January 31

JOHN 6
35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
– John 6:35-44

JOHN 6 BELIEVING COMES FROM THE FATHER
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The Jews couldn’t fathom truth that Jesus declared
Their limited minds cannot receive it because of unbelief
They grumbled among themselves to make sense of it all
But they fail to understand that faith comes from the Father above.

The human mind cannot totally fathom what “believing” means. To believe is to accept something as true. The Jewish leaders could not understand what Jesus was saying because they live in a mindset. This mindset is gauged on what they know and the rules they have been enslaving themselves and others to follow. They are living in a box of rules and knowledge. They cannot hear the truth because that would mean giving up their knowledge. What they didn’t know is that “faith” is a gift from the Father. No one can manufacture faith on their own. It is a gift that God gives to whomever he chooses and the only way they receive it is also because God has elected them to accept it. The reason the Jewish leaders couldn’t believe is because they weren’t given the gift of faith.

REFLECTION
• How do false religions thwart the gift of faith that only comes from God?

January 30

JOHN 6
27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
– John 6:27-34

JOHN 6 WORK FOR FOOD THAT DON’T PERISH
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
We live in a world that almost everything dies
We focus our lives on things that also do not last
But Jesus came to give us that food that do not perish
He is the true bread from heaven that frees us from sin
If we believe in him, we will have food that is everlasting
We do not have to settle for nourishment that passes away.

What did Jesus mean when he said he is the bread of life? We know in those cultures that their staple food is bread. Without it, their bodies wouldn’t be properly nourished. As actual bread is to physical sustenance, the bread of heaven (who is Jesus) is to our spiritual nourishment. We are not just made of physical substance, but we also have a mind, soul and spirit.
The purpose for every man’s life is clearly stated in Ephesians 1:11-12 which says that we have been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. It is to bring God the glory which means we need to spiritually nourish ourselves with God’s word and laws.

REFLECTION
• What happens to us when we only nourish our bodies and not our spirits?

January 29

JOHN 6
22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
– John 6:22-26

JOHN 6 SEEKING TO GET SOMETHING
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Our sinful nature wants to satisfy our human desires
It always seeks to cater to our needs and hungers
Without the Holy Spirit, we will always feed our flesh
Without God, we will always be preserving ourselves
Only when we receive the steadfast love of the Lord
Will we begin to let go of the systems of this world.

In this account we see how those people Jesus fed were all clamoring to get more from him. They didn’t really chase him for who He was. Although they have been waiting for a Messiah for a long time, they didn’t really know how to receive that life that Jesus was offering them. They were so much in bondage to sin. They could not even recognize what they really needed. They think they only want the basic needs in life such as food. They had no clue that their hearts long for God. Their poverty is not just physical but more spiritual. They didn’t know what Jesus was offering because they are so used to living transactional lives. They only care to get their wants and needs met. They didn’t know they were poor in spirit. They didn’t know they needed a Savior because they couldn’t see their sinfulness. They were consumed by their needs and desires to have a better life. They didn’t see the eternal life that Jesus came to give them.

REFLECTION
• What makes man engage in transactional relationships rather than loving ones?

January 28

JOHN 6
16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. – John 6:16-21

JOHN 6 JESUS APPEASES OUR FEARS
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
What are we afraid of that shifts our focus from the Lord?
Is it fear of being unable to live the standards of this world?
Are you frightened that you will be rejected or be unloved?
Or has someone neglected, devalued, abused or abandoned you?
Living in a corrupt world poses many obstacles against love and peace
Take comfort knowing that our Lord watches over us and appeases our fears.

In this account, we witness how the disciples became fearful as the strong wind blew their boat. Aggravating their fear was that they didn’t know where Jesus was. We certainly feel the same way when forces beyond our strength and understanding hit us. We feel like God has abandoned us and we are all alone. We cannot feel his presence because we are so preoccupied by our quest to escape the fear and discomfort that we face.
Notice the shift of the intensity of their fear when they saw Jesus walking on the water. I am wondering if they recognized Jesus right away or were they also fearful who this person was approaching their boat. When we are in panic mode, we can not think of anything else but how scared we are and how overwhelming it is. Our fear turns into anxiety which feels like the gusty wind tossing the water here and there. We get sucked into the vortex of helplessness. The irony is that in the fiercest storms we face, God is always watching over us and allowing us to reach out our hands to him so we can be soothed and calmed down by his strength and loving kindness.

REFLECTION
• How do you react to fearful situations? Do you reach out to God?

January 25

JOHN 5
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
– John 5:39-47

JOHN 5 THE SCRIPTURES POINT TO JESUS
In this account, Jesus further addresses the religious Scribes and Pharisees. This discourse of Jesus towards their claim that they know Scriptures is so brilliantly revealed to John. Jesus didn’t argue with them as they engaged him to prove his claim as God. Jesus reveals their minds and exposes their phoniness regarding being knowledgeable of the word that they have studied so well. Since they have spent years studying the Scripture, they think they know it and are experts at understanding them. According to Barclay’s commentary “The scribes and Pharisees desired the praise of men. They dressed in such a way that everyone would recognize them. They prayed in such a way that everyone would see. They loved the front seats in the Synagogue. They loved the deferential greetings of men on the street. And just because of that they could not hear the voice of God.”
The Pharisees and Scribes were outrightly exposed here. They love themselves so much and are obsessed with being adored by men. They weren’t truly searching for truth. They were using the word to argue with others and show off how much they know. If they study to discover truth, they would not have missed that the Scriptures pointed to Jesus. Because of their obsession with accolades, they missed the revelation. They would have recognized Jesus if they humbly accepted the word without ulterior motives, because Jesus himself is the Word. They didn’t believe him so their minds were shut and unable to see the glory of God. They were too busy claiming honor and glory for themselves.

REFLECTION
• What caution should we take when reading and studying the word of God?

January 24

JOHN 5
30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. – John 5:30-38

JOHN 5 JESUS CONFRONTS THE LEGALISTIC JEWISH LEADERS
In this account, we witness once more the legalism of the Jewish leaders who wanted to charge Jesus of working on the Sabbath and also claiming he is the Son of God. But Jesus threw back their due process of the law which they seem to love most. Everyone must follow the laws to the letter. So, Jesus threw back at them Deuteronomy 17:6 which says
“Never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses.”
According to Barclay’s commentary, it says that it was universally held that a man’s evidence about himself could not be accepted. The Mishnah said: “A man is not worthy of belief when he is speaking about himself. Ancient law well knew that self-interest had an effect on a man’s statements about himself. So, Jesus agrees that his own unsupported testimony to himself need not be true.”
Jesus further gives them another witness with John the Baptist attesting his character. In verses 36-38, Jesus spoke clearly how God the Father bore witness to him because he has followed through with all the work that the Father has sent him to do. Of course, we already expected how legalists would twist any truth they hear if they are not the focus of attention and honor.

REFLECTION
• Why did Jesus confront the leaders’ legalism the way he did in this account?

January 23

JOHN 5
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. – John 5:18-24

JOHN 5 WHOEVER HEARS THE WORD AND BELIEVES
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you hear the word of God, harden not your heart
Obey it so that you may pass from death to life
Jesus came down to die for our sake so that we may be free
Follow what the Scriptures say and you won’t be enslaved to sin
Whoever hears the word and believes it will find strength
Even if they encounter challenges, they will be able to face it.

In this account, we experience the anger that the Jews have for Jesus. They cannot take that Jesus declares himself as the Son of God for it would mean He is equal with God. That would mean that the laws they created would be exposed as man made so that others will bow down to them. Their image and status would be devalued. They were doing their best to discredit Jesus’ claim that he was the Son of God so that they could edify themselves instead of worshipping the One true God.
No matter what they say or do, Jesus will still fulfill and follow what his Father sent Him out to do. Whoever hears his word and believes will pass from death to life.

REFLECTION
• What does it mean to pass from death to life as Jesus says in this passage?

January 22

JOHN 5
10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” – John 5:10-17

JOHN 5 SIN NO MORE
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When Jesus bring healing in your life
Be thankful and break the habit of sin
Begin to serve the Lord your God instead
Then you won’t be a slave to your flesh.

This account is the narrative that will eventually start up the plot to kill Jesus. These Jewish leaders were all getting insecure more and more each day as the salvation plan was nearing its hour. They were all gathering every little detail to kill Jesus and not share the fame and honor that only used to be theirs. They forced the man whom Jesus healed to reveal to them who did the healing on the day of Sabbath. Of course, they probably suspected it was already Jesus. But if they can gather enough evidence against this man whom many idolized and followed, it would be easier to stir up a crucifixion.
Barclay comments: We have already seen what the Jews did with the law of God. It was a series of great wide principles which men were left to apply and carry out but throughout the years the Jews had made it into thousands of little rules and regulations. The law simply said that the Sabbath day must be different from other days and that on it neither a man nor his servants nor his animals must work; the Jews set out thirty-nine different classifications of work, one of which was that it consisted in carrying a burden.

REFLECTION
• Why did Jesus say to the man “You are well, sin no more?”