't mean that we are blind, too?” ⁴¹ Jesus answered, “If you were blind, then you would not be guilty; but since you claim that you can see, this means that you are still guilty.”

Reflect

In Jesus’ day, some believed that a person who was blind was being punished by God for sinning or for the sin of his or her parents. How does Jesus overturn this belief? Why was their division among some of the religious leaders (verse 16)? Describe the dialogue that takes place between the man who was healed and the religious authorities (verses 24-34). How does the healed man respond to the claim that Jesus is a sinner? Why do they expel him from the synagogue? Reread verses 39-41. What do these verses teach about spiritual blindness?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you gave sight to the blind. Open my eyes to the truth of your word and to see others through eyes of love. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those who are visually impaired

John 8:31-59 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 8:31-59: The debate between Jesus and his opponents intensifies, and Jesus declares them to be children of the devil.

Today's Scripture: John 8:31b, 32

“If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Today's Reading

³¹ So Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; ³² you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ” ³³ “We are the descendants of Abraham,” they answered, “and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, “You will be free”? ” ³⁴ Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ³⁵ A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever. ³⁶ If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free. ³⁷ I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching. ³⁸ I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you. ” ³⁹ They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” “If you really were Abraham's children,” Jesus replied, “you would do the same things that he did. ⁴⁰ All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this! ⁴¹ You are doing what your father did. ” “God himself is the only Father we have,” they answered, “and we are his true children.” ⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God really were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own authority, but he sent me. ⁴³ Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message. ⁴⁴ You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father's desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies. ⁴⁵ But I tell the truth, and that is why you do not believe me. ⁴⁶ Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe me? ⁴⁷ He who comes from God listens to God's words. You, however, are not from God, and that is why you will not listen. ” ⁴⁸ They asked Jesus, “Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon in you?” ⁴⁹ “I have no demon,” Jesus answered. “I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking honor for myself. But there is one who is seeking it and who judges in my favor. ⁵¹ I am telling you the truth: whoever obeys my teaching will never die. ” ⁵² They said to him, “Now we know for sure that you have a demon! Abraham died, and the prophets died, yet you say that whoever obeys your teaching will never die. ⁵³ Our father Abraham died; you do not claim to be greater than Abraham, do you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are? ” ⁵⁴ Jesus answered, “If I were to honor myself, that honor would be worth nothing. The one who honors me is my Father—the very one you say is your God. ⁵⁵ You have never known him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey his word. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see the time of my coming; he saw it and was glad. ” ⁵⁷ They said to him, “You are not even fifty years old—and you have seen Abraham?” ⁵⁸ “I am telling you the truth,” Jesus replied. “Before Abraham was born, “I Am”. ” ⁵⁹ Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

Reflect

Reread verses 31 and 32. What does being set free by the truth mean to you? What does Jesus say when his opponents claim to be Abraham’s children (verses 39, 40)? In the ensuing dialogue, how does Jesus challenge their claim to be children of God (verses 42-47)? How do you demonstrate that you are a child of God?

Pray

Lord Jesus, as your follower I believe that your word is truth that indeed sets me free. You have revealed God’s love to me and made me a child of God. Continue to guide me in the way of truth. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Teachers

John 8:31-59 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 8:31-59: The debate between Jesus and his opponents intensifies, and Jesus declares them to be children of the devil.

