Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 25

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.

The anchor of this wisdom psalm attributed to Moses, is verse 14, “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” The beginning speaks to the eternal refuge which the faithful have in the Lord, rooted in the self-existence of God. Throughout these seventeen verses, the sovereign power and infinite majesty of our Author and Creator is acknowledged and praised as it is compared to the minuteness and limited existence of humanity. The voice of this hymn appears to lament and repent over the trouble and sin of mankind, yet simultaneously praises the Lord for such life; for it is in darkness and disparity of man that the righteousness and power of God reaches down and removes his people. Although we grieve such a perfect God, he is unchanging and always true in his love and providence.

(Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 33; Malachi 3:6; John 1:5; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; James 1:17)

Solomon draws much attention to living a life of uprightness, avoiding the traps and tendencies of this world, and essentially discipling the coming generations so that they may see the infinite worth in such discipline. A life lived well for the Lord, in uprightness, is of great value, as it is attached to eternal life and heavenly reward, not to mention worldly benefit. Living a life primarily focused on earthly wealth and reward is futile, for monetary status is a human construct. God created all individuals for a common purpose of glorifying him through horizontal and vertical relations, strictly rebuking the partiality of mankind.

(Psalm 84:11; Matthew 6:20, 16:27, 22:37-40; Luke 9:23; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:17; 2 Timothy 2:2; James 2:1-9)

Perhaps the greatest and last “sign” mentioned in the gospel of John, once again, is poignantly paired with the corresponding “I am” statement of Christ; foreshadowing the resurrection of Christ and alluding to the resurrection of the dead in Christ. Both the statement and the sign verify Jesus’s identity as the Messiah, his power over death and authority to give eternal life. The passing of Jesus’s dear friend, while it brought deep sadness to his humanity, served the greater purpose of glorifying the Father through the miraculous work of the Son (v.4), as a dead man is brought forth from the tomb by the voice of the Shepherd. Once again, the person and work of Jesus caused division among the people. Many witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus and came to faith in Jesus as the Son of God; however, from that day forward those who despised Jesus and were threatened by him plotted to kill him. Unbeknownst to them, their actions would be used to bring about the sovereign will and plan of God by delivering redemption through the crucifixion of Jesus.

(Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29, 6:40; Acts 24:15; Romans 6:5, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; 2 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 John 3:14; Revelation 20:4-6)

The divine works of Jesus and the adoration of his true followers naturally exposed the evil and murderous hearts of those around him, including the wretched Judas Iscariot. Jesus’s claims were bold and demanding, challenging and cutting through the hearts and minds of the people. Being indifferent to Jesus was not an option, therefore invoking a response of love and submission, or hate and rejection. As John continues to develop his account of Christ, one particular theme becomes very clear: unless God first moves in the heart of man with the power of the Gospel, opening the spiritual eyes, not a single miraculous sign or fulfilled prophesy would have effect on the blind. Although many were still in unbelief concerning Jesus’s identity as the Messiah, the Passover was near and the time to fulfill his destiny as the Lamb of God was at hand.

(Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 15:14; John 1:29; Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6; Ephesians 1:17-20, 4:18; 1 John 2:11)

In one of the most intimate moments with his disciples, Jesus washes their feet, participating in an act that was culturally reserved for the lowliest of the household. As one theologian hinted, the only man that deserved to wear a cape, turned it around and served with an apron. This humble act of servitude by Jesus exemplified the submissive nature of the second person of the Trinity; coming to fulfill the work of his Father, to glorify the One that sent him. Even though Jesus is indeed God, he served humanity through the most profound act of humility possible, by laying down his life. In this moment Jesus was not only showing his followers what must take place concerning his sacrificial death, but drew the ultimate illustration of how they were to serve others in his name. For through living a life of sacrificial servitude, God is glorified and made known among the world.

(Matthew 19:30, 20:28; Luke 22:42; John 6:38, 15:13; Romans 12:1; 1 Corinthians 11:3, 15:28; Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Peter 4:10)

Jesus comforts his disciples as the conversation in the upper room continues from the previous chapter. His followers are not only promised a future heavenly inheritance, but also the gift of the Helper, the Holy Spirit of God who would be with them always. The sixth “I am” statement is recorded here, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” With absolute certainty and exclusivity, Jesus reemphasizes what he has been teaching them for three years: he is indeed the only way into God’s eternal presence, he alone is the revealed truth of God, and he is the personification of God’s righteousness as the sole source of everlasting life.

(Acts 4:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 5:21; Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 1:3)

Jesus’s metaphorical use of the vine and vinedresser, with the addition of the seventh and final “I am” statement, utilizes the most prized agricultural asset in their culture to highlight the necessity of abiding in Him. Without being attached or grafted to the vine, a branch receives no essential support and therefore is unable to bear fruit and withers away. The same is true of all of mankind, for without being tethered to Christ no man will have access to life and will be rendered useless. The focus here is both on the source of life of the individual, as well as the coming judgement which will separate the believers (attached and fruitful branches) from the unbelievers (those detached from Christ and unfruitful). Because the believer’s identity is in Christ, persecution from the world is inevitable.

(Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:3-4; 1 Peter 2:9)