Weekly Bible Study
We are looking this week at some of the Hard Sayings of Jesus. Even when His words are challenging we can do nothing better than listen to the Master! Before each time of study and reading pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see in a fresh way the wonderful life and teaching of the Saviour.
Day 1 Read John 6:25-71
Verse 54 sounds really strange, yet one of the most important statements Jesus has ever made. He has just done the miracle of feeding 5000. This was not about free food but a demonstration that He was the source of all things including eternal life. The conversation from the time of the miracle is on two different tracks – they are thinking materially and he is thinking spiritually. He is not taking about physically eating his flesh and blood but about the spiritual union that takes place because of what will happen on the Cross to His flesh and blood – it is through trusting in His death and its significance that we gain eternal life.
Day 2 Mark 3:20-35
There is a sin that cannot be forgiven ???!!! Surely not? Jesus’ response is a sharp rebuke to the religious leaders who were accusing Him of being demon-possessed. He repels the false accusation by saying that a house divided against itself cannot stand – if he was demon-possessed why would he cast out demons? That deals with their accusation. Secondly, we see that to speak thus about Christ is to sin against God Himself. When people are openly hostile to Jesus and continue in that mode there can be no forgiveness. However, more seriously, when churches demean other churches and even accuse their members of not being the Lord’s people they too are hardening their hearts against God, sinning against the Body and in danger of damnation!
Day 3 John 14:1-14
You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. Does this work out in practice? First of all Jesus calls us to ask for things in his name – things that are consistent with what Jesus did and taught – that surely narrows down our asking. “Lord give me a new car” might not be the best of prayers when Jesus would possibly want us to be praying for others and for “His Kingdom to Come.” The second thing we see in this passage is that when we pray in Jesus’ name we bring glory to the Father. If I pray for the power to forgive someone, for the salvation of people I know, then I am praying for things that bring glory to the Father.
Day 4 Matthew 18:15-35
It can be tough to forgive sometimes – forgiveness, though tough, creates healthy relationships – between us and others and between us and God. Jesus gives us advice about how to proceed. First, speak to the person concerned privately; if that fails, go with another; and if that fails, call upon the church to help sort it out. Notice that Jesus also tells us that when we are sinned against we are to take the initiative in sorting things out and not wait for people to come to us. He is prescribing the way that He does things – take the initiative to effect reconciliation.
Day 5 Mark 8:31 to 9:1
Here is a challenge to all about obedience. Peter has just grasped who Jesus is – his moment of inspiration. However, saying the right things is not a substitute for being the right person and doing the right things. To take up the Cross is to fully identify with Jesus. To deny self means to stop putting our will first and to place the will of Jesus at the heart of who we are. To follow Jesus means to completely give ourselves to being His disciple