February 2, 2012
1 Corinthians 14:1-25 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

1 Corinthians 14:1-25: Paul discusses the spiritual gifts of prophecy and speaking in tongues, emphasizing that gifts of the Spirit are for the edification of the community and are to be used for building up the church.
Today’s Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:3

Those who proclaim God’s message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort.
Today’s Reading

1 It is love, then, that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming God's message. 2 Those who speak in strange tongues do not speak to others but to God, because no one understands them. They are speaking secret truths by the power of the Spirit. 3 But those who proclaim God's message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort. 4 Those who speak in strange tongues help only themselves, but those who proclaim God's message help the whole church. 5 I would like for all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God's message. For the person who proclaims God's message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues—unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped. 6 So when I come to you, my friends, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tongues? Not a bit, unless I bring you some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message or some teaching. 7 Take such lifeless musical instruments as the flute or the harp—how will anyone know the tune that is being played unless the notes are sounded distinctly? 8 And if the one who plays the bugle does not sound a clear call, who will prepare for battle? 9 In the same way, how will anyone understand what you are talking about if your message given in strange tongues is not clear? Your words will vanish in the air! 10 There are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 But if I do not know the language being spoken, those who use it will be foreigners to me and I will be a foreigner to them. 12 Since you are eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, you must try above everything else to make greater use of those which help to build up the church. 13 The person who speaks in strange tongues, then, must pray for the gift to explain what is said. 14 For if I pray in this way, my spirit prays indeed, but my mind has no part in it. 15 What should I do, then? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray also with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing also with my mind. 16 When you give thanks to God in spirit only, how can ordinary people taking part in the meeting say “Amen” to your prayer of thanksgiving? They have no way of knowing what you are saying. 17 Even if your prayer of thanks to God is quite good, other people are not helped at all. 18 I thank God that I speak in strange tongues much more than any of you. 19 But in church worship I would rather speak five words that can be understood, in order to teach others, than speak thousands of words in strange tongues. 20 Do not be like children in your thinking, my friends; be children so far as evil is concerned, but be grown up in your thinking. 21 In the Scriptures it is written, “By means of people speaking strange languages I will speak to my people, says the Lord. I will speak through lips of foreigners, but even then my people will not listen to me.” 22 So then, the gift of speaking in strange tongues is proof for unbelievers, not for believers, while the gift of proclaiming God's message is proof for believers, not for unbelievers. 23 If, then, the whole church meets together and everyone starts speaking in strange tongues—and if some ordinary people or unbelievers come in, won't they say that you are all crazy? 24 But if everyone is proclaiming God's message when some unbelievers or ordinary people come in, they will be convinced of their sin by what they hear. They will be judged by all they hear, 25 their secret thoughts will be brought into the open, and they will bow down and worship God, confessing, “Truly God is here among you!”
Reflect

Glossolalia, or speaking in tongues, is the focus of today’s reading. While Paul affirms that this is a spiritual gift, he says that “the person who proclaims God’s message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues” (verse 5). What are your thoughts about what Paul says in today’s reading? What gifts of the Spirit “help to build up the church” in your community of faith?
Pray

Lord God, may my words this day reflect your love and bring help, encouragement, and comfort to others. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those who are studying biblical Hebrew and Greek
Tomorrow's Reading

1 John 2:1-17: The writer describes what it means to live in the light.

February 3, 2012
1 John 2:1-17 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

1 John 2:1-17: This letter reminds us that when we sin, Jesus Christ is our advocate before God, and that Christ is the means by which our sins are forgiven. The writer encourages followers to love others and live in the light of God.
Today’s Scripture: 1 John 2:17

