Daily Reading Week 29
Sunday
John 10 (focus v.1–21)
Discover:
In John 9, we see a sharp contrast: the religious leaders rejected Jesus, while a man born blind recognized Him as the Savior. Despite pressure and even excommunication from the synagogue, the healed man stood firm in his testimony and followed Jesus.
John 10 continues right from there. Jesus shares a parable (vv. 1–21) that helps explain what happened in chapter 9. To understand it, picture first-century sheep farming: shepherds led their flocks by day, then gathered them at night into a shared, walled sheepfold for safety. In the morning, each shepherd would call his own sheep, and only they would follow his voice.
The true shepherd enters through the gate because he has every right to his sheep. But anyone who climbs in another way is a thief and a robber (John 10:1–2). Jesus is pointing to the corrupt Pharisees and false religious leaders who were misleading God’s people, much like the bad shepherds condemned in Ezekiel 34.
True sheep know their shepherd’s voice. They follow Him and won’t be led astray by strangers (vv. 3–6). Jesus is that Good Shepherd (v. 11).
He then calls Himself “the door of the sheep” (v. 7). He is the only true entrance to safety, pasture, and abundant life (vv. 9–10). Unlike the false leaders who sneak in to harm the flock, Jesus brings life in all its fullness.
In his commentary on John 10, John Calvin wrote , “No plague is more destructive to the Church than when wolves ravage under the garb of shepherds.”
False teachers still try to lead people astray today. They can cause real harm, but they will never ultimately succeed with God’s elect. That’s why we all need to stay alert, know the Shepherd’s voice, and guard against anything that contradicts His truth.
Respond:
• What voices have been influencing your life the most lately?
• In what area are you struggling to trust the leadership of Jesus?
• How does knowing Jesus fully sees you change the way you approach Him?
• What would it look like to follow the Shepherd more closely this week?
Monday
Numbers 27 (focus v.15–18)
Discover:
Theologians often call the new covenant the age of the Spirit for good reason. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out in remarkable abundance on God’s people (Acts 2:1–41).
This doesn’t mean the Spirit was absent under the old covenant. He was actively at work then, too, though not in exactly the same way. The Holy Spirit has always been the One who regenerates hearts and gives people faith to trust in God’s promises. Jesus even expected Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, to understand this (John 3:1–15). Old covenant believers were saved the same way we are—by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8).
What is different is the fullness and extent of the Spirit’s work today. In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon certain leaders in powerful ways (like Joshua in Numbers 27:18, Joseph, or David). But now, every believer regardless of role receives the Holy Spirit in His fullness. Jesus baptizes all His people “with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt. 3:11; Rom. 5:5).
While it can sometimes feel hard to describe the exact difference (especially on days when we feel discouraged), the evidence is clear: the Spirit is working more powerfully in this age. One of the greatest proofs is the ingathering of the Gentile nations into God’s family, something old covenant Israel never experienced on this scale. Through the church’s witness, people from every nation are being drawn to faith in the God of Israel (Acts 15:1–11).
Today, the Holy Spirit continues to guide believers through Scripture. As we read the Bible with open hearts, the Spirit illumines its meaning, helps us understand truth, and applies it personally to our lives. He is our Counselor who leads us into all truth (John 16:13), convicts us of sin, comforts us in trials, and enables us to recognize the voice of our Good Shepherd. By relying on the Spirit while we study God’s Word, we grow in discernment, resist false teaching, and walk more closely with Jesus each day.
Respond:
• Why do you think people struggle to admit they need guidance?
• What voices or influences tend to pull you away from God’s direction?
• How has Jesus faithfully guided you in past seasons of life?
• What area of your life needs the Shepherd’s leadership right now?
Tuesday
Ezekiel 34 (focus v.11–16)
Discover:
Leaders of God's people carry a special responsibility for the spiritual health of the community. Scripture shows this clearly. For example, Jeremiah 50:6–7 blames Judah’s broken relationship with the Lord on shepherds who failed to guide their flock properly. James 3:1 also warns that teachers will face stricter judgment because of the powerful influence they have on others.
Of course, those who follow poor leaders are not without accountability before God. In Adam, we entered a fallen world where false teachers can arise, and our sinful hearts naturally lean toward falsehood apart from God’s grace. Even so, a faithful leader is not to blame for every sin his people commit. If he has done his job, he bears no guilt when individuals choose to follow their own desires (Ezekiel 33:1–6).
