John 6:59-63; Hebrews 1
"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life."
(JOHN 6:63)
In my last computer support job before seminary, I worked on a satellite program for a defense contractor. Teams assembled satellite dishes in the work yard and pointed them to the sky to transmit and receive information. The GPS in your car or phone works much the same way. Accuracy is guaranteed by evaluating data from three or more orbiting satellites. Likewise, we obtain a more accurate understanding of what God is saying in "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." the Bible when we evaluate a topic across several passages.
Jesus says here that the Spirit gives life. He also says the words He speaks are spirit (or, "Spirit") and life. Last week we read how the Father also gives life (Day 5, John 5:21). Through this "data" we learn: First, all Three Persons are God, for only God can give life. Second, God has communicated to us about Himself. Third, Life is found in His words. Fourth, we can know His will by listening to what He tells us.
The God-breathed pages of Scripture all took on human flesh in Jesus, flesh and words that bring life.
INSIGHT
LONG BEFORE SATELLITES AND CELL PHONES, THE PSALMIST WROTE, "YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET AND A LIGHT FOR MY PATH"
(PSALM 119:105).
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Song of Solomon 7-8
Psalm 72
John 12
John 6:59-63
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[a] and they are life.
Footnotes:
a. John 6:63 Or Spirit
Hebrews 1
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus Christ Is God’s Son
1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels
5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son.
Today I have become your Father.[a]”
God also said,
“I will be his Father,
and he will be my Son.”[b]
6 And when he brought his supreme[c] Son into the world, God said,[d]
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”[e]
7 Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds,
his servants like flames of fire.”[f]
8 But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.
9 You love justice and hate evil.
Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you,
pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”[g]
10 He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth
and made the heavens with your hands.
11 They will perish, but you remain forever.
They will wear out like old clothing.
12 You will fold them up like a cloak
and discard them like old clothing.
But you are always the same;
you will live forever.”[h]
13 And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”[i]
14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 1:5 Or Today I reveal you as my Son. Ps 2:7.
b. Hebrews 1:5 2 Sam 7:14.
c. Hebrews 1:6 Or firstborn.
d. Hebrews 1:6 Or when he again brings his supreme Son [or firstborn Son] into the world, God will say.
e. Hebrews 1:6 Deut 32:43.
f. Hebrews 1:7 Ps 104:4 (Greek version).
g. Hebrews 1:9 Ps 45:6-7.
h. Hebrews 1:12 Ps 102:25-27.
i. Hebrews 1:13 Ps 110:1.
GRACE ALONE [PART 2]
with Max Lucado
We find grace at the center of the Gospel. It is the essence of our salvation. But have you been changed by grace? Are you trusting in grace alone? Or are you trying to add to what only God can do?
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