S – This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you

John 15:12–14 CSB

O – Commentary: 

One primary command was given by Jesus to believers: they must have mutual love (Love each other; this is repeated in v. 17). Christians grow by caring for and nurturing each other. The standard for that love is Christ’s example of humble sacrificial service: as I have loved you.

15:13–14. The most a person can do for his friend is to die for him; such a death is a clear demonstration of love. Jesus demonstrated His love

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – This type of love is not unknown to us.  Most people serve and give sacrificially to their immediate family.  Most would say they would die for the closest people in their lives.  The shift comes when we realize others have value and many are “part of our family.”  Will we love unconditionally, serve openly, give freely and love at the standard that Jesus did?  It is a great challenge each day.

R – Heavenly Father, we choose to love You and others today.  You modeled this type of love through Jesus.  We want to follow in your example.  Give us the strength and resolve to love in a way that honors You.

S – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor^, to be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. 

John 14:16–17 CSB

O – Commentary:

The Holy Spirit is to be the Counselor… In a sense He has now replaced Jesus’ physical presence; and He mediates God to believers. The Spirit is in a believer forever (cf. Rom. 8:9). He is also the Spirit of Truth (lit., “Spirit of the truth”; cf. John 15:26; 16:13) and thus would guide the apostles. He is invisible (the world cannot accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him), yet He is real and active. Without a radio, radio waves go unnoticed. The Holy Spirit is unnoticed by the unsaved who have no spiritual life. The disciples had some experience with the Spirit (doubtless in preaching and miracle-working) but now His working would be much more intimate.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – We must “tune into” the Holy Spirit daily.  He is our Spirit of Truth, advocate, counselor, and comforter.  His presence emboldens us to be strong and brings peace in challenges.

R – Heavenly Father, your love knows no end.  Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit to work in us so we are never alone.  We want to walk in your strength, compassion and resolve today.

S – I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another

John 13:34–35 CSB

O – Commentary:

The *Old Testament had commanded love (Lev 19:18); what makes Jesus’ commandment new is the new standard and example: “as I have loved you”—in the context, to the point of laying down one’s life for others. Jewish ethics emphasized learning by imitation, including imitating God’s good character. Disciples were expected to learn by following the examples of their teachers. (In antiquity, love for one’s own group did not need to imply that one not love those outside it.)

  The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Right before this, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and allowed Judas to leave and betray him and he was getting ready to tell Peter he would deny him.  Broken down – he served others, followed God’s will and gave grace.  This love was based on God’s character, not his law.  We need to serve, forgive and value others while following God’s will for our own life.  This will come at a cost to us.  It is so distinguishing that people who don’t know God will notice.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus giving the ultimate sacrifice for us.  Help us to demonstrate that love that shows your character and heart for others.  Even though it may cost us, help us to do it anyway.

S – When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in his spirit and testified, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.

John 13:21 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Jesus was troubled in spirit. The word “troubled” is etarachthē (“stirred or agitated”), the same word used of Jesus in 11:33; 12:27 (also used by Jesus in 14:1, 27). Being human, Jesus was troubled over Judas’ soon betrayal of His love and friendship. Being divine, Jesus knew in advance that it would happen. Jesus sensed the spiritual hardness and deadness which sin had produced in Judas. The word testified and the formula I tell you the truth stress the solemn announcement of Jesus’ words.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Even though Jesus knew it was part of God’s plan, the betrayal and loss of relationship with someone he loved still hurt.  As we interact with others, there will be pain and challenge.  God is all-knowing -past, present and future.  He will use the pain for His good.  We must continue to love and value others through the pain.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for another day with you and others today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us in our thoughts, words and actions.  As we encounter challenges, let us have a heart for you and others like Jesus did.  Give us strength and peace as we navigate those relationships.

S – If anyone hears my words and doesn’t keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. ⁴⁸ The one who rejects me and doesn’t receive my sayings has this as his judge: The word I have spoken will judge him on the last day. ⁴⁹ For I have not spoken on my own, but the Father himself who sent me has given me a command to say everything I have said

 John 12:47–49 CSB

O – Commentary:

Since Jesus is God’s Word (Logos) to people, God spoke decisively and finally in Him (Heb. 1:1–3). The issue is the command of the Father. To obey the Father is to come to eternal life (John 12:50). To reject the Father’s word—which is Jesus’ very word (v. 48; cf. v. 50b; 7:16; 14:10, 24)—is to abide in death. Moses predicted the coming of the great Prophet (One who would speak for God). Moses said, “You must listen to Him” (Deut. 18:15). Condemnation at the last day is the penalty for rejecting the One whom the Father sent (Deut. 18:18–19; John 3:18, 36; 5:24).

The purpose of God’s revelation in Jesus is positive: He came to save, not to judge (12:47; cf. 3:17 and comments on 9:39). But rejection of God’s Revelation inevitably brings a hardening in sin and ultimately God’s judgment.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A – Whether in words or actions,  God and Jesus are one. Each person must decide about God/ Jesus.  Either you believe He is God and His Son or you reject them.  The harshness of that reality is eliminated by Jesus’ personification that loved and valued everyone.  The heart and character of God call us to Him instead of judging us.

R – Heavenly Father, we choose you today.  Your love and character demonstrated through the life of Jesus and Your Word lets us know that You are the truth.  We seek you to honor and praise the one true God.  Thank you for allowing us to walk with you intimately today.