Today's Scripture: John 8:31b, 32

“If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Today's Reading

³¹ So Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; ³² you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. ” ³³ “We are the descendants of Abraham,” they answered, “and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, “You will be free”? ” ³⁴ Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. ³⁵ A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever. ³⁶ If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free. ³⁷ I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching. ³⁸ I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you. ” ³⁹ They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” “If you really were Abraham's children,” Jesus replied, “you would do the same things that he did. ⁴⁰ All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this! ⁴¹ You are doing what your father did. ” “God himself is the only Father we have,” they answered, “and we are his true children.” ⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God really were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own authority, but he sent me. ⁴³ Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message. ⁴⁴ You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father's desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies. ⁴⁵ But I tell the truth, and that is why you do not believe me. ⁴⁶ Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe me? ⁴⁷ He who comes from God listens to God's words. You, however, are not from God, and that is why you will not listen. ” ⁴⁸ They asked Jesus, “Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon in you?” ⁴⁹ “I have no demon,” Jesus answered. “I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking honor for myself. But there is one who is seeking it and who judges in my favor. ⁵¹ I am telling you the truth: whoever obeys my teaching will never die. ” ⁵² They said to him, “Now we know for sure that you have a demon! Abraham died, and the prophets died, yet you say that whoever obeys your teaching will never die. ⁵³ Our father Abraham died; you do not claim to be greater than Abraham, do you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are? ” ⁵⁴ Jesus answered, “If I were to honor myself, that honor would be worth nothing. The one who honors me is my Father—the very one you say is your God. ⁵⁵ You have never known him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey his word. ⁵⁶ Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see the time of my coming; he saw it and was glad. ” ⁵⁷ They said to him, “You are not even fifty years old—and you have seen Abraham?” ⁵⁸ “I am telling you the truth,” Jesus replied. “Before Abraham was born, “I Am”. ” ⁵⁹ Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

Reflect

Reread verses 31 and 32. What does being set free by the truth mean to you? What does Jesus say when his opponents claim to be Abraham’s children (verses 39, 40)? In the ensuing dialogue, how does Jesus challenge their claim to be children of God (verses 42-47)? How do you demonstrate that you are a child of God?

Pray

Lord Jesus, as your follower I believe that your word is truth that indeed sets me free. You have revealed God’s love to me and made me a child of God. Continue to guide me in the way of truth. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Teachers

John 8:1-30 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 8:1-30: The religious leaders bring to Jesus a woman caught in adultery and seek to test him by asking for his judgment in the matter. Jesus once again confounds them with his response. Jesus declares that he is “the light of the world.” Today’s reading concludes with Jesus alluding to his death.

Today's Scripture: John 8:12b

“I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.”

Today's Reading

¹ Then everyone went home, but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. ² Early the next morning he went back to the Temple. All the people gathered around him, and he sat down and began to teach them. ³ The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery, and they made her stand before them all. ⁴ “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. ⁵ In our Law Moses commanded that such a woman must be stoned to death. Now, what do you say? ” ⁶ They said this to trap Jesus, so that they could accuse him. But he bent over and wrote on the ground with his finger. ⁷ As they stood there asking him questions, he straightened up and said to them, “Whichever one of you has committed no sin may throw the first stone at her.” ⁸ Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground. ⁹ When they heard this, they all left, one by one, the older ones first. Jesus was left alone, with the woman still standing there. ¹⁰ He straightened up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?” ¹¹ “No one, sir,” she answered. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”] ¹² Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. “I am the light of the world,” he said. “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness.” ¹³ The Pharisees said to him, “Now you are testifying on your own behalf; what you say proves nothing.” ¹⁴ “No,” Jesus answered, “even though I do testify on my own behalf, what I say is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going. ¹⁵ You make judgments in a purely human way; I pass judgment on no one. ¹⁶ But if I were to do so, my judgment would be true, because I am not alone in this; the Father who sent me is with me. ¹⁷ It is written in your Law that when two witnesses agree, what they say is true. ¹⁸ I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me also testifies on my behalf. ” ¹⁹ “Where is your father?” they asked him. “You know neither me nor my Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” ²⁰ Jesus said all this as he taught in the Temple, in the room where the offering boxes were placed. And no one arrested him, because his hour had not come. ²¹ Again Jesus said to them, “I will go away; you will look for me, but you will die in your sins. You cannot go where I am going.” ²² So the Jewish authorities said, “He says that we cannot go where he is going. Does this mean that he will kill himself” ²³ Jesus answered, “You belong to this world here below, but I come from above. You are from this world, but I am not from this world. ²⁴ That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you will die in your sins if you do not believe that “I Am Who I Am”. ” ²⁵ “Who are you?” they asked him. Jesus answered, “What I have told you from the very beginning. ²⁶ I have much to say about you, much to condemn you for. The one who sent me, however, is truthful, and I tell the world only what I have heard from him. ” ²⁷ They did not understand that Jesus was talking to them about the Father. ²⁸ So he said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that “I Am Who I Am”; then you will know that I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the Father has instructed me to say. ²⁹ And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him. ” ³⁰ Many who heard Jesus say these things believed in him.

