Daily Reading Week 50
Sunday
Joshua 2
DISCOVER
How does Rahab’s understanding of God influence her choices?
In vs. 9-11 Rahab gives the spies a remarkable summary of the history of God’s miraculous work on Israel’s behalf. How are the people of Jericho responding to the news of Israel’s success?
The book of James (2:20-24) mentions Rahab as a prime example of faith. James also declares in James 2:26 that faith apart from works is dead. In what way(s) do you see faith and works working together in the episode of Rahab and the spies?
How does this chapter really illustrate God’s mercy and redemption?
RESPOND
As the chapter opens Joshua faces a tremendous challenge. Israel has to cross the Jordan River in full flood and then immediately conquer a well-armed and walled city. Joshua sent out two men to spy the land of Canaan. They came to a “harlot’s” house named Rahab. She hid the two men from her country’s officials in Jericho. Rahab told the two spies her country had been filled with terror since they heard of the favor bestowed towards the children of Israel. The people of Jericho discovered what the LORD did for Israel, in Egypt all the way to the Amorites. This included the takedown of two powerful kings, king Og and king Sihon.
She knew the LORD was with them and more significant than that, that the LORD was the true God. Therefore, she did what any wise person would do, if they knew they were on a losing team; she made a covenant with the spies. The agreement she made with Israel included being delivered, her and her household; she wanted her family to keep them safe during the siege. They agreed to a plan to remember her by setting a scarlet bow on her house. So when Israel stormed the land they would be passed over.
Many people believe that you have to get all cleaned up and get things right before you can come and approach God but it is actually not like that. You come just as you are, just as Rahab did; she is a harlot but she is also someone whom God is working with and He took her as she was. It doesn't mean that she remains that way. But you come to God with all of your baggage, and He takes care of that. What I love about Rahab is that though she is a harlot, a sinner, she marries into the line of Christ the Messiah. She is actually mentioned in Matthew 1:5-6. What marvelous grace God showed her! Rahab has gone from harlot to hero and even more importantly has found salvation through faith in the God of Israel!
Monday
John 1
DISCOVER
The noun “witness” (1:7) or “testimony” occurs fourteen times in this gospel, and the verb “to witness” or “to testify” occurs thirty-three times. In both cases, this is more often than in any other New Testament book. What does this repetition say about John’s focus in writing this account?
Jesus Christ is referred to as the Word. List 5 aspects of Jesus Christ we learn from studying verses 1-4.
How does John describe himself and how does John describe Jesus?
John clearly expresses his purpose is to point other people to Jesus. Take a moment and think about someone in your life who you can point to Jesus?
RESPOND
The first chapter of John begins with a clear, expressive description of Jesus as identical to God the Father. It then moves to the ministry of John the Baptist, and the local religious leaders who questioned him. By the end of the chapter, Jesus has collected the first five disciples: John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathanael.
As we read this passage we see that discipleship is something that is integral to someone’s life if they are following Jesus. Discipleship is an encounter; a discovery process in which we are invited to experience the person of Jesus. This is what we see take place in this passage. From the testimony of John the Baptist, to the invitation from another disciple, and ultimately from the call of Jesus Himself, we are repeatedly invited under the protection of Jesus. Within this call, there is an assumption that as you hear and heed the call, you would also invite others to come and see.
The big question all disciples must ask themselves is whether you have responded to Jesus’ invitation to “come and see.” Have you answered the call to come and follow Jesus? In their excitement, the first disciples of Jesus share Jesus with those closest to them. Who is in your life that you could begin to share Jesus with? How can you pray for them and seek opportunities to share Jesus with them this week?
Tuesday
John 2
What can we learn from the kind of faith that Jesus’ mother, Mary, displays in him in this passage? Is there an area in your life where you need to approach Jesus with the same kind of persistence and trust that she does?
When a problem arises in your life, what is typically your initial response to it? Ignore it and hope it solves itself? Scramble to find a solution? Or ask Jesus to step in and help?
We’re told that Jesus knows what is in the human heart and entrusts himself to his people. How does this idea provide comfort or conviction for you at the same time?
DISCOVER
RESPOND
John 2 covers two big events. The first is the miracle of turning water into wine. The second is Jesus' driving the money-lenders out of the temple complex. A common theme of the gospel of John is contrast, and the two stories in this chapter are very different. One is joyful and quiet. The other is scolding and public. The miracle at the wedding is the first of seven "signs" that John uses to prove that Jesus is God.
