New Testament Readings Week 44 (25th June – 1st July)
Monday 25th June
Read: John 8 In this chapter, Jesus demonstrates his wisdom and also reveals certain things about His own nature. He is the sinless one, who chooses not to throw the first stone at the woman caught in adultery, instead ministering grace by commanding her to repent. He is the Son who knows Father God, and argues with the Jews about their experience of God. What they thought about God as their father, Jesus dismisses as a lie, and things come to a head when he claims to be God, by using the same words that God had used to reveal Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “I am!” Stoning was the penalty for blasphemy but Jesus didn’t lie, he was simply telling the truth about himself.
Which verse in this chapter stands out for you? Give thanks to God for the truth contained in it, and the way God speaks to us through His word.
Tuesday 26th June
Read: John 9 John gives a great deal of detail about the healing of this man, and the events surrounding it. Jesus said that this man’s suffering was for God’s glory and was nothing to do with sin, contrary to what the disciples thought. It is important to recognise that while some sickness may be due to personal sin, it is not always the case. The attempts to discredit this miracle are embarrassing in their lack of logic and sincerity. Some said he only looked like the blind man while others said that Jesus must be a sinner for healing on the Sabbath. Their opposition to Jesus was so entrenched that despite the evidence they stuck to their views and revealed their own spiritual blindness, which results in the clear declaration by Jesus, recorded in verse 41.
The hymn “Amazing Grace” includes the words “I once was blind but now I see”. What do you see differently now, compared with your pre-Christian days?
Wednesday 27th June
Read: John 10 Jesus the Good shepherd was in control of his own destiny and in verses 14-17, he predicts both his death for the sheep as he “lays down his life”, and also the fact of His resurrection, as he “takes it up again”. The false shepherds in this context are the Scribes and chief Priests who believed that they had the monopoly on truth and God. Jesus contradicted them by describing himself as the ‘door’ meaning that he is the only way to God. The mark of those who are God’s children is that they understand the teaching of Jesus and follow him.
Read verse 27. What has Jesus said to you recently? What aspects of your life and experience is He speaking into at the present time?
New Testament Readings Week 44 (25th June – 1st July)
Monday 25th June
Read: John 8 In this chapter, Jesus demonstrates his wisdom and also reveals certain things about His own nature. He is the sinless one, who chooses not to throw the first stone at the woman caught in adultery, instead ministering grace by commanding her to repent. He is the Son who knows Father God, and argues with the Jews about their experience of God. What they thought about God as their father, Jesus dismisses as a lie, and things come to a head when he claims to be God, by using the same words that God had used to reveal Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “I am!” Stoning was the penalty for blasphemy but Jesus didn’t lie, he was simply telling the truth about himself.
Which verse in this chapter stands out for you? Give thanks to God for the truth contained in it, and the way God speaks to us through His word.
Tuesday 26th June
Read: John 9 John gives a great deal of detail about the healing of this man, and the events surrounding it. Jesus said that this man’s suffering was for God’s glory and was nothing to do with sin, contrary to what the disciples thought. It is important to recognise that while some sickness may be due to personal sin, it is not always the case. The attempts to discredit this miracle are embarrassing in their lack of logic and sincerity. Some said he only looked like the blind man while others said that Jesus must be a sinner for healing on the Sabbath. Their opposition to Jesus was so entrenched that despite the evidence they stuck to their views and revealed their own spiritual blindness, which results in the clear declaration by Jesus, recorded in verse 41.
The hymn “Amazing Grace” includes the words “I once was blind but now I see”. What do you see differently now, compared with your pre-Christian days?
Wednesday 27th June
Read: John 10 Jesus the Good shepherd was in control of his own destiny and in verses 14-17, he predicts both his death for the sheep as he “lays down his life”, and also the fact of His resurrection, as he “takes it up again”. The false shepherds in this context are the Scribes and chief Priests who believed that they had the monopoly on truth and God. Jesus contradicted them by describing himself as the ‘door’ meaning that he is the only way to God. The mark of those who are God’s children is that they understand the teaching of Jesus and follow him.
Read verse 27. What has Jesus said to you recently? What aspects of your life and experience is He speaking into at the present time?
