Archive | October 2024

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 304

Oct31

Day 304—Today is the last day of the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 304 – Matthew 19, Mark 10.  (Divorce, Rich young ruler, Children, James & John’s request.)

These two chapters cover some of the same events in Jesus’ ministry. They are set in Judea rather than Galilee, and the area is thick with religious hierarchy.

Some Pharisees come to Jesus “to test Him” about a point of the law concerning divorce. “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” they asked. “What did Moses (the law) say?” Jesus responded, showing He knew what they were up to. When they answered that Moses said it was okay for a man to divorce his wife, Jesus said, “He wrote that because of the hardness of your heart.”  Jesus explained that from the beginning, GOD meant that a man and wife be joined together forever.

Later, His disciples quizzed Him about it, and He told them that whoever divorces his (her) mate and marries another is committing adultery. “If that’s the case,” they said. “It is better not to marry at all.” Jesus agrees that for some, this is the best option.

Interestingly, the next scene involves children (the result of a married union). Parents wanted Jesus to touch, bless, and pray for their children, but the snooty disciples rebuked them, thinking the Master was too busy for babies. Jesus was indignant with their attitude and instead welcomed children, saying that anyone who would enter the Kingdom of  God must come in faith like those little ones. He gathered them onto his lap and blessed them.

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As we saw in Luke 18, Matthew and Mark tell the story of the rich, young ruler who came to Jesus with a heart question: “What (what good deed) must I DO to “inherit” eternal life?”  (Note: a person does not DO something to INHERIT. It is freely given because of a relationship.)  (Also, the man calls Jesus ‘good’ teacher, and Jesus makes sure he knows just WHO he is talking to.  Only God is good, so realize, young man, that I am giving you God’s answer.)

The man says he has kept perfectly, since his youth, ALL God’s commandments concerning how to treat other people, but he still feels something lacking. Mark says, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.”  Jesus knew the man’s heart and that his money was “king.”  “Go, sell all you have, give it to the poor, and follow Me, and you will have treasure in Heaven.” (Give up the throne of your life, that “I” might sit on it.)  But, alas, the VERY RICH young man could not. Both he and Jesus were saddened (disheartened and sorrowful) at the conclusion.

The disciples again quiz Jesus. Peter says, “See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?”  Jesus acknowledges their sacrifice and assures them that they will indeed “inherit” eternal life (and be reimbursed in other ways in THIS life, too.)

Here (for the third time), Jesus tells them He is on the road to a greater sacrifice – His own life for theirs. It will involve physical and emotional suffering and death. But he will rise after three days.

This sparks a favor that brothers James and John want to ask Jesus.  “When you come into your glory, can we sit on your right and left?”  (Um, did they not just hear Jesus tell of His upcoming pain, humiliation, and death???)

“Can YOU TWO go through all that I am destined to endure?  Can you drink that bitter cup I must drink?”  “Yes. Sure, we can.” They say. (I can imagine Jesus sighing and shaking his head at this.”  Yes, you will drink this cup (speaking at their own martyrdom), but it’s not up to Me to decide who sits by me in the kingdom.”  God has chosen those for that spot.

For sure, this made the other ten disciples indignant.  Who do those “sons of thunder” think they are?  Who made them special?  As with a class of kindergarteners, Jesus tells His men/boys, “Whoever would be great among you must be your SERVANT, and whoever would be first among you must be SLAVE of all.  EVEN I, the Son of Man, came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 303

Oct30

 Day 303—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 303 – Luke 18  (Parables, children, eternal life, His coming death, healings)

Jesus encourages His disciples not to lose heart in their praying by telling them the parable of the Persistent Widow. She had a desperate need that she brought before a judge, but he refused to see her.  She kept coming and coming until finally he listened to her and granted her petition, saying: “…so she will not beat me down by her continual coming.”

Of course, God is not an unrighteous judge but a loving heavenly Father. Jesus said, “Will not God give justice to His elect who cry to him day and night?  Will He delay long over them? I tell you, He will give justice to them speedily.”

Next, Jesus tells them the very familiar parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Tax Collector). The (self) righteous Pharisee stood tall and proclaimed how righteous he was (unlike all other law-breakers) because he fasted twice a week (not required by the Law – Leviticus 16:29-31) and gave tithes of all he got.  Meanwhile, the Publican, bowed low with his eyes to the ground, simply cried to God for mercy to the sinner he knew he was. 

“THIS man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Carrying on the same theme of humility, Jesus encouraged infants to be brought to him for blessing, telling His men, “…for such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Next, a rich, young ruler comes to Jesus. (NOTE: He possessed the three things that “wow” people today: wealth, youth, and power. And yet, he sensed something missing.)  “Good teacher, what must I DO to inherit eternal life.”

