FEB 25 / Sunday – Read John 5:1-18 / John 6:1-15
Overview: Jesus is willing to break the rules to show us his love. How far are we willing to go to love others?
26 / Mon – Looking back | Read John 3:16 / 1 John 4:9
The two stories from last week showed Jesus cared about small details that only affected one family at the wedding in Cana and how God’s love is all-inclusive, extending to the whole world. How have you experienced His love in your life? What are some of the small things He has done for you? Has He done something so big you could hardly believe it? Maybe your stories will encourage someone else who is not sure God cares about them.
27 / Tue – Are you stuck? | Read John 5:1-9a
It was believed by some that the normally calm waters of Bethesda’s pool had healing properties whenever the waters stirred, as it was supposed, by an angel. Jesus met a disabled man there and asked if he wanted to get well. Instead of saying yes or no, the man said his infirmity kept him from reaching the water in time. So he sat for 38 years without hope. Jesus said, “Pick up your mat and walk.” When he did, the man was healed. Do you struggle with an issue that makes you feel stuck and hopeless? Have you tried doing what Jesus tells you to do? He is your hope.
28 / Wed – Preconceived ideas | Read John 5:9b-18
The healed man, walking and carrying his mat, was surely known to the locals, who must have been amazed. Were the Pharisees awed by this miracle? No, because it occurred on the Sabbath when this kind of ‘work’ was forbidden. When Jesus encountered him later in the temple, he told the man to stop sinning. Jesus’ loving concern was for his repentance and salvation, not just his physical need. Why did the Pharisees focus on the law, instead of the miracle? Do you ever miss miracles in your life because you get too caught up in your own perspective of how things ‘should’ be?
29 / Thu – He always has a plan | Read John 6:1-13
This is a familiar story. It is often retold to illustrate how God used a little boy’s willingness to share. That is an important lesson but did you also notice that Jesus already knew what he was going to do? When you face an impossible situation, you can be sure God already has a plan and it will have the best possible outcome because of His great love for you. Will you trust His good heart and wait to see what He will do? It will be amazing in the end.
01 / Fri – Why do you ask for the things you do? | Read John 6:14-15
Miracles are wonderful and can help us recognize God’s great love for us. Where was the people’s focus after this miracle? What was their motive for following Jesus (see 6:2)? Why did they want to make him the king? God’s plan was much bigger than what the people wanted, but that’s what love does. God will not settle for anything less than the best for you, even when you clamor for some lesser thing. Will you trust His love even when He says ‘no’?
02 / Sat – What are your takeaways? | Read 1 John 4:10-11
In this week’s first story, Jesus showed his love for someone with a seemingly incurable physical condition by healing his malady and addressing his spiritual needs. In the second incident, Jesus demonstrated his care for our basic need for food by miraculously providing more than enough from one tiny lunch offered to him. What an illustration of God providing ‘our daily bread’ as we ask in the Lord’s Prayer! What are your biggest takeaways from these two examples of Jesus’ love?
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