The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.
Today’s Reading

1 I am writing this to you, my children, so that you will not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have someone who pleads with the Father on our behalf—Jesus Christ, the righteous one. 2 And Christ himself is the means by which our sins are forgiven, and not our sins only, but also the sins of everyone. 3 If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him. 4 If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. 5 But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: 6 if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did. 7 My dear friends, this command I am writing you is not new; it is the old command, the one you have had from the very beginning. The old command is the message you have already heard. 8 However, the command I now write you is new, because its truth is seen in Christ and also in you. For the darkness is passing away, and the real light is already shining. 9 If we say that we are in the light, yet hate others, we are in the darkness to this very hour. 10 If we love others, we live in the light, and so there is nothing in us that will cause someone else to sin. 11 But if we hate others, we are in the darkness; we walk in it and do not know where we are going, because the darkness has made us blind. 12 I write to you, my children, because your sins are forgiven for the sake of Christ. 13 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you have defeated the Evil One. 14 I write to you, my children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong; the word of God lives in you, and you have defeated the Evil One. 15 Do not love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you do not love the Father. 16 Everything that belongs to the world—what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of—none of this comes from the Father; it all comes from the world. 17 The world and everything in it that people desire is passing away; but those who do the will of God live forever.
Reflect

What are ways in which we can “live in the light?” Reread verses 15-17. The writer admonishes us not to “love the world or anything that belongs to the world.” The word “world” used here is not referring to the physical earth but to the realm of evil and selfish desires. Are there consequences for loving the “world” as described in today’s reading?
Pray

Lord God, teach me to obey your commands and to obey your word so that I remain in union with you. I want to live in the light and do what is in accord with your will. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Advocates for social justice
Tomorrow's Reading

1 John 3:1-18: The writer describes God’s great love for us.

February 4, 2012

1 John 3:1-18 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy

Introduction
1 John 3:1-18: The writer teaches that, because of God’s great love for us, we are called God’s children and become part of God’s family. As children of God, we are to love others as demonstrated by the way we live and our actions toward others.

Today’s Scripture: 1 John 3:18
My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.

Today’s Reading
1 See how much the Father has loved us! His love is so great that we are called God's children—and so, in fact, we are. This is why the world does not know us: it has not known God. 2 My dear friends, we are now God's children, but it is not yet clear what we shall become. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in Christ keeps himself pure, just as Christ is pure. 4 Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God's law, because sin is a breaking of the law. 5 You know that Christ appeared in order to take away sins, and that there is no sin in him. 6 So everyone who lives in union with Christ does not continue to sin; but whoever continues to sin has never seen him or known him. 7 Let no one deceive you, my children! Whoever does what is right is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. 8 Whoever continues to sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the Devil had done. 9 Those who are children of God do not continue to sin, for God's very nature is in them; and because God is their Father, they cannot continue to sin. 10 Here is the clear difference between God's children and the Devil's children: those who do not do what is right or do not love others are not God's children. 11 The message you heard from the very beginning is this: we must love one another. 12 We must not be like Cain; he belonged to the Evil One and murdered his own brother Abel. Why did Cain murder him? Because the things he himself did were wrong, and the things his brother did were right. 13 So do not be surprised, my friends, if the people of the world hate you. 14 We know that we have left death and come over into life; we know it because we love others. Those who do not love are still under the power of death. 15 Those who hate others are murderers, and you know that murderers do not have eternal life in them. 16 This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others! 17 If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God? 18 My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.

Reflect
Reread verses 7-10. What distinguishes the children of God from the devil’s children? What does being a child of God mean to you?

Pray
Gracious God, thank you for loving me and calling me to be one of your children. May I reflect your love and show love to others not just in words but in action. Amen.

Prayer Concern
Those struggling to overcome feelings of anger and hate

Tomorrow's Reading
1 John 4:7-21: The writer teaches that God is love.

