Scripture

“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgement.”

Observation

Jesus stays away from Judea because He is aware that the Jewish leaders are plotting to kill Him, and the time for Him to die has not yet come. His brothers, at this stage unbelievers, persuade Him to go to the Feast of Tabernacles.

Jesus goes to the Feast secretly, but half way through He starts preaching. He addresses the hostility He receives for healing on the Sabbath, pointing out that children are circumcised on the Sabbath to keep the Law. Therefore healing on the Sabbath is justified.

Application

It has always been an issue for human beings that we can be easily deceived by appearances. This goes right back to Eve who saw that the fruit was pleasing to the eye and desirable for gaining wisdom. The prophet Samuel warned that “Man judges by the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.”

This false and deceptive form of judgement is particularly true in the visual and feelings generation. If it feels good, it must be right. If somebody speaks passionately they are judged to be correct.

Jesus tells us to stop judging by mere appearances, and instead make right judgements.

The world tells us to go with our heart, but the Bible tells us the heart is deceitful above all things.

We must not judge anything or anybody by how they appear, but only against the Word of God. This is true wisdom.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your Word which is the true measuring rod for all things. Help me to not judge by feelings but only by what you say. Amen.

Scripture

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Observation

Having heard the words about eating Jesus’ body and drinking His blood, many of Jesus’ disciples start grumbling among themselves.

Jesus responds to this by saying that His words are spirit and life. This is the reason why people can come to Him by the grace of God.

Many of His followers turn away. Jesus as ks the Twelve, “Aren’t you going too?” Peter says, “Lord you have the words of eternal life.”

Application

There are many people who start the christian journey, but fail to follow through to the end. In this passage, people stop following Jesus because they are offended by His words.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus tells us there are three broad reasons why people fail to move on- cares of the world (money, family, jobs etc), persecution or difficulties in life, and satan stealing their faith before the word takes root.

The true disciple hangs on through tough times- whether spiritual battles or physical troubles.

Peter sums it up: “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

I don’t always understand why the Lord allows things to happen the way they do. At times, the Lord feels distant, and I am clinging to Him out of stubbornness.

But where else would I go? Who else or what else can give has the ability to give meaning and purpose to my life? Nobody else can give me eternal life.

So I hang on even when it doesn’t make sense. Eventually I see things in the right perspective again and it all starts to make sense- or at least I can trust Him that it makes sense.

Prayer

Where else would we go Lord? To leave you is to turn my back on eternity. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Please help me to cling to you when life gets difficult. Amen.

Scripture

“Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”

Observation

The Jewish people begin to grumble because Jesus had said, “I am the bread that comes from heaven.”

Jesus now points out that God gave their forefathers manna from heaven, but those people all died. If anyone eats from the bread that Jesus gives, they will live for ever.

The bread is His flesh. To have eternal life we must eat His flesh and drink His blood.

Application

To a Jew, the idea of cannibalism in any form was abhorrent. This was the worst form of pagan sacrifice. When Jesus starts teaching that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood to gain eternal life, this was deeply offensive.

Of course, Jesus is speaking in symbols here, not literally. He is referring to the bread and wine of Communion. He is saying that we must celebrate His death and take that into our being. If we receive His death in this way, we will receive His life for eternity.

He is also making a distinction between the Old Covenant represented here by manna, and the New Covenant in which God Himself is our sustenance.

The Old Covenant was limited in its effectiveness, but the New Covenant in Christ’s blood is unlimited in its effect.

The ancestors ate the manna, and while it was good for daily food, they still died. Those who eat the Body of Christ, who feast on him, are raised to eternal life.

This promise is not just for a limited group of people in a particular place and time, but for all people from all nations for all time.

How great is our God!

Prayer

Thank you Father for the gift of eternity. Thank you for the privilege of living under a better covenant, a covenant in which Christ is the bread of heaven. Amen.

