Bible Study Intensive

The disciples in vs. 29 say they realize Jesus is speaking to them plainly, not in proverbs. By verse 32 they say they know He is from God.

Go back to the answer on last week's question 13--that is our jumping off point. Read verses 15:1-17.

We were able to witness a very precious scene last week. Jesus' hour had come. We are in the upper room.

We ended last week with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Psalm 118:25-26 predicted this entry. The people hoped this king would end the Roman rule. It looked like the world was following Jesus.

As we left our story last week, we sense that the disciples are about to hear and experience a reality that they had not encountered before: Jesus had reference Daylight (symbolizing the knowledge of God's will and reliance on His guidance) and Night (absence of knowledge combined with self-reliance). Jesus is in Daylight.

We found out last week that Christ had come to be a shepherd for God's people. The role of the shepherd, according to Psalm 23, was to make the sheep lie down in green pastures, to lead them beside quiet waters, to restore their souls, and to guide them in paths of righteousness. Christ as the Good Shepherd was Himself the way to receive these blessings.

Last week, we saw Jesus claim to the the light of the world. The reaction to this statement from the Jews is that they pick up stones to try and kill him. It is all together fitting that the next encounter Jesus has with a broken man demonstrates the truth of His identity.

Last week we saw Jesus escaping a difficult situation with the Pharisees and in the process He redeemed a woman. Does it get any better than seeing that happen? He is in the business of doing that for us.

Some of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have John 7:53-8:11. However, references by the church fathers to this event can be traced back to AD 100, which gives us validity to include it in our study. There is some debate about the exact time this took place in the ministry of Jesus.

This next section is important in regard to understanding what Jesus is proclaiming to the people. Jesus is talking about fulfilling their request for more bread in a very unique way, for a specific time and in eternity.