Daily Reading Week 28
Sunday
John 3 (Scripture Focus John 3:16-17)
Discover:
These days, many evangelicals feel uneasy about sharing the gospel in a way that might offend someone. There's a common belief that if we upset someone while talking about our faith, we must have done something wrong. But the truth is, the gospel isn’t always easy to hear—and it was never meant to be universally comfortable.
Take Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, for example. Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee, came to Jesus with what seemed like a compliment: “We know you’re a teacher who has come from God.” You might expect Jesus to respond with encouragement or praise. But instead, Jesus got straight to the heart of the matter.
He told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” He pointed out that Nicodemus didn’t understand, didn’t accept the message, and didn’t believe. It was a tough conversation, and Jesus didn’t soften the message. He even said, “Whoever does not believe is condemned already.” That’s a strong statement—but it was necessary for Nicodemus to truly grasp the seriousness of his spiritual condition.
Jesus ended that conversation with a sobering truth: people often reject the light because they prefer the darkness. It’s a reminder that while the gospel is incredibly good news, it’s only good news for those who receive it. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:15, the message of Christ is a sweet fragrance to those being saved—but to others, it’s a reminder of judgment.
If John 3 were the only place we read about Nicodemus, we might think he walked away unchanged. But thankfully, that’s not the end of his story. Later, in John 19:39, we see Nicodemus helping to prepare Jesus’ body for burial—an act of courage and devotion that showed he had truly changed. Somewhere along the way, he came to believe.
Jesus understood something we sometimes forget: truth isn’t about winning popularity contests. It’s about shining light into darkness. That takes honesty, clarity, and sometimes a boldness that might feel uncomfortable. But in the end, it’s that very truth that leads people from death to life.
Respond:
1. How does understanding God's love for you personally impact your view of salvation?
2. In what ways do you find yourself trying to earn God's favor rather than accepting His
grace?
3. What does being "born again" mean to you, and how have you experienced this in your
life?
Monday
Numbers 21 (Scripture Focus Numbers 21:8-9)
Discover:
The wilderness was a place of testing for Israel—a crucible where their hearts were laid bare. In Numbers 21, we find the people once again grumbling against God and Moses. Their complaint was not merely about food or water; it was a rejection of God's provision and presence. In response, God sent fiery serpents among them, and many died. But in the midst of judgment, God provided a means of healing: a bronze serpent lifted high on a pole. Whoever looked at it in faith was healed.
This story is not just a historical account—it is a profound picture of the gospel. Jesus Himself referenced this moment in John 3:14–15: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”
1. Faith: Looking Beyond the Serpent
The bronze serpent had no power in itself. It was not a magical object. The healing came through faith—faith that God would keep His word. The people were not told to fight the snakes, to craft antidotes, or to earn their healing. They were told to look. That’s the essence of faith: trusting in God’s provision, not our own efforts.
Faith is not a vague optimism or a leap into the dark. It is a confident gaze upon the One who was lifted up for us. Just as the Israelites looked to the serpent and lived, we look to Christ crucified and find life.
2. The Snakes in Our Lives
We all carry the venom of sin in our veins. The “snakes” in our lives may take many forms—pride, bitterness, addiction, fear, or unbelief. These are not minor irritants; they are deadly. And like the Israelites, we often don’t realize the seriousness of our condition until the consequences begin to bite.
What are the serpents in your life today? What sins have you tolerated, thinking them harmless? The first step toward healing is to acknowledge the bite—to confess that we are wounded and in need of grace.
3. Looking to Jesus Daily
Looking to Jesus is not a one-time act. It is the daily posture of the Christian life. We look to Him in prayer, in Scripture, in worship, and in obedience. We look to Him when we are tempted, when we are weary, and when we rejoice. We look to Him not only for forgiveness but for strength, wisdom, and hope.
To look to Jesus is to turn our eyes away from ourselves—our failures, our achievements, our anxieties—and fix them on the One who bore our sin and conquered death. It is to say, “I cannot save myself, but I trust in the One who can.”
Respond:
1. How does this story of the bronze serpent help you understand the concept of faith?
2. What are some "snakes" in your life that you need healing from?
3. How can you actively "look" to Jesus in your daily life for guidance and healing?
Tuesday
Romans 3: (Scripture Focus Romans 3:23-24)
Discover:
We’re diving into one of the most important passages in Scripture when it comes to understanding the doctrine of justification. What we see here is that, even though none of us can keep God’s law perfectly, God has revealed a righteousness that comes through the gospel—a righteousness available to everyone who believes, whether Jew or Gentile.