Thursday 28th June
Read: John 11 In raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus demonstrated his ultimate power and authority over death. This was a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus as well as in the experience of Lazarus, Martha & Mary. Christ’s own death and resurrection was only 2 or 3 weeks away and Martha’s faith was being tested in more ways than one. Lazarus was her only means of financial security, and without him she faced a precarious future. It must have appeared to her that Jesus hadn’t turned up when she really needed him and when he did it was too late. Martha knew that whatever happened, Jesus was trustworthy, but this did not stop her questioning him when he told them to remove the stone! Lazarus coming back to life was undeniable, but the religious hierarchy still wouldn’t yield and saw Jesus as a threat. The scene was therefore set for the road to the cross.
As you look back, give thanks for the pivotal moments where God did something of great significance in your life.
Friday 29th June
Read: John 12 Mary is introduced here as a worshipper, “anticipating and honouring the day of Christ’s burial”, as The Message Bible paraphrases it. She is referred to three times in the New Testament, and on each occasion, she is seen at the feet of Jesus. In Luke 10:39 she is sitting at his feet and listening to his teaching. In John 11:32 she is at his feet expressing her feelings in prayer. Here she is preparing Jesus for his death. On every occasion, Jesus recognises her and responds positively to her. She was comfortable at his feet, and he was comfortable and not only allowed, but apparently encouraged her to get close to him as a friend.
What can you learn from Mary’s devotion to Jesus to apply in your own life?
For Further Study
1. What can you learn from the similarities between John's metaphors and those used by the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah:
· Freedom for the bound: Isa 61:1, Jn 8:36
· Sight for the blind: Isa 5:5; 42:7, Jn 9:39
· The shepherd and the sheep: Isa 40:11, Jn 10:1-21
· Worldwide salvation: Isa 43:19; 45:22; 49:12; 60:3, Jn 10:16
2. Which of the “I am” sayings of Jesus is most relevant to you at the present time?
- the Bread of Life (Jn 6:35) - the Light of the World (Jn 8:12)
- the Gate for the sheep (Jn 10:7) - the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11, 14)
- the Resurrection and Life (Jn 11:25) - the True Vine (Jn 15:1)
- the Way and the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6)
Thursday 28th June
Read: John 11 In raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus demonstrated his ultimate power and authority over death. This was a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus as well as in the experience of Lazarus, Martha & Mary. Christ’s own death and resurrection was only 2 or 3 weeks away and Martha’s faith was being tested in more ways than one. Lazarus was her only means of financial security, and without him she faced a precarious future. It must have appeared to her that Jesus hadn’t turned up when she really needed him and when he did it was too late. Martha knew that whatever happened, Jesus was trustworthy, but this did not stop her questioning him when he told them to remove the stone! Lazarus coming back to life was undeniable, but the religious hierarchy still wouldn’t yield and saw Jesus as a threat. The scene was therefore set for the road to the cross.
As you look back, give thanks for the pivotal moments where God did something of great significance in your life.
Friday 29th June
Read: John 12 Mary is introduced here as a worshipper, “anticipating and honouring the day of Christ’s burial”, as The Message Bible paraphrases it. She is referred to three times in the New Testament, and on each occasion, she is seen at the feet of Jesus. In Luke 10:39 she is sitting at his feet and listening to his teaching. In John 11:32 she is at his feet expressing her feelings in prayer. Here she is preparing Jesus for his death. On every occasion, Jesus recognises her and responds positively to her. She was comfortable at his feet, and he was comfortable and not only allowed, but apparently encouraged her to get close to him as a friend.
What can you learn from Mary’s devotion to Jesus to apply in your own life?
For Further Study
1. What can you learn from the similarities between John's metaphors and those used by the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah:
· Freedom for the bound: Isa 61:1, Jn 8:36
· Sight for the blind: Isa 5:5; 42:7, Jn 9:39
· The shepherd and the sheep: Isa 40:11, Jn 10:1-21
· Worldwide salvation: Isa 43:19; 45:22; 49:12; 60:3, Jn 10:16
2. Which of the “I am” sayings of Jesus is most relevant to you at the present time?
- the Bread of Life (Jn 6:35) - the Light of the World (Jn 8:12)
- the Gate for the sheep (Jn 10:7) - the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11, 14)
- the Resurrection and Life (Jn 11:25) - the True Vine (Jn 15:1)
the Way and the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6)