21 Days With Jesus - A Journey Through John's Gospel

8/11/2019 21 Days With Jesus - A Journey Through John's Gospel

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21 days with

A journey through Johns gospel


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JesusA journey through Johns gospel

21 days with

Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version

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A lifelong journey

There is no magic formula for getting to

know Jesus. Its not a matter of saying

the right things and reciting a quickprayer. Its not a one-time decision. Its a

lifelong journey.

A relationship with Jesus (or God) is

like any other relationshipit grows out

of talking and listening to each other.

Every day.

You talk to God whenever you pray.

You listen to God by reading the Bible

because God wrote the Bible for us.What you have in your hands is one

book of the Bible, the book of John. John

was a close friend of Jesus, and in this

book he recalls many of the things Jesus

said and did while He lived on earth.

John himself says that the purpose of his

book is that you can believe that Jesus

is the Messiah, the Son of God. Then, by

believing, you can have life through hisname. (John :, page in this book)

Reading the book John wrote is a

good way for us to get to know Jesus. It

is not only a historical record; its also a

living document because Jesus is still

alive today. When we read His words in

these pages, we know He is still speaking

to us now.

Sharing the journey

The book of John is just one book of

the Bible. (There are altogether.) Its

a good book for deep thinkers because

John loves to talk about the mysteries

of Jesus.

There are chapters in this book. If

you read one chapter each day, youll

have spent days with Jesus.You might find it even more

enjoyable to share this journey with

others. Consider meeting once a week

with a few friends to talk about what

youve been reading and to encourage

each other. After all, the Bible is meant

to be shared, discussed, and lived! The

things we learn from each other canmake each of our individual journeys

richer and more meaningful. Try it!

Finding your way around

All books of the Bible use the same

method for helping people find their

place. Each book is divided into chapters

and verses, so when youre reading it in

a group, you can all refer to the samething easily. When you see a reference

like John :, its pointing you to the

book of John, chapter (indicated by a

large number), verse (indicated by a

small number).

In this book, along with Johns

writing weve included some study

helps to help you think about what

youre reading. Weve divided Johns chapters into three sections of chapters

each. Each section uses a different style

of study helps, so youll have a chance

to experiment with three different styles

and find one you like. This way, if you

decide to read more Bible books when

youre done with John, youll already

have some tools for getting the most

out of your reading.

Enjoying the journey

Whenever you read the Bibleon your

own or with othersremember, you

dont have to understand everything

you read. Some of it might be confusing.

Parts of it might not apply to you now

(though they might later). Just keep

reading, a little bit every day.No matter what, keep it up. Keep

talking to God through prayer. And keep

listening to God by reading what He

says in the Bible.

Every day.


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JohnThe ospel o JohnoDay 1:

Try praying rst: Jesus, Im curious about your life. I want to learn, soopen my mind and help me understand what Im about to read.

Christ Comes to the World

Beore the world began, the Word was there. Te Word was withGod, and the Word was God. He was there with God in the begin-

ning. Everything was made through him, and nothing was made with-out him. In him there was lie, and that lie was a light or the peopleo the world. Te light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has notdeeated it.

Tere was a man named John, who was sent by God. He came to

tell people about the light. Trough him all people could hear aboutthe light and believe. John was not the light. But he came to tell peopleabout the light. Te true light was coming into the world. Tis is thetrue light that gives light to all people.

Te Word was already in the world. Te world was made through

him, but the world did not know him. He came to the world that washis own. And his own people did not accept him. But some people did

accept him. Tey believed in him, and he gave them the right to becomechildren o God. Tey became Gods children, but not in the waybabies are usually born. It was not because o any human desire or plan.Tey were born rom God himsel.

Te Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his divine

greatnessthe greatness that belongs to the only Son o the Father. TeWord was ull o grace and truth. John told people about him. He saidloudly, Tis is the one I was talking about when I said, Te one who iscoming afer me is greater than I am, because he was living beore I waseven born.

Yes, the Word was ull o grace and truth, and rom him we all

received one blessing afer another. Tat is, the law was given to usthrough Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No


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Day 1

one has ever seen God. Te only Son is the one who has shown us whatGod is like. He is himsel God and is very close to the Father.

John Tells About the Messiah

Te Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent some priests and Levites to Johnto ask him, Who are you? He told them the truth. Without any hesi-tation he said openly and plainly, I am not the Messiah.

Tey asked him, Ten who are you? Are you Elijah?

He answered, No, I am not Elijah.Tey asked, Are you the Prophet?He answered, No, I am not the Prophet.

Ten they said, Who are you? ell us about yoursel. Give us ananswer to tell the people who sent us. What do you say about yoursel?

John told them the words o the prophet Isaiah:

I am the voice o someone shouting in the desert:Make a straight road ready or the Lord.

Tese Jews were sent rom the Pharisees. Tey said to John, You

say you are not the Messiah. You say you are not Elijah or the Prophet.Ten why do you baptize people?

John answered, I baptize people with water. But there is someone

here with you that you dont know. He is the one who is coming later.I am not good enough to be the slave who unties the strings on hissandals.

Tese things all happened at Bethany on the other side o the Jor-

dan River. Tis is where John was baptizing people.

Jesus, the Lamb of God

Te next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, theLamb o God. He takes away the sins o the world! Tis is the one Iwas talking about when I said, Tere is a man coming afer me who isgreater than I am, because he was living even beore I was born. I didnot know who he was. But I came baptizing people with water so that

Israel could know that he is the Messiah.

Ten John said this or everyone to hear: I also did not know

who the Messiah was. But the one who sent me to baptize with watertold me, You will see the Spirit come down and rest on a man. He is theone who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen this happen. I saw


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the Spirit come down rom heaven like a dove and rest on this man. Sothis is what I tell people: He is the Son o God.

The First Followers of Jesus

Te next day John was there again and had two o his ollowers withhim. He saw Jesus walking by and said, Look, the Lamb o God!

Te two ollowers heard him say this, so they ollowed Jesus.

Jesus turned and saw the two men ollowing him. He asked, What do

you want?Tey said, Rabbi, where are you staying? (Rabbi means eacher.)

He answered, Come with me and you will see. So the two men

went with him. Tey saw the place where he was staying, and theystayed there with him that day. It was about our oclock.

Tese men ollowed Jesus afer they had heard about him rom

John. One o them was Andrew, the brother o Simon Peter. Te firstthing Andrew did was to go and find his brother Simon. Andrew said tohim, We have ound the Messiah. (Messiah means Christ.)

Ten Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said,

You are Simon, the son o John. You will be called Cephas. (Cephas

means Peter.)

Te next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He met Philip and saidto him, Follow me. Philip was rom the town o Bethsaida, the sameas Andrew and Peter. Philip ound Nathanael and told him, We haveound the man that Moses wrote about in the law. Te prophets wroteabout him too. He is Jesus, the son o Joseph. He is rom Nazareth.

But Nathanael said to Philip, Nazareth! Can anything good come

rom Nazareth?Philip answered, Come and see.

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said, Tis man com-ing is a true Israelite, one you can trust.

Nathanael asked, How do you know me?

Jesus answered, I saw you when you were under the fig tree, beorePhilip told you about me.

Ten Nathanael said, eacher, you are the Son o God. You are the

King o Israel.

Jesus said to him, Do you believe this just because I said I saw youunder the fig tree? You will see much greater things than that! Tenhe said, Believe me when I say that you will all see heaven open. Youwill see angels o God going up and coming down on the Son o Man.


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Day 2

. Underline three things that interest you in todays chapter.

. Choose one of the three things you underlined, and write why you

underlined it. If you are studying this book with someone else, take turns

sharing what youve written down.

. Write down something you think Jesus wanted you to learn in this chapter

today, then share out loud.

(You can use this simple exercise with any part of the Bible. Its a good way to help

apply what God is saying in the Bible and to learn from other people what God is

saying to them. We will use this exercise with each of the first seven chapters of John.

Then well use two other exercises for the remaining chapters.)

oDay 2:Try praying rst: God, speak to me again today. Im ready to listen.

