Daily Bread Pastor Mike Anderson 2026

John 21 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Key Verses  Jesus Reinstates Peter 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Commentary This is the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after being raised from the dead. This by far has the most about of personal detail, as Jesus unites one last time with the disciples, before he ascended into heaven. Some commentators believe this was a later addition to the book of John, because chapter 20 ends with essentially...

John 20 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary Verses for Today Jesus Appears to His Disciples 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  Commentary Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene, as John writes in verses 11 - 18, and he appeared also to Peter before he appeared to the eleven (which included Peter). We don't have the details of when or how Jesus appeared to Peter, but in Luke 24:33-34, the men who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus said this,  "They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared t...

John 19 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary As we read about the last day of Jesus' life on earth,  we know all of his disciples had deserted him. So who was there for him? The people who were there for Jesus on his last day were not the people you might have expected save his mother. So let's see who showed up on Good Friday! 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[b] here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. We might call them the "three Mary's". Of course, you have Jesus' mother, Mary. It is hard to imagine the pain she was in. Though she might have believed that he would be raised again from the dead, this wasn't on her mind now. All she could see was her precious son beating whipped, scouraged, moc...

John 18 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Verses for the Day 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”  5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.  “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.  7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”  “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.  8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go. Commentary Throughout the book of John, I have been referring to the importance of Jesus' "I am" statements . I.e. " I am the bread of life" , "I am the resurrection and the life", "I am the living water", "I am the bread of life", "I am the good shepherd", "I am the way, the truth, and the life."   All of these taken together show that Jesus is not shy in declaring his divinity. None of these statements ...

Click Here to Read John 17 Enduring Word Commentary Verses of the Day 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. Enduring Word Quotes I n this world we are familiar with the truth that it is a blessing and an inspiration to know certain people. Much more is it the case when we know God.” (Morris) That they may know You: “In the Greek the verb is in the present subjunctive indicating the ‘knowledge’ is a growing experience.” (Tasker) Commentary What I have found in this life is that our quality of life is determined by the quality of relationships we have. While material things can give you enjoyment, they often lose their lustre. Or, you need the newest or better version to keep you happy. Relationships also lost their lustre when you stop investing ...

John 16 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary Verses of the Day 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” Commentary  The disciples could only handle so much of what Jesus was teaching them. In a lot of ways they weren't getting what Jesus had already taught them. They misunderstood why he was going to the cross. They misunderstood the kind of kingdom he was ushering in. They misunderstood that three days after he died, he would rise from the dead. They misunderstood that they would be the ones to lead the church into the future.   Part of the re...

John 15 - NIV Key Verses:  15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Commentary If you are looking for the best verses in the bible about the secret to spiritual growth and being an effective Christian, these five verses are right at the top. While there are many other great verses on the keys to becoming a mature Christian, this teaching is straight from Jesus himself. So I think we should start there when we are looking at being a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  ...

John 14 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Key Verses for Today  Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:15-17 Commentary Chapter 14 begins what we call Jesus' " Upper Room Discourse ". His teaching to the disicples goes through chapter 17. It is the last time he will address the disciples, so what he was vitally important to them and to us today. The next four chapters have so many things I could comment on, so I would advise you to take the time to read through them and maybe even read the Enduring Word Commentary.  In two days we will celebrate Easter, where we shout, "He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed" ! While this is the most important event in human history, 50 da...

John 13 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Verse for Today 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. - John 13:12-17 Commentary It's very ironic that today's reading is about Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. In traditional churches, like ours, tonight is called " Maundy Thursday ". It comes from the word " Mandatum Novum ", which means " New Commandment ". And in today's passage Jesus gives his d...

John 12 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Jesus Anointed at Bethany 12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.  7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but ...

John 11 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Verses for the Day Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.  21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”  23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”  24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”  25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are t...

John 10 - NIV Verses for the Day 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep Commentary As I have mentioned a few times, the gospel of John uses " I am" statements to signify that Jesus is truly God. They also point to unique attributes of who he is and what he does for us.  Today Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd ".  The shepherd motif was a popular one in Jesus' day, because so many men were...

  Key Verses Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.  8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 1...

John 8 - NIV John 8 - Enduring Word Commentary Key Verses 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Commentary When Jesus said, " If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples ", he meant that being his follower is not just about words but about a way of life. It seems as though these Jews had already taken a step toward believing in Jesus. Now he lets them know that if they are going to follow him, they are going to need tol make a commitment to obeying his teachings. Their thoughts, wo...

John 7 - NIV John 7 - Enduring Word Commentary Verses of the Day - John 7:14-18 Jesus Teaches at the Festival 14 Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. 15 The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”  16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.  Commentary You may not be familiar with the Feast of Tabernacles, so here are some facts about it.  1. It was a seven day feast, celebrated 5 days after Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) in the Fall. 2. The tabernacles were symbol of the the booths God provided for the Israelites to live in the wilde...

John 6 - NIV John 6 - Enduring Word Commentary Key Verse - John 6:35 "Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." Commentary This is one of seven "I am" statements that Jesus made about himself in John's gospel. They not only reveal Jesus' divine nature, but also reveal the role he plays in our lives. Today, Jesus says, after feeding the the 5,000, "I am the bread of life. " Although Jesus met a very important physical need when he fed the 5,000, they would get hungry again. But if they believed in Jesus, they would never be hungry again.  Bread was a staple in Jesus' life and very symbolic in Israel's history, as when the Israelites wandered in the wildnerness, God provided daily manna for them. They were a sign of God's provision and also an affirmation of Moses' leadership.  A little earlier in this passage Jesus describes the unique na...

John 5 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary - John 5 Verses for the Day - John 5:24-30 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25 Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. 28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. Commentary In verse 16, Jesus starts teaching about the authority that He and ...

John 4 - NIV John 4 - Enduring Word Commentary Key Verses 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” 11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Commentary One of the things I love about Jesus, which reveals the nature of God, is how inclusive he is. He seems to love the " underdog ...

John 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary - John 3 Key Verses - John 3:3-8 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Commentary This is one of my favorite stories of the bible, although I always say that. We so often hear someone say, " He or she is a born-again Christian" ! I almost want to say, " Is there any other type of Christian?" I was par...

John 2 - NIV John 2 - Enduring Word Commentary Verses for the Day - John 2:7-10 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.  8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”  They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” Commentary John's gospel is unique in that it uses the word " signs ", and the other three gospels use the word " miracles ". The word miracles focuses more on the power of Jesus. The Greek word for "miracles" is " dunamis ", which is where we get our term " dynamite ". A sign is something that point...

John 1 - NIV John 1 - Enduring Word Commentary Verses for the Day: John 1:1-3,14 The Word Became Flesh 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Commentary Today we begin my favorite gospel, and one of my favorite books in the bible, the gospel of John. John was also called, "the disciple whom Jesus loved".  I love John because it gives us a glimpse of the relational side of Jesus, with many stories that are not included in the other gospels. I.e. Nicodemus, Lazarus, the women at the well, and the woman caught in adultery. John is also unique from a theological perspective. Whereas the first three gospels, also known as the "synoptic gospels",...