“You know the commandments,” Jesus said, naming the last FIVE of Moses’ ten commandments, which deal with our relationship with others.  “All these I have kept from my youth,” the man vowed. 

Great! “You still lack one thing. Go sell all you have and give the money to the poor. Then, come, follow me.”  But the man could not, for he was extremely rich (and loved his wealth more).  Seeing him go, Jesus was sad. “It’s difficult for wealthy people to enter the kingdom of God.” (But not impossible – consider Joseph of Arimathea.)

WHO THEN CAN CAN BE SAVED?? His disciples asked. Jesus answered, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” 

Then – for the third time and in more detail – Jesus foretells His coming death. “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished.” 

1. “He will be delivered over to the Gentiles.

2. He will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon.

3. After flogging Him, they will kill him.

4. On the third day, He will rise.”

But the disciples did not understand any of these things.

Still pressing toward Jerusalem, Jesus encounters a blind man (Bartimaeus) who cries out, “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Jesus heals the man, and he glorifies God and follows Jesus.  All who saw the miracle praise God. 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 302

Oct29

  Day 302—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 302 – John 11 (The death of Lazarus, resurrection & life, plot to kill Jesus)

John 11.  Jesus and His disciples are staying over by the Jordan River because of the hostility of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.

Bethany, a village near Jerusalem, is where the sisters Martha and Mary, along with their younger brother Lazarus, lived.  Jesus has stayed with them many times. He knows them and loves them

Lazarus gets very sick, and the sisters send a message to Jesus with the facts, hoping He will come and heal their brother. Mysteriously, Jesus does not go to Bethany, saying, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

He stays at the Jordan for two more days and then announces they are going to Judea. His disciples object, knowing the Jews want to stone him. Jesus basically tells them not to worry because it is not “his Hour” yet.  He tells them Lazarus has fallen asleep (died), but He will “awaken” him. Thomas says they should go “with,” so if Jesus dies, they can die too. What a melancholy group.

When they get to Bethany near Jerusalem, the disciples learn Lazarus is dead and buried for four days.  Both sisters, in their own ways, say to Jesus, “If You had been here, our brother would not have died.”

Jesus asks Martha (the brainy one) if she believes Lazarus will live again.  She says, sure, on the last day. Jesus encourages her to believe in a miracle by saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live….. Do you believe that?”   And she answers that she believes He is the Christ, the Son of God.”

When Jesus saw Mary (the emotional one) weeping and heard her accusation, He was deeply moved in His spirit. “Where have you buried him?” He asks, and she shows Him. At the tomb, Jesus weeps silently. The onlookers say, “Wow, see how He loved Lazarus!”  A few others say derisively, “He healed a blind man; couldn’t He have kept Lazarus from dying?”  But Jesus was not crying for Lazarus’ death because He knew He would raise him, but because of the sin in the world that CAUSED death. Truly He was a “man of sorrows.”

Jesus tells them to roll the stone away from the tomb’s entrance. (Lord, he stinks by now!!) Jesus reminds Martha that her faith would allow her to see the “glory of God” that day. She orders the stone removed.

Jesus lifts His eyes to heaven and thanks His Father, so those around Him will believe that God sent Him.

Then…..  “LAZARUS, COME OUT!”

And the formerly dead man, still wrapped in grave cloths, which have begun to fall off….. COMES OUT of the grave!

Gasps!

Screams!

Praises!

Fainting??

Anger!!

“Unbind him, and let him go,”  Jesus instructs Martha.  (And what a reunion that must have been!)

Many Jews believed in Jesus that day, but some rushed into the city to tell the Pharisees what had happened.  The priests and Pharisees gathered a special meeting of the Council (Sanhedrin).

“What are we to do? This man performs many signs.  If we let him go on, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away “our place” and “our nation.”

Caiaphas says, “You know nothing at all.  Don’t you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people and not that the whole nation should perish?”  Whoa!  He didn’t realize that he was prophesizing about the redemptive death of the Messiah.

And from THAT DAY, they made plans to KILL Him.  Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews or the city but went back out into the wilderness.  The chief priest ordered that if anyone saw Jesus, they should let them know so they could arrest Him.

As Passover approached, crowds of people flocked into the city. They looked for Jesus as they stood in the temple.  “Do you think he will come to the feast at all?”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 300 and 301

Oct28

    Days 300 and 301—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

NOTE:  Both Sunday and Monday studies are posted on MONDAY.