Scripture

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Observation

The crowd find Jesus on the other side of the lake. Jesus tells them they are only looking for Him because of the bread they ate. Jesus tells them that hey must work for food that endures, not food that spoils.

He goes on to tell them that it was not Moses who gave them food from heaven, but the Father who gives the true bread of heaven.

Jesus is the bread of life. Anyone who comes to Him will not go hungry or thirsty. The Father’s will is that everyone who comes to Jesus will have eternal life.

Application

Jesus is the bread of life. He brings us all that we need for fulfilment in this life and in eternity.

Every form of physical food is good for a short time. It meets a need for a while. Soon we find ourselves needing more.

Only Jesus feeds us for eternity. He meets every spiritual need that we have and will have in the future. When I feed on Him, I know that He will bring me to eternal life.

It is not just about what happens when I die. It is also about this life. People get excited about all kinds of fads and fashions. They think that travelling the world will fix the emptiness inside, or the latest food trend will fill their need, or playing sport. These things are temporary and cannot offer any spiritual nourishment.

Jesus gives us true purpose, a true reason for living. He is the bread of heaven who gives us abundant life.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, fill my spirit. May I look to you and to you alone to be my food and source of life. Amen.

Scripture

Then they were willing to take him onto the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

Observation

At evening time the disciples cross the lake in a boat. A storm rises up and they have to strain to row.

After some time, Jesus comes to them walking on the water. At first they are terrified, but Jesus tells them not to be afraid. They let Him on board, and immediately they arrive at their destination.

The next morning, the crowds discover that Jesus and the disciples are missing, and so they head off to Capernaum by boat.

Application

The disciples find themselves on a boat on the water without Jesus at night. In John’s gospel the night time represents the world that is not surrendered to God, that is satan’s realm.

When Jesus comes on to the boat, He immediately calms the storm and the boat arrives at its destination.

When I try to control my “boat”, that is my life, it all gets very chaotic. Like the disciples rowing, I can work hard and not make much progress. Satan will resist me at every turn.

When Christ is on board, my life has purpose and direction, and satan’s resistance starts to be overcome.

It is not always effortless, even when Christ is steering my boat. Sometimes it seems that satanic efforts to impede me just increase. Even so, I need to obey Christ’s command, “Do not be afraid.”

The storm will subside. The boat will arrive at its destination. As long as Christ is the captain of my life.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the knowledge that you are in control. Even in the greatest storm I can know your peace. Help me to surrender control to you so that I can know your direction and your assurance. Amen.

Scripture

When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away to the hills by himself.

Observation

Jesus goes across the lake, and he climbs a hill in order to teach His disciples. A crowd starts to gather, and Jesus asks His disciples where they might buy bread to feed them all.

Philip says it would take months of wages to feed them.

Andrew brings a young boy and his lunch. Jesus takes the lunch, gives thanks to God, and then everyone has enough to eat. The leftovers are enough to fill twelve baskets.

The people are amazed and try to force Jesus to be their king. He leaves and goes alone to the hills.

Application

Jesus will not be hijacked for human political programs.

The people wanted to make Him king, but an earthly kingdom is not what He intended; at least, not yet.

“My kingdom is not of this world,” He would later say to Roman governor Pontius Pilate.

The name of Jesus gets dragged into all kinds of causes- some of them good, but others not so good.

Whether it is climate change or refugees, or as a tool in a political campaign, the name of Jesus is often appropriated by activists and politicians.

Jesus will not be co-opted by any human political project. He refuses to be a King in that kind of way.

The kingship of Jesus is the opposite of political power. He seeks to change hearts, one at a time. He looks for people who will surrender everything to Him.

Out of that surrender, some people will be moved to work for political change. It will not be by appealing to Jesus as a political weapon. The weapons of the follower of Jesus are faith, compassion, prayer and persistence.

Prayer

King Jesus reign in my heart and mind. May my life be transformed by you. Amen.

Scripture

“You read the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive eternal life.”