The Wedding at Cana

wo days later there was a wedding in the town o Cana in Gali-lee, and Jesus mother was there. Jesus and his ollowers were also

invited. At the wedding there was not enough wine, so Jesus mothersaid to him, Tey have no more wine.

Jesus answered, Dear woman, why are you telling me this? It is notyet time or me to begin my work.

His mother said to the servants, Do what he tells you.

Tere were six large stone waterpots there that were used by the

Jews in their washing ceremonies. Each one held about or gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, Fill the waterpots with water. So theyfilled them to the top.

Ten he said to them, Now dip out some water and take it to the

man in charge o the east.So they did what he said. Ten the man in charge tasted it, but the

water had become wine. He did not know where the wine had comerom, but the servants who brought the water knew. He called the


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Day 2

bridegroom and said to him, People always serve the best wine first.Later, when the guests are drunk, they serve the cheaper wine. But youhave saved the best wine until now.

Tis was the first o all the miraculous signs Jesus did. He did it in

the town o Cana in Galilee. By this he showed his divine greatness, andhis ollowers believed in him.

Ten Jesus went to the town o Capernaum. His mother and

brothers and his ollowers went with him. Tey all stayed there a ewdays.

Jesus at the Temple

It was almost time or the Jewish Passover, so Jesus went to Jerusalem.Tere in the emple area he saw men selling cattle, sheep, and doves.

He saw others sitting at tables, exchanging and trading peoples money.

Jesus made a whip with some pieces o rope. Ten he orced all thesemen and the sheep and cattle to leave the emple area. He turned overthe tables o the money traders and scattered their money. Ten hesaid to those who were selling pigeons, ake these things out o here!Dont make my Fathers house a place or buying and selling!

When this happened, his ollowers remembered what was written

in the Scriptures:

My strong devotion to your emple will destroy me.

Some Jews said to Jesus, Show us a miracle as a sign rom God.

Prove that you have the right to do these things.

Jesus answered, Destroy this temple and I will build it again inthree days.

Tey answered, People worked years to build this emple! Do

you really believe you can build it again in three days?

But the temple Jesus meant was his own body. Afer he was raisedrom death, his ollowers remembered that he had said this. So theybelieved the Scriptures, and they believed the words Jesus said.

Jesus was in Jerusalem or the Passover estival. Many people

believed in him because they saw the miraculous signs he did. ButJesus did not trust them, because he knew how all people think. Hedid not need anyone to tell him what a person was like. He already

knew.


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Day 3







oDay 3:Try praying rst: Here I am again, God, ready to listen and learn.

Jesus and Nicodemus

Tere was a man named Nicodemus, one o the Pharisees. He was

an important Jewish leader. One night he came to Jesus and said,eacher, we know that you are a teacher sent rom God. No one can dothese miraculous signs that you do unless they have Gods help.

Jesus answered, I assure you, everyone must be born again. Any-

one who is not born again cannot be in Gods kingdom.

Nicodemus said, How can a man who is already old be born again?Can he go back into his mothers womb and be born a second time?

Jesus answered, Believe me when I say that everyone must be bornrom water and the Spirit. Anyone who is not born rom water and theSpirit cannot enter Gods kingdom. Te only lie people get rom theirhuman parents is physical. But the new lie that the Spirit gives a personis spiritual. Dont be surprised that I told you, You must be born again.

Te wind blows wherever it wants to. You hear it, but you dont knowwhere it is coming rom or where it is going. It is the same with every-one who is born rom the Spirit.

Nicodemus asked, How is all this possible?

Jesus said, You are an important teacher o Israel, and you still

dont understand these things? Te truth is, we talk about what weknow. We tell about what we have seen. But you people dont acceptwhat we tell you. I have told you about things here on earth, but you


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do not believe me. So Im sure you will not believe me i I tell you aboutheavenly things! Te only one who has ever gone up to heaven is theone who came down rom heaventhe Son o Man.

Moses lifed up the snake in the desert. It is the same with the Son

o Man. He must be lifed up too. Ten everyone who believes in himcan have eternal lie.

Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so

that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternallie. God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge theworld guilty, but to save the world through him. People who believein Gods Son are not judged guilty. But people who do not believe

are already judged, because they have not believed in Gods only Son.Tey are judged by this act: Te light has come into the world. But

they did not want light. Tey wanted darkness, because they were doingevil things. Everyone who does evil hates the light. Tey will not cometo the light, because the light will show all the bad things they havedone. But anyone who ollows the true way comes to the light. Tenthe light will show that whatever they have done was done through God.

Jesus and John the Baptizer

Afer this, Jesus and his ollowers went into the area o Judea. Tere hestayed with his ollowers and baptized people. John was also baptizingpeople in Aenon, a place near Salim with plenty o water. People weregoing there to be baptized. Tis was beore John was put in prison.

Some o Johns ollowers had an argument with another Jew about

religious washing. Ten they came to John and said, eacher, remem-

ber the man who was with you on the other side o the Jordan River? Heis the one you were telling everyone about. He is also baptizing people,and many are going to him.

John answered, A person can receive only what God gives. You

yourselves heard me say, I am not the Messiah. I am only the one Godsent to prepare the way or him. Te bride always belongs to the bride-groom. Te riend who helps the bridegroom just waits and listens. Heis happy just to hear the bridegroom talk. Tats how I eel now. I am so

happy that he is here. He must become more and more important, andI must become less important.

The One Who Comes From Heaven

Te one who comes rom above is greater than all others. Te one


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who is rom the earth belongs to the earth. He talks about things thatare on the earth. But the one who comes rom heaven is greater than allothers. He tells what he has seen and heard, but people dont acceptwhat he says. Whoever accepts what he says has given proo that God

speaks the truth. God sent him, and he tells people what God says.God gives him the Spirit ully. Te Father loves the Son and has givenhim power over everything. Whoever believes in the Son has eternallie. But those who do not obey the Son will never have that lie. Teycannot get away rom Gods anger.







oDay 4:Start with a prayer like this: Thank you, God, for meeting with me

every day and helping me get to know you.

Jesus Talks to a Woman in Samaria

Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard the report that he wasmaking and baptizing more ollowers than John. (But really, Jesus

himsel did not baptize anyone; his ollowers baptized people or him.)

So he lef Judea and went back to Galilee. On the way to Galilee, hehad to go through the country o Samaria.

In Samaria Jesus came to the town called Sychar, which is near the

field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacobs well was there. Jesus wastired rom his long trip, so he sat down beside the well. It was aboutnoon. A Samaritan woman came to the well to get some water, and


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Jesus said to her, Please give me a drink. Tis happened while his ol-lowers were in town buying some ood.

Te woman answered, I am surprised that you ask me or a drink!

You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman! (Jews have nothing to do

with Samaritans.)

Jesus answered, You dont know what God can give you. And youdont know who I am, the one who asked you or a drink. I you knew,you would have asked me, and I would have given you living water.

Te woman said, Sir, where will you get that living water? Te well

is very deep, and you have nothing to get water with. Are you greaterthan our ancestor Jacob? He is the one who gave us this well. He drank

rom it himsel, and his sons and all his animals drank rom it too.Jesus answered, Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty

again. But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirstyagain. Te water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them.It will bring them eternal lie.

Te woman said to Jesus, Sir, give me this water. Ten I will never

be thirsty again and wont have to come back here to get more water.

Jesus told her, Go get your husband and come back.

Te woman answered, But I have no husband.Jesus said to her, You are right to say you have no husband. Tats

because, although you have had five husbands, the man you live withnow is not your husband. Tat much was the truth.

Te woman said, Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. Our

athers worshiped on this mountain. But you Jews say that Jerusalem isthe place where people must worship.

Jesus said, Believe me, woman! Te time is coming when you willnot have to be in Jerusalem or on this mountain to worship the Father.

You Samaritans worship something you dont understand. We Jewsunderstand what we worship, since salvation comes rom the Jews. Butthe time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father inspirit and truth. In act, that time is now here. And these are the kindo people the Father wants to be his worshipers. God is spirit. So thepeople who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Te woman said, I know that the Messiah is coming. (He is the

one called Christ.) When he comes, he will explain everything to us.

Ten Jesus said, He is talking to you nowI am the Messiah.