Reflect

The Law of Moses required that, in the matter of adultery, two witnesses were needed (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15). Thus the Pharisees were in violation of the legal requirements in not presenting witnesses. What is your reaction to how Jesus handled the matter? What did he say to the woman? How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees when they asked him about his father (verse 19)?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. Teach me to live in the light of your love. Thank you for your love and mercy, and for the chance to live a new life in you. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Victims of human trafficking and prostitution

John 7:25-52 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 7:25-52: Jesus continues to speak openly in the Temple, and some of the religious leaders seek to have him arrested. Division arises among the people listening to Jesus.

Today's Scripture: John 7:37b, 38a

Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, “Whoever is thirsty should come to me, and whoever believes in me should drink.”

Today's Reading

²⁵ Some of the people of Jerusalem said, “Isn't this the man the authorities are trying to kill? ²⁶ Look! He is talking in public, and they say nothing against him! Can it be that they really know that he is the Messiah? ²⁷ But when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from. And we all know where this man comes from. ” ²⁸ As Jesus taught in the Temple, he said in a loud voice, “Do you really know me and know where I am from? I have not come on my own authority. He who sent me, however, is truthful. You do not know him, ²⁹ but I know him, because I come from him and he sent me. ” ³⁰ Then they tried to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. ³¹ But many in the crowd believed in him and said, “When the Messiah comes, will he perform more miracles than this man has?” ³² The Pharisees heard the crowd whispering these things about Jesus, so they and the chief priests sent some guards to arrest him. ³³ Jesus said, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I shall go away to him who sent me. ³⁴ You will look for me, but you will not find me, because you cannot go where I will be. ” ³⁵ The Jewish authorities said among themselves, “Where is he about to go so that we shall not find him? Will he go to the Greek cities where our people live, and teach the Greeks? ³⁶ He says that we will look for him but will not find him, and that we cannot go where he will be. What does he mean? ” ³⁷ On the last and most important day of the festival Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, “Whoever is thirsty should come to me, and ³⁸ whoever believes in me should drink. As the scripture says, “Streams of life-giving water will pour out from his side.” ” ³⁹ Jesus said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were going to receive. At that time the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not been raised to glory. ⁴⁰ Some of the people in the crowd heard him say this and said, “This man is really the Prophet!” ⁴¹ Others said, “He is the Messiah!”But others said, “The Messiah will not come from Galilee! ⁴² The scripture says that the Messiah will be a descendant of King David and will be born in Bethlehem, the town where David lived. ” ⁴³ So there was a division in the crowd because of Jesus. ⁴⁴ Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him. ⁴⁵ When the guards went back, the chief priests and Pharisees asked them, “Why did you not bring him?” ⁴⁶ The guards answered, “Nobody has ever talked the way this man does!” ⁴⁷ “Did he fool you, too?” the Pharisees asked them. ⁴⁸ “Have you ever known one of the authorities or one Pharisee to believe in him? ⁴⁹ This crowd does not know the Law of Moses, so they are under God's curse! ” ⁵⁰ One of the Pharisees there was Nicodemus, the man who had gone to see Jesus before. He said to the others, ⁵¹ “According to our Law we cannot condemn people before hearing them and finding out what they have done.” ⁵² “Well,” they answered, “are you also from Galilee? Study the Scriptures and you will learn that no prophet ever comes from Galilee. ”

Reflect

What caused division among the people listening to Jesus’ teachings? Why did some believe that Jesus was the Messiah and others did not? Within your community of faith, are there times when divisiveness occurs? If so, what are the causes? How are such matters resolved?