February 5, 2012
1 John 4:7-21 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

1 John 4:7-21: “God is love” is at the heart of today’s reading. True love comes from God who first loved us. The writer describes how God has demonstrated his love for us by sending Jesus into the world. By loving others, we remain in union with God.
Today’s Scripture: 1 John 4:8

Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Today’s Reading

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him. 10 This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven. 11 Dear friends, if this is how God loved us, then we should love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union with us, and his love is made perfect in us. 13 We are sure that we live in union with God and that he lives in union with us, because he has given us his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and tell others that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If we declare that Jesus is the Son of God, we live in union with God and God lives in union with us. 16 And we ourselves know and believe the love which God has for us. God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them. 17 Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's. 18 There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment. 19 We love because God first loved us. 20 If we say we love God, but hate others, we are liars. For we cannot love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love others, whom we have seen. 21 The command that Christ has given us is this: whoever loves God must love others also.
Reflect

How many times does the word “love” appear in today’s reading? What thoughts come to mind when you hear the words “God is love?” Reread verses 19-21. In what ways will you show love to others today?
Pray

Holy God, you are love and you sent your Son Jesus into the world so that I might have life through him. You have first loved me; teach me to love others and to live in union with you. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Hospital chaplains
Tomorrow's Reading

John 3:1-21: Jesus teaches about God’s love for us.

February 6, 2012
John 3:1-21 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

John 3:1-21: Nicodemus, a Pharisee, approaches Jesus at night and questions him about the Kingdom of God. Jesus describes what it means to be born spiritually of the Spirit and that, by believing in him, one will have eternal life.
Today’s Scripture: John 3:16

For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.
Today’s Reading

1 There was a Jewish leader named Nicodemus, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees. 2 One night he went to Jesus and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher sent by God. No one could perform the miracles you are doing unless God were with him.” 3 Jesus answered, “I am telling you the truth: no one can see the Kingdom of God without being born again.” 4 “How can a grown man be born again?” Nicodemus asked. “He certainly cannot enter his mother's womb and be born a second time!” 5 “I am telling you the truth,” replied Jesus, “that no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 A person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit. 7 Do not be surprised because I tell you that you must all be born again. 8 The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit. ” 9 “How can this be?” asked Nicodemus. 10 Jesus answered, “You are a great teacher in Israel, and you don't know this? 11 I am telling you the truth: we speak of what we know and report what we have seen, yet none of you is willing to accept our message. 12 You do not believe me when I tell you about the things of this world; how will you ever believe me, then, when I tell you about the things of heaven? 13 And no one has ever gone up to heaven except the Son of Man, who came down from heaven. ” 14 As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the desert, in the same way the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge, but to be its savior. 18 Those who believe in the Son are not judged; but those who do not believe have already been judged, because they have not believed in God's only Son. 19 This is how the judgment works: the light has come into the world, but people love the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds are evil. 20 Those who do evil things hate the light and will not come to the light, because they do not want their evil deeds to be shown up. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light in order that the light may show that what they did was in obedience to God.
Reflect

What is your understanding of the Kingdom of God and being “born of water and the Spirit” as described by Jesus in verse 5? What does eternal life mean to you? Reread verse 16 and substitute your name for “world” and “everyone.” Have you ever memorized this verse?
Pray

Lord Jesus, thank you for offering me eternal life by believing in you. Help me grow in faith and share the good news about God’s love with those I meet today. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those who have accepted Christ as their Savior
Tomorrow's Reading

John 3:22-36: John the Baptist acknowledges the growing importance of Jesus’ ministry.

February 7, 2012
John 3:22-36 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

John 3:22-36: The disciples of John the Baptist speak to him about those who are now being baptized by Jesus and following him. John acknowledges that his own ministry must now decrease as the ministry of Jesus increases.
Today’s Scripture: John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not have life, but will remain under God’s punishment.
Today’s Reading

22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went to the province of Judea, where he spent some time with them and baptized. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon, not far from Salim, because there was plenty of water in that place. People were going to him, and he was baptizing them. ( 24 This was before John had been put in prison.) 25 Some of John's disciples began arguing with a Jew about the matter of ritual washing. 26 So they went to John and told him, “Teacher, you remember the man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan, the one you spoke about? Well, he is baptizing now, and everyone is going to him!” 27 John answered, “No one can have anything unless God gives it. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.” 29 The bridegroom is the one to whom the bride belongs; but the bridegroom's friend, who stands by and listens, is glad when he hears the bridegroom's voice. This is how my own happiness is made complete. 30 He must become more important while I become less important. ” 31 He who comes from above is greater than all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly matters, but he who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He tells what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his message. 33 But whoever accepts his message confirms by this that God is truthful. 34 The one whom God has sent speaks God's words, because God gives him the fullness of his Spirit. 35 The Father loves his Son and has put everything in his power. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not have life, but will remain under God's punishment.
Reflect