Now, when Paul says this righteousness is “apart from the law,” he doesn’t mean it’s in conflict with God’s law. In fact, the Law and the Prophets—the entire Old Testament—actually point to this very righteousness (Romans 3:21). What Paul is saying is that we don’t receive this righteousness by obeying the law, because as fallen people, we simply can’t. This righteousness isn’t something we earn by our performance. That’s why the old covenant couldn’t provide it, even for someone like David (Romans 4:4–8). Instead, this righteousness comes “through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:22). The only way to be counted righteous before God is by trusting in Christ alone.
But why is faith the only way? And why is this offer open to everyone who believes, not just to Jewish believers? Paul already answered that earlier in Romans. From Romans 1:18 through 3:20, he makes it clear that all people—Jew and Gentile alike—have sinned. No one, except Jesus, has obeyed God perfectly. As Paul puts it, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:22–23). We were created to reflect God’s image in holiness (Genesis 1:26–27), but sin has distorted that image. That’s why we need Christ—to restore us and transform us into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:21).
We all fall short. We all break God’s law. And because we all share the same problem, we all need the same solution: Jesus Christ.
Justification by faith alone is essential because of how deeply sin has affected us. But it’s important to understand that faith itself isn’t what makes us righteous. The real foundation of our justification is “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). It’s His work—rooted in the grace of our triune God—that makes us right with the Father. Our faith doesn’t earn God’s favor. Rather, it’s God’s unearned favor—His grace—that moved Him to send Christ for our salvation. When we believe the gospel, we receive the benefits of that grace.
In his commentary on Romans John Calvin said: “When therefore we are justified, the efficient cause is the mercy of God, the meritorious is Christ, the instrumental is the word [of God] in connection with faith.” In other words, it’s all of grace—from beginning to end.
Respond:
1. How does understanding that righteousness is a gift change your perspective on your
relationship with God?
2. In what ways do you still try to earn God's approval, and how can you shift towards
accepting His grace?
3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's grace in a profound way.
Wednesday
Romans 5 (Scripture Focus Romans 5:8)
Discover:
One of the most beautiful truths of the Christian life is that God has poured His love into the hearts of everyone who belongs to Christ. As Paul writes in Romans 5:5, this love isn’t just something we read about—it’s something we experience. God convinces us of His love deep within, and that assurance gives us the strength to keep going, even when life is hard.
God’s love isn’t just a feeling or an inward conviction. It’s also something He has proven in the most powerful and visible way possible. As Paul explains in Romans 5:6–8, God showed His love by sending His Son to die for us.
There is a lot to consider here. First, Paul says Jesus died “at the right time” (Romans 5:6). In Galatians 4:4, Paul describes this as “the fullness of time”—the perfect moment in history that God had planned all along. Jesus didn’t come randomly; He came when everything was ready, when the stage of history had been perfectly set.
But there’s more to this timing than just historical readiness. Paul also says Jesus died for us “while we were still weak.” In other words, Christ didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up or become worthy. He didn’t die for the righteous—because if we were already righteous, we wouldn’t need saving. He died for the ungodly. He died for us while we were still sinners, still broken, still far from Him.
That’s what makes God’s love so astonishing. As Paul points out in Romans 5:7–8, it’s rare—even among humans—for someone to die for a good person. But Jesus, the perfect Son of God, gave His life for people who had rejected Him. That kind of love is beyond comprehension. It’s not something we can earn or deserve. It’s a gift, freely given, and it should leave us in awe.
When we think about the cross, we’re not just remembering a historical event. We’re seeing the clearest, most powerful demonstration of God’s love. It’s a love that reaches us at our worst and lifts us up to new life in Christ.
Respond:
1. How does knowing that Christ died for you while you were still a sinner affect your view of God's love?
2. What does it mean to have peace with God, and how does it manifest in your life?
3. How can you share the hope you have in Christ with others?
Thursday
1 John 4 (Scripture Focus 1 John 4:9-10)
Discover:
In today’s passage, the Apostle John continues to show us what it means to love one another by pointing us to the very source of love—God Himself. In 1 John 4:8, he makes a bold and beautiful statement: “God is love.” That’s not just a poetic phrase—it’s a deep truth about who God is. And to help us understand what that really means, John reminds us of the greatest expression of God’s love: the sending of His Son, Jesus.
First, let’s notice something important—God’s love doesn’t come from outside of Him. It’s not triggered by how lovable we are. Unlike us, who often love based on how someone treats us or how we feel about them, God’s love flows from His very nature. He is love. That means His love isn’t earned or deserved—it’s freely given.
John makes this clear in verses 9 and 10. God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up or become worthy. He loved us while we were still sinners—when we were anything but lovely. And He proved that love by sending Jesus to be the sacrifice that would satisfy His justice and turn away His wrath. As John Calvin once said, “Christ, then, is so illustrious and singular a proof of divine love towards us, that whenever we look upon him, he fully confirms to us the truth that God is love.”