In Jesus' day, it was not uncommon for wedding celebrations to last a long time--sometimes even up to a week. In the ancient Jewish world, it would have brought great shame, embarrassment, dishonor, and even potentially a lawsuit if the groom of a wedding failed to properly show hospitality to its guests! Here we find Jesus stepping in to meet a great need in abundance. We learn that while Jesus is concerned with our spiritual needs, He is also aware of, and attentive to, our physical and social needs as well.
What’s remarkable about this miracle is that not everyone was fully aware of what was taking place at the time Jesus performed the miracle. This leads us to two different responses. First, take some time to pause, reflect, and pray, asking God to reveal where some miracles are taking place today that you may not see clearly. Secondly, seek to be a blessing to someone. This week, how can you bless someone (work, home, community, school, etc.) while keeping it quiet and not drawing attention to yourself?
Wednesday
John 3
DISCOVER
When used by John, the words night or darkness usually carry a symbolic reference to spiritual darkness. Why do you think we are told Nicodemus visits Jesus at night?
Before Nicodemus' interaction with Jesus, he could be classified as a “secret admirer” of Jesus; curious enough to want some information, but not sure enough to want people to know he’s looking. Do you identify with Nicodemus’s curiosity? Why or why not? Are there instances in your own life where you don’t want people to know you are a follower of Christ?
John uses the terminology friend of the bridegroom to describe himself. In modern day context, that would be considered the best man. They would have been responsible for putting together many of the vital elements for the wedding. How does this description of John mirror the ways in which John has been described before, and how we view his role in relationship to Jesus?
RESPOND
As is typical of the gospel of John, chapter three begins with an abrupt contrast. Chapter 2 ended with Jesus passionately, publicly driving corrupt businessmen out of the Temple, in broad daylight. Chapter 3 begins with a quiet, private nighttime conversation. Chapter 4 will transition again, from the respected, educated, self-assured Nicodemus to the outcast, uneducated, immoral woman at the well. John uses contrasts often, to remind us that Jesus meets every person exactly where, and how, they most need to be met.
John 3 begins with the first of a series of three conversations Jesus has with three very different kinds of people. He begins with a conversation with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, then a Samaritan woman, and lastly a Gentile. Do you see the foreshadowing of His command to His disciples in Acts 1:8 to be His witnesses in Judea, Jerusalem, Samaria, and the ends of the earth? Jesus’ words revealed God’s plan not only to save Israel, but the world, as Nicodemus is about to find out.
Right away, John mentions that Nicodemus was a Pharisee. When we read Pharisee, we automatically assign him to the role of villain. However, the Pharisees weren’t all bad. They were highly-respected members of the Jewish community and they loved the Law. Maybe a bit too much―Jesus did criticize them for this (Luke 11:37-54, Matthew 23:1-39). They emphasized the careful observation of the Law and highly valued keeping tradition. The Jews also believed that they would see God’s Kingdom simply by birthright (unless they had deliberately committed apostasy or were very wicked). We see Jesus confront this wrongly-held belief and point Nicodemus to the truth. It is God who saves.
Thursday
John 4
DISCOVER
Who or what in your life (person, place, thing, etc.) do you consider to be most life-giving? What is it about it that makes you feel that way?
All throughout Jesus’ interaction with the woman at the well, He was attempting to get to the matters of the heart. But she quickly deflected His attempts to debate religious issues, theological questions, and church practices. Do you find yourself doing something similar to the Samaritan woman?
How does Jesus interacting with this woman encourage you?
At the end of the conversation with the woman, Jesus made a claim about Himself and who He is. What exactly does He reveal about Himself to her? (verses 25-26)
RESPOND
The Gospel of John frequently uses contrast as a teaching tool. In chapter 2, there is a strong contrast between the joyous, secretive miracle at the wedding and the angry cleansing of the temple. Chapter three presents another contrast, moving from the loud, public, confrontational temple incident to a quiet, private, instructional conversation with Nicodemus.
Chapter 4 once again presents meaningful contrasts. Nicodemus was a man of power and prestige, well educated, and one who sought out Jesus of his own free will. The Samaritan woman of chapter 4 is poor, outcast even among the outcast Samaritans, and not expecting to meet the Lord at all. Nicodemus needed to be reminded that his knowledge was incomplete (John 3:9–10). The Samaritan woman needed to be confronted with her sin (John 4:17–18), but also lifted up and given value (John 4:23). These contrasts help demonstrate how the gospel of Jesus Christ is not only for all people, in all times, but that it will reach each person wherever they are, spiritually speaking.
Jesus and His disciples have been traveling. Jesus, being exhausted from His travels, stops at a place called Jacob’s Well in the middle of the day to replenish His tired and weary body. At this very same moment, Jesus encounters a woman who is tired, weary, and exhausted in a spiritual
sense. It is within this interaction that Jesus is seen not only as a prophet, the Messiah, the Son of God, but ultimately as a life giver. The Samaritan woman got much more than she bargained for, as do we when we recognize Jesus for who He really is.
Friday
John 5
DISCOVER
Is there something in your life that you have spent a long time waiting for? What was it? What did you do in that season of waiting?
Why is it easier at times to hold onto our brokenness and dysfunction rather than taking up the opportunity for healing?
In this passage, it seems as if the religious leaders of the day were far more concerned with a legalistic keeping of the rule of law than with seeing the work of God in their midst. Do you think this can be a danger for us today as well?
Based on what Jesus says in verse 39, do you think it is possible for someone to go to church, be baptized, study the Bible, and still not know Jesus? Why or why not?
RESPOND
Chapter 5 presents John's first record of Jesus directly confronting His enemies. Most of this passage is taken up by the words of Christ Himself, responding to Jewish critics. Many of John's recurring themes are found in this passage. Among these are the miraculous "signs" of Jesus, His claims of divinity, and the warped perspective of those who reject Him.
This chapter also continues John's frequent use of contrast. So far, John has described Jesus attending a quiet, friendly wedding, followed by His aggressive clearing of the temple (John 2). This public debacle was followed by a one-on-one conversation with Nicodemus (John 3). After speaking with the educated, confident, respected Nicodemus, Jesus is next seen speaking with the unlearned, outcast Samaritan woman (John 4).
We’ve arrived at the point in the Gospel of John where Jesus becomes more and more of a polarizing figure to the religious leaders of the day. Jesus is found in Jerusalem at the pool of Bethesda, which was believed to have been a pool of healing. While we are not told why Jesus went there, or why He singled out this one man, we continue to see and learn about the character and nature of Jesus as one who is deeply aware of an individual's needs. This drove the religious leaders of the day to anger and they began to put into works the plan to destroy Jesus.
In the final section of this chapter we see Jesus’ interaction with the religious leaders, Jesus presents multiple witnesses who can affirm and back up His identity and mission. Much like the Jews of His day, we are also presented with a choice about what to do with Jesus. Sometimes Jesus has hard words that we may not like, but that doesn’t negate the truth. While we may not be hung up on Jesus’ claim to divinity, are there other teachings and words that may be inciting a similar reaction to Him as that of the Jews? Areas where instead of belief and life, we are led to anger and rejection of Jesus?
Saturday
John 6
DISCOVER
Either from your personal experience, or what you’ve seen in others, what are some things that initially draw people to follow Jesus, but may not ultimately sustain them?
Can you describe a time in which Jesus calmed the storms in your life and spoke to you saying, “Do not be afraid” as He did for the disciples here?
In John 4, Jesus speaks to the woman at the well and speaks to her about water. Here in chapter 6, Jesus talks about the bread of life. Why do you think Jesus keeps using basic, everyday, ordinary things?
Many people in our culture believe that living a good life is what will gain them eternal life. According to this passage, what does Jesus tell them is the one and only requirement to receive eternal life? (verses 40 and 47)
RESPOND
This chapter packs quite a punch. Within these 71 verses, Jesus performs two miracles and continues to reveal His identity as the Messiah. Sometime after Jesus’ interaction with the religious leaders, Jesus was being followed by great crowds who began seeking Him because of the works He had been doing. Seeing the masses, Jesus took compassion on the crowds, met a fundamental need of theirs, and used it as a teaching opportunity to declare what it means to receive eternal life.
In the beginning of this chapter, Jesus performed a miracle by feeding a crowd with two fish and fives loaves of bread. This was the most public of all the miracles Jesus performed, and the one which garnered Him the most immediate worldly acclaim. Each gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) records several miracles performed by Jesus, but this is the only miracle included in all four accounts.
At the sight of this, they wanted to make Him king. By the end of their interaction with Him and hearing His teaching, many abandoned Him. After being abandoned by the crowds, Jesus asked a poignant question to His disciples in verse 67. Do they want to leave Him as well? Peter responds to Him with, “Where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Do you find the same fickleness of the crowd in your own heart at times? Do you find yourself like the crowd, wanting Him to be how you prefer Him? Will you follow Him for who He truly is, rather than who you want Him to be?