Still, bad leaders do share responsibility when their neglect, poor teaching, or other failures contribute to sin in the community.
Ezekiel 34 makes this point clear. Using the familiar ancient image of leaders as shepherds, the prophet condemns Judah’s rulers for failing to care for God’s flock. Instead of feeding the sheep with God’s pure Word, they enriched themselves at the people’s expense (Ezekiel 34:3–4). They comforted the people in their sin rather than calling them to repent. It is often easier to gain a hearing by saying what people want to hear instead of what they need to hear—and many leaders in the old covenant fell into that trap.
This was a serious offense because God viewed all of Israel, His covenant people, as His own precious flock. The Lord therefore set Himself against those who harmed them. He warned the leaders of Ezekiel’s day that He would remove them from their positions if they continued leading the people into idolatry and sin (Ezekiel 34:7–10). In doing so, God would act on behalf of His people. He would not only remove the false shepherds but also gather back every sheep that had been scattered (vv. 11–24
Respond:
• Have you ever experienced the pain of trusting the wrong voice or leader?
• In what ways has Jesus pursued you during difficult seasons?
• Which phrase in this passage stands out to you most personally?
• Is there an area of your life where you need the Shepherd to restore you?
Wednesday
2 Thessalonians 3 (focus v.3–5)
Discover:
Commentators often examine a book’s structure to understand why a biblical author wrote it. After all, the authors rarely state their purpose as directly as “The reason I am writing this book is . . .”
In 2 Thessalonians, Paul’s use of the word “finally” in 3:1 gives us a helpful clue. This term does not mean he has run out of things to say. Instead, it signals that he has finished the main body and central argument of the letter. Since the previous section in chapter 2 focuses on the events leading up to Christ’s return, we see that Paul’s primary purpose was to clear up the Thessalonians’ confusion about the end times. He wanted to strengthen them in the faith so they would stand firm in the truth (2:1–17).
Standing firm in the truth also gave them a strong foundation for praying that the gospel would spread and that Paul and his coworkers would be delivered from those who opposed it (3:1–2).
Yet, as today’s passage shows, we should not be discouraged when some people reject the faith. Human unfaithfulness does not cancel God’s faithfulness to His people and His promises. Paul reminds us that the Lord will establish us and guard us against the evil one (v. 3).
We should certainly pray for deliverance from the evil one (see Matthew 6:13), but we can be confident it is God’s will to rescue us. The Lord delights to deliver His people from Satan and his forces. Everyone who trusts in Christ alone will experience final victory: we will live forever in a renewed creation, while the devil and his followers face eternal judgment (Revelation 20–21). Satan can never win a lasting victory over God’s people.
Paul expresses his confidence “in the Lord” that the Thessalonians will stand firm and that their love for God will continue to grow (2 Thessalonians 3:4–5). He knew they would persevere not by their own strength, but by the grace and power of the Lord.
Respond:
• Where do you need God’s strength most right now?
• What fears or pressures have been competing for your trust?
• How does God’s faithfulness give you confidence during uncertainty?
• What helps you stay close to the Shepherd’s voice?
Thursday
Zechariah 10 (focus v.1-12)
Discover:
Even after returning from exile, God’s people in Judah still struggled to remain faithful at the end of the sixth century BC. While they avoided the gross pagan idolatry of earlier generations, they fell into superstition instead.
In today’s passage, the prophet Zechariah urges the people to ask the Lord for rain and to stop relying on fortune-tellers and household idols for guidance (Zechariah 10:1–2).
It appears the leaders bore much of the guilt. Zechariah calls them “shepherds” who were not true shepherds at all (vv. 2–3). The early post-exilic leaders, such as Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest, had been reasonably faithful (Haggai 1–2; Zechariah 3). But that did not last. Even if Zerubbabel and Joshua remained righteous, other leaders clearly failed in their calling. As a result, the hardships of exile continued in one form or another.
This pattern of suffering lasted until the first century, when Jewish leaders elevated their own traditions above God’s Word (Matthew 2:16–18; 15:1–9).
Because of this, Zechariah makes it clear that the return from Babylon in the sixth century was not the full restoration promised by earlier prophets (Isaiah 25; Jeremiah 31:31–40). It was only a small beginning to the greater work God had planned.
The prophet still looked forward to a future, more complete return. Using Egypt and Assyria as pictures of oppression, Zechariah 10:10 declares that the house of Judah and the house of Joseph (representing the northern kingdom of Israel) would be strengthened and brought back to places of blessing like Gilead and Lebanon. By mentioning both Judah and Joseph, Zechariah shows that the entire people of God, Israel and Judah together, would one day experience this full salvation.
Respond:
• What voices or influences compete for your attention most often?
• How can you tell when a voice is leading you away from God?
• What practical steps help you stay grounded in truth?
• How have you seen the voice of Jesus lead you toward life?
Friday
1 Samuel 17 (focus v.1–37)
Discover:
Although Samuel had anointed David as the future king, David did not stay at Saul’s court full-time. As today’s passage shows, he would often return home to Bethlehem to tend his father’s sheep (1 Samuel 17:15). Three of David’s older brothers were serving in Saul’s army in the ongoing war against the Philistines (vv. 12–14).
The most famous battle in this conflict took place in the Valley of Elah, about fourteen miles west of Bethlehem. The two armies faced each other across the valley, and the Philistine champion Goliath stepped forward with a bold challenge: let one man from each side fight, and the loser’s nation would serve the winner (vv. 1–2).
Goliath was an intimidating sight. He stood about nine feet tall, and his armor weighed over 125 pounds. No one in Israel dared accept his challenge (vv. 3–11). Even Saul, who was taller than most Israelites, was afraid (9:1–2; 17:11).
David, however, saw things differently. The young shepherd was not impressed by Goliath’s size. He knew this Philistine was defying the armies of the living God (vv. 12–26). This was not foolish bravado. Israel was fighting a holy war, and David trusted that the Lord would fight for His people when they relied on Him (Exodus 14:14).
Though no other Israelite would face Goliath, David volunteered. Saul eventually agreed, despite concerns about David’s youth and background as a shepherd (17:27–36). David calmly explained that the same God who had delivered him from lions and bears would deliver him from this Philistine for the honor of the Lord’s name (v. 37).
Like Goliath, many of God’s enemies still mock Him and taunt His people today. Yet the Lord Almighty is more than able to deliver us. He will do so completely one day when He gives us a new heavens and new earth and casts every enemy into outer darkness (Revelation 21). We do not need to fear those who oppose the Lord. He is with us, and He will defeat all His, and our enemies.
Respond:
• What stands out to you about David’s view of responsibility as a shepherd?
• How does this passage deepen your understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice?
• Where do you need courage to trust God more fully?
• How does knowing Jesus protects His people change your perspective on fear?
Saturday
Revelation 7 (focus v.13–17)
Discover:
John sees a vast, uncountable multitude from every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 7:9–12). But more needs to be said about who they are.
In verses 13–15, one of the twenty-four elders helps John (and us) understand their identity. The elder asks John who these people are, even though he already knows. This kind of question-and-answer style was common in Jewish writings, appearing as far back as the prophet Ezekiel (see Ezekiel 37). The elder is gently guiding John to the right understanding.
The great multitude is made up of believers who have come out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (v. 14). These are people who faced severe persecution for their faith in Christ and remained faithful.
The Bible speaks of a time of intense trouble for God’s people before the final judgment (Daniel 12:1). The worshipers John sees are those who stayed true to Jesus through that suffering. They form the church triumphant, believers who have finished their race and entered glory. While this especially includes martyrs, it also embraces every Christian who dies in faith.
Once again, Revelation gives us assurance: God sees every sacrifice we make for Christ. Those who remain faithful, even to the point of death, will be vindicated. Their robes, washed in the blood of the Lamb, show they belong to Him.
In the world to come, they will lack nothing. Every loss or hardship endured for Jesus in this life will be more than made up for in the presence of the Lord (Revelation 7:15–17).
Respond:
• How does this picture of eternity encourage you today?
• What burdens are you carrying that you need to place in the Shepherd’s hands?
• How does knowing your future is secure in Christ affect your present life?
• What does it mean to you personally that Jesus both saved you and leads you?