Back in John’s day, Greek philosophers believed the highest form of love was reserved for those who were worthy of it. But John flips that idea on its head. If God is love, and if Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate display of that love, then the highest form of love is actually to love those who are unworthy. That’s what God did for us.
If we want to love like God loves, we must be willing to give of ourselves—even when it’s hard, even when the other person doesn’t “deserve” it. Sometimes that might mean laying down our lives (1 John 3:16), but more often, it means daily acts of self-denial, kindness, and grace toward others.
God’s love isn’t just something we receive—it’s something we’re called to reflect.
Respond:
1. How can you better reflect God's love in your relationships?
2. What are some practical ways you can demonstrate love to those around you?
3. How does understanding God's love for you empower you to love others?
Friday
2 Corinthians 5 (Scripture Focus 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Discover:
Before we can live a life of gratitude for our salvation, we must first be saved. That might sound obvious, but it’s a vital truth. We need to be converted—our hearts must be changed by the Holy Spirit, and we must respond in faith to the gospel message. As Paul explains in Romans 8:29–30, salvation begins with God’s initiative and becomes real in our lives when we are drawn to Christ and believe.
Jesus accomplished everything needed for our salvation on the cross. But the benefits of His atonement—like forgiveness, peace with God, and new life—don’t become ours until we are personally converted.
Scripture teaches that conversion is necessary not only to experience the blessings of Christ’s work but also to live a life of good works in gratitude. That’s why it’s so important to understand what true conversion really is. Sadly, many people assume they’ve been converted simply because they’ve had some religious experiences or have been part of a church. But as the book of Hebrews 6:1–8 warns, it’s possible to be close to the things of God and still not truly belong to Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says that anyone in Christ is a “new creation.” That’s the heart of conversion: the old life passes away, and something entirely new begins. It’s not just a fresh start—it’s a spiritual resurrection.
Paul often uses the imagery of death and resurrection to describe this transformation. In Romans 6:1–4, he explains that true believers have died to sin. They’ve turned away from trying to live on their own terms. Their old selves—marked by rebellion and self-rule—have been buried. And just as Jesus was raised from the dead, they’ve been raised to a new life of righteousness.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that converted people never sin. As 1 John 1:8–9 reminds us, we all stumble. But true believers aren’t content to stay in sin. They feel the weight of their disobedience, they repent, and they seek to put sin to death by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13).
Conversion is more than a moment—it’s a lifelong turning from sin and turning to Christ. It’s the beginning of a new life, marked by gratitude, obedience, and a growing love for God.
Respond:
1. What does it mean to you to be a new creation in Christ?
2. How can you embrace your role as an ambassador of reconciliation in your relationships
and community?
3. In what areas of your life do you need to let go of the "old" and embrace the "new" that
Christ offers?
Saturday
John 1 (Scripture Focus John 1:12-13)
Discover:
In John’s gospel, the word “world” can mean different things depending on the context. Today’s passage is a great example of that.
In John 1:9–10, we read that Jesus—the Word—was in the world, and that the world was made through Him. Here, “world” clearly refers to creation itself: the earth and all its people. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, entered the very world He created. That’s the wonder of the incarnation.
But then, in the second half of verse 10, John says, “the world did not know him.” This is where the meaning shifts. It’s not that the entire created order failed to recognize Jesus, because as we see later in the gospel, many people did believe in Him (John 4:39–41; 9:35–39). So what does John mean?
Church father Augustine helps us here. He explains that “the world” in this case refers to those who love the world in a sinful way—those who are so attached to worldly values and desires that they reject Jesus. In other words, it’s not the whole world, but a particular group of people within it.
What’s even more heartbreaking is that many of those who rejected Jesus were His own people. “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him” (John 1:11). John is talking about the Jewish people here. While some Jews did believe in Jesus, the majority did not. This is especially tragic because, as Jesus Himself said, salvation comes through the Jews (John 4:22). Thankfully, Paul reminds us in Romans 9–11 that this rejection isn’t final. One day, many in Israel will turn to Christ in faith.
Even though many rejected Jesus, some did receive Him. And those who did—those who believed in His name—were given the right to become children of God (John 1:12–13). This isn’t a right we’re born with. It’s a gift given to those who are born again by the Spirit. As Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3:1–14, we must be born anew to truly become part of God’s family.
So, when John talks about “the world,” he’s not always talking about the same thing. Sometimes it means creation, sometimes it means humanity in general, and sometimes it refers to those who are opposed to God. But in every case, the message is clear: Jesus came into the world He made, and while many rejected Him, those who believe in Him are welcomed into the family of God.
Respond:
1. How does understanding Jesus as the Word made flesh deepen your appreciation of His
role in your life?
2. What does it mean to you to be a child of God?3. How can you live out your identity as a child of God in your community and relationships?