DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP
DBF-001-041
Today’s Scripture
John 2:20 (ESV)
“The Jews then said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?’”
Opening the Scriptures
Jesus had told the Jewish authorities, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” They immediately assumed that He was speaking about the physical temple in Jerusalem.
Their response seemed reasonable from a human perspective. The temple had been under construction for forty-six years. How could Jesus possibly rebuild such an enormous structure in three days?
Their mistake was not that they lacked intelligence. Their mistake was that they interpreted the words of Jesus according to their own understanding.
Jesus was speaking about something far greater than a building. He was pointing toward His death and resurrection, but they could see only the temple standing before them.
They heard His words correctly, but they did not understand what He meant.
Living God’s Word Today
We can make the same mistake when we approach God’s Word.
We may read Scripture while already having decided what we want it to say. Our traditions, culture, experiences, personal preferences, and even teachings we have heard for many years can influence how we understand the Bible.
That is why we must approach Scripture with humility.
Our question should not be, “How can I make this verse support what I already believe?” Our question should be, “What has God actually said?”
This requires careful reading. We must consider the surrounding passage, compare Scripture with Scripture, and resist building beliefs upon isolated verses. We must also be willing to change our thinking when Scripture shows that something we have believed is wrong.
That can be uncomfortable.
It is easier to correct someone else’s beliefs than our own. It is easier to identify another person’s traditions than to recognize the traditions influencing us. Yet if God’s Word is truly our final authority, then we must allow it to correct us.
The Jewish authorities looked at the enormous temple and concluded that Jesus’ statement was impossible. Their visible circumstances controlled their understanding.
We face a similar danger when circumstances become difficult. We may look at what is happening around us and conclude that God cannot possibly accomplish His purposes.
But our limited understanding does not limit God.
We see today.
God sees the whole purpose.
We see the difficulty.
God knows exactly what He is accomplishing.
The men questioning Jesus could see a temple that had taken forty-six years to build. They could not yet see the empty tomb that would prove His words true.
Therefore, when God’s Word challenges your assumptions, do not immediately resist it. Stop, listen carefully, and allow Scripture to correct your thinking.
One Concrete Practice Today
Choose one passage of Scripture that you know well and read it slowly again today. Before reading it, ask God to help you understand what He has actually said rather than simply seeing what you expect to see.
Then identify one truth from that passage that should change your thinking, attitude, or behavior. Put that truth into practice today.
Closing Encouragement
We will not always understand everything God is doing, but we can trust what He has revealed. Our understanding is limited, while His wisdom is perfect.
Therefore, remain teachable before God’s Word. Allow Scripture to challenge your assumptions, correct your thinking, and direct your life. The goal is not to make God’s Word agree with us. The goal is for our lives to agree with God’s Word.
Question for Today
Are you willing to let God’s Word correct something you have believed or practiced for a long time?
Respond: “Lord, teach me to submit my thinking to Your Word.”
DBF-001-041
Today’s Scripture
John 2:20 (ESV)
“The Jews then said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?’”
Opening the Scriptures
Jesus had told the Jewish authorities, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” They immediately assumed that He was speaking about the physical temple in Jerusalem.
Their response seemed reasonable from a human perspective. The temple had been under construction for forty-six years. How could Jesus possibly rebuild such an enormous structure in three days?
Their mistake was not that they lacked intelligence. Their mistake was that they interpreted the words of Jesus according to their own understanding.
Jesus was speaking about something far greater than a building. He was pointing toward His death and resurrection, but they could see only the temple standing before them.
They heard His words correctly, but they did not understand what He meant.
Living God’s Word Today
We can make the same mistake when we approach God’s Word.
We may read Scripture while already having decided what we want it to say. Our traditions, culture, experiences, personal preferences, and even teachings we have heard for many years can influence how we understand the Bible.
That is why we must approach Scripture with humility.
Our question should not be, “How can I make this verse support what I already believe?” Our question should be, “What has God actually said?”
This requires careful reading. We must consider the surrounding passage, compare Scripture with Scripture, and resist building beliefs upon isolated verses. We must also be willing to change our thinking when Scripture shows that something we have believed is wrong.
That can be uncomfortable.
It is easier to correct someone else’s beliefs than our own. It is easier to identify another person’s traditions than to recognize the traditions influencing us. Yet if God’s Word is truly our final authority, then we must allow it to correct us.
The Jewish authorities looked at the enormous temple and concluded that Jesus’ statement was impossible. Their visible circumstances controlled their understanding.
We face a similar danger when circumstances become difficult. We may look at what is happening around us and conclude that God cannot possibly accomplish His purposes.
But our limited understanding does not limit God.
We see today.
God sees the whole purpose.
We see the difficulty.
God knows exactly what He is accomplishing.
The men questioning Jesus could see a temple that had taken forty-six years to build. They could not yet see the empty tomb that would prove His words true.
Therefore, when God’s Word challenges your assumptions, do not immediately resist it. Stop, listen carefully, and allow Scripture to correct your thinking.
One Concrete Practice Today
Choose one passage of Scripture that you know well and read it slowly again today. Before reading it, ask God to help you understand what He has actually said rather than simply seeing what you expect to see.
Then identify one truth from that passage that should change your thinking, attitude, or behavior. Put that truth into practice today.
Closing Encouragement
We will not always understand everything God is doing, but we can trust what He has revealed. Our understanding is limited, while His wisdom is perfect.
Therefore, remain teachable before God’s Word. Allow Scripture to challenge your assumptions, correct your thinking, and direct your life. The goal is not to make God’s Word agree with us. The goal is for our lives to agree with God’s Word.
Question for Today
Are you willing to let God’s Word correct something you have believed or practiced for a long time?
Respond: “Lord, teach me to submit my thinking to Your Word.”
DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP
DBF-001-041
Today’s Scripture
John 2:20 (ESV)
“The Jews then said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?’”
Opening the Scriptures
Jesus had told the Jewish authorities, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” They immediately assumed that He was speaking about the physical temple in Jerusalem.
Their response seemed reasonable from a human perspective. The temple had been under construction for forty-six years. How could Jesus possibly rebuild such an enormous structure in three days?
Their mistake was not that they lacked intelligence. Their mistake was that they interpreted the words of Jesus according to their own understanding.
Jesus was speaking about something far greater than a building. He was pointing toward His death and resurrection, but they could see only the temple standing before them.
They heard His words correctly, but they did not understand what He meant.
Living God’s Word Today
We can make the same mistake when we approach God’s Word.
We may read Scripture while already having decided what we want it to say. Our traditions, culture, experiences, personal preferences, and even teachings we have heard for many years can influence how we understand the Bible.
That is why we must approach Scripture with humility.
Our question should not be, “How can I make this verse support what I already believe?” Our question should be, “What has God actually said?”
This requires careful reading. We must consider the surrounding passage, compare Scripture with Scripture, and resist building beliefs upon isolated verses. We must also be willing to change our thinking when Scripture shows that something we have believed is wrong.
That can be uncomfortable.
It is easier to correct someone else’s beliefs than our own. It is easier to identify another person’s traditions than to recognize the traditions influencing us. Yet if God’s Word is truly our final authority, then we must allow it to correct us.
The Jewish authorities looked at the enormous temple and concluded that Jesus’ statement was impossible. Their visible circumstances controlled their understanding.
We face a similar danger when circumstances become difficult. We may look at what is happening around us and conclude that God cannot possibly accomplish His purposes.
But our limited understanding does not limit God.
We see today.
God sees the whole purpose.
We see the difficulty.
God knows exactly what He is accomplishing.
The men questioning Jesus could see a temple that had taken forty-six years to build. They could not yet see the empty tomb that would prove His words true.
Therefore, when God’s Word challenges your assumptions, do not immediately resist it. Stop, listen carefully, and allow Scripture to correct your thinking.
One Concrete Practice Today
Choose one passage of Scripture that you know well and read it slowly again today. Before reading it, ask God to help you understand what He has actually said rather than simply seeing what you expect to see.
Then identify one truth from that passage that should change your thinking, attitude, or behavior. Put that truth into practice today.
Closing Encouragement
We will not always understand everything God is doing, but we can trust what He has revealed. Our understanding is limited, while His wisdom is perfect.
Therefore, remain teachable before God’s Word. Allow Scripture to challenge your assumptions, correct your thinking, and direct your life. The goal is not to make God’s Word agree with us. The goal is for our lives to agree with God’s Word.
Question for Today
Are you willing to let God’s Word correct something you have believed or practiced for a long time?
Respond: “Lord, teach me to submit my thinking to Your Word.”
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