Observation

Jesus is telling the Jewish leaders that He is not testifying on His own behalf. John the Baptist testified about Him.

The Father also testifies concerning Jesus. Only those whose hearts are open to Him can hear His testimony.

Moses also testified about Jesus through the (Old Testament) Scriptures. The Scriptures testify about Jesus, and by rejecting Him they reject the Scriptures and therefore reject Moses.

Application

The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, testify to Jesus as the Messiah or Son of God.

All scripture is breathed by God, and is interpreted to us by the Holy Spirit. Because it is God’s word, it all points to Jesus.

The Bible is not a magic guidebook t the afterlife . Reading it, learning it, and quoting it do not make you holy or bring you to eternal life.

The Bible is God’s love letter to us, and as such, it is meant to draw us to Him. If my thoughts and affections do not turn to God when I read the Bible then I am not doing it right.

Reading a passage or a devotional book to tick off our daily “To Do” list will not point us to Christ. Studying it for secret codes and messages will not bring us to eternal life.

Every time we read God’s word, our hearts should be raised in praise and worship to our glorious heavenly Father.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the Holy Scriptures that bring us to you, the source of eternal life. May I never be tempted to read your word as a religious ritual or academic exercise, but always find you in its message. Amen.

Scripture

Jesus gave them his answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”

Observation

The Jews are trying to find reasons to have Jesus killed, and they are offended by His references to God as His Father.

Jesus tells them He can only do what the Father does. Just as the Father raises people from the dead, the Son will do this too.

Whoever hears Jesus’ words and believes Him has crossed from death to eternal life. The time is coming when all who are in graves will come out- the righteous to eternal life, the wicked to be condemned.

Application

In Jesus we have a perfect representation of God. He and the Father are one, totally united in love.

Jesus only does what He sees the Father is doing. The deeds of Jesus are the deeds of the Father.

In Jesus we see a God who heals the sick, raises the dead,forgives sinners who repent, has compassion on the poor, loves everyone (especially the outcasts), and speaks out against all forms of evil.

As followers of Jesus- imitators of Christ- we should do the same kinds of things.

We can’t be like Jesus unless the Holy Spirit teaches us and empowers us to do the things Jesus did. Of course everyone who is a true disciple has the Holy Spirit living in them, transforming them to be like Jesus.

So Jesus does the work of the Father. The Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to imitate Christ and so to do the deeds God has called us to do.

Prayer

Lord, you are awesome! You show us in Christ what it means to live a life in communion with you, and you give us your Holy Spirit to enable us to do this. Thank you. Amen.

Scripture

The Jewish leaders said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law does not allow you to carry that sleeping mat.”

Observation

Jesus goes to the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem where scores of people wait for the water to bubble up so they can be healed. He meets a man who has been sick for 38 years. He has no hope of being healed because he has nobody to help him get into the water.

Jesus tells the man to get up, pick up his may and walk. The man is instantly healed.

As he walks away, the Jewish leaders rebuke the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath. He tells them that the man who healed him had told him to do this, but he didn’t know who he was.

Application

When your whole vision of being holy boils down to rules, you will miss the amazing works of God when He steps out of the box you constructed for Him.

The Jewish leaders could not see the miracle of healing because they were obsessed with the man’s behaviour after the event.

Christians can be like that sometimes. An evangelist can win thousands of people to the Lord, but we get annoyed by his tattoos. Somebody is healed miraculously, but some believers can’t see it because their theology is that miracles don’t happen any more. A prostitute or alcoholic is rejected by a church because they are afraid their past sins might contaminate the congregation

We are not made holy by the outward observance of rules and regulations. We are made holy by the indwelling presence of God’s Spirit.

When people’s lives are changed by God in ways that run against our understanding then it is we who need to change, not God.

Prayer

Lord you save people when we least expect it. Your grace is wider than we imagine. So Lord please expand my way of thinking to embrace all that you want to do. Amen.