In today’s reading, the ministries of Jesus and John appear to occur simultaneously. What is John’s reaction to what his disciples tell him? What are your thoughts about John’s words in verse 30? How are his words an indication of his faithfulness and witness?
Pray

Lord Jesus, I rejoice with you when others accept you as their Savior. Like John the Baptist, my happiness is complete when I hear and obey your voice. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those who have been newly baptized
Tomorrow's Reading

John 4:1-42: Jesus reveals to a Samaritan woman that he is the Messiah.

February 8, 2012
John 4:1-42 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

John 4:1-42: Today’s reading is a lengthy discourse between Jesus and a Samaritan woman in which Jesus teaches about life-giving water and worship. In Jesus’ day, a Jewish man conversing with a woman in public was a violation of social convention. After revealing what he knows about the woman’s life, Jesus tells her that he is the Messiah. The woman returns to the town and tells the people about her encounter with Jesus, and many came to believe in Jesus.
Today’s Scripture: John 4:24

“God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is.”
Today’s Reading

1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was winning and baptizing more disciples than John. ( 2 Actually, Jesus himself did not baptize anyone; only his disciples did.) 3 So when Jesus heard what was being said, he left Judea and went back to Galilee; 4 on his way there he had to go through Samaria. 5 In Samaria he came to a town named Sychar, which was not far from the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired out by the trip, sat down by the well. It was about noon. 7 A Samaritan woman came to draw some water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink of water.” ( 8 His disciples had gone into town to buy food.) 9 The woman answered, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan—so how can you ask me for a drink?” (Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritans use.) 10 Jesus answered, “If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you don't have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where would you get that life-giving water? 12 It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his children and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you? ” 13 Jesus answered, “Those who drink this water will get thirsty again, 14 but those who drink the water that I will give them will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give them will become in them a spring which will provide them with life-giving water and give them eternal life. ” 15 “Sir,” the woman said, “give me that water! Then I will never be thirsty again, nor will I have to come here to draw water.” 16 “Go and call your husband,” Jesus told her, “and come back.” 17 “I don't have a husband,” she answered. Jesus replied, “You are right when you say you don't have a husband. 18 You have been married to five men, and the man you live with now is not really your husband. You have told me the truth. ” 19 “I see you are a prophet, sir,” the woman said. 20 “My Samaritan ancestors worshiped God on this mountain, but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where we should worship God.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the time will come when people will not worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans do not really know whom you worship; but we Jews know whom we worship, because it is from the Jews that salvation comes. 23 But the time is coming and is already here, when by the power of God's Spirit people will worship the Father as he really is, offering him the true worship that he wants. 24 God is Spirit, and only by the power of his Spirit can people worship him as he really is. ” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah will come, and when he comes, he will tell us everything.” 26 Jesus answered, “I am he, I who am talking with you.” 27 At that moment Jesus' disciples returned, and they were greatly surprised to find him talking with a woman. But none of them said to her, “What do you want?” or asked him, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then the woman left her water jar, went back to the town, and said to the people there, 29 “Come and see the man who told me everything I have ever done. Could he be the Messiah?” 30 So they left the town and went to Jesus. 31 In the meantime the disciples were begging Jesus, “Teacher, have something to eat!” 32 But he answered, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 So the disciples started asking among themselves, “Could somebody have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” Jesus said to them, “is to obey the will of the one who sent me and to finish the work he gave me to do. 35 You have a saying, “Four more months and then the harvest.” But I tell you, take a good look at the fields; the crops are now ripe and ready to be harvested! 36 The one who reaps the harvest is being paid and gathers the crops for eternal life; so the one who plants and the one who reaps will be glad together. 37 For the saying is true, “Someone plants, someone else reaps.” 38 I have sent you to reap a harvest in a field where you did not work; others worked there, and you profit from their work. ” 39 Many of the Samaritans in that town believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I have ever done.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them, and Jesus stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of his message, 42 and they told the woman, “We believe now, not because of what you said, but because we ourselves have heard him, and we know that he really is the Savior of the world.”
Reflect

