Bible Pathway - Nov. 3, 2011
Read John 6
Highlights:
Jesus: The Bread of Life (John 6:1-14,22-51); The Light of the World (8:12). During all the storms of life, Jesus still says: Be not afraid (6:18-20).
In yesterday's and today's reading, Jesus claimed equality with God the Father. The Father told and showed Him all things (John 5:19-20); He is to be equally honored as the Father (5:23). Hearing His Word, believing God, and being obedient brings everlasting life (5:24). Jesus is self-existent; He has life in Himself (5:26). He has authority to execute judgment (5:27) and has the power to resurrect all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, And shall come forth (5:28-29).
Christ later added: Before Abraham was, I am (8:58), showing that He is the eternal I AM as revealed in the Old Testament (Ex. 3:14). This statement was further clarified when He spoke of the glory which He had with the Father before the world was (John 17:5). By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him (Col. 1:16).
Christ is God, but He is also the Bread of Life that forever satisfies the hungry soul (John 6:35,41,48,51). Jesus is not just a man who points the way to the love of God; Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (Him) (14:6).
All who are truly saved love the ways of godly living that they once ignored and now hate the sinful things they once desired. When we were born the first time, we inherited the sinful nature from Adam (Rom. 5:12-21). When we are born again (John 3:3,7) into the family of God, we receive the divine nature of Christ into our lives.
Jesus said to Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews (a member of the Sanhedrin) (3:1-2): That which is born of the flesh (human parents) is flesh; and that which is born of the (Holy) Spirit is spirit. . . . Ye must be born again (3:6-7) by the will of God (1:12-13).
Jesus taught that our true, first, and foremost goal in life should be to magnify Him in our daily conduct — to love Him with all thy (our) heart, and with all thy (our) soul, and with all thy (our) mind, and with all thy (our) strength: this is the first Commandment. And . . . thy neighbour as thyself (Mark 12:30-31). We are to serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life (Luke 1:74-75).
Thought for Today:
And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23).
Cross References:
For John 6:31: See Ex. 16:4; Neh. 9:15; Ps. 78:24. John 6:45: See Is. 54:13.
Word Studies:
6:24 took shipping, got into boats.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Richard A. Nzeribe • Staff: Dan Murton • Government Officials: Rep. Mazie Hirono (HI), Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA), and Rep. Jaime Herrera-Beutler (WA) • Country: Cyprus (754,000) in the Middle East • Major languages: Greek and Turkish • No open evangelism or conversions to Christ • 75% Greek Orthodox; 19% Muslim; 1% Protestant; 1% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to help you teach His Word to your children; it will give guidance and instruction as they go through life (Prov. 6:20-23).
Memory Verse for the Week:
