Bible Pathways - Nov. 3, 2008
November 3
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Jesus feeds 5,000 and declares: I am The Bread of Life (6:22-59). Not all believe (6: 60-66). Peter's faith (6:67-71). Jesus, the Living Water, speaks of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (7:37-39). Pharisees bring a woman taken in adultery and by Jesus' response are convicted by their own conscience (8:9). Jesus is God (8:42,58).
In yesterday's and today's reading, Jesus claimed equality with God the Father: The Father told and showed Him all things (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); He is self-existent, has life in Himself (5:26); has authority to execute judgment (5:27); the power of resurrection, 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 (Exodus 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 (Colossians 1:16).
Christ is God but 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 God's love; Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (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 which was received from Adam (Romans 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 prayed that our true, first, and foremost goal in life would be to magnify Him in our daily conduct — to love Him with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first Commandment. And . . . thy neighbor 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:
Since Jesus is the Creator of all things, it makes perfect sense to crown Him as Lord of our lives.
Word Studies:
6:24 took shipping =b> got into boats.
Cross References:
For John 6:31: See Exodus 16:4; Nehemiah 9:15; Psalm 78:24. John 6:45: See Isaiah 54:13.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Arabic International Shortwave Broadcasts for the month of November sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer • Radio Sri Lanka International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Mrs. Doyle Foss • Staff: Dr. John A. Hash • Government Officials: Rep. Mazie Hirono (HI) and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA) • Country: Maldives (300,000) 400 miles southwest of Sri Lanka • Major languages: Divehi and English • Christian witnessing is banned • 99.9% Muslim; .1% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Rejoice that He has promised to sustain us at all times (Psa. 55:22).
Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 14:33
