Devotion

Read: John 8:30-36; Galatians 4:4-7

As Jesus was teaching, many of His hearers “believed on him” (v.30). This raises the question of whether it was true saving faith because later He accused them of seeking to kill Him (v.37). Apparently while some sincerely believed, others who claimed to have believed in Jesus had come to a sort of mental acceptance, without any personal surrender to His Lordship. True discipleship would mean a full acceptance of His claims about Himself, and would demonstrate it by their continuance in His claims. Only this could accomplish the freedom from sin, which was the essential aspect of the Messiah’s ministry (vv.31–32)...

Read: John 13:12-17; Luke 22:26-27

Jesus began His series of ‘close-door’ teaching for His disciples with a lesson on mutual love. This lesson is vital for our times too, as the world is preoccupied with self-esteem, self-love, and self-glory. When people are committed first of all to themselves, relationships disintegrate. And that is just what is happening today in homes and in society at large. Sadly, the preoccupation with self has found its way into the church. Perhaps the fastest-growing phenomenon in modern Christianity is the emphasis on pride, self-esteem, self-image, self-fulfilment, and other manifestations of self glorification...

Read: John 6:60-66; 2 Timothy 2:19

Many of the so-called disciples found the teachings of Jesus too difficult to accept. The word “hard” in this passage (v.60) means “hard to accept,” and not “hard to understand.”

The actual implications of the discourse between Christ and the Jews demanded much more than intellectual capability. One must either make the tremendous leap of faith and receive Jesus as the Son of God, equal with the Father, or reject Him as a blasphemer. Christ is either One on whom man must depend for eternal life, or else He is a deceiver. It would be hard to find any middle ground...

Read: John 7:14-25; Proverbs 17:15

Concerning the source of His teachings, Jesus assured His hearers that He had been instructed by God. Unlike the rabbis, He claimed no long chain of human traditions. He insisted that He was not without precedence: His teachings are from the One who hath sent Him from Heaven.

Jesus then went on to prove to them that divine authentication of one’s teaching is not based on rabbinical schools or traditions that one can claim. Instead, it is the moral or righteous character of teaching...

Read: John 12:9-11; John 13:34; Matthew 10:22

Many, hearing that Jesus was in Bethany, came to see Him (cf. v.9). John states two reasons for their coming to Bethany. First, “they came …for Jesus’ sake.” They knew Jesus through His previous teachings and works. They have seen Him and heard Him. They believed Him, so they came for His sake. They came to honour Him, for they loved Him. Second, “they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.” Those who love the Lord will love those whom He loves and blesses. It is only natural that they get together to listen to what the Lord has done in each one’s life. Let us rejoice to hear what the Lord has done for others, for it glorifies the Lord.

Read: John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-9

The Word was made flesh.” This expresses Christ’s incarnation. Christ the eternal Word who is God (Jn 1:1) came to earth as man. Yet in doing so, He did not merely “appear” like a man; He became one (cf. Phil 2:5–9). Humanity, in other words, was added to Christ’s deity. So the word “made” (egeneto) should be understood as “took to Himself.” “Flesh” in this verse means the human nature, not sinfulness or weakness.

“And dwelt among us.” By His divine presence, He always was in the world, but now that the fullness of time was come He was sent forth, made of a woman (Gal 4:4). Jesus Christ, God, the Creator, manifested in the flesh and lived among the people just like one of them...

Read: John 5:15-18; Colossians 1:16

The Jews were angry that Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath day. They considered healing a sick person as breaking the Sabbath day (v.16). Jesus answered their accusation in verses 17 to 47. The most outstanding thought in His reply is His oneness with the Father.

In His reply, Jesus first referred to God Almighty as “My Father.” This claim meant that Jesus was one with the Father. The Jews understood the meaning of this claim very well. They were extremely angry upon hearing Jesus’ words. They “sought the more to kill Him, because not only he had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father...

Read: John 10:11-21; Hebrews 13:20-21

Often, Palestinian shepherds took their flocks so far from the village in search of pasture and water, especially in the dry season, that many a time they could not get back to the fold at night. Thus they spent the night outdoors. And this was the time when the shepherd’s protection was most needed.

He dies for his sheep (vv.11–13): Many shepherds died while defending their flocks. They had to counter the knives and clubs of robbers and the attacks of wild animals. In their cases...

Read: John 10:3-10; Acts 20:32

He leads his sheep out of the fold (vv.3c–6): As Jesus presented Himself to Israel, the leaders rejected Him. Eventually, they persecuted Him, and those who followed Him. They even expelled the poor blind man who exalted Him. The most wonderful fact is that every one of them was being lead out by Christ. The Pharisees might object that Jesus did not lead the man out, but that they had cast him out. However, God in His sovereignty often used the acts of men to accomplish His purposes. The Messiah was forming His flock in fulfilment of the ancient prophecies...

Read: John 10:1-3; 1 Peter 2:25

He comes through the proper entrance (vv. 1–2):

The shepherd who has a right to the sheep does not need to sneak into the fold or climb over the wall. He can enter through the door. So Christ could come to His people because He had the right to them as their Messiah. The Old Testament prophecies pointed to Him alone, and to none else. He was born of a virgin, as Isaiah had foretold (Isa 7:14). He possessed the right to the throne of David from Joseph, his legal father (Matt 1:1). When Jesus came to the nation of Israel, He came the appointed way, just as the Scriptures promised...