How does Jesus initiate his conversation with the Samaritan woman? What is your understanding of the life-giving water that Jesus offers? Reread verses 31-34. What is the “food” that Jesus describes? Is there someone you know who needs to hear about the “life-giving water” and “food” that Jesus offers?
Pray

Lord Jesus, you know everything about me and what is in my heart. By the power of the Holy Spirit, guide me in the way of truth. Thank you for the life-giving water you offer and for the gift of eternal life. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Parts of the world experiencing drought
Tomorrow's Reading

John 4:43-54: Jesus returns to Galilee and heals an official’s son.

February 9, 2012
John 4:43-54 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

John 4:43-54: Jesus leaves Samaria and returns to Galilee. A government official approaches Jesus and begs him to heal his son. The official believes Jesus’ words, and his son is healed.
Today’s Scripture: John 4:50

Jesus said to him, “Go, your son will live!” The man believed Jesus’ words and went.
Today’s Reading

43 After spending two days there, Jesus left and went to Galilee. 44 For he himself had said, “Prophets are not respected in their own country.” 45 When he arrived in Galilee, the people there welcomed him, because they had gone to the Passover Festival in Jerusalem and had seen everything that he had done during the festival. 46 Then Jesus went back to Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. A government official was there whose son was sick in Capernaum. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to him and asked him to go to Capernaum and heal his son, who was about to die. 48 Jesus said to him, “None of you will ever believe unless you see miracles and wonders.” 49 “Sir,” replied the official, “come with me before my child dies.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live!” The man believed Jesus' words and went. 51 On his way home his servants met him with the news, “Your boy is going to live!” 52 He asked them what time it was when his son got better, and they answered, “It was one o'clock yesterday afternoon when the fever left him.” 53 Then the father remembered that it was at that very hour when Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his family believed. 54 This was the second miracle that Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.
Reflect

Why did the official believe Jesus’ words? What impact did the healing of the child have on the official’s household? What does today’s reading teach about faith?
Pray

Lord Jesus, you alone offer words of life. Strengthen my faith day by day and teach me to trust in you and to obey your will. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Terminally ill children and their parents
Tomorrow's Reading

John 5:1-18: Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath.

February 10, 2012
John 5:1-18 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

John 5:1-18: Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, and his action angers the Jewish authorities who are now determined to kill him.
Today’s Scripture: John 5:17

Jesus answered them, “My Father is always working, and I too must work.”
Today’s Reading

1 After this, Jesus went to Jerusalem for a religious festival. 2 Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there is a pool with five porches; in Hebrew it is called Bethzatha. 3 A large crowd of sick people were lying on the porches—the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed. 5 A man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 Jesus saw him lying there, and he knew that the man had been sick for such a long time; so he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 The sick man answered, “Sir, I don't have anyone here to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am trying to get in, somebody else gets there first.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.” 9 Immediately the man got well; he picked up his mat and started walking. The day this happened was a Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish authorities told the man who had been healed, “This is a Sabbath, and it is against our Law for you to carry your mat.” 11 He answered, “The man who made me well told me to pick up my mat and walk.” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who told you to do this?” 13 But the man who had been healed did not know who Jesus was, for there was a crowd in that place, and Jesus had slipped away. 14 Afterward, Jesus found him in the Temple and said, “Listen, you are well now; so stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man left and told the Jewish authorities that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 So they began to persecute Jesus, because he had done this healing on a Sabbath. 17 Jesus answered them, “My Father is always working, and I too must work.” 18 This saying made the Jewish authorities all the more determined to kill him; not only had he broken the Sabbath law, but he had said that God was his own Father and in this way had made himself equal with God.
Reflect