    Day 300 – Luke 14 – 15 (Healings, parables, discipleship)

Luke 14.  One sabbath, Jesus was invited to eat at the home of a ruler of the Pharisees, who watched Jesus closely (looking for an infraction of the law, no doubt).  A diseased man came before him and Jesus asked these “holier-than-thou” lawyers if it was lawful for Him to heal the man that Day.

Interestingly, they remained silent.  So Jesus healed the man and sent him on his way. Jesus asked them if a child or ox fell into a well on the Sabbath, would they pull him out.  STILL, they remained silent.

While there, Jesus saw how they rushed to get the most honored seats at the table. So He told the Parable of the Wedding Feast and counseled them to always seek a lower position, else they might be embarrassed when the host told them to “go down lower” because someone more important than they had arrived. “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Taking advantage of His captive audience at the dinner, Jesus also told his host that instead of inviting only your rich neighbors to dine because they can respond by inviting YOU in return, invite poor, crippled, lame, and blind people to your feast. (Can you imagine the looks of horror on their faces?)   “You will be blessed because they can’t pay you back. Instead, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

One of the guests at the table responded, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God.”  At this obviously pious pronouncement, Jesus told the Parable of the Great Banquet. A man gave a great banquet and sent out many invites. When the feast was ready, he sent a servant to tell them that all was ready and to come and dine.  But, one after another, they made excuses. This made the master angry, and he told his servant, “Go out to the streets and lanes and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.” The servant obeyed, and still, there was room.  So he was sent to the highways and hedges to compel anyone to come. And NOT ONE of the original invitees were allowed to come.

Later, he taught the Cost of Discipleship to the crowds. “You must not put anyone above Me in your affections, not even yourself.  You must bear your cross and follow Me, or you can’t be My disciple. Count the cost before you decide. You must renounce anything and anyone to be My disciple. 

(Paul, in Philippians 3:8, said he considered everything as trash compared to possessing Jesus. This seems so harsh today. Not many want to hear it.)

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Luke 15. The Pharisees and lawyers grumbled when they saw tax collectors and sinners drawing near to hear Jesus.  “This man receives sinners and eats with them,” they murmur. 

Hey, wasn’t that just what Jesus was teaching them???  So Jesus told them the Parable of the Lost Sheep.”  A shepherd had a hundred sheep, and one strayed away.  The good shepherd left the 99 and went after the one.  When he found it, he rejoiced.  “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one SINNER who repents than over 99 “righteous” people who need no repentance.”

To double the impact, Jesus told the Parable of the Lost Coin.  Again, a woman lost one of the ten silver coins she had. She searched diligently until she found it and then went to her friends and neighbors, rejoicing.  “Just so I tell you there is joy before the angels of God over one SINNER who repents.”

And then He told the very familiar Parable of the Lost (or Prodigal) Son.  A man had two sons. The younger son took all his inheritance, traveled, and caroused it all away. Then, starving among the pigs, he decided to go home and become a slave of his father. But the father was so happy the boy had returned that he held a huge party for him and welcomed him as his son.  A SINNER had repented! A lost son had been found!  BUT… the older son, who saw himself as “righteous,” complained and hated the boy. 

(Hey, I wonder if those Pharisees and lawyers SAW THEMSELVES as the older brother in this story?)

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    Day 30 – Luke 16 – 17  (parables, temptation, faith, healing, coming of the kingdom)

Luke 16.  Jesus now tells a somewhat confusing story, the Parable of the Dishonest Manager.   This parable is similar to the previous one in that the Manager wasted (mismanaged) his Master’s possessions. But this man connived instead of repenting. And the Master brought charges instead of forgiving him.  Like the prodigal, this man made a “plan” to get himself out of trouble, but he was unwilling to beg and not strong enough to work.  Instead, he cheated his Master even more by going around to his debtors and lowering the amounts they owed on the accounts.  Good for THEM, bad for the MASTER.  

And yet… the Master commends him for his shrewdness.  And so does Jesus.  “The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. I tell you, make friends for yourselves using “unrighteous wealth” so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.”  

Huh? What did He mean?

First, Jesus calls the servant “dishonest” and NOT to cheat.  Second, He seems to tell believers to use their Master’s money in a way that will gain friends for eternity.  Invest in the kingdom gospel that brings sinners to salvation, so when you arrive in heaven, those sinners will welcome you. Believers need to be shrewd with eternal matters.  (I think.)

To emphasize that, Jesus says, No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve GOD and MONEY.”

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Continuing on the money theme, Jesus tells them about the Rich Man and Lazarus. (Parable or true story? You decide.)