Just then Jesus ollowers came back rom town. Tey were


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surprised because they saw Jesus talking with a woman. But none othem asked, What do you want? or Why are you talking with her?

Ten the woman lef her water jar and went back to town. She told

the people there, A man told me everything I have ever done. Come

see him. Maybe he is the Messiah. So the people lef the town andwent to see Jesus.

While the woman was in town, Jesus ollowers were begging him,

eacher, eat something!

But Jesus answered, I have ood to eat that you know nothingabout.

So the ollowers asked themselves, Did someone already bring

him some ood?Jesus said, My ood is to do what the one who sent me wants me

to do. My ood is to finish the work that he gave me to do. When youplant, you always say, Four more months to wait beore we gather thegrain. But I tell you, open your eyes, and look at the fields. Tey areready or harvesting now. Even now, the people who harvest the cropare being paid. Tey are gathering crops or eternal lie. So now thepeople who plant can be happy together with those who harvest. It is

true when we say, One person plants, but another person harvests thecrop. I sent you to harvest a crop that you did not work or. Others didthe work, and you get the profit rom their work.

Many o the Samaritan people in that town believed in Jesus. Tey

believed because o what the woman had told them about him. She hadtold them, He told me everything I have ever done. Te Samaritanswent to Jesus. Tey begged him to stay with them. So he stayed there

two days.

Many more people became believers because o the thingshe said.

Te people said to the woman, First we believed in Jesus because

o what you told us. But now we believe because we heard him ourselves.We know now that he really is the one who will save the world.

Jesus Heals an Officials Son

wo days later Jesus lef and went to Galilee. (Jesus had said beore

that a prophet is not respected in his own country.) When he arrivedin Galilee, the people there welcomed him. Tey had been at the Pass-over estival in Jerusalem and had seen everything he did there.

Jesus went to visit Cana in Galilee again. Cana is where he had

changed the water into wine. One o the kings important officials lived


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in the city o Capernaum. Tis mans son was sick. Te man heardthat Jesus had come rom Judea and was now in Galilee. So he went toJesus and begged him to come to Capernaum and heal his son, who wasalmost dead. Jesus said to him, You people must see miraculous signs

and wonders beore you will believe in me.

Te kings official said, Sir, come beore my little son dies.

Jesus answered, Go. Your son will live.Te man believed what Jesus told him and went home. On the way

home, the mans servants came and met him. Tey said, Your son iswell.

Te man asked, What time did my son begin to get well?

Tey answered, It was about one oclock yesterday when the everlef him.

Te ather knew that one oclock was the same time that Jesus had

said, Your son will live. So the man and everyone in his house believedin Jesus.

Tat was the second miraculous sign that Jesus did afer coming

rom Judea to Galilee.








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Day 5

oDay 5:Try praying rst: God, I dont always understand the things I readabout you, but thank you for spending time with me. Speak to meagain today.

Jesus Heals a Man at a Pool

Later, Jesus went to Jerusalem or a special Jewish estival. InJerusalem there is a pool with five covered porches. In Aramaic it is

called Bethzatha. Tis pool is near the Sheep Gate. Many sick peoplewere lying on the porches beside the pool. Some o them were blind,some were crippled, and some were paralyzed. * One o the men lying

there had been sick or years.

Jesus saw him lying there and knewthat he had been sick or a very long time. So he asked him, Do youwant to be well?

Te sick man answered, Sir, there is no one to help me get into the

water when it starts moving. I try to be the first one into the water. Butwhen I try, someone else always goes in beore I can.

Ten Jesus said, Stand up! Pick up your mat and walk. Immedi-

ately the man was well. He picked up his mat and started walking.

Te day all this happened was a Sabbath day. So some Jews said tothe man who had been healed, oday is the Sabbath. It is against ourlaw or you to carry your mat on the Sabbath day.

But he answered, Te man who made me well told me, Pick up

your mat and walk.

Tey asked him, Who is the man who told you to pick up yourmat and walk?

But the man who had been healed did not know who it was. Terewere many people there, and Jesus had lef.

Later, Jesus ound the man at the emple and said to him, See,

you are well now. But stop sinning or something worse may happen toyou!

Ten the man lef and went back to the Jews who questioned him.

He told them that Jesus was the one who made him well.

Jesus was doing all this on the Sabbath day. So these Jews began

trying to make him stop. But he said to them, My Father never stopsworking, and so I work too.

* :A few later copies add verse : Sometimes an angel of the Lord came down to

the pool and shook the water. After this, the first person to go into the pool was healed

from any sickness he had.


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Day 5

Tis made them even more determined to kill him. Tey thought

it was bad enough that he was breaking the law about the Sabbath day.And now he was saying that God is his Father, making himsel equalwith God!

Jesus Has Gods Authority

But Jesus answered, I assure you that the Son can do nothing alone.He does only what he sees his Father doing. Te Son does the samethings that the Father does. Te Father loves the Son and shows himeverything he does. Tis man was healed. But the Father will show theSon greater things than this to do. Ten you will all be amazed. Te

Father raises the dead and gives them lie. In the same way, the Songives lie to those he wants to.

Also, the Father judges no one. He has given the Son power to do

all the judging. God did this so that all people will respect the Son thesame as they respect the Father. Anyone who does not respect the Sondoes not respect the Father. He is the one who sent the Son.

I assure you, anyone who hears what I say and believes in the one

who sent me has eternal lie. Tey will not be judged guilty. Tey have

already lef death and have entered into lie. Believe me, an importanttime is coming. Tat time is already here. People who are dead will hearthe voice o the Son o God. And those who listen will live. Lie comesrom the Father himsel. So the Father has also allowed the Son togive lie. And the Father has given him the power to judge all peoplebecause he is the Son o Man.

Dont be surprised at this. A time is coming when all people who

are dead and in their graves will hear his voice.

Ten they will comeout o their graves. Tose who did good in this lie will rise and haveeternal lie. But those who did evil will rise to be judged guilty.

I can do nothing alone. I judge only the way I am told. And my

judgment is right, because I am not trying to please mysel. I want onlyto please the one who sent me.

Jesus Says More to the Jewish Leaders

I I tell people about mysel, they cannot be sure that what I say istrue. But there is someone else who tells people about me, and I knowthat what he says about me is true.

You sent men to John, and he told you what is true. I dont need

anyone to tell people about me, but I remind you o what John said so


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that you can be saved. John was like a lamp that burned and gave light,and you were happy to enjoy his light or a while.

But I have a proo about mysel that is greater than anything John

said. Te things I do are my proo. Tese are what my Father gave me

to do. Tey show that the Father sent me. And the Father who sent mehas given proo about me himsel. But you have never heard his voice.You have never seen what he looks like. Te Fathers teaching does notlive in you, because you dont believe in the one the Father sent. Youcareully study the Scriptures. You think that they give you eternal lie.Tese same Scriptures tell about me! But you reuse to come to me tohave that lie.

I dont want praise rom you or any other human.

But I knowyouI know that you have no love or God. I have come rom myFather and speak or him, but you dont accept me. But when otherpeople come speaking only or themselves, you accept them. You liketo have praise rom each other. But you never try to get the praise thatcomes rom the only God. So how can you believe? Dont think that Iwill be the one to stand beore the Father and accuse you. Moses is theone to accuse you. And he is the one you hoped would save you. I you

really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote aboutme. But you dont believe what he wrote, so you cant believe what Isay.



underlined it. If you are studying this book with someone else, take turnssharing what youve written down.




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Day 6

oDay 6:Try praying this prayer out loud: God, I want to get to know you.Remind me to talk to you about whatevers on my mind. And remindme to listen to you by reading the Bible every day.

Jesus Feeds More Than ,

Later, Jesus went across Lake Galilee (also known as Lake ibe-rias). A great crowd o people ollowed him because they saw the

miraculous signs he did in healing the sick. Jesus went up on the side othe hill and sat there with his ollowers. It was almost the time or theJewish Passover estival.

Jesus looked up and saw a crowd o people coming toward him. Hesaid to Philip, Where can we buy enough bread or all these peopleto eat? He asked Philip this question to test him. Jesus already knewwhat he planned to do.