How did Jesus respond to those who challenged his healing the man on the Sabbath (verse 17)? What does this verse tell you about God? What angered the Jewish authorities (verse 18)? After the man had been healed, why did Jesus tell him to “stop sinning” (verse14)? Once we have received God’s forgiveness, is it hard to stop sinning? Explain.
Pray

Gracious God, even when I sin, you look upon me with love and compassion and offer me forgiveness. Help me when I am weak and tempted to sin again, and remind me that you are “always working,” ready to reach out to me in mercy and love. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those struggling with temptation
Tomorrow's Reading

John 5:19-47: Jesus continues his discourse with the Jewish authorities.

February 11, 2012
John 5:19-47 (Good News Translation)
Come Together in Faith and Proclaim God’s Love and Mercy
Introduction

John 5:19-47: Today’s reading is a continuation of Jesus’ encounter with the Jewish authorities. It is a lengthy discourse in which Jesus describes his relationship with God.
Today’s Scripture: John 5:23b

“Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.”
Today’s Reading

19 So Jesus answered them, “I tell you the truth: the Son can do nothing on his own; he does only what he sees his Father doing. What the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. He will show him even greater things to do than this, and you will all be amazed. 21 Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, in the same way the Son gives life to those he wants to. 22 Nor does the Father himself judge anyone. He has given his Son the full right to judge, 23 so that all will honor the Son in the same way as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 I am telling you the truth: those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life. They will not be judged, but have already passed from death to life. 25 I am telling you the truth: the time is coming—the time has already come—when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will come to life. 26 Just as the Father is himself the source of life, in the same way he has made his Son to be the source of life. 27 And he has given the Son the right to judge, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be surprised at this; the time is coming when all the dead will hear his voice 29 and come out of their graves: those who have done good will rise and live, and those who have done evil will rise and be condemned. 30 I can do nothing on my own authority; I judge only as God tells me, so my judgment is right, because I am not trying to do what I want, but only what he who sent me wants. 31 If I testify on my own behalf, what I say is not to be accepted as real proof. 32 But there is someone else who testifies on my behalf, and I know that what he says about me is true. 33 John is the one to whom you sent your messengers, and he spoke on behalf of the truth. 34 It is not that I must have a human witness; I say this only in order that you may be saved. 35 John was like a lamp, burning and shining, and you were willing for a while to enjoy his light. 36 But I have a witness on my behalf which is even greater than the witness that John gave: what I do, that is, the deeds my Father gave me to do, these speak on my behalf and show that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father, who sent me, also testifies on my behalf. You have never heard his voice or seen his face, 38 and you do not keep his message in your hearts, for you do not believe in the one whom he sent. 39 You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me! 40 Yet you are not willing to come to me in order to have life. 41 I am not looking for human praise. 42 But I know what kind of people you are, and I know that you have no love for God in your hearts. 43 I have come with my Father's authority, but you have not received me; when, however, someone comes with his own authority, you will receive him. 44 You like to receive praise from one another, but you do not try to win praise from the one who alone is God; how, then, can you believe me? 45 Do not think, however, that I am the one who will accuse you to my Father. Moses, in whom you have put your hope, is the very one who will accuse you. 46 If you had really believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me. 47 But since you do not believe what he wrote, how can you believe what I say? ”
Reflect

How does Jesus describe his relationship to God the Father? What authority has been given to Jesus? Reread verses 41-47. How does Jesus describe his opponents’ unbelief? What does he tell them about Moses? In what ways do you honor Jesus? How will you honor him today?
Pray

Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and source of life, and I honor you. Open my ears and my heart to hear your words to me each day. Teach me to be obedient to your will. Amen.
Prayer Concern

Those who deny the authority of Jesus
Tomorrow's Reading

John 6:1-24: Jesus feeds 5,000 people and walks on water.