Compare the rich man, clothed in purple and fine linen, eating sumptuously every day, to the beggar, Lazarus, starving and “clothed” in rags and sores. Both men die.

Lazarus is carried to Abraham’s side (in Paradise), while the rich man is seen in Hades.  But he can see into Paradise. He calls out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.” (Notice – he still thinks of Lazarus as a mere slave.)

“Nope, sorry. YOU got good things in your lifetime, and Lazarus evil things. (And you didn’t help him out.)  Now, Lazarus is comforted here, and you are in anguish.  And… besides all that, there is this great chasm between us.  No one can cross either direction.”

“Well, send him to my father’s house (still ordering Lazarus around!) to warn my brothers lest they come to torment too. 

“Nope, sorry,” Abraham says again. “They have Moses and the Prophet (the scriptures). Let them read and hear what THEY say.”

“No, but, father Abraham, if someone goes to them from the DEAD, they will repent.”

“No, sorry.  If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if “someone” should rise from the dead.”

Whoa!

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Luke 17. On their way to Jerusalem, near Samaria, Jesus was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance (as they were required to do). But they called loudly, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’

When he SAW them, Jesus said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As the went, THEY WERE CLEANSED.  One turned back when he saw he was healed. He praised God in a loud voice and fell at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks.  (This man was a Samaritan.)

“Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?  And looking at the man, Jesus said, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

 

Nearer to Jerusalem, a Pharisee asked him when the kingdom of God would come. Jesus tells him it’s not coming…. that it’s right here in the midst of them.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “The days are coming when you will want to see the Son of Man coming but not see it.”  He tells them it will come when not expected, like in Noah’s day before the flood and as in Lot’s time when he barely escaped the conflagration of Sodom.  

“Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather,” said Jesus.  (Watch the signs.)

“As the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from heaven, the powers of the heaven will be shaken.  THEN will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man.  All the tribes of the earth will mourn when they see Him coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 299

Oct26

  Day 299—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 299 – Luke 12 – 13 (Rich fool parable, no anxiety, Be ready and faithful, fig tree parable, mustard seed, teaching)

Luke 12. In these chapters, it seems that, as Jesus approaches “his Hour,” his teaching is more intense. Woes, warnings, cautions, and exhortations are spoken to the leaders, crowds, and disciples.

After a series of “Woes” hurled at the religious leaders in Luke 11 the crowds increased. Luke 12 says there were so many thousands (myriads) of people, that they were trampling one another.  He tells his disciples again to BEWARE of the leaven (sin) of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  Though it is hidden now, it will all be evident eventually.

Someone in the crowd called out, “Teacher! Tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!”  Jesus answered with a warning. “Take care, be on your guard against covetousness. One’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions.”

Then Jesus tells the parable of the Rich FOOL.  As a farmer, he had so much wealth that when he got a bumper crop, he decided to tear down his old barns and build new, bigger, and better ones. (He had no thought of the poor surrounding him.)  Then, he said, I will have enough to retire for many years. Relax. Eat. Drink. Make merry. (Play Golf. Cruise the world.) 

“Thou fool! said God. “Tonight, your soul is required of you.  Then, who will get all your possessions?”

Jesus reminded them that so it is for those who LAY UP TREASURE FOR THEMSELVES AND ARE NOT RICH TOWARD GOD.  Turning to his disciples who had left everything to follow Him, he said, “And you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or wear.  LIFE is more important than food and clothing.”

Then Jesus asks them to think of the ravens who don’t have barns but eat every day from the Father’s hand. “You are worth much more than birds.”  He told them they couldn’t even add one hour to their lifespan, so why be concerned with the rest.  “Flowers don’t work or spit, but oh, how glorious one is.  Won’t God clothe YOU?”

“Your Father knows that you need these things. Seek His kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.  It’s the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom, so sell your possessions and give to the needy.  For where your TREASURE is, there will be your HEART also. 

Jesus then reminds his disciples to be ready for action, to get their lives ready and their things in order. Be prepared to serve at any hour. He warns them of distresses, divisions, and prison that will be coming. “Blessed is the servant his master will finds ready when he comes.”

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Luke 13.  Continuing with His warnings, Jesus tells them that natural things will happen to them and not to think of them as unusual. Just repent and be ready to die at any time. 

Then, he tells them the parable of the barren fig tree.  The tree did not have figs year after year and the owner wanted to cut it down. But the gardener begged for one more year when he would care for it tenderly.  Then, if it had no fruit, cut it down. 

He told them the parable of the mustard seed that a man sowed in his garden. It grew and became a tree where birds nested. This was the kingdom – spreading large from a tiny beginning.

