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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/10) Mark 10:32-52

Feb10

A 5-day per week study.

February 10– Reading Mark 10:32-52

Read and believe in Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?”  Mark 10:50b

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The Gospel according to Mark 10:32-52

We left Jesus and the disciples on the eastern side of the Jordan River.  They’d just watched the rich young ruler turn away from Jesus.  Jesus told them that riches did not buy their way into the kingdom of God, but following Him and giving up material things was the way to blessing.

Now they were heading west towards Jerusalem.  They would pause for a short time in Jericho, then walk through the wilderness up to the holy city for Passover.

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Vss. 32-34.

Right on the heels of that conversation about leaving all to follow Jesus, He – for the third time – told the disciples that He would “be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they would condemn Him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise.”

Again, we see no response.  Surely they heard the words. Pain. Death. Resurrection….

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Vss. 35-45.

But it seems it was the turn of the “Sons of Thunder” to ask about the Kingdom of God.  Not about leaving everything behind or about suffering and dying, but about honor and privilege when the kingdom came.

  • “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you,” said James and John.
  • “What do you want me to do for you?” asked Jesus, although He knew exactly what they were going to ask.
  • “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in Your glory.”
  • I imagine Jesus just shook His head at their naivety. “You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” 

Jesus, of course, was speaking of the suffering and the horrible substitutional death He would experience for all who would be saved from their sins.

  • Proudly, the two answered, “We are able.”

Jesus probably looked at them with love, these two fiery young men who willingly followed Him. He knew that James would be the first martyr of the Twelve in just a few years, and that although John would live to an old age, he would be tortured and spend years in exile.

  • “The cup I drink, you WILL drink, and my baptism, you WILL experience.  But to sit at my right and left hands … is not mine to grant, but for those for whom it’s been prepared.”

Of course, the other ten disciples were indignant with James and John.  How dare they!  Why did they think THEY were better?

  • Jesus had to calm them all down. “Actually…”He said, “Ruling and authority over others shall NOT be so among YOU.” 
  • He looked around at them closely. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”
  • “Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  

(I bet that quieted them for a while.)

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Vss 46-52.

They spent a short time in Jericho, then, amid a huge crowd of people, they went out from the city. By the side of the road was a blind beggar, whose name was Bartimaeus (Son of Timaeus).  He heard the crowd passing -possibly coughed at the dust that rose.  He learned that it was Jesus of Nazareth.  He’d heard of the great teacher/healer, and who He was.  Hope rose in him.  And panic that Jesus would pass him by.

  • “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” cried Bartimaeus.
  • The crowd looked at him, not in pity but in annoyance.  “Be quiet!”
  • “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” he cried even louder.

Jesus heard him and stopped. He called for someone to bring the blind man to Him.

  • Now the voice of the crowd changed. “Take heart. Get up; He is calling for you.”

Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus … following the sound of that kind voice.

  • “What do you want me to do for you?”
  • “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”
  • “Go your way; your faith has made you well.

And immediately he recovered his sight … AND FOLLOWED JESUS ON THE WAY.

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What a good story of simple faith. And determination.

Since the blind man was named (and was wearing a cloak), it’s possible that he was a known merchant of some standing in the city, who had, for some reason, lost his sight and was left to beg for a living.  Perhaps an accident or a disease had caused him to be blind. Notice he asked that his sight be recovered, as in, found after being lost.

He’d heard of Jesus.  And he believed in Him.  Notice what Bartimaeus called Jesus.  “Son of David” was Jesus’ Messianic title.  Bartimaeus knew Jesus was “the One to come,” and knew if he could get close to Him, he would be healed.

And afterward… Bartimaeus followed Jesus.   No question. So unlike the rich young ruler.

 

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/5) Mark 9:30-50

Feb5

A 5-day per week study.

February 5– Reading Mark 9:30-50

Read and believe in Jesus.

And He said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  Mark 9:35

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The Gospel according to Mark 9:30-50.

Jesus and all his disciples are together again when Jesus heals the boy with the unclean spirit. This demon had been tormenting him with violent and murderous assaults, and the nine disciples alone could do nothing to help.  But Jesus released him and encouraged the father’s small belief.  Afterwards, Jesus told the disciples that this kind of spirit would come out only through totally concentrated, selfless prayer.