Pray

Holy Jesus, you are the Messiah. Yes, Lord, I believe in you and thirst for your word and the life-giving water you offer. Draw me close to you and teach me to do your will. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those in need of clean water

John 7:1-24 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 7:1-24: The Festival of Shelters (also known as the Festival of Booths or Tabernacles) was a fall agricultural celebration that commemorated God’s providing for the people during their journey in the desert following the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-17). Jesus attends the festival in secret, but midway through the festival he teaches in the Temple. The Jewish authorities are surprised by Jesus’ teachings and knowledge.

Today's Scripture: John 7:16

Jesus answered, “What I teach is not my own teaching, but it comes from God who sent me.”

Today's Reading

¹ After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee; he did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jewish authorities there were wanting to kill him. ² The time for the Festival of Shelters was near, ³ so Jesus' brothers said to him, “Leave this place and go to Judea, so that your followers will see the things that you are doing. ⁴ People don't hide what they are doing if they want to be well known. Since you are doing these things, let the whole world know about you! ” ( ⁵ Not even his brothers believed in him.) ⁶ Jesus said to them, “The right time for me has not yet come. Any time is right for you. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates me, because I keep telling it that its ways are bad. ⁸ You go on to the festival. I am not going to this festival, because the right time has not come for me. ” ⁹ He said this and then stayed on in Galilee. ¹⁰ After his brothers had gone to the festival, Jesus also went; however, he did not go openly, but secretly. ¹¹ The Jewish authorities were looking for him at the festival. “Where is he?” they asked. ¹² There was much whispering about him in the crowd. “He is a good man,” some people said. “No,” others said, “he fools the people.” ¹³ But no one talked about him openly, because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities. ¹⁴ The festival was nearly half over when Jesus went to the Temple and began teaching. ¹⁵ The Jewish authorities were greatly surprised and said, “How does this man know so much when he has never been to school?” ¹⁶ Jesus answered, “What I teach is not my own teaching, but it comes from God, who sent me. ¹⁷ Whoever is willing to do what God wants will know whether what I teach comes from God or whether I speak on my own authority. ¹⁸ Those who speak on their own authority are trying to gain glory for themselves. But he who wants glory for the one who sent him is honest, and there is nothing false in him. ¹⁹ Moses gave you the Law, didn't he? But not one of you obeys the Law. Why are you trying to kill me? ” ²⁰ “You have a demon in you!” the crowd answered. “Who is trying to kill you?” ²¹ Jesus answered, “I performed one miracle, and you were all surprised. ²² Moses ordered you to circumcise your sons (although it was not Moses but your ancestors who started it), and so you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. ²³ If a boy is circumcised on the Sabbath so that Moses' Law is not broken, why are you angry with me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? ²⁴ Stop judging by external standards, and judge by true standards. ”

Reflect

In urging Jesus to go to Judea, Jesus’ brothers were implying that proof of his works was needed, an indication they did not believe in him. How did Jesus respond to them? In matters of faith today, do people still seek “proof?” When teaching in the Temple, how did Jesus respond to the Jewish authorities?

Pray

Lord Jesus, I want to do what God wants. Teach me not to seek to gain glory for myself. May I glorify you in all my words and actions. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those who perform acts of service with true humility

John 6:25-71 (Good News Translation)

Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction

John 6:25-71: The crowd who had been looking for Jesus find him. Jesus explains the difference between the manna that their ancestors ate in the desert and the “real bread from heaven.” Some who hear Jesus’ words find his teaching too hard and turn away.

Today's Scripture: John 6:35

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “Those who come to me will never be hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty.”

