Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/17) John 2:13-25

Jun17

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” John 2:16b

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus’ family and disciples are invited to a Wedding. At the week (or so) feast that followed, the wine supply was depleted. Jesus’ mother came to Jesus with the problem, then left Him to do as He would. As His first sign-miracle, Jesus turned six huge jars of fresh water into the best wine they had ever tasted. Surely this points to a new life, changed by Jesus, into one that blesses all around them. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and bring them into His Kingdom.

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John 2:13-17.

After the wedding and a brief stop in Capernaum, Jesus (with family and disciples?) did what all devout Jewish men did at that time of the year, as commanded by God. He went “up to Jerusalem” to celebrate Passover. This “feast” commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, when the angel of the LORD “passed over” all who had the lamb’s blood sprinkled on their doorposts, and killed the firstborn of all others.

(This is the first of three Passovers that John mentions in his Gospel.)

At Passover, worshippers came from all over Israel and the Roman Empire. Because it was not feasible to bring all the required animals for the sacrifice over such a distance, merchants saw an opportunity to make a bit of cash by providing them … at exorbitant prices. Also, the annual temple tax was to be paid by every male aged 20 and over. Coins from the countries in the Roman Empire were NOT accepted for this tax, so they needed to be exchanged into the Jewish shekel.

Not only did the animal sellers and moneychangers exploit the situation by charging high fees, but the Sadducees (major rulers of the Temple) also raked off a percentage of their earnings for allowing them to set up tables. And so, this outer court of the temple – a place where Gentiles were supposed to come to worship the LORD – was turned into a loud, chaotic (and filthy) marketplace by greedy merchants.

Jesus was infuriated with righteous indignation and anger. His Father’s holiness and worship were at stake.

He braided together a whip of cords and drove out not only the merchants but also the animals. “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade,” Jesus cried as He swung the whip above His head, and turned over the tables piled high with coins.

Later, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples remembered the Scripture passage from Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”

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John 2:18-22.

It was chaotic, but there was no uproar from the people. Otherwise, the Roman soldiers – on high alert during this Feast – would have been there in an instant. (Eventually, the merchants and travelers continued their bargaining outside the Temple walls.) However, the religious leaders saw their departure as the end of their money-making. They came to Jesus in protest.

“What sign do You show us for doing these things?” They wanted to know who had given Jesus the “authority” to drive out the merchants and animals. They believed that THEY alone had authority over the Temple.

Jesus gave them a sign, alright, but they totally did not understand it. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

Jesus’ death and resurrection would show who He was and the authority He had, but even after the event, the religious leaders rejected Him. In fact, this was one of the accusations they used to get a “guilty verdict” at his trial. For who could rebuild the magnificent temple that had taken King Herod 46 years to restore … in THREE DAYS?

Again, Jesus’ disciples would remember His words and understand their meaning. Just as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit would remind and teach them all the things Jesus had said.

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John 2:23-25.

“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs (miracles) that He was doing.“

This sounds good, right? Many believed! The miracles convinced them. (But what did they believe? And how sincere were they?)

“But Jesus on His part did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man.”

Jesus, as God, knew the hearts of people, and if their faith was sincere or not, and what it was based on. If only miracles convinced them, what would happen when He was arrested and crucified? How genuine was that belief?

“He Himself knew what was in man.”

Jesus was looking for true disciples who were genuinely converted. Mere enthusiasm for His miracles would fade in the face of opposition. True faith, and not “wows” at miracles, is needed for a life to be changed. Jesus was looking for whole-hearted commitment in His disciples.

(“Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'” Matt. 16:24-25. This challenge remains the same for us today.)

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/16) John 2:1-12

Jun16

Read and believe in Jesus

“This, the first of His signs, Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him. “ John 2:11

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus’ first disciples believe and begin to follow Him: John and Andrew, Simon (Peter), Philip, and Nathaniel. John and Andrew are directed by John the Baptist to Jesus. Andrew brings his brother Simon, and Jesus gives him a new name. After Jesus invites Philip to follow Him, the disciple finds his friend Nathaniel and simply says, “Come and see.” Nathaniel believes when he hears that Jesus “saw” him earlier, and Jesus promises him more supernatural revelations.

John 2:1-5

Three days after Jesus called Philip and Nathaniel, there was a wedding in the nearby town of Cana. Jesus’ mother was there. (It was possibly a family member’s wedding, and she had some responsibilities.) If that was the case, it was natural that Jesus was also invited to the wedding with His disciples. The newest disciple, Nathaniel, was from Cana. (John 21:2)

The celebration was going along nicely (it could be up to a week!) when Mary noticed they were out of wine. This would be a big embarrassment to the host (the groom & family), and Mary told Jesus about the problem.

Did she expect Him to do something about it? (Run to the nearest BEV MO?) Verse 11 says that this was the FIRST of Jesus’ miracles, so she couldn’t have expected a miracle of Him. Perhaps she was simply used to going to Jesus as her oldest and first-born son with any problems that arose after the death of Joseph.

What follows is hard for us to understand. It seems like Jesus is rude to His mother, telling her that since He had begun His ministry (acclaimed by John the Baptist and calling His first disciples), He could no longer be involved in her household problems. From that time onward, His eye (concern) would be on the cross and His death on it for the sins of man. (His “hour”)

What Mary understood of that, we don’t know. It seems she might have said, “Whatever!” and then turned to the servants with, “You do what He says.” After that, she walked away, leaving everything in His hands.

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John 2:6-11

In this house where the wedding was being held (it must have been grand), there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rite of purification (ritual baths). Each held 20-30 gallons. GALLONS!! Jesus told the servants to fill each of them up with fresh water (from a well or nearby spring). It must have taken some time. When they were full (you could see the inside bottom of the jars through the clear liquid), Jesus told the servants to draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.

Were they scared to do so? Water to the head master? But they were servants; they obeyed. A pitcher was carried to the man at the head table. And sometime between drawing the water out and pouring it into a wine glass … the water had become wine. The freshest and best wine from the highest-quality grapes.

The head of the feast was flabbergasted. He turned to the groom with high praise. The groom must have been wide-eyed in wonder himself. Where had it come from? (Only the servants knew.) Whatever, the wedding feast went on in splendid form.

“This, the first of His signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested His glory. And His disciples believed in Him.“

John emphasized that miracles were not merely displays of power, but had spiritual significance. They were “signs” that pointed to deeper realities through the eyes of faith.

(What do YOU believe this sign of turning water to wine at a wedding feast pointed to in Jesus’ life and ministry?)

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John 2:12.

After the wedding feast, Jesus and His disciples (and His mother and brothers) went down to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus would soon establish this town as His northern headquarters. For now, they stayed only a few days before heading to Jerusalem for Passover (next reading).

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/15) John 1:35-51

Jun15

Read and believe in Jesus

“He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah.” John 1:41

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – John the Baptist points people to Jesus, saying He is the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.’ He is questioned by the religious leaders from Jerusalem, but humbly claims only to be the one pointing others to the promised Messiah.

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John 1:35-42.

The next day, two of John the Baptist’s own followers were standing near him when Jesus walked by. John pointed to Him and said, “Behold (or look!), the Lamb of God.” The two disciples (who happened to be John and Andrew) began following after Jesus.

“What are you seeking?” Jesus turned and asked them.

“Rabbi, where are You staying?

Jesus, I think, with a grin on his face, answered, “Come, and you will see.”

They followed Him and stayed with Him that day.

(NOTE: If John was using the Jewish way of reckoning time, it would have been 4:00 pm, but John often uses the Roman method, and so it would have been 10:00 in the morning, and the two stayed with Jesus, learning from him all that day.)

It seems that John and Andrew were convinced of who Jesus was. Andrew went off to find his brother, Simon, and exclaimed, “We have found the Messiah!”

He brought Simon to Jesus, and after a simple look, Jesus said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas (which in Greek is Peter)?“

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John 1:43-46.

The next day, Jesus went north to Galilee, to the city of Bethsaida (the northern tip of the Sea). Peter and Andrew were originally from that city. Jesus found Philip there and said, “Follow Me.”

Almost immediately, Philip found Nathaniel (sometimes called Bartholomew) and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

(Philip got two things wrong, but they were later corrected. While Jesus WAS raised in Nazareth, He was born in Bethlehem, and while Joseph was His adopted father, Jesus was the Son of God. In reality, He had no earthly father.)

Nathaniel scoffed, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth? (Nazareth was an insignificant, poor village without prophetic significance. Nathaniel, a scholar, knew that.)

Philip’s answer? “Come and see.”

(This is a great way to introduce Jesus, even today. “Come and see.” You can invite friends or family to study the Gospels with you, or invite them to your church’s Sunday School or Bible study. There, as they read the Bible, they can “see” Jesus for themselves.)

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John 1:47-51.

Nathaniel agreed and went with Philip. Jesus saw him coming and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” (Wow, what a thing for Jesus to say of him!)

“How do You know me?” Nathaniel asked, astonished.

“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

Amazed, and recognizing Jesus as the Messiah that Philip called Him, Nathaniel said, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israle!” (Wow! Nathaniel claimed Jesus as “the Son of God” way before Peter made that announcement!)

Jesus said, “Because I said I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these. Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

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(What did Jesus mean by that? If you remember way back in Genesis 28:12, Jacob (who became Israel) had a dream as he left the ‘promised land’ to seek a wife: a ladder stretched from earth to heaven. Angels were ascending and descending on it. That was when the LORD promised Jacob that He would be his God, as He had been to Abraham and Isaac, and that the promised land would be HIS and his offspring’s forever. —– Jesus’ point to Nathaniel was that just as Jacob/Israel experienced a supernatural, heaven-sent revelation, so Nathaniel and the other disciples would experience supernatural confirmation about WHO Jesus was. And “the Son of Man” replaced the “ladder” in Jacob’s dream, showing that Jesus was the means of access to God.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/12) John 1:19-34

Jun12

(Note: I had to change the “John” icon due to copyright issues. This is my own pic.)

Read and believe in Jesus

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

REVIEW – John’s magnificent introduction to his gospel showed Jesus as Creator, Eternal God, Light and Life, Son of God, the WORD who became flesh and blood, Israel’s Messiah, and the One who brings grace and truth. He would be rejected by many, but received by some, who would become the children of God. John mentions John the Baptist, a fiery yet humble man who came as a witness to Jesus and who prepared the way for Him. And that’s where the story begins today.

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Isaiah 40:3-5 — “A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’”

This is the call that John the Baptist heard from the Scriptures he studied.

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John 1:19-28.

John had been doing what God called him to do, up and down the Jordan Valley. The way he was “preparing a way” for the Lord was by turning the people’s hearts away from themselves and their sin and toward God. He would preach and then baptize those who repented. He painted a picture of the One who was coming after him as eternal, holy, worthy of worship. He did this so the Messiah would be revealed to the people.

John was causing a lot of fuss, and the religious leaders in Jerusalem heard about him. They sent priests and Levites to find out who he was. (Remember, John was in the priestly line; his father, Zechariah, was a priest, and his mother, Elizabeth, was also a “daughter of Aaron.”)

The priests asked him, “Who are you?“

John confessed plainly, “I am not the Christ.”

They asked further, “What then? Are you Elijah?” (Referencing Malachi 3:1 and 45-6, which tells of a future herald.)

John answered, “I am not.“

Priests: “Are you the Prophet?” (Referencing Deuteronomy 18:15-18, where God told Moses about the Messiah.)

John: “No.”

Priests: “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

John quotes Isaiah. “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

The Priests, quoting the Pharisees, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

John: “I baptize with water, but among you stands One you do not know, even He who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

That must have given the priests enough fodder, for they departed, leaving John to his baptizing.

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John 1:29-34.

The very next day, while John was again preaching and baptizing, he saw Jesus walking toward him. He knew who the man Jesus was – for they were cousins – but he did not KNOW Jesus was the Messiah, the One whom he was “preparing the people” for. So God gave John a sign, and then he KNEW.

“BEHOLD, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

The Jews were familiar with lambs being used for sacrifice. There was the Passover Lamb that called to remembrance their deliverance from the death angel and escape from Egypt. A lamb was offered in the daily sacrifices for Israel. The Jews understood how their sins were laid upon an animal’s head before it died, and so their sin was atoned for.

Here was the One who would atone for the sins of the world … if, in fact, they “received Him, and believed on His name.” John 1:11.

Then John told how he saw the Holy Spirit descend from heaven like a dove and remain on Him. (It was when he baptized Jesus.) It was the sign from God, and he knew that “THIS IS THE SON OF GOD.“

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (6/11) John 1:1-18

Jun11

Read and believe in Jesus

“And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – We’ve read the gospels of Mark and Luke, both of which draw on eyewitness accounts. John (and next, Matthew) were actual disciples of Jesus. Daily they were with Him for most of three years. Matthew was probably written first. John, written last, was written many years later, when the “beloved disciple” was an old man.

John doesn’t write his account in specific chronological order. Instead, he gives seven signs (miracles) that prove Jesus was the Messiah and Savior. He also uses seven “! AM” statements that identify Jesus as God. He had a purpose for writing his book that you will find at the end of his Gospel: “that YOU may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you might have life in His name.” John 20:31.

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John 1:1-5

“In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD WAS God.

“He was in the beginning with God. ALL things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.”

According to Greek philosophy, the “Lagos” (or WORD) is the “initiator” of all that exists. THIS is Jesus. John uses this word not only to reach Jews, but also Greeks with the Gospel.

“In Him was LIFE, and the life was the LIGHT of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

LIFE and LIGHT are spiritual and eternal qualities shared in the Godhead, and also in those who respond to the gospel message about Jesus.

LIGHT refers to Biblical truth, as well as to holiness and purity, while darkness points to Satan, rebellion, and death. Darkness will never conquer the LIGHT of Christ, just as a single candle can overcome a room filled with darkness, but not vice versa. (PRAISE GOD!)

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John 1:6-8.

John mentions John the Baptist, a man sent by God as a “witness” to tell about the light of Jesus, so all might believe in Him. John wasn’t the light, but he came to point to the light. And indeed he did, to all who came to him to be baptized … and even to King Herod who had him beheaded for it.

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John 1:9-13.

Jesus, the true light, came into the world (the world that He created), and they (for the most part) DID NOT KNOW HIM.

He came to His own people, the Jews, who since Abraham had been expecting their Messiah, and they (for the most part) DID NOT RECEIVE HIM.

BUT …. to all WHO DID RECEIVE HIM, who did believe in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. Spiritual children of God, not of flesh and blood or the will of man … but by THE WILL OF GOD.

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John 1:14-18

Here, John the disciple can’t help but testify on his own behalf.

“The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us, AND WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY, GLORY AS THE ONLY SON OF THE FATHER, FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH!”

In John’s first letter, verse 1, you see that amazement again.

“That which was from the beginning, WHICH WE HAVE HEARD, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN WITH OUR EYES, WHICH WE LOOKED UPON AND HAVE TOUCHED WITH OUR HANDS…. the life was made manifest, and WE HAVE SEEN IT…”

(This is the one who is writing this Gospel we are about to read. A man who knew Jesus, who walked with Him, hugged, linked arms with. The Word of Life, John knew personally. And he’s going to tell us about Him.)

Then John the disciple tells the testimony of John the Baptist.

“John bore witness about him and cried out, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because He WAS before me.”

And John’s final words of introduction before going into more of what John the Baptist said and did:

“And from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, the only God, who is at the Father’s side, HE has made Him known.”

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Yes, this is a tough section of John’s Gospel. Jesus is presented not as a babe in a manger or even a man being baptized, but as the Eternal God, author of life and all that exists. Let’s try to keep this image of Him in our minds as we read.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (6/10) Luke 24:36-52

Jun10

A five-day-per-week study

June 10 – Luke 24:36-52

Read and Believe in Jesus

“It is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:46b-48

The Gospel according to Luke.

REVIEW – Jesus, in His “resurrected body disguise,” joined two disciples as they walked to Emmaus from Jerusalem after Passover week. They were astounded that this man didn’t know all the amazing things that had happened there, and told Him. Jesus then explained how all those things fulfilled the prophesies about the Messiah in the Scriptures. The two were amazed and said that “their hearts burned.” Jesus accepted their invitation to stay at their home, and when He took the bread, broke it, and gave it to them …. they suddenly recognized him as their Master. At that moment Jesus disappeared. The two rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the apostles.

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Luke 24:36-43.

Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, the apostles and disciples were hearing and rejoicing at Simon Peter’s account of seeing Jesus himself. The two from Emmaus arrived and told their story. And there was great rejoicing.

As they were talking, encouraging each other, Jesus suddenly appeared among them. “Peace to you,” He immediately said, for they were frightened, thinking He was a ghost!

“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see, for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

(We may laugh at them, but seriously! How would YOU feel if Jesus in resurrected flesh was suddenly behind you while you read this on your phone or tablet? You would be wide-eyed. You would gasp. Your heart might start pounding. I know that’s how “I” would feel.)

Jesus then held out His nail-printed hands and showed his scarred feet. Surely they could see the healed wounds the crown of thorns made on his forehead. Yes, it was Jesus! Yes, He had risen as He said! But oh, how absolutely amazing and astounding it was to actually SEE Him. They looked and touched, wide-eyed and trembling. They saw Jesus but still “disbelieved for joy.”

(You know how that is. Sometimes something is SO amazing, we might say, “Wow! Unbelievable! I can’t believe I saw that!” That’s the attitude they had.)

Smiling at their amazement and joy, Jesus sought further proof to show them, and asked for some food. Surely ghosts don’t EAT! They gave Jesus a piece of boiled fish, and He ate it. Oh, how they watched wide-eyed as He bit, chewed, and swallowed.

(I can even see Him open His mouth and stick out His tongue to show that the fish had actually been swallowed!! Ha-ha)

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Luke 24:44-49.

Then, as He had done with the two on the road to Emmaus, Jesus told them that “Everything written about Me in 1) the Law of Moses, 2) the Prophets, and 3) the Psalms (the whole Old Testament) must be fulfilled.” Then Jesus did a wonderful thing. He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Often, when He had taught the crowds, He told His disciples that they wouldn’t understand it all “then,” but they would later. NOW was that time.

(Can you imagine how it would be to totally understand and “see” Jesus throughout the Bible? We study and learn some, but to have instant understanding! Wow. Of course, these men (and women) would need that knowledge, as well as the Holy Spirit in them, to begin preaching the Gospel to all the world.)

Then Jesus states clearly the Gospel that is to be preached to all nations. “That Christ (Messiah) should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name.” This message would first be preached in Jerusalem and then spread to the whole world.

Jesus also promised that He would “clothe them with the power” they would need for the task. The Holy Spirit of God would soon come upon them. They were to wait in the city until this happened. (40 days later, on Pentecost)

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Luke 24:50-53,

Their clear task before them; the promise of power soon to be fulfilled; it was time for Jesus to return to Glory, to the Father, to the place of honor from which he had come 33 earth-years earlier. From there, He would send the Holy Spirit. And there He would intercede for them when the Tempter tried to prevail. And from there He would welcome them home when they were martyred for His name’s sake.

Jesus led them out as far as Bethany on the easter slope of the Mount of Olives. He lifted up His hands in a final blessing on them. And as He did, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.”

Like we would, they continued to stare in amazement into heaven at the last tiny spot they had seen Jesus. Then they worshiped Him (in praise and prayer). They returned to the Holy City with great joy, and were in the temple continually blessing God.

Hallelujah!!

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Luke omits some incidents and words that the other Gospels include after the Resurrection and goes straight to the glorious point of Jesus’ ascension.

As we study John next, we will see Jesus in those precious moments with Mary Magdalene in the garden, with “doubting” Thomas, who then proclaimed Him as “My Lord and my God”, with 500 disciples at one time in Galilee, and with the disciples beside the Sea, when Peter humbly said three times that he DOES love Jesus.

Matthew ends with the Great Commission and Jesus’ promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (6/9) Luke 24:13-35

Jun9

A five-day-per-week study

June 9 – Luke 24:13-35

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32

The Gospel according the Luke.

REVIEW – Jesus was resurrected early on the first day of the week (Sunday). A group of women came to do a thorough job of annointing His body with spices and ointments. (Joseph was hurried on Friday when he placed Jesus’ body in his tomb because it was almost the Sabbath.) /But the women found the tomb empty. Then a pair of angels appeared. One asked them the most amazing question. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” He told them to remember what Jesus had said about rising from the dead. The women ran to tell the disciples, who pooh-poohed their account. But … after they left, Peter (and John) ran to the tomb to find it exactly as the women had said.

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Luke 24:13-24.

Later on the same day, when the women and the apostles received the good news that Jesus had risen, we meet two more of the Master’s disciples. They were returning home from Jerusalem to Emmaus after Passover. One was named Cleopas (possibly the husband of one of the Marys who stood at the cross, see John 19:25).

As they walked, they talked about everything that had happened in Jerusalem that week: 1) Jesus’ triumphant entry on a donkey, 2) His amazing teaching, 3) His arrest, trial, and ultimate horrible crucifixion, with the darkness and earthquake, 4) Joseph’s merciful act of burial, and then 5) the news about His resurrection. It was all just too much to take in.

As they walked, a man joined them on the road. Jesus kept His identity from them as they went, listening, then questioning what they were talking about.

They stopped, amazed, and Cleopas asked, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?“

“What things?” Jesus asked them, urging them on.

“Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. We had hoped that He was the One to redeem Israel! And now, some of the women amazed us, saying they saw a vision of angels who said that He was alive!

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Luke 24:25-27.

“O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” said Jesus tenderly. “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?

And beginning with Moses (five books of the Law) and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in ALL Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

(Some of the Scriptures would have included an explanation of the sacrificial system, with its offerings and death. He would have pointed them to the prophetic passages that spoke of crucifixion, like Psalm 16, 22, and 69, Isaiah 52-53, Zechariah 12-13, and even explained such passages as Genesis 3:15, Numbers 21:5-9, Psalm 16:10, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Daniel 9:26, as well as many more.)

OH, WOULDN’T YOU HAVE LOVED TO HEAR THAT TEACHING AS THEY WALKED ALONG? This is why we should study the Old Testament too. It’s rich in the things that point to Jesus.

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Luke 24:28-32.

When they came to their house in Emmaus, Jesus acted as if he would travel farther, but they urged Him strongly to stay with them for the night. Jesus agreed.

When he was at the table with them, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them. (OH, that must have seemed SO familiar!!) And at that minute, Jesus “opened their eyes to recognize Him.” And then He vanished.

Amazed, cheered, and with more understanding of all the events as they finished the simple meal, they said over and over, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”

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Luke 24:33-35.

And they got up that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the Eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then the two from Emmaus told what had happened along the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

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What a time of rejoicing that must have been. Jesus really was alive. And those who hadn’t witnessed His appearing yet longed for it to happen to them too. (And it would soon.)

Oh, and don’t you know that special appearance to “Simon” (not Peter) was surely a sweet time, when the distraught disciple who had denied his Lord three times, as predicted, was tenderly assured that he was still Jesus’ own sure possession. Such grace. Such love.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (6/8) Luke 24:1-12

Jun8

A 5-day per week study.

June 8 – Reading Luke 24:1-12

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?”  Luke 24:5

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review –

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Council and a good and righteous man, requested the body of Jesus, then took it from the cross, wrapped it in a linen shroud with spices, and laid it in his own new tomb. Several women who were followers of Jesus observed where the tomb was and determined to return after the Sabbath with prepared spices and ointment for Jesus’ body.

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24:1-3.

But, early on Monday morning, when the women returned, they found the stone rolled away from the tomb entrance (a concern they discussed on the way), and the body of Jesus … GONE! What? Where was His body? They KNEW they had watched Joseph put Jesus in this tomb. Many questions and possibilities ran through their minds.

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24:4-8

While they were perplexed, two men in dazzling white clothes appeared to them. (These were, of course, angels.) They were frightened and immediately bowed their heads low. Then they heard one of the angels speak.

“Why do you seek the LIVING among the DEAD? He is not here, but has RISEN as He said. Remember how He told you while He was in Galilee, that the Son of Man must …

  1. be delivered into the hands of sinful men,

2. be crucified,

3. and on the third day … RISE.“

And they remembered His words!

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24:9-11.

(It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others who were there.) These ran to the apostles and the rest, and told them all these things, but their words seemed like an idle tale, and the men did not believe them.

But Peter got up and ran to the tomb (John 20:4 says John went with him), and stooped to look in. He saw the linen clothes on their own and marveled at what had happened. (John’s account said that THAT disciple “believed.”)

They returned to where they were lodging, marveling, wondering, perhaps questioning their own eyes, and running over in their minds all that Jesus had told them. Yes! He had indeed told them, AND THREE TIMES, that he would be killed and then …. resurrected! Had it happened? Where was He then? Would they SEE Him again?

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The resurrection of Jesus is what makes Christianity unique. No other religious leader or “god” has done it (or had the power to do it). But Jesus rising from the dead is PROOF that His work on the cross was accepted by God as the total payment. That bill that was to come due when we died now has a stamp PAID IN FULL across it. Our redemption is bought and paid for; Jesus’ death was totally sufficient to pay our sin debt. When we believe, the payment is applied to us. Oh, Praise God!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (6/5) Luke 23:50-55

Jun5

A 5-day per week study.

June 5 – Reading Luke 23:50-55

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“.”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review –

Jesus is crucified between two criminals. He suffers death and God’s wrath for all who will believe in Him, and then He breathes His last and dies. Darkness, earthquakes, and the Temple veil split in two. We saw different reactions in those who watched the crucifixion.

Vss. 23:50-55.

Joseph, a good and righteous man who was a member of the Sanhedrin, but who had NOT voted against Jesus, went to the governor to request Jesus’ body for burial.

According to Mark 15:43-45, Pilate was surprised that Jesus was dead already. Crucifixion could take days to kill, and Jesus was dead after six hours. (Of course, Pilate didn’t know that Jesus had earlier claimed that “No man takes My life, but I willingly lay it down,”(John 10:18). Jesus had accomplished the work His Father had given to Him. Then He died.)

Pilate sent and asked the Centurian in charge of the execution. The soldier verified that Jesus was dead after piercing His side and seeing both blood and water come out. Joseph was given permission to take down Jesus’ body.

Joseph tenderly wrapped the ravaged body of Jesus in a linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb cut in the stone, where no man had ever yet been laid. (Matthew 27:60 tells us it was Joseph’s own tomb, which he’d only recently had made for himself.) John 19:39-40 tells us that another “secret disciple,” Nicodemus, joined Joseph, bringing a large amount of spices to wrap with Jesus’ body. They rolled the heavy stone in front of the opening and left before the Sabbath began.

The woman who had come with Jesus from Galilee, disciples themselves, followed the men and saw the tomb, and how the body was laid. They planned to return after the Sabbath and finish preparing Jesus’ body with spices and ointments they’d made.

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And so, along with all the other observing Jews in Israel, Jesus rested on the Sabbath.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (6/4) Luke 23:44-49

Jun4

A 5-day per week study.

June 4 – Reading Luke 23:44-49

 

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’And He breathed His last.”  Luke 23:46

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus was nailed to the cross. “Father, forgive them…” Jesus was mocked by religious leaders, soldiers, and criminals, but one finally found faith and trusted in Jesus.  “Today you will be with me in Paradice.”

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Vss. 23:44-49.

Jesus was nailed to the cross at 9:00 am.  At noon, “there was darkness over the whole land until 3:00 pm, while the sun’s light failed.”  

“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two (‘from top to bottom’, says Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38).

Jesus (knowing about that temple curtain and what it’s tearing stood for) cried out in a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit my Spirit.”

And He breathed His last breath.

Jesus was dead.

(The other Gospels record more of Jesus’ words.  They also record how, when earthly life left the Son of God, all hell broke loose.  With the darkness, violent earthquakes, and rocks splitting, tombs were opened, and the bodies of the dead came out.)

(Satan had a sudden, horrible headache. Genesis 3:15)

The Centurion in charge of the crucifixion stood trembling. “Certainly, this Man was innocent!”

Two criminals still hung, alive, on the crosses. But the spectators who came to see Jesus die, “returned home, beating their breasts.”  All (men and women) who had followed Jesus from Galilee stood at a distance and watched. Stunned? Horrified?

But Jesus was with His Father, just as all true believers will be with the LORD the minute they die.” (2 Corinthians 5:8) Did God say to Jesus, “WELL DONE, Son!  Salvation is accomplished.”  There needed but one final seal – His resurrection.

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So, what did it mean that the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, and from  TOP to bottom?

  • Inside the original Wilderness Tabernacle, then in the Great Temple, and the ones to follow, the tall, thick curtain, or veil, separated the Holy Place, where the priests ministered daily before the Lord, from the Most Holy Place, where God’s Glory dwelled, and where the High Priest was allowed to enter ONCE a year on the Day of Atonement, to sprinkle the sacrificial blood on the Mercy Seat to atone (cover) the sins of the people.
  • This golden lid (mercy seat) covered the box of the Ark of the Covenant, which contained THE LAW, and the judgments on man for breaking them.
  • Jesus’ death (He was the total righteous Lamb of God) represented the final sprinkling of blood (His) on the mercy seat, covering and atoning for the sins of all who would believe in the world.
  • No longer was the separating curtain needed. Jesus’s death opened the way for true believers to approach God (and not die).
  • And it was God who, satisfied with His Son’s sacrificial death, tore it apart (represented by the veil being torn FROM THE TOP, or Heaven).

What an accomplishment!  You did it!  Oh, thank you, Jesus!  Praise You!

 

 

 

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