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Vss. 30-32.

Jesus leads His disciples (a few elated by the incident on the Mount, and the rest subdued by their inability to help the boy) back through Galilee.  He didn’t want anyone to know He was there, because He had more to teach them. His time with them was growing short. He is heading more and more towards Jerusalem and His death.

For the second time, as they walked along, Jesus said, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him.  And when He is killed, after three days He will rise.”

This is very understandable to us, 2000 years AFTER the fact, but to the Twelve who believed Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, this was nonsense.  Die?  No, their Messiah was to establish the Kingdom, defeat the Romans, and rule from Jerusalem!  They did not understand! And it seems they especially did not grasp what Jesus said about resurrection.

But after Jesus’ rebuke of Peter the last time He told them about His death, they were afraid to ask about it now.

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Vss. 33-37.

As they walked, some of the disciples were arguing about another topic.  Again, it was related to the soon and hoped-for setting up of the Kingdom by their Messiah. When they were once again in Capernaum and safely ensconced in Peter’s home, Jesus quizzed them about it.

“What were you discussing on the way?”  (Wow, is there nothing that Jesus did not know about them??)

Again, they were silent, which was foolish because He already knew.  They had been arguing over who was the greatest.  Surely Peter was a contender, but the brothers, James and John, were also in the inner circle.  Did any of the other nine think they should be on top, too?

Jesus must have been so discouraged with them.  Hadn’t they learned anything about Him? Had they ever seen Him elevating Himself above everyone else?  Hadn’t they observed the Messiah as meek and lowly?  Sure, He taught the scriptures with authority! Sure, he commanded sickness and legions of demons, and they instantly obeyed Him. But had He asked any followers to bow to Him?

“If ANYONE would be first, he must be LAST of all … servant of all.

Then Jesus picked up a child (Peter’s niece or nephew?) and held him in His arms, smiling and perhaps tickling him.  And looking up to His men, He said, “Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives not Me (only) but Him who sent Me.”

Jesus would say more on this, but John interrupted Him.

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Vss. 38-41.

“Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”  (Oh man, was John ever looking for a pat on the head and an “atta boy!”  He thought they had done well.  NOPE.  Also, was this a “dig” on the nine disciples who were UNABLE to cast out that demon?)

Jesus said, “Do NOT stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of Me.  For the one who is not AGAINST us is FOR us.  For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”

Huh?  John (or any of them) said nothing to this rebuke.  Truly, Jesus had a lot more to teach them!)

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Vss. 42-50.

Again looking to the little one on His lap, Jesus said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”

 

Okay, they understood that. But then, Jesus said,

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”

What??

“And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.”

The disciples must have been stunned!

“AND, if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.  (See Isaiah 66:24)

What were they to make of this?  Surely self-mutilation was NOT what Jesus was teaching.  But sin is serious, whether it involves doing, going, or seeing.  They were to be brutal in eliminating it from their lives.  (Paul would later write, “Present our bodies as a living SACRIFICE, holy and acceptable to God. Do NOT be conformed to this world, but be transformed…  (See Romans 12:1-2)

 

Jesus continued, also thinking of sacrifice, “For everyone will be salted with fire.”

They all would be purified with suffering and persecution – not just Him – like the OT sacrifices that were often accompanied with salt.  Suffering?  Self-denial?  Sacrifice?  What kind of Kingdom was Jesus bringing?

“Salt is GOOD.  Have salt in YOURSELVES. And be at peace with one another.”   

Salt is a good preservative. Let the words of Christ enter and dwell in them (and us), cleansing, cauterising.  Then they will make a difference in the world … for Christ.

And, for goodness sake, STOP ARGUING among yourselves!

 

 

 

 

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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/2) Mark 8:22 – 9:1

Feb2

A 5-day per week study.

February 2– Reading Mark 8:22- 9:1.

Read and believe in Jesus.