Philip answered, We would all have to work a month to buy

enough bread or each person here to have only a little piece!

Another ollower there was Andrew, the brother o Simon Peter.Andrew said, Here is a boy with five loaves o barley bread and two

little fish. But that is not enough or so many people.

Jesus said, ell everyone to sit down. Tis was a place with a loto grass, and about , men sat down there. Jesus took the loaveso bread and gave thanks or them. Ten he gave them to the peoplewho were waiting to eat. He did the same with the fish. He gave them asmuch as they wanted.

Tey all had plenty to eat. When they finished, Jesus said to his

ollowers, Gather the pieces o fish and bread that were not eaten. Dontwaste anything. So they gathered up the pieces that were lef. Tepeople had started eating with only five loaves o barley bread. But theollowers filled twelve large baskets with the pieces o ood that were lef.

Te people saw this miraculous sign that Jesus did and said, He

must be the Prophet who is coming into the world.

Jesus knew that the people planned to come get him and make himtheir king. So he lef and went into the hills alone.

Jesus Walks on Water

Tat evening Jesus ollowers went down to the lake. It was dark now,and Jesus had not yet come back to them. Tey got into a boat andstarted going across the lake to Capernaum. Te wind was blowing very


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hard. Te waves on the lake were becoming bigger. Tey rowed the boatabout three or our miles. Ten they saw Jesus. He was walking on thewater, coming to the boat. Tey were araid. But he said to them, Dontbe araid. Its me. When he said this, they were glad to take him into the

boat. And then the boat reached the shore at the place they wanted to go.

The People Look for Jesus

Te next day came. Some people had stayed on the other side o thelake. Tey knew that Jesus did not go with his ollowers in the boat.Tey knew that the ollowers had lef in the boat alone. And they knewit was the only boat that was there. But then some boats rom iberias

came and landed near the place where the people had eaten the daybeore. Tis was where they had eaten the bread afer the Lord gavethanks. Te people saw that Jesus and his ollowers were not there now.So they got into the boats and went to Capernaum to find Jesus.

Jesus, the Bread of Life

Te people ound Jesus on the other side o the lake. Tey asked him,eacher, when did you come here?

He answered, Why are you looking or me? Is it because you saw

miraculous signs? Te truth is, you are looking or me because you atethe bread and were satisfied. But earthly ood spoils and ruins. Sodont work to get that kind o ood. But work to get the ood that staysgood and gives you eternal lie. Te Son o Man will give you that ood.He is the only one qualified by God the Father to give it to you.

Te people asked Jesus, What does God want us to do?

Jesus answered, Te work God wants you to do is this: to believein the one he sent.

So the people asked, What miraculous sign will you do or us? I

we can see you do a miracle, then we will believe you. What will you do?

Our ancestors were given manna to eat in the desert. As the Scripturessay, He gave them bread rom heaven to eat.

Jesus said, I can assure you that Moses was not the one who gave

your people bread rom heaven. But my Father gives you the true bread

rom heaven. Gods bread is the one who comes down rom heavenand gives lie to the world.

Te people said, Sir, rom now on give us bread like that.

Ten Jesus said, I am the bread that gives lie. No one who comes

to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be


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thirsty. I told you beore that you have seen me, and still you dontbelieve. Te Father gives me my people. Every one o them will cometo me. I will always accept them. I came down rom heaven to do whatGod wants, not what I want. I must not lose anyone God has given

me. But I must raise them up on the last day. Tis is what the one whosent me wants me to do. Everyone who sees the Son and believes inhim has eternal lie. I will raise them up on the last day. Tis is what myFather wants.

Some Jews began to complain about Jesus because he said, I am

the bread that comes down rom heaven. Tey said, Tis is Jesus. Weknow his ather and mother. He is only Josephs son. How can he say, I

came down rom heaven?But Jesus said, Stop complaining to each other. Te Father is the

one who sent me, and he is the one who brings people to me. I will raisethem up on the last day. Anyone the Father does not bring to me cannotcome to me. It is written in the prophets: God will teach them all.People listen to the Father and learn rom him. Tey are the ones whocome to me. I dont mean that there is anyone who has seen the Father.Te only one who has ever seen the Father is the one who came rom

God. He has seen the Father.

I can assure you that anyone who believes has eternal lie. I amthe bread that gives lie. Your ancestors ate the manna God gave themin the desert, but it didnt keep them rom dying. Here is the breadthat comes down rom heaven. Whoever eats this bread will never die.

I am the living bread that came down rom heaven. Whoever eats thisbread will live orever. Tis bread is my body. I will give my body so that

the people in the world can have lie.Ten the Jews began to argue among themselves. Tey said, How

can this man give us his body to eat?

Jesus said, Believe me when I say that you must eat the body othe Son o Man, and you must drink his blood. I you dont do this, youhave no real lie. Tose who eat my body and drink my blood haveeternal lie. I will raise them up on the last day. My body is true ood,and my blood is true drink. Tose who eat my body and drink my

blood live in me, and I live in them.

Te Father sent me. He lives, and I live because o him. So every-one who eats me will live because o me. I am not like the bread thatyour ancestors ate. Tey ate that bread, but they still died. I am the breadthat came down rom heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live orever.


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Jesus said all this while he was teaching in the synagogue in the

city o Capernaum.

Many Followers Leave Jesus

When Jesus ollowers heard this, many o them said, Tis teaching ishard. Who can accept it?

Jesus already knew that his ollowers were complaining about this.

So he said, Is this teaching a problem or you? Ten what will youthink when you see the Son o Man going up to where he came rom?

It is the Spirit that gives lie. Te body is o no value or that. But thethings I have told you are rom the Spirit, so they give lie. But some o

you dont believe. (Jesus knew the people who did not believe. He knewthis rom the beginning. And he knew the one who would hand himover to his enemies.) Jesus said, Tat is why I said, Anyone the Fatherdoes not help to come to me cannot come.

Afer Jesus said these things, many o his ollowers lef and stopped

ollowing him.

Jesus asked the twelve apostles, Do you want to leave too?

Simon Peter answered him, Lord, where would we go? You have

the words that give eternal lie. We believe in you. We know that youare the Holy One rom God.

Ten Jesus answered, I chose all twelve o you. But one o you is

a devil. He was talking about Judas, the son o Simon Iscariot. Judaswas one o the twelve apostles, but later he would hand Jesus over to hisenemies.








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Day 7

oDay 7:Greet God and ask Him to speak clearly to you as you read todayschapter of the Bible.

Jesus and His Brothers

Afer this, Jesus traveled around the country o Galilee. He did notwant to travel in Judea, because the Jewish leaders there wanted to

kill him. It was time or the Jewish Festival o Shelters. So his brotherssaid to him, You should leave here and go to the estival in Judea. Tenyour ollowers there can see the miracles you do. I you want to be wellknown, you must not hide what you do. So, i you can do such amazing

things, let the whole world see you do them.

Jesus brothers said thisbecause even they did not believe in him.

Jesus said to them, Te right time or me has not yet come, but any

time is right or you to go. Te world cannot hate you. But the worldhates me, because I tell the people in the world that they do evil things.

So you go to the estival. I will not go now, because the right time orme has not yet come. Afer Jesus said this, he stayed in Galilee.

So his brothers lef to go to the estival. Afer they lef, Jesus went

too, but he did not let people see him. At the estival the Jewish leaderswere looking or him. Tey said, Where is that man?

Tere was a large group o people there. Many o them were talk-

ing secretly to each other about Jesus. Some people said, He is a goodman. But others said, No, he ools the people. But no one was braveenough to talk about him openly. Tey were araid o the Jewish leaders.

Jesus Teaches in JerusalemWhen the estival was about hal finished, Jesus went to the emple

area and began to teach. Te Jewish leaders were amazed and said,How did this man learn so much? He never had the kind o teaching wehad!

Jesus answered, What I teach is not my own. My teaching comes

rom the one who sent me. People who really want to do what Godwants will know that my teaching comes rom God. Tey will know that

this teaching is not my own. I I taught my own ideas, I would just betrying to get honor or mysel. But i I am trying to bring honor to theone who sent me, I can be trusted. Anyone doing that is not going to lie.

Moses gave you the law, right? But you dont obey that law. I you do,then why are you trying to kill me?


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Day 7

Te people answered, A demon is making you crazy! We are not

trying to kill you.

Jesus said to them, I did one miracle on a Sabbath day, andyou were all surprised. But you obey the law Moses gave you about

circumcisionand sometimes you do it on a Sabbath day. (Really,Moses is not the one who gave you circumcision. It came rom ourancestors who lived beore Moses.) Yes, you ofen circumcise baby boyson a Sabbath day. Tis shows that someone can be circumcised on aSabbath day to obey the Law o Moses. So why are you angry with meor healing a persons whole body on the Sabbath day? Stop judging bythe way things look. Be air and judge by what is really right.

People Wonder if Jesus Is the Messiah

Ten some o the people who lived in Jerusalem said, Tis is the manthey are trying to kill. But he is teaching where everyone can see andhear him. And no one is trying to stop him rom teaching. Maybe theleaders have decided that he really is the Messiah. But when the realMessiah comes, no one will know where he comes rom. And we knowwhere this mans home is.

Jesus was still teaching in the emple area when he said loudly,

Do you really know me and where I am rom? I am here, but not bymy own decision. I was sent by one who is very real. But you dontknow him. I know him because I am rom him. He is the one whosent me.

When Jesus said this, the people tried to grab him. But no one was

able even to touch him, because the right time or him had not yet come.

But many o the people believed in Jesus. Tey said, We are waitingor the Messiah to come. When he comes, will he do more miraculoussigns than this man has done?

The Jewish Leaders Try to Arrest Jesus

Te Pharisees heard what the people were saying about Jesus. So theleading priests and the Pharisees sent some emple police to arrest him.

Ten Jesus said, I will be with you a little while longer. Ten I will go

back to the one who sent me. You will look or me, but you will notfind me. And you cannot come where I am.

Tese Jews said to each other, Where will this man go that we

cannot find him? Will he go to the Greek cities where our people live?Will he teach the Greek people there? He says, You will look or me,


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but you will not find me. He also says, You cannot come where I am.What does this mean?

Jesus Talks About the Holy Spirit

Te last day o the estival came. It was the most important day. Onthat day Jesus stood up and said loudly, Whoever is thirsty may cometo me and drink. I anyone believes in me, rivers o living water willflow out rom their heart. Tat is what the Scriptures say. Jesus wastalking about the Spirit. Te Spirit had not yet been given to people,because Jesus had not yet been raised to glory. But later, those whobelieved in Jesus would receive the Spirit.

The People Argue About Jesus

When the people heard the things that Jesus said, some o them said,Tis man really is the Prophet.

Other people said, He is the Messiah.

And others said, Te Messiah will not come rom Galilee. TeScriptures say that the Messiah will come rom the amily o David. Andthey say that he will come rom Bethlehem, the town where David lived.

So the people did not agree with each other about Jesus. Some o thepeople wanted to arrest him. But no one tried to do it.

The Jewish Leaders Refuse to Believe

Te emple police went back to the leading priests and the Pharisees.Te priests and the Pharisees asked, Why didnt you bring Jesus?

Te emple police answered, We have never heard anyone say

such amazing things!Te Pharisees answered, So he has ooled you too! You dont see

any o the leaders or any o us Pharisees believing in him, do you? Butthose people out there know nothing about the law. Tey are underGods curse!

But Nicodemus was there in that group. He was the one who had

gone to see Jesus beore. He said, Our law will not let us judge anyonewithout first hearing them and finding out what they have done.

Te Jewish leaders answered, You must be rom Galilee too! Study

the Scriptures. You will find nothing about a prophet coming rom Galilee.[The oldest and best Greek copies do not have verses ::.

Other copies have this section in different places.]

Ten they all lef and went home.


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Day 8







oDay 8:Let God know you are glad to be spending time with Him today.

A Woman Caught in Adultery

Jesus went to the Mount o Olives. Early in the morning he went

back to the emple area. Te people all came to him, and he sat andtaught them.

Te teachers o the law and the Pharisees brought a woman they

had caught in bed with a man who was not her husband. Tey orcedher to stand in ront o the people. Tey said to Jesus, eacher, thiswoman was caught in the act o adultery. Te Law o Moses commandsus to stone to death any such woman. What do you say we should do?

Tey were saying this to trick Jesus. Tey wanted to catch him say-ing something wrong so that they could have a charge against him. ButJesus stooped down and started writing on the ground with his finger.

Te Jewish leaders continued to ask him their question. So he stoodup and said, Anyone here who has never sinned should throw the firststone at her. Ten Jesus stooped down again and wrote on the ground.

When they heard this, they began to leave one by one. Te older

men lef first, and then the others. Jesus was lef alone with the woman

standing there in ront o him. He looked up again and said to her,Where did they all go? Did no one judge you guilty?

She answered, No one, sir.

Ten Jesus said, I dont judge you either. You can go now, but dontsin again.


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Day 8

Jesus Is the Light of the World

Later, Jesus talked to the people again. He said, I am the light o theworld. Whoever ollows me will never live in darkness. Tey will havethe light that gives lie.

But the Pharisees said to Jesus, When you talk about yoursel, you

are the only one to say that these things are true. So we cannot acceptwhat you say.

Jesus answered, Yes, I am saying these things about mysel. But

people can believe what I say, because I know where I came rom. AndI know where I am going. But you dont know where I came rom orwhere I am going. You judge me the way people judge other people. I

dont judge anyone.

But i I judge, my judging is true, because when Ijudge I am not alone. Te Father who sent me is with me. Your ownlaw says that when two witnesses say the same thing, you must acceptwhat they say. I am one o the witnesses who speaks about mysel. Andthe Father who sent me is my other witness.

Te people asked, Where is your ather?

Jesus answered, You dont know me or my Father. But i you knewme, you would know my Father too. Jesus said these things while he

was teaching in the emple area, near the room where the emple offer-ings were kept. But no one arrested him, because the right time or himhad not yet come.

Some Jews Dont Understand Jesus

Again, Jesus said to the people, I will leave you. You will look or me,but you will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.

So the Jewish leaders asked themselves, Will he kill himsel? Isthat why he said, You cannot come where I am going?

But Jesus said to them, You people are rom here below, but I am

rom above. You belong to this world, but I dont belong to this world.

I told you that you would die in your sins. Yes, i you dont believe thatI A, you will die in your sins.

Tey asked, Ten who are you?

Jesus answered, I am what I have told you rom the beginning. I

have much more I could say to judge you. But I tell people only what Ihave heard rom the one who sent me, and he speaks the truth.

Tey did not understand who he was talking about. He was telling

them about the Father. So he said to them, You will lif up the Son oMan. Ten you will know that I A. You will know that whatever I do is


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Day 8

not by my own authority. You will know that I say only what the Fatherhas taught me. Te one who sent me is with me. I always do whatpleases him. So he has not lef me alone. While he was saying thesethings, many people believed in him.

Jesus Talks About Freedom From Sin

So Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, I you continue toaccept and obey my teaching, you are really my ollowers. You willknow the truth, and the truth will make you ree.

Tey answered, We are Abrahams descendants. And we have

never been slaves. So why do you say that we will be ree?

Jesus said, Te truth is, everyone who sins is a slavea slave tosin. A slave does not stay with a amily orever. But a son belongs tothe amily orever. So i the Son makes you ree, you are really ree. Iknow you are Abrahams descendants. But you want to kill me, becauseyou dont want to accept my teaching. I am telling you what my Fatherhas shown me. But you do what your ather has told you.

Tey said, Our ather is Abraham.

Jesus said, I you were really Abrahams descendants, you would do

what Abraham did. I am someone who has told you the truth I heardrom God. But you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like that.

So you are doing what your own ather did.But they said, We are not like children who never knew who their

ather was. God is our Father. He is the only Father we have.

Jesus said to them, I God were really your Father, you would loveme. I came rom God, and now I am here. I did not come by my own

authority. God sent me.

You dont understand the things I say, becauseyou cannot accept my teaching. Your ather is the devil. You belong tohim. You want to do what he wants. He was a murderer rom the begin-ning. He was always against the truth. Tere is no truth in him. He islike the lies he tells. Yes, the devil is a liar. He is the ather o lies.

I am telling you the truth, and thats why you dont believe me.

Can any o you prove that I am guilty o sin? I I tell the truth, why

dont you believe me? Whoever belongs to God accepts what he says.

But you dont accept what God says, because you dont belong to God.

Jesus Talks About Himself and Abraham

Te Jews there answered, We say you are a Samaritan. We say ademon is making you crazy! Are we not right when we say this?


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Day 8

Jesus answered, I have no demon in me. I give honor to my Father,

but you give no honor to me. I am not trying to get honor or mysel.Tere is one who wants this honor or me. He is the judge. I promiseyou, whoever continues to obey my teaching will never die.

Te Jews said to Jesus, Now we know that you have a demon in

you! Even Abraham and the prophets died. But you say, Whoever obeysmy teaching will never die. Do you think you are greater than ourather Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you thinkyou are?

Jesus answered, I I give honor to mysel, that honor is worth

nothing. Te one who gives me honor is my Father. And you say that he

is your God.

But you dont really know him. I know him. I I said I didnot know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obeywhat he says. Your ather Abraham was very happy that he would seethe day when I came. He saw that day and was happy.

Te Jews said to Jesus, What? How can you say you have seen

Abraham? You are not even years old!

Jesus answered, Te act is, beore Abraham was born, I A.

When he said this, they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus

hid, and then he lef the emple area.

. Look.What is going on in this chapter? What stands out to you?

. Learn.What insights do you find in these stories?

. Live.How can you live differently today because of what youve read and

learned?


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Day 9

oDay 9:Thank God for meeting with you each day. If you have somethingspecic youd like His input on, let Him know. Then listen carefullyto what He says in this chapter.

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

While Jesus was walking, he saw a man who had been blind sincethe time he was born. Jesus ollowers asked him, eacher, why

was this man born blind? Whose sin made it happen? Was it his own sinor that o his parents?

Jesus answered, It was not any sin o this man or his parents that

caused him to be blind. He was born blind so that he could be usedto show what great things God can do. While it is daytime, we mustcontinue doing the work o the one who sent me. Te night is coming,and no one can work at night. While I am in the world, I am the lighto the world.

Afer Jesus said this, he spit on the dirt, made some mud and put

it on the mans eyes. Jesus told him, Go and wash in Siloam pool.(Siloam means Sent.) So the man went to the pool, washed and came

back. He was now able to see.

His neighbors and some others who had seen him begging said,Look! Is this the same man who always sits and begs?

Some people said, Yes! He is the one. But others said, No, he cant

be the same man. He only looks like him.So the man himsel said, I am that same man.

Tey asked, What happened? How did you get your sight?

He answered, Te man they call Jesus made some mud and put iton my eyes. Ten he told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went thereand washed. And then I could see.

Tey asked him, Where is this man?

He answered, I dont know.

Some Pharisees Have Questions

Ten the people brought the man to the Pharisees. Te day Jesus had

made mud and healed the mans eyes was a Sabbath day. So the Phari-sees asked the man, How did you get your sight?

He answered, He put mud on my eyes. I washed, and now I can see.

Some o the Pharisees said, Tat man does not obey the law aboutthe Sabbath day. So he is not rom God.


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Day 9

Others said, But someone who is a sinner cannot do these miracu-lous signs. So they could not agree with each other.

Tey asked the man again, Since it was your eyes he healed, what

do you say about him?

He answered, He is a prophet.

Te Jewish leaders still did not believe that this really happened tothe manthat he was blind and was now healed. But later they sent orhis parents. Tey asked them, Is this your son? You say he was bornblind. So how can he see?

His parents answered, We know that this man is our son. And

we know that he was born blind. But we dont know why he can see

now. We dont know who healed his eyes. Ask him. He is old enoughto answer or himsel. Tey said this because they were araid o theJewish leaders. Te leaders had already decided that they would punishanyone who said Jesus was the Messiah. Tey would stop them romcoming to the synagogue. Tat is why his parents said, He is oldenough. Ask him.

So the Jewish leaders called the man who had been blind. Tey

told him to come in again. Tey said, You should honor God by telling

the truth. We know that this man is a sinner.

Te man answered, I dont know i he is a sinner. But I do knowthis: I was blind, and now I can see.

Tey asked, What did he do to you? How did he heal your

eyes?

He answered, I have already told you that. But you would notlisten to me. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to be his

ollowers too?At this they shouted insults at him and said, You are his ollower,

not us! We are ollowers o Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses.But we dont even know where this man comes rom!

Te man answered, Tis is really strange! You dont know where

he comes rom, but he healed my eyes. We all know that God does notlisten to sinners, but he will listen to anyone who worships and obeyshim. Tis is the first time we have ever heard o anyone healing the

eyes o someone born blind. Tis man must be rom God. I he werenot rom God, he could not do anything like this.

Te Jewish leaders answered, You were born ull o sin! Are you

trying to teach us? And they told the man to get out o the synagogueand to stay out.


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Day 10

Spiritual Blindness

When Jesus heard that they had orced the man to leave, he ound himand asked him, Do you believe in the Son o Man?

Te man said, ell me who he is, sir, so I can believe in him.

Jesus said to him, You have already seen him. Te Son o Man is

the one talking with you now.

Te man answered, Yes, I believe, Lord! Ten he bowed andworshiped Jesus.

Jesus said, I came into this world so that the world could be

judged. I came so that people who are blind could see. And I came sothat people who think they see would become blind.

Some o the Pharisees were near Jesus. Tey heard him say this.Tey asked, What? Are you saying that we are blind too?

Jesus said, I you were really blind, you would not be guilty o sin.

But you say that you see, so you are still guilty.




learned?

oDay 10:Thank God for something He said to you yesterday. Ask Him to helpyou think of someone you could talk to about this today.

The Shepherd and His Sheep

Jesus said, It is certainly true that when a man enters the sheeppen, he should use the gate. I he climbs in some other way, he is

a robber. He is trying to steal the sheep. But the man who takes care othe sheep enters through the gate. He is the shepherd. Te man who


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Day 10

guards the gate opens the gate or the shepherd. And the sheep listento the voice o the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names,and he leads them out. He brings all o his sheep out. Ten he goesahead o them and leads them. Te sheep ollow him, because they

know his voice. But sheep will never ollow someone they dont know.Tey will run away rom him, because they dont know his voice.

Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it

meant.

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

So Jesus said again, I assure you, I am the gate or the sheep. All those

who came beore me were thieves and robbers. Te sheep did not listento them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. Teywill be able to come in and go out. Tey will find everything they need.

A thie comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give lieliethat is ull and good.

I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his lie or

the sheep. Te worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different romthe shepherd. Te paid worker does not own the sheep. So when he sees

a wol coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Ten the wolattacks the sheep and scatters them. Te man runs away because he isonly a paid worker. He does not really care or the sheep.

I am the shepherd who cares or the sheep. I know my sheep

just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know theFather. I give my lie or these sheep. I have other sheep too. Tey arenot in this flock here. I must lead them also. Tey will listen to my voice.

In the uture there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Te Fatherloves me because I give my lie. I give my lie so that I can get it backagain. No one takes my lie away rom me. I give my own lie reely. Ihave the right to give my lie, and I have the right to get it back again.Tis is what the Father told me.

Again the Jews were divided over what Jesus was saying. Many

o them said, A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Whylisten to him?

But others said, Tese arent the words o someone controlled by a

demon. A demon cannot heal the eyes o a blind man.

The Jewish Leaders Against Jesus

It was winter, and the time came or the Festival o Dedication at


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Day 10

Jerusalem. Jesus was in the emple area at Solomons Porch. Te Jew-ish leaders gathered around him. Tey said, How long will you makeus wonder about you? I you are the Messiah, then tell us clearly.

Jesus answered, I told you already, but you did not believe. I do

miracles in my Fathers name. Tese miracles show who I am. But youdo not believe, because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my

voice. I know them, and they ollow me. I give my sheep eternal lie.Tey will never die, and no one can take them out o my hand. MyFather is the one who gave them to me, and he is greater than all. Noone can steal my sheep out o his hand. Te Father and I are one.

Again the Jews there picked up stones to kill Jesus. But he said to

them, Te many wonderul things you have seen me do are rom theFather. Which o these good things are you killing me or?

Tey answered, We are not killing you or any good thing you did.

But you say things that insult God. You are only a man, but you say youare the same as God! Tat is why we are trying to kill you!

Jesus answered, It is written in your law that God said, I said

you are gods. Tis Scripture called those people godsthe peoplewho received Gods message. And Scripture is always true. So why do

you accuse me o insulting God or saying, I am Gods Son? I am theone God chose and sent into the world. I I dont do what my Fatherdoes, then dont believe what I say. But i I do what my Father does,you should believe in what I do. You might not believe in me, but youshould believe in the things I do. Ten you will know and understandthat the Father is in me and I am in the Father.

Tey tried to get Jesus again, but he escaped rom them.

Ten he went back across the Jordan River to the place whereJohn began his work o baptizing people. Jesus stayed there, and manypeople came to him. Tey said, John never did any miraculous signs,but everything John said about this man is true. And many peoplethere believed in Jesus.




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Day 11


learned?

oDay 11:Greet God and let Him know you are ready to listen.

The Death of Lazarus

Tere was a man named Lazarus who was sick. He lived in the

town o Bethany, where Mary and her sister Martha lived.

(Maryis the same woman who put perume on the Lord and wiped his eetwith her hair.) Marys brother was Lazarus, the man who was now sick.

So Mary and Martha sent someone to tell Jesus, Lord, your dear riendLazarus is sick.

When Jesus heard this he said, Te end o this sickness will not be

death. No, this sickness is or the glory o God. Tis has happened tobring glory to the Son o God. Jesus loved Martha and her sister and

Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where hewas two more days and then said to his ollowers, We should go backto Judea.

Tey answered, But eacher, those Jews there tried to stone you

to death. Tat was only a short time ago. Now you want to go backthere?

Jesus answered, Tere are twelve hours o light in the day. Who-

ever walks in the day will not stumble and all because they can seewith the light rom the sun. But whoever walks at night will stumblebecause there is no light.

Ten Jesus said, Our riend Lazarus is now sleeping, but I am

going there to wake him.

Te ollowers answered, But, Lord, i he can sleep, he will get well.

Tey thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was literally sleeping, but hereally meant that Lazarus was dead.

So then Jesus said plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad I was

not there. I am happy or you because now you will believe in me. Wewill go to him now.

Ten Tomas, the one called win, said to the other ollowers,

We will go too. We will die there with Jesus.


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Day 11

Jesus in Bethany

Jesus arrived in Bethany and ound that Lazarus had already beendead and in the tomb or our days. Bethany was about two miles romJerusalem. Many Jews had come to see Martha and Mary. Tey came

to comort them about their brother Lazarus.

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to greethim. But Mary stayed home. Martha said to Jesus, Lord, i you hadbeen here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even nowGod will give you anything you ask.

Jesus said, Your brother will rise and be alive again.

Martha answered, I know that he will rise to live again at the time

o the resurrection on the last day.Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection. I am lie. Everyone who

believes in me will have lie, even i they die. And everyone who livesand believes in me will never really die. Martha, do you believe this?

Martha answered, Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah,

the Son o God. You are the one who was coming to the world.

Jesus Cries

Afer Martha said these things, she went back to her sister Mary. Shetalked to Mary alone and said, Te eacher is here. He is asking oryou. When Mary heard this, she stood up and went quickly to Jesus.

He had not yet come into the village. He was still at the place whereMartha met him. Te Jews who were in the house comorting Marysaw her get up and leave quickly. Tey thought she was going to thetomb to cry there. So they ollowed her. Mary went to the place where

Jesus was. When she saw him, she bowed at his eet and said, Lord, iyou had been here, my brother would not have died.

When Jesus saw Mary crying and the people with her crying too, he

was very upset and deeply troubled. He asked, Where did you put him?Tey said, Lord, come and see.

Jesus cried.

And the Jews said, Look! He loved Lazarus very much!

But some o them said, Jesus healed the eyes o the blind man.

Why didnt he help Lazarus and stop him rom dying?

Jesus Raises Lazarus From Death

Again eeling very upset, Jesus came to the tomb. It was a cave with alarge stone covering the entrance. He said, Move the stone away.


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Day 11

Martha said, But, Lord, it has been our days since Lazarus died.Tere will be a bad smell. Martha was the sister o the dead man.

Ten Jesus said to her, Remember what I told you? I said that i

you believed, you would see Gods divine greatness.

So they moved the stone away rom the entrance. Ten Jesuslooked up and said, Father, I thank you that you heard me. I knowthat you always hear me. But I said these things because o the peoplehere around me. I want them to believe that you sent me. Afer Jesussaid this he called in a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! Te dead mancame out. His hands and eet were wrapped with pieces o cloth. He hada handkerchie covering his ace.

Jesus said to the people, ake off the cloth and let him go.

The Jewish Leaders Plan to Kill Jesus

Tere were many Jews who came to visit Mary. When they saw whatJesus did, many o them believed in him. But some o them went tothe Pharisees and told them what Jesus did. Ten the leading priestsand Pharisees called a meeting o the high council. Tey said, Whatshould we do? Tis man is doing many miraculous signs. I we let him

continue doing these things, everyone will believe in him. Ten theRomans will come and take away our emple and our nation.

One o the men there was Caiaphas. He was the high priest that

year. He said, You people know nothing! It is better or one man todie or the people than or the whole nation to be destroyed. But youdont realize this.

Caiaphas did not think o this himsel. As that years high priest, he

was really prophesying that Jesus would die or the Jewish people.

Yes,he would die or the Jewish people. But he would also die or Godsother children scattered all over the world. He would die to bring themall together and make them one people.

Tat day the Jewish leaders began planning to kill Jesus. So Jesus

stopped traveling around openly among the Jews. He went away to atown called Ephraim in an area near the desert. He stayed there with hisollowers.

It was almost time or the Jewish Passover estival. Many people

rom the country went to Jerusalem beore the Passover. Tey went todo the special things to make themselves pure or the estival. Tepeople looked or Jesus. Tey stood in the emple area and asked eachother, Is he coming to the estival? What do you think? But the


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Day 12

leading priests and the Pharisees had given a special order about Jesus.Tey said that anyone who knew where he was must tell them so thatthey could arrest him.




learned?

oDay 12:Let God know you are glad to be spending time with Him today.Prepare yourself to really hear whatever He has to say.

Jesus in Bethany With His Friends

Six days beore the Passover estival, Jesus went to Bethany. Tatis where Lazarus lived, the man Jesus raised rom death. Tere

they had a dinner or Jesus. Martha served the ood, and Lazarus was

one o the people eating with Jesus.

Mary brought in a pint o expen-sive perume made o pure nard. She poured the perume on Jesus eet.Ten she wiped his eet with her hair. And the sweet smell rom theperume filled the whole house.

Judas Iscariot, one o Jesus ollowers, was therethe one who

would later hand Jesus over to his enemies. Judas said, Tat perumewas worth a ull years pay. It should have been sold, and the moneyshould have been given to the poor people. But Judas did not really

care about the poor. He said this because he was a thie. He was the onewho kept the moneybag or the group o ollowers. And he ofen stolemoney rom the bag.

Jesus answered, Dont stop her. It was right or her to save this

perume or todaythe day or me to be prepared or burial. You will


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Day 12

always have those who are poor with you. But you will not always haveme.

The Plot Against Lazarus

Many o the Jews heard that Jesus was in Bethany, so they went there tosee him. Tey also went there to see Lazarus, the one Jesus raised romdeath. So the leading priests made plans to kill Lazarus too. Becauseo him, many Jews were leaving them and believing in Jesus. Tat is whythey wanted to kill Lazarus too.

Jesus Enters Jerusalem Like a King

Te next day the people in Jerusalem heard that Jesus was comingthere. Tese were the crowds o people who had come to the Passoverestival. Tey took branches o palm trees and went out to meet Jesus.Tey shouted,

Praise Him!Welcome! God bless the one who comes in the name o the

Lord!

God bless the King o Israel!

Jesus ound a donkey and rode on it, as the Scriptures say,

Do not be araid, people o Zion!Look! Your king is coming.

He is riding on a young donkey.

Te ollowers o Jesus did not understand at that time what was

happening. But afer he was raised to glory, they understood that thiswas written about him. Ten they remembered that they had done thesethings or him.

Tere were many people with Jesus when he raised Lazarus rom

death and told him to come out o the tomb. Now they were telling oth-

ers about what Jesus did. Tats why so many people went out to meethimbecause they had heard about this miraculous sign he did. Sothe Pharisees said to each other, Look! Our plan is not working. Tepeople are all ollowing him!


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Day 12

Jesus Talks About Life and Death

Tere were some Greeks there too. Tese were some o the peoplewho went to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover estival. Tey wentto Philip, who was rom Bethsaida in Galilee. Tey said, Sir, we want

to meet Jesus. Philip went and told Andrew. Ten Andrew and Philipwent and told Jesus.

Jesus said to them, Te time has come or the Son o Man to

receive his glory. It is a act that a grain o wheat must all to theground and die beore it can grow and produce much more wheat. I itnever dies, it will never be more than a single seed. Whoever loves thelie they have now will lose it. But whoever is willing to give up their lie

in this world will keep it. Tey will have eternal lie.

Whoever servesme must ollow me. My servants must be with me everywhere I am. MyFather will give honor to anyone who serves me.

Jesus Talks About His Death

Now I am very troubled. What should I say? Should I say, Father saveme rom this time o suffering? No, I came to this time so that I couldsuffer. Father, do what will bring you glory!

Ten a voice came rom heaven, I have already brought glory tomysel. I will do it again.

Te people standing there heard the voice. Tey said it was

thunder.But others said, An angel spoke to him!

Jesus said, Tat voice was or you and not or me. Now is thetime or the world to be judged. Now the ruler o this world will be

thrown out.

I will be lifed up rom the earth. When that happens, Iwill draw all people to mysel. Jesus said this to show how he woulddie.

Te people said, But our law says that the Messiah will live orever.

So why do you say, Te Son o Man must be lifed up? Who is this Sono Man?

Ten Jesus said, Te light will be with you or only a short time

more. So walk while you have the light. Ten the darkness will not catch

you. People who walk in the darkness dont know where they are going.

So put your trust in the light while you still have it. Ten you will bechildren o light. When Jesus finished saying these things, he went awayto a place where the people could not find him.


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Day 12

Some Jews Refuse to Believe in Jesus

Te people saw all these miraculous signs Jesus did, but they still didnot believe in him. Tis was to give ull meaning to what Isaiah theprophet said:

Lord, who believed what we told them?Who has seen the Lords power?

Tis is why the people could not believe. Because Isaiah also said,

God made the people blind.

He closed their minds.He did this so that they would not see with their eyes

and understand with their minds.He did it so that they would not turn

and be healed.

Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus divine greatness. So he spoke

about him.

But many people believed in Jesus. Even many o the Jewishleaders believed in him, but they were araid o the Pharisees, so theydid not say openly that they believed. Tey were araid they would beordered to stay out o the synagogue. Tey loved praise rom peoplemore than praise rom God.

Jesus Teaching Will Judge People

Ten Jesus said loudly, Everyone who believes in me is really believ-ing in the one who sent me. Everyone who sees me is really seeingthe one who sent me. I came into this world as a light. I came so thateveryone who believes in me will not stay in darkness.

I did not come into the world to judge people. I came to save the

people in the world. So I am not the one who judges those who hear myteaching and do not obey. But there is a judge or all those who reuseto believe in me and do not accept what I say. Te message I have spo-

ken will judge them on the last day. Tat is because what I taught wasnot rom mysel. Te Father who sent me told me what to say and whatto teach. And I know that whatever he says to do will bring eternal lie.So the things I say are exactly what the Father told me to say.


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Day 13




learned?

oDay 13:Thank God for something He said to you yesterday. Ask Him to helpyou think of someone you could share this with today.

Jesus Washes His Followers Feet

It was almost time or the Jewish Passover estival. Jesus knewthat the time had come or him to leave this world and go back to

the Father. Jesus had always loved the people in the world who were his.Now was the time he showed them his love the most.

Jesus and his ollowers were at the evening meal. Te devil had

already persuaded Judas Iscariot to hand Jesus over to his enemies.(Judas was the son o Simon.) Te Father had given Jesus power over

everything. Jesus knew this. He also knew that he had come rom God.And he knew that he was going back to God. So while they were eat-ing, Jesus stood up and took off his robe. He got a towel and wrapped itaround his waist. Ten he poured water into a bowl and began to washthe ollowers eet. He dried their eet with the towel that was wrappedaround his waist.

He came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to him, Lord, you should

not wash my eet.

Jesus answered, You dont know what I am doing now. But lateryou will understand.

Peter said, No! You will never wash my eet.

Jesus answered, I I dont wash your eet, you are not one o mypeople.


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Day 13

Simon Peter said, Lord, afer you wash my eet, wash my hands

and my head too!

Jesus said, Afer a person has a bath, his whole body is clean.He needs only to wash his eet. And you are clean, but not all o you.

Jesus knew who would hand him over to his enemies. Tat is why hesaid, Not all o you are clean.

When Jesus finished washing their eet, he put on his clothes and

went back to the table. He asked, Do you understand what I did oryou? You call me eacher. And you call me Lord. And this is right,because that is what I am. I am your Lord and eacher. But I washedyour eet. So you also should wash each others eet. I did this as an

example or you. So you should serve each other just as I served you.Believe me, servants are not greater than their master. Tose who are

sent to do something are not greater than the one who sent them. Iyou know these things, great blessings will be yours i you do them.

I am not talking about all o you. I know the people I have cho-

sen. But what the Scriptures say must happen: Te man who sharedmy ood has turned against me. I am telling you this now beore ithappens. Ten when it happens, you will believe that I A. I assure

you, whoever accepts the person I send also accepts me. And whoeveraccepts me also accepts the one who sent me.

Jesus Tells Who Will Turn Against Him

Afer Jesus said these things, he elt very troubled. He said openly,Believe me when I say that one o you will hand me over to my enemies.

His ollowers all looked at each other. Tey did not understand

who Jesus was talking about.

One o the ollowers was next to Jesusand was leaning close to him. Tis was the one Jesus loved very much.

Simon Peter made signs to this ollower to ask Jesus who he was talk-ing about.

Tat ollower leaned closer to Jesus and asked, Lord, who is it?

Jesus answered him, I will dip this bread into the dish. Te man I

give it to is the one. So Jesus took a piece o bread, dipped it, and gave itto Judas Iscariot, the son o Simon. When Judas took the bread, Satan

entered him. Jesus said to Judas, What you will dodo it quickly!

No one at the table understood why Jesus said this to Judas. SinceJudas was the one in charge o the money, some o them thought thatJesus meant or him to go and buy some things they needed or the east.Or they thought that Jesus wanted him to go give something to the poor.


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Day 13

Judas ate the bread Jesus gave him. Ten he immediately went out.

It was night.

Jesus Talks About His Death

When Judas was gone, Jesus said, Now is the time or the Son o Manto receive his glory. And God will receive glory through him. I Godreceives glory through him, he will give glory to the Son through him-sel. And that will happen very soon.

Jesus said, My children, I will be with you only a short time more.

You will look or me, but I tell you now what I told the Jewish leaders:Where I am going you cannot come.

I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love eachother just as I loved you. All people will know that you are my ollow-ers i you love each other.

Jesus Says Peter Will Deny Him

Simon Peter asked Jesus, Lord, where are you going?Jesus answered, Where I am going you cannot ollow now. But you

will ollow later.

Peter asked, Lord, why cant I ollow you now? I am ready to dieor you!

Jesus answered, Will yo

21 Days With Jesus - A Journey Through John's Gospel

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