S – Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.” ¹⁸ This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill him: Not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal to God. 

John 5:17–18 CSB

O – Commentary:

Jewish prayers often called God “Father,” as the Father of Israel; the issue here is that Jesus seems to treat his relationship to the Father in a special way (see e.g., Ex 4:22–23; Is 63:16; 64:8; Jer 3:19). Because Jesus appears to usurp prerogatives solely attributed to God (5:17—the right to work on the sabbath), his hearers think that he thereby claims a position equal to that of God, a claim that naturally sounds blasphemous to them

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – In hindsight, it is not a “big deal” that Jesus claimed a relationship with God and even equality.  In that day, it was truly a strong statement that the Jewish leaders would find offensive and punishable.  We cannot take for granted the “shift” that Jesus made in many aspects of life.  This one is central to our own faith today.  Jesus is God, in the form of a man, who came to earth and took the penalty of our sins on himself.  We can have a relationship with God because of him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our Savior.  Thank you for sending Jesus to die for our sins so we may have relationship with you.  He paid a price that we could never pay. We choose that relationship today and move toward a genuine walk with you.

S – But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” 

John 4:23–24 CSB

O – Commentary:

True worshipers are those who realize that Jesus is the Truth of God (3:21; 14:6) and the one and only Way to the Father (Acts 4:12). To worship in truth is to worship God through Jesus. To worship in Spirit is to worship in the new realm which God has revealed to people. The Father is seeking true worshipers because He wants people to live in reality, not in falsehood. Everybody is a worshiper (Rom. 1:25) but because of sin many are blind and constantly put their trust in worthless objects.

4:24. God is Spirit is a better translation than the KJV‘s “God is a Spirit.” God is not one Spirit among many. This is a declaration of His invisible nature. He is not confined to one location. Worship of God can be done only through the One (Jesus) who expresses God’s invisible nature (1:18) and by virtue of the Holy Spirit who opens to a believer the new realm of the kingdom

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

A – Worship goes through Jesus – He is the Truth, God’s Word personified and it is absolute.  To pair this foundational certainty with the daily application of the Holy Spirit, you have true worship.  Reverence, fear of God and daily proclamation in our thoughts, words and actions take on a new depth and vitality because it is relationship based on an unchanging foundation.  We can worship with full confidence knowing God is not changing but in His presence, we are.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship you in spirit and truth today.  Thank you for your unchanging truth found in Jesus.  He personified your every aspect of your character and principles for us to live by each day.  Thank you for your spirit that empowers us to live a life for you in all of the chaos and changes we face.  We want our lives to be a genuine reflection of your love for us and others.

S – Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶ Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit

John 3:5–6 CSB

O – Commentary:

Converts to Judaism were said to become “as newborn children”; their conversion included immersion in water to remove Gentile impurity. “Born of water” thus could clarify for Nicodemus that “born from above” means conversion, not a second physical birth.

The Greek wording of 3:5 can mean either “water and the Spirit” or “water, that is, the Spirit.” Ezekiel 36:24–27 used water symbolically for the cleansing of the Spirit (cf. especially the *Dead Sea Scrolls), so here Jesus could mean “converted by the Spirit” (cf. 7:37–39)—a spiritual *proselyte *baptism. Whereas Jewish teachers generally spoke of converts to Judaism as “newborn” only in the sense that they were legally severed from old relationships, an actual rebirth by the Spirit would produce a new heart (Ezek 36:26).

3:6–7. The “spirit” that is born from God’s Spirit may reflect the “new spirit” of Ezekiel 36:26. Everyone understood that like begets like

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament

A – Acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the way to enter God’s kingdom.  It takes our physical person and aligns it with our spiritual person.  Jesus implements a new concept in this by introducing relationship with God.  Before, it was going through the priests.  Now, you have your own relationship with God.  

R- Heavenly Father, you are eternal, the Alpha and Omega.  Thank you for allowing us to have relationship with you.  You are so big and without limitation.  Yet, you know us intimately. We are grateful for all that you do for us.

S – Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. 