The parable of the leaven was along the same lines. A woman was making bread. She mixed a bit of yeast into the flour which spread and caused the whole dough to rise.

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One time, Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath when he saw a woman hunched over almost double by a “disabling spirit.”

“Woman, you are freed from your disability,” said Jesus, laying his hands on her. Immediately, she stood straight and glorified God.  

The synagogue ruler accused Jesus. “There are six days in the week when work ought to be done! Come then and be healed, not on the Sabbath.” 

“YOU hypocrites!  You would save your ox or donkey by giving it a drink on a hot day.  Ought not this woman – A DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM WHOM SATAN HAS BOUND FOR 18 YEARS – be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath!???”

 

Later on the road, a disciple asked, “Lord, will only a few be saved?”

“Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 

Once the master of the house has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying ‘Lord, open to us,’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know you.’  

And you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know you. Depart from me, all you workers of evil.’

And there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see the patriarchs in the Kingdom, and you cast out. “

YIKES!

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 298

Oct25

  Day 298—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 298 – Luke 10 (the 72 sent out, unrepentant cities, good Samaritan, Mary & Martha)

Jesus now sends 72 of his followers, two-by-two, to “every town where He was soon to go.”  He tells them to enter a town and establish one house to stay in. They then are to give the message, “The kingdom of God has come near to you,” to the whole village and confirm it by healing the sick. 

“The harvest is plentiful, but the labors are few. Therefore, PRAY earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.” 

Jesus also tells them to take no extra provisions but “live by faith.” And any town that does not receive them they are to shake off its dust from their feet and go to the next.  “It will be more bearable on “that day” for Sodom than for that town.”  Indeed, Jesus says that it will be more bearable in the judgment for Sodom and Tyre than for Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum because it was in THESE towns that the Son of Man had ministered and taught in person. 

Sometime later, the 72 return with joy.  “Wow, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!”  Jesus tells them He saw their leader, Satan, fall from heaven.  This was either to encourage them that the devil and his demons have already been defeated OR to warn them against pride in their efforts against them…the very thing that made Satan fall. 

Jesus then rejoices in the Holy Spirit and thanks His Father for revealing the truth to His disciples.  “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!” He tells them. “For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it!”

A scribe/lawyer approaches Jesus with the thought of testing Him: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life.”

“What is written in the law?” Jesus asks, right back at him.

The scribe responds by summarizing the law in Leviticus 19:18:  “Love God supremely, and your neighbor as yourself.”

“Do that and live, says Jesus.

“Yeah, but WHO IS my neighbor?” the man says, seeking to justify himself.

Jesus tells him the story of the “Good Samaritan.”   It’s about a man traveling through a very rough wilderness territory from Jerusalem to Jericho. A gang of robbers attack, strip him, and beat him up, leaving him naked and half dead.  First, a priest chances along, sees the injured man, and passes by on the other side of the road. (It’s too much trouble to help, and he might get “unclean” touching him.)  The same thing happens when a Levite (a temple worker) comes by.

Finally, a Samaritan… (Surely the lawyer objects to hearing this!!) …sees the man and has compassion for him. He binds up his wounds, pouring on his own oil and wine to cleanse them. He sets the fellow on his own donkey and takes him to an inn.  He pays for several night’s and promises to pay more if needed when he returns. 

“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the injured man?”  Jesus askes the lawyer.

“The one who showed him mercy,” he answers grudgingly.

Yep. “You go, and do likewise.”

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Later, they entered Bethany and the house where Mary and Martha (and their brother Lazarus) lived. Martha welcomed them and set about preparing lodging and a meal.  Mary, meanwhile, sat down at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him teaching. Out in the kitchen, Martha fumed.  ‘Why is she just sitting there?  I need some help!’  Finally, she went to Jesus.

“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Tell her to help me!”

Jesus looked up at the hard-working woman and said with tenderness, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen that, and I won’t take it from her.”

(NOTE: When I read this, I always wonder if Martha then pulled up a stool to sit by Mary, looking to Jesus for the “spiritual food” her sister was feasting upon. )

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 297

Oct24

  Day 297—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 297 – John 9 – 10 (Jesus heals a blind man, the Good Shepherd, the Son of God)

John 9.  Jesus, still in the temple crowds, passes by a blind man begging. His disciples ask if the man or his parents sinned, which resulted in his blindness. (Seeing he’d been blind from birth, it’s hard to think how his own sin might have caused blindness.)

But Jesus, confronted with their two choices, promptly tells them that the man’s life-long blindness was for another reason, that God’s glory might be seen.  Then he spit on the ground, made some mud, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go and wash in the pool of Siloam.”

The man must have been startled, but he obeyed Jesus’ voice. He went and washed off the mud. Lo and behold, he could see perfectly.  As he was looking around wide-eyed, the people started exclaiming.

“Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?

“No, but he is like him.”

“I am the man!” he finally said.

“How were your eyes opened?”

“The man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed and received my sight.”

“Where is he?” they asked.

“I don’t know.” 

They brought him to the Pharisees to show them the miracle. (Ah-oh. It was the Sabbath)  “How did you receive your sight?”

“He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”

“This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath,” they said with disdain.

“How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” some argued.

“What do YOU say about Him since He has opened your eyes?” The Pharisees asked the man.

“He is a prophet.”

“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?” They asked his parents. “How then does he now see?”

“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. But how he now sees, we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him. He’s of age. He will speak for himself.”  The parents were gutsy!

“Give glory to God. We know this Man is a sinner,” the Pharisees said to the formerly blind man. 

“Whether he is is or not. One thing I know — that though I was blind, now I see.”

When the Pharisees started quizzing him again, he asked brashly, “Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become His disciples?” Then, the man preaches a little sermon to these exalted leaders about what they know and don’t know.

“You were born in utter sin, and you would teach us???”  Then, they promptly kick him out of the temple.

But Jesus finds him, and the man believes in Jesus and worships Him.  (And the Pharisees go away blind as ever.)

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John 10. Teaching again, Jesus says he is The Good Shepherd.  His sheep hear his voice as he leads them, and they follow Him. (It’s just as the Father knows him, and He knows the Father.)

He also says he is The Door of the Sheepfold.  He will not let thieves or robbers or wolves harm His sheep.  In fact, as Good Shepherd, He will lay down His own life for His sheep. He also claims that He has “other sheep, not of this fold, that He must bring, speaking of the non-Jews who will join saved Israel.

Jesus stresses that NO ONE TAKES MY LIFE FROM ME, BUT I LAY IT DOWN OF MY OWN ACCORD. I HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO LAY IT DOWN, AND I HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO TAKE IT UP AGAIN. (Speaking of his death and resurrection.)

Arguments abound about Jesus.  He’s insane. He has a demon. No, how can a demon open the eyes of the blind?

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At the Feast of the Dedication (Chanukkah), while Jesus was walking in the temple in Solomon’s Colonnade, the religious leaders approached Him with a Question: “Tell us plainly. Are you the Christ (Messiah)?”

“I told you, and you don’t believe. But that’s because you are not a part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them. They follow me.  I have eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand…or the Father’s hand.  I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE.”

Again, with the stones to kill Him!  “I’ve shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”

Not for good works, they claim, but for blasphemy, because you – a man – make yourself to be God!

But, once again, Jesus escaped from their hands. He went across the Jordan River to where John had been baptizing and stayed there.  Many came to Him, remembering what the Baptist had said about Jesus.  And many believed in Him there.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 296

Oct23

  Day 296—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 296 – John 7 – 8 (teaching in Jerusalem, different opinions about Him, Living water, the condemned woman, Light & truth taught, accusations)

His “hour” that Jesus spoke about is getting nearer. As He teaches strong truth in Jerusalem, there is more push-back, accusations, and persecution.

John 7.  The Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) is near, and Jesus delays leaving because there is “murder” in the air. His unbelieving siblings taunt him, “Why don’t you go show yourself to the world!”  “My time has not yet fully come,” Jesus answers, but later, when the traffic has thinned out, He goes.  The religious leaders look for Him in the crowds. This made the people afraid to speak up for Him.

But suddenly, He appears in the temple, teaching the words and will of God, with authority. Of course, He stirs up a hornet’s nest among the teachers of the law. But the people are confused.  “Isn’t this the man they want to kill? But here He is speaking openly, and they do nothing.”  Indeed, they WERE seeking to arrest Him but weren’t able.  And many of the people believed in Him.

On the last day of the feast, the tradition was that the priests carried a golden container of water from the Pool of Siloam to the temple, where it was offered in sacrifice to God, symbolizing the blessing of adequate rainfall.  Jesus used this as an object lesson by standing and speaking.

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of Living Water. (Zechariah 13:1)

When the people heard these words, some said he was “the Prophet” while others said, “This is the Christ.” But there was discord because they thought Jesus had come from Galilee. Didn’t the Christ come from Bethlehem?

Officers sent by the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus returned empty-handed. “No one spoke like this man!” they exclaimed. The religious leaders asked them if they’d been deceived, too.

“Have any Pharisees believed in Him???  This crowd that does not know the law is accursed!”

Nicodemus – yes, that guy – stands and says, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?”

“What!” they shouted. “Are you from Galilee too?  Search and see, no prophet arises from Galilee.”  (So much for their fact-checking!)

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John 7.  Jesus went to the Mount of Olives overnight, then back to the temple in the early morning.  He sat down and taught the people as a rabbi would do.  But the scribes and Pharisees disrupted this teaching by bringing a bedraggled woman into the crowd and throwing her down before Jesus.

“Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery.  Now, in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman.  What do YOU say?  (Of course, they were trying to catch Him in a trap.)

A pause while Jesus doodles in the dirt.  “Let him who is without sin among YOU be the first to throw a stone at her.”   One by one, from the older ones first, they all went away.  Of course, Jesus, who was without sin and the only “legit” one to stone her, remained.

“Woman, where are they?  Has no one condemned You.”   At her negative response, Jesus added, “Neither do I condemn you; go and from now on sin no more.”

Again, regarding the Feast of Booths, Jesus used another tradition – the lighting of four large lamps in the Court of the Women in a celebration of joy, with the singing of Levitical praises.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.

This brings another debate contest with the Pharisees about WHO Jesus claims to be, where he comes from, and whom He said was His Father.  They get it all wrong. Jesus, the Son of God, gets it all correct.  Many who listened to this great debate believed in Jesus.

Jesus tells these new believers, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” “If the Son sets you free, you will be free, indeed.”

Jesus and the leaders argue more about being children of Abraham (boasting with thumbs in suspenders).  Nope, Jesus says, your father is the Devil, a murderer, deceiver, and liar.

No, YOU have a demon, they argue back. And maybe you are a Samaritan as well. Then, they ask him a question that they are NOT PREPARED to have answered.  “Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?  WHO do you make yourself out to be???”

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”   JESUS WAS CLAIMING THAT HE WAS GOD (YHVH). “I AM” was God’s covenant name with Israel.

So, they picked up stones to throw at him (for blasphemy), but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple.  (another of his invisibility cloaks at work)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 295

Oct22

  Day 295—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

    Day 295 – Matthew 18 (parables, temptations to sin, forgiveness, when a brother sins)

Jesus’ disciples are at it again after Jesus tells Peter to fish for a coin out of a fish for the Temple Tax for Peter and Himself.  The rest want to know, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom?’

Maybe they were thinking that Peter was most favored; maybe they were thinking of the late, great Baptist…. or someone else.  Jesus surprised them by picking up a little child and perhaps settling it on His lap. 

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn (repent) and become like children, you will never ENTER (let alone be greatest) in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the “greatest” in the kingdom of heaven.”

(NOTE: I need to be repentant and humble; childlike, not childish.)

Verse 6. “One of these little ones who believe in Me,”  Jesus warns them never to cause one to sin. 

Verse 10. “One of these little ones,”  Jesus says, “See that you do not despise one.”

Verse 14. “One of these little ones.” Jesus states firmly, “It is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one should perish. Their angels always see the face of my Father.” He illustrates this by telling a story where a man leaves 99 sheep to find a lost little one.

Verses 15-35.  Jesus teaches about sin and forgiveness; 1) what to do if a brother sins against you, 2) how many times are we to forgive a brother who sins against us, 3) the parable about being forgiven much and forgiving others, and 4) HOW to forgive one who sins against you. 

  1.  The steps of reconciliation with a Christian brother who sins against you are: First, go to him privately and talk about it. Second, take a couple believers with you and talk about it. Next, if it’s not resolved, tell the congregation of believers. Finally, if he still refuses to listen, separate him from the group of believers — until he repents — so the discord won’t spread.
  2. When Peter asks Jesus, ‘How many times do I have to forgive a brother who sins against me, seven times?’  You can almost hear Jesus sigh. Oh, Peter, how many times have I forgiven you just this week??  But He doesn’t say that. Instead, Jesus says a number – 490 times – which would be impossible to keep track of.  The point is, don’t keep track. Just forgive! Always.
  3. Jesus then tells them a parable about a servant who is forgiven a vast amount of money by a king ($4-6 million today), who then goes to a fellow servant who owes him a mere pocketful of cash.  The forgiven servant has no pity on the man and has him thrown into debtor’s prison till he can pay.  The king eventually hears what he did and rescinds his forgiveness, calling him “a wicked servant.” Then, this formerly debt-free but unforgiving man is jailed for about 150,000 years until he can pay HIS debt.  
  4. Jesus then looks around at his shocked disciples. “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 293 and 294

Oct21

    Days 293 and 294—We are in the TENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

NOTE:  Both Sunday and Monday studies are posted on MONDAY.

    Day 293 – Matthew 16, Mark 8 (4,000 fed, beware Pharisees, death/resurrection, Peter’s confession and rebuke)

After three days of solid crowds, Jesus felt sorry for them because they had nothing to eat. Again, someone volunteered seven rolls and a few fish, and after arranging the people in groups on the ground, Jesus thanked God for the food, cut up those “tuna sandwiches,” and had his disciples pass the food out.   ALL 4,000+ people ate and were satisfied.   AND seven large baskets of leftovers were gathered. As evening approached, Jesus sent the now-satisfied people home, and He, with the disciples, got into a boat for another shore.

But, those weary disciples forgot to bring the seven baskets of leftover bread and had only one roll between them! 

Jesus, thinking of an encounter with the Pharisees who had wanted Him to give them “a sign” to prove who He was, said to the disciples, “Beware the leaven (or sin) of the Pharisees and of Herod.”    The disciples immediately thought Jesus was scolding them for forgetting those big baskets full of bread. 

“Why are you talking about bread??  Don’t you remember me feeding 5,000+ people a while ago and now feeding 4,000+ people, both times with lots of leftovers???  Bread is not the problem.  It’s the constant attack and false teaching by the religious leaders who question who I am that you need to think about.  Beware of THEM!”

Again, on the land near Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked them, “Who do YOU say that I am?”   

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” says his leading disciple, Peter.

“Bless you, Simon Bar-Jonah! Flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.  And I tell you, you are “Peter, the stone,” and on this “rock” (of your testimony) I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

You know this, guys, but don’t be spreading around this truth just yet, he warns them.  There will be a time to do that, and I will empower you.”

From that moment on, Jesus begins to tell his men that 1) He must go to Jerusalem, 2) suffer many things from the religious leaders, 3) be killed, and 4) on the third day be raised.

Peter, grabbing his arm, says, “Far be it from you Lord!! This shall never happen to you!”

Jesus, shocking them all, growls, “GET BEHIND ME, SATAN! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man!”   

WHOA!  (This was sure an “opportune time,” and Satan used Peter to once again tempt Jesus from the cross and his own prophesied head-crushing.)

NOTE: A lesson for us after a “mountain-top experience.” Beware, that’s when your guard is down, and the devil can get in some sucker punches.

Jesus then takes all his disciples aside and tells them the seriousness of His mission and their following Him.  They also must be willing to give their lives up for His sake.  They must bear a cross (symbol of the ultimate persecution), and follow Him all the way to the death.  Your SOUL is more important and long-lasting than your BODY.

“Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory with the holy angels.“

Surely, Jesus was speaking to US as well.

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    Day 294. – Matthew 17, Mark 9 (transfiguration, boy with a demon, Jesus’ future, temple tax)

Again, we see the story of Jesus transfigured on the mountain before His three core disciples, showing them a glimpse of His magnificent glory. We also hear their stupid words. (Oh, let’s make a memorial of the spot.)

At the bottom of the mountain, they encounter the desperate father with a son tormented by a demon who was trying to kill him by throwing him into the fire. (Yes, that is precisely what Satan would like to do to us, too: join him in the fires of hell.)  The other nine disciples (although they had done miracles before) could not cast these demons out. 

“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic, and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. Your disciples could not heal him.” (Luke’s passage definitely calls it a demon.)

Jesus sighs at their lack of faith and turns to the father. He says, “All things are possible for the one who believes.”

“I do believe; help my unbelief,” cries the father.

With force, Jesus says, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”  And, of course, the spirit HAD TO.  But it resisted and convulsed the boy terribly, so he cried out and then lay as a corpse. 

Was he dead?  What does it matter? Jesus lifted him up and gave him to his father. 

Later, the disciples asked why they couldn’t cast out the demon. 

You didn’t pray, and you had but little faith.  “I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could move this mountain.”

As they go their way, Jesus again tells them that He will suffer and be killed, but He will be raised on the third day.  However, this does nothing but distress them.

When they got to Capernaum, the Temple tax collectors came to them, hands held out for the half-shekel tax every Jew, 20 years and up, had to pay annually.  When Peter went to Jesus about it, Jesus sent him, not to Judas, who carried the money, but to the lake.  Peter was to throw in a hook, and the first fish he drew out would have a shekel coin in its mouth.  He was to take and give it to the collectors for Himself and for Peter. 

(Bread and taxes. Indeed, the LORD supplies all our needs.)