Today's Reading

²⁵ When the people found Jesus on the other side of the lake, they said to him, “Teacher, when did you get here?” ²⁶ Jesus answered, “I am telling you the truth: you are looking for me because you ate the bread and had all you wanted, not because you understood my miracles. ²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils; instead, work for the food that lasts for eternal life. This is the food which the Son of Man will give you, because God, the Father, has put his mark of approval on him. ” ²⁸ So they asked him, “What can we do in order to do what God wants us to do?” ²⁹ Jesus answered, “What God wants you to do is to believe in the one he sent.” ³⁰ They replied, “What miracle will you perform so that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? ³¹ Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, just as the scripture says, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” ” ³² “I am telling you the truth,” Jesus said. “What Moses gave you was not the bread from heaven; it is my Father who gives you the real bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread that God gives is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. ” ³⁴ “Sir,” they asked him, “give us this bread always.” ³⁵ “I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “Those who come to me will never be hungry; those who believe in me will never be thirsty. ³⁶ Now, I told you that you have seen me but will not believe. ³⁷ Everyone whom my Father gives me will come to me. I will never turn away anyone who comes to me, ³⁸ because I have come down from heaven to do not my own will but the will of him who sent me. ³⁹ And it is the will of him who sent me that I should not lose any of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them all to life on the last day. ⁴⁰ For what my Father wants is that all who see the Son and believe in him should have eternal life. And I will raise them to life on the last day. ” ⁴¹ The people started grumbling about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” ⁴² So they said, “This man is Jesus son of Joseph, isn't he? We know his father and mother. How, then, does he now say he came down from heaven?” ⁴³ Jesus answered, “Stop grumbling among yourselves. ⁴⁴ People cannot come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me; and I will raise them to life on the last day. ⁴⁵ The prophets wrote, “Everyone will be taught by God.” Anyone who hears the Father and learns from him comes to me. ⁴⁶ This does not mean that anyone has seen the Father; he who is from God is the only one who has seen the Father. ⁴⁷ I am telling you the truth: he who believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate manna in the desert, but they died. ⁵⁰ But the bread that comes down from heaven is of such a kind that whoever eats it will not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If you eat this bread, you will live forever. The bread that I will give you is my flesh, which I give so that the world may live. ” ⁵² This started an angry argument among them. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked. ⁵³ Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you will not have life in yourselves. ⁵⁴ Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them to life on the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is the real food; my blood is the real drink. ⁵⁶ Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me, and I live in them. ⁵⁷ The living Father sent me, and because of him I live also. In the same way whoever eats me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This, then, is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the bread that your ancestors ate, but then later died. Those who eat this bread will live forever. ” ⁵⁹ Jesus said this as he taught in the synagogue in Capernaum. ⁶⁰ Many of his followers heard this and said, “This teaching is too hard. Who can listen to it?” ⁶¹ Without being told, Jesus knew that they were grumbling about this, so he said to them, “Does this make you want to give up? ⁶² Suppose, then, that you should see the Son of Man go back up to the place where he was before? ⁶³ What gives life is God's Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit. ⁶⁴ Yet some of you do not believe. ” (Jesus knew from the very beginning who were the ones that would not believe and which one would betray him.) ⁶⁵ And he added, “This is the very reason I told you that no people can come to me unless the Father makes it possible for them to do so.” ⁶⁶ Because of this, many of Jesus' followers turned back and would not go with him any more. ⁶⁷ So he asked the twelve disciples, “And you—would you also like to leave?” ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. ⁶⁹ And now we believe and know that you are the Holy One who has come from God. ” ⁷⁰ Jesus replied, “I chose the twelve of you, didn't I? Yet one of you is a devil!” ⁷¹ He was talking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. For Judas, even though he was one of the twelve disciples, was going to betray him.

Reflect

After Jesus tells the crowd that God wants them “to believe in the one he sent” (verse 29), the people demand a miracle. Why? Reread verses 32-40. How does Jesus contrast himself as the “bread of life” with the manna that was given to the people’s ancestors in the desert? What does Jesus as the “bread of life” mean to you? Why did some of the followers turn away (verse 60)? What did Simon Peter say (verse 68)?

Pray

Lord Jesus, you are the true bread of life. I hunger for your word each day. You have the words that give eternal life. Amen.

Prayer Concern

Those who have abandoned their faith in Jesus