 John 2:11 CSB

O – Commentary:

The significance of the miracle was explained by John as a manifestation of Christ’s glory. In contrast with the ministry of Moses who turned water into blood as a sign of God’s judgment (Ex. 7:14–24), Jesus brings joy. His first miracle was a gracious indication of the joy which He provides by the Spirit. The sign points to Jesus as the Word in the flesh, who is the mighty Creator… The first miracle—a transformation—pointed to the kind of transforming ministry Jesus would have (cf. 2 Cor. 5:17). The disciples put their faith in Him. This initial faith would be tested and developed by a progressive revelation of Jesus, the Logos. At this point they did not understand His death and resurrection (John 20:8–9) but they did know His power.

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

A – God does things that reveal his glory.  Some are miracles that are amazing – healing a medical condition, providing something unexpected, or supernatural displays of his power.  He also reveals his glory in things that mean something to us – nature, environments, or creation.  It is revealed in the heart of the beholder – God knows our hearts and reveals himself in a way that we will look to Him and glorify his presence.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you today.  Your glory is all around us and yet it personal to us.  Thank you for revealing yourself to us in ways that bring meaning and reverence to us.  We glorify you alone today.

S – He was in the world, and the world was created through him, and yet the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. ¹² But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name,

John 1:10–12 CSB

O – Commentary:

The world (kosmos) means the world of men and human society which is now in disobedience to God and under the rulership of Satan (cf. 14:30). The Logos came among people in the Incarnation, but mankind did not recognize its Maker (cf. Isa. 1:2–3). The failure to recognize (egnō, “know”) Him was not because God’s nature was somehow “hidden” in people, as some suggest. Rather, it is because of human ignorance and blindness, caused by sin (John 12:37).

1:11. In some ways this is one of the saddest verses in the Bible. The Logos went to His own home but He had no welcome. Jesus went to His own people, the nation Israel, but they as a whole rejected Him. In rejecting Him, they refused to accept Him as the Revelation sent by the Father and refused to obey His commands. Isaiah long before had prophesied of this Jewish national unbelief: “Who has believed our message?” (Isa. 53:1)

1:12. That unbelief, however, was not universal. Some received Jesus’ universal invitation. To all who accepted Jesus as the Revealer of the Father’s will and as the Sacrifice for sin, He gave the right to become children of God. The word “right” (exousian) is a needed improvement over the KJV‘s “power,” and “children” (tekna) is better than the KJV‘s “sons.” People are not naturally children of God but can become so by receiving the gift of the new birth.

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

A – Reading John’s description in hindsight allows us to clearly understand the plan of salvation. We can know God when we believe and accept that Jesus was God in the form of man who came to bring salvation.  There are a lot of dynamics in why Israel didn’t believe in Jesus.  We should learn from their disbelief and let it be a catalyst for us to believe.

R – Heavenly Father, we recognize you are God, Son and Holy Spirit.  Thank you for making your presence known to us through all three entities of who you are.  Empower us to walk in our relationship with you in honoring your character and person.

S – But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ²⁰ You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people. ²¹ Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. 

Genesis 50:19–21 CSB

O – Commentary:

After the death of Jacob, whose body was returned to Palestine for burial, the brothers still feared Joseph and expected revenge. They could not understand this man whose willingness to do the will of God had given him joy even in suffering. Again Joseph reassured them: “You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives

The Teacher’s Commentary 

A – Our plans are limited to our understanding, resources and strategy.  God has no limitations.  He takes our plans and transitions them into his plans.  The key is for us to find the “joy” even when we are suffering and to remain faithful to his ways.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Your ways are above ours and your purposes far exceed our comprehension.  Give us strength to endure the challenges that come in walking faithful to you direction.

S – The scepter will not depart from Judah or the staff from between his feet until he whose right it is comes^, and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him. 