S –  The next day, when the large crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, ¹³ they took palm branches and went out to meet him. They kept shouting: 

“Hosanna! 

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord^,—the King of Israel!” 

John 12:12–13 CSB

O –  Commentary:

A wild enthusiasm over Jesus broke out. Thousands of Galilean pilgrims had come to the Passover, and they had seen many of His mighty works. Previously He had rejected the role of a political Messiah (6:15) but, they thought, perhaps now was the right moment. Jerusalem was the city of the great King and He was coming to it. Waving their palm branches, symbols of victory, the people were shouting Hosanna! “Hosanna” in Hebrew means “Please save” or “Save now” (cf. Ps. 118:25). It came to be a shout of praise. Quoting Psalm 118:26, they ascribed messianic titles to Him: He who comes (lit., “the Coming One”; cf. John 11:27) and the King of Israel.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A –  There is a verse in a worship song that asks “What would you do, if He walked into the room?”  The people of Israel are willing Jesus to be a political King of Israel to deliver them of Rome’s oppression.  They missed his purpose as their king.  What is his purpose as my Savior and Lord today?  Am I inviting him into my life today?  Am I ascribing true honor and love to him?  He is the one, true God.  He deserves the best today.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are my Savior and King.  You are God and there is no other.  I invite all of you into my day.  I want to walk in a relationship with you and honor you in my thoughts, words and actions.  All glory, honor and praise to you.

S – You’re not considering that it is to your advantage that one man should die for the people rather than the whole nation perish.” ⁵¹ He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, ⁵² and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God

John 11:50–52 CSB

O –  Commentary: 

John by God’s Spirit recognized a deep irony in Caiaphas’ words. As the high priest, Caiaphas pointed to the last sacrificial Lamb in a prophecy he did not even know he made. Caiaphas meant Jesus had to be killed, but God intended the priest’s words as a reference to His substitutionary atonement. Jesus’ death would abolish the old system in God’s eyes by fulfilling all its types and shadows. His death was not only for Jews but also for the world, thus making a new body from both.

  “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – God has a plan that exceeds our understanding.  Caiaphas thinks he is saving Israel in Rome’s eyes and he would preserve his control.  God used it to usher in a personal relationship with Him and allow the Gentiles to be part of the body.  We can also trust that God works for our good in all things.

R – Heaven Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  We know that you are working for our good in all things.  Help us to align with your will and purposes even when we don’t see it.  We know that it will help us grow closer to you.

S – A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother

Proverbs 15:20 CSB

O – Commentary:  

Obedient and wise conduct brings joy (śāmaḥ) to the parents, but folly does not. In fact only a fool despises his mother. Here rather than stating that folly in a son grieves his mother (as in 10:1) that reaction on her part is implied and the fool’s attitude toward her is stated.

“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

Joy – sâmach,  to brighten up, — cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy (-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, × very

Despises – bâzâh,  to disesteem:— despise, disdain, contemn (-ptible), + think to scorn, vile person

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – Wisdom is worthy of its pursuit.  It captures your gifts, talents, and experiences and applies them to your life.  It is easy to see how a person’s wisdom would “brighten up” those who raised them.  A person’s stupidity and silliness into adulthood demonstrates the disdain for those who raised him. 

R – Heavenly Father, we honor Your name above all names.  Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit to help us grow in the Spirit of Wisdom that you give us.  In doing so, we will achieve new growth and honor those who have poured into our lives.  Keep us from our earthly desires to do foolish things today.  Help us to honor you at all times.

S – I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ But I have other sheep that are not from this sheep pen; I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd

John 10:14–16 CSB

O – Commentary:

The other sheep … not of this flock refers to Gentiles who would believe. His coming death would bring them also to the Father. They too will listen to My voice. Jesus continues to save people as they hear His voice in the Scriptures. Acts 18:9–11 illustrates how this works out in the history of the church. “I have many people in this city” (i.e., Corinth), the Lord told Paul. One flock and one Shepherd speaks of the church with believers from Jewish and Gentile “sheep pens” in one body with Christ as Head

  “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The idea of Jews and Gentiles is not “revolutionary” today.  With thousands of years since Jesus’ resurrection, it has become normal.  Back then, it was tremendously challenging.  Today, people are still separated by denominations, race and other cultural beliefs.  We need to love and value each other.  We have one shepherd – Jesus.

R – Heavenly Father, we come in awe and respect for who You are.  We honor you above all things.  Please help us to love each other even when we are different.  Jesus is our “shepherd.”  We can come in unity because of his cross and resurrection. 

S – Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things and asked him, “We aren’t blind too, are we?” “If you were blind,” Jesus told them, “you wouldn’t have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.

John 9:40–41 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jesus answered that those who claim to hold all religious truth will discover that they are blind, while those who recognize their spiritual poverty will find true sight. In the story, the blind man and his family frequently confessed that they did not know, while the Pharisees repeatedly stated their confidence and remained guilty because of their religious pride. If they had confessed their ignorance and admitted their spiritual blindness, they would be guiltless. Instead, their conscious and willful rejection of Jesus established their guilt

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Any pride in our life is bad.  Religious pride is “knowing” God’s Word or truths and remaining in the guilt of the sin.  The things we don’t know are not hurting us as much as the things we do know.  We need humility in our lives to live out all that God has revealed to us.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship to you today.  There is still so much that we ask that you reveal to us.  Yet, what we do know, we are accountable for today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and walk it out in alignment with Your Word.