Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 24

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

This psalm is one of pilgrimage (not traditionally one of ascent), a joyful hymn which conveys one’s desire to be in the presence of God. For the Jews this would have been a desire to be at the temple, the place where God would commune with his people, revealing his presence to them. For Christians it can be seen as a hymn that celebrates the believer’s indwelling of the Lord, as well as a yearning for the day when they will be completely unified with Him in eternity. Truly blessed is the one in God’s presence, for that person would be a recipient of sustaining grace and mercy, glorification, ultimate restoration and redemption, and finally imparted the righteousness of Jesus Christ’s perfection.

(Psalm 42:1-2; Matthew 5:3-4; John 4:14; Acts 3:20-21; Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 2:6; Philippians 4:19; James 1:17)

Imparted wisdom from this chapter focuses the reader on the sovereignty of God in all things and the benefits of aligning oneself according to the expectations of God for mankind. No individual, regardless of their earthly title, is outside of His control or exempt from His statutes. Therefore, as we have seen prior in the wisdom literature, there are great blessings that come with living a life that honors the Lord, just as there are consequences and unfavorable outcomes that are brought about by rejecting such divine wisdom and direction. The natural man apart from God will intrinsically make decisions based upon pride, selfish desire and determination, however those who live by and seek His righteousness will reflect God’s character in their lives.

(Exodus 9:12; Ezra 1:1; Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 13:1; Philippians 2:13)

The fourth and fifth miraculous signs mentioned in this Gospel account are in this chapter, both of which are possibly the most commonly known: the account of Jesus feeding the multitude and walking on water. It was customary in those times to just count the men (v.10), so if there was 5,000 men the total number must have been at least around 15,000 people. Although Jesus feeds the multitude with only 5 loaves and 2 fish, manifesting another testament to his identity as the Messiah, the sad reality is many still rejected his teaching and walked away in unbelief. A major theological truth mentioned by Jesus in these passages is that faith is initially the sovereign work of God and not something mankind can have apart from the Spirit of God moving first (v.37,44). Besides the signs of Jesus, John records seven “I am” statements of Jesus in his gospel. These statements are all claims to be God (I am that I am) while detailing various aspects of his role in salvation. The first “I am” statement is befitting to this chapter as Jesus claims to be the bread of life. By partaking of Him, which is having faith in his sacrificial death for the sin of mankind, eternal life is rewarded. The principles of the Lord’s supper or communion, which will be later instituted, are first cited here.

(Psalm 78:24-25; Jeremiah 31:3; Matthew 26:26-28; Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; Hebrews 12:2)

Jesus was being careful and discreet as to not draw too much attention, for many people either sought to make him their king by force or particularly the spiritual leaders of the Jews sought to have him arrested and/or killed. Although Jesus withdraws in order to avoid these situations, he knows that the hour had not yet come and boldly teaches in the synagogue. God’s sovereign plan cannot be thwarted and we will see many occasions where those who seek to take him by force are prevented until that appointed time is fulfilled. Both aforementioned parties fail to see the truth of Christ because of their spiritual blindness. Some, even Jesus’s brothers, make assumptions based on their lack of understanding and ignorance. Others, such as the Pharisee’s, judge Jesus from a heart of arrogance and pride. Those who have been given spiritual eyes to see have clearly acknowledged Jesus as the Christ. A division among the people regarding the identity of Jesus begins to splinter. Even the authorities sent to arrest Jesus knew something was evidently different about him (v.46), as well as Nicodemus the Pharisee begins to take his side by arguing for his rights to trial according to Mosaic law (vv.50-52). Truth is divisive by nature, for its primary purpose is to separate right and wrong; which is clearly seen as people react to the truth claims of Jesus the Christ.

(John 14:6, 18:37; Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 3:16, 4:4; Hebrews 4:12; 1 John 2:11)

The intensity is building and division among the people concerning the divinity of Jesus as the Christ is growing. Jesus is firm but quite patient with these spiritual leaders who cannot seem to grasp the reality of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus explains to them that they are blind because they are not of God (born from above), or they would know God and reflect the character of God. Their conceit and contempt is showcased as they try to trap Jesus with the attempted stoning of the adulteress. As the light of the world, Jesus actually exposes the Pharisees’ identity as sinners; unrighteous men before God, dead in their trespasses, unwilling and unable to see the truth that stood before them. Jesus ultimately rebukes them for their defiant unbelief, illustrating that their head knowledge of God is evidently clouded by their heart which is deceitfully wicked and disobedient. The Pharisees had heard enough, for when Jesus openly claims his deity via “I AM,” they pick up stones to kill him.

(Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Micah 6:8; Mark 7:21-23; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 1 John 4:8)

John continues to connect the signs and wonders of Jesus with the “I am” statements in order to build evidence concerning the true nature of Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, the Christ. The sovereignty of the Lord is further exemplified in the 6th sign mentioned by John, for the Christ is not only the Lord over the sabbath, but this man was allowed to be born blind, so that in this very moment the works of Jesus would glorify the Father (v.3) and indelibly marked in history (v.32). As the man is miraculously healed, Jesus identifies himself as God by saying he is “the light of the world.” The “I am” statements reflect in the original language the words of God when he reveals his name as “I am that I am.” As the light of the world, Jesus will come to expose the darkness of sin, but as light does, defeat that darkness and cause it to recede in his presence. Like the blind man, those who have faith in Christ will be healed of their sin and also gifted the sight of his truth and righteousness.

(Exodus 3:14; Matthew 9:29, 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 18:42; John 20:29; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:1-3)

Jesus continues to address the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees from the previous chapter by drawing out for them an illustration of sheep and a shepherd. Here contains two “I am” statements which emphasize Jesus as the only means or entrance of salvation (door/gate), because he is the only one who has the power and authority to make the necessary provision and sacrifice for the sheep as the good shepherd (v.17-18). However, these metaphors also speak to the legalist Pharisees as either false shepherds (thieves/robbers) and/or wolves, who are scattering the sheep and leading them astray. Like hired hands, the Pharisees have no real concern for the sheep, nor a true voice that the sheep will follow. The doctrine of effectual calling is introduced and explained in theses verses, as the Good Shepherd actively seeks to save the sheep (his chosen followers). The voice of Christ (the Gospel) is proclaimed to all (general call), yet only those the Father has given the Son (v.29) recognize and follow (v.27). The specific spiritual calling (effectual proclamation of Christ to the sheep) which goes out to the individual believer has great power, thereby causing the effect of faith and the action to follow. The unbelieving Pharisees could not understand nor believe because they did not know the voice of Jesus (vv.24-26); for they continued to misconstrue and reject the very Messiah who taught the truth of scripture and worked miracles in their presence.

(Matthew 22:14; John 6:44; Romans 8:29-39; Philippians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:9)