Genesis 49:10 CSB

O – Commentary
This verse anticipates the kingship in Judah (cp. 17:6, 16; 35:11). Although the birthright blessing went to Joseph, Judah would provide Israel’s rulers (see 1 Chr 5:1–2). A long line of kings from Judah would retain the scepter, the symbol of rule; the last king would be the one to whom it belongs, the promised Messiah 

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – Amazing that God had a plan so many years before the birth of Jesus.  Throughout the Old Testament books, it all points to the arrival of the messiah.  Looking at the OT as a whole, that is a long time of waiting, suffering, patience and enduring tough situations waiting for an arrival of a promised one.  Fast forward to now – we are in the same place.  The difference is that God gave us the Holy Spirit to walk daily with and we all enjoy his presence without having to go through a person or high priest.  We can walk confidently with the Lord today!

R – Heavenly Father, you are One God in three persons – God, Son and Holy Spirit.  Thank you for the revelation and relationship with each.  Empower us to walk confidently in each aspect of our relationship with you.   You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory today.

S – Then Joseph took them both—with his right hand Ephraim toward Israel’s left, and with his left hand Manasseh toward Israel’s right—and brought them to Israel. ¹⁴ But Israel stretched out his right hand and put it on the head of Ephraim, the younger, and crossing his hands, put his left on Manasseh’s head, although Manasseh was the firstborn

Genesis 48:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

The right hand was for the head of the firstborn, and Jacob was deliberately giving that position to the younger son. That pattern was followed for four consecutive generations: Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over Reuben, and Ephraim over Manasseh. Many years later, Ephraim became the leading tribe in the northern kingdom, superior to the tribe of Manasseh.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – The theme of God’s ways are not our ways continues.  Even when Joseph did so many things right and honoring, God still mixed up the conventional blessing. Both became great nations in Israel.  God has great things in store for us if we keep our eyes on him and not our circumstances.

R – Heavenly Father, your are omnipotent.  You know all things, you hold all things and you are not limited in any way.  We submit to your will and purpose.  Give us the ability to see your presence and hear your voice.  And, to trust you in all things.

S – Jacob said to Pharaoh, “My pilgrimage has lasted 130 years. My years have been few and hard, and they have not reached the years of my ancestors during their pilgrimages.” ¹⁰ So Jacob blessed Pharaoh and departed from Pharaoh’s presence. 

Genesis 47:9–10 CSB

O – The Lord blessed Pharaoh because Pharaoh was blessing Abraham’s descendants (12:3). Through Joseph’s wise administration in Egypt, the Lord saved the people from starvation and prospered Pharaoh. In selling food to the Egyptians during the years of famine, Joseph accepted money, livestock, and finally land as payment, until almost all of Egypt belonged to Pharaoh. Meanwhile, God provided Israel with some of the best land in Egypt where they could live, work, and multiply.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – It is possible for God to bless believers through blessing someone else.  For example, I was raised by two Godly parents.  I was blessed to live in their home, benefit from their provision and enjoy the Godly wisdom and relationship. We need to recognize the blessings of others and how they impact our lives and be grateful.

R – Heavenly Father, you are “I Am.”  Thank you for all the people you allow in my life and how you bless me through them.  Help me to be a blessing to others as well.  Allow them to experience a rich relationship with you as I serve as a catalyst in that relationship.

S – God said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. ⁴ I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you back. Joseph will close your eyes when you die

Genesis 46:3–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

I am God The word for God here is el, which connects this vision with Jacob’s earlier divine encounters (31:13; 33:20; 35:1, 3). This may explain why the name “Jacob” is used for the verbal call.

the God of your father The word for “God” here is elohim.

I will make you a great nation This element of the divine covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob confirms for Jacob (12:1–3; 15:1–6; 26:4, 24; 28:3) that he will not forfeit the promise by leaving the promised land.

Faithlife Study Bible

A – God is preserving all of Jacob’s family by having them leave the Promised Land but ensuring him they will return.  Ironically, God doesn’t tell him about the middle part – the slavery and suffering they will endure while there. God tells him who He is and what he will do.  We need to be comfortable that God doesn’t give us a full picture of what is to come.

R – Heavenly Father, you are God and there is no other.  Empower us to trust you when it is hard.  We do not see the whole picture like you do but we can put our faith and trust in you.  Give us strength to walk in that today.