And He asked them, “Who do YOU say that I am?”  Peter answered Him, “You are the Christ.”  Mark 8:29

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The Gospel according to Mark 8:22-39, 9:1

Jesus has been leading His disciples outside Israel proper to give Himself time away from the crowds to teach them.  They’ve spent a bit of time to the north and to the east in Decapolis, with a brief boat trip into Galilee to the area of Magdala, where some Pharisees from Jerusalem demanded that He show them a sign to prove His claims.

Then the disciples endured a strong questioning from Jesus about baskets of bread vs the evil of leaven. They were confused.

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Vss. 22-26.

Now they are back in Bethsaida in upper Galilee. Immediately, some people brought a blind man to Him and begged that He heal him. Jesus took the man to a private place. He spat, then touched the man’s eyes.

“Do you see anything?” Jesus asked him.

“I see men, but they look like trees walking around.”

Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again, and when the man opened his eyes, his sight was restored clearly.

“Do not even enter the village,” Jesus commanded the former blind man.

And he apparently obeyed!

NOTE: So why did it take two touches of Jesus’ hands to completely heal the man’s sight?  Lack of faith?  A way to avoid the shock of instant sight?  Two kinds of diseases?  To spend more time with the man? 

Mark just reports this incident; he says nothing about how it happened.  

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Vss. 27-30.

Jesus again leads the disciples out of Israel, way north into the foothills of Mount Hermon, to the villages of Caesarea Phillippi. (This is not the coastal city of Caesarea.)  On the way, Jesus asked them a question.

“Who do people say that I am?”

They told Him about the speculations they’d heard.

“Some say, John the Baptist.”

“Others say, Elijah.”

‘Others, one of the prophets.”

(It’s interesting that all these people were dead and would have to be reincarnated to be Jesus now.)

“But who do YOU say that I am?” Jesus asked.

And Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” (Messiah)

Perhaps Jesus nodded and looked around at the others.  Then He told them, in no uncertain terms, not to tell this to anyone.

NOTE: This was not the time or place to “announce” Him. The people might rush Him and demand that He set up the kingdom right now, as they had wanted to do after He fed the 5,000.  Later, after Jesus’ death and resurrection, He would THEN charge them to tell this to the whole world.

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Vss. 31-33

Now comes the hard part: the truths about Jesus that the disciples would not want to hear, and had not expected to hear from the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.

Jesus began to teach them clearly: “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

What a shocker!  Had they heard correctly?  Suffer and die?  Wasn’t the Christ, the Messiah, supposed to set up His kingdom and throw out the Romans?  This couldn’t be!  Was Jesus testing them in some way?

Peter took Jesus aside and, expressing the thoughts of all of them, rebuked Him.

(Matthew records Peter saying to Jesus, “God forbid it, Lord! That must never happen to you!”)

Jesus, seeing the other disciples watching and agreeing, said harshly, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man!”

Whoa!

Did Peter’s mouth drop open?  Did he step back a pace?

(NOTE: Jesus did not believe that Peter WAS Satan, but he was being used by Satan to once again tempt Jesus away from the cross.  Jesus’s sacrificial death on the cross was God’s plan, and whoever opposed it was doing Satan’s work, even if they didn’t realize it.)

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Vss. 34-39, 9:1.

It must have been quiet for a while as they walked.  As they neared the villages, the crowds once again flocked to Jesus.  Jesus’ mind must still have been on His future horrific work on Golgotha, for He spoke to (taught) both His disciples AND the crowds these hard things….

“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 and the gospel’s will save it.

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?  For what can a man give in return for his soul?

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of HIM will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

“Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death, until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” 

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Did Jesus’ words confuse the disciples and the crowd?

Were His followers required then to also suffer and die with Him?

And then, had He stated the opposite?  He WOULD set up His kingdom in their lifetime.

This crowd, including the disciples, was definitely quiet and thoughtful after these words.

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Jesus would be in the villages for six days, perhaps teaching and healing, but then he would take His disciples, especially the three closest to Him, up Mount Hermon for a mountain-top experience they would never forget.

Next time.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 341 & 342

Dec8

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 341 – Reading – Romans 1 – 3

Day 342 – Reading – Romans 4 – 7

Read and believe in Jesus!

  • “Some of those converted on the day of Pentecost founded the church at Rome. Paul had long sought to visit the Roman church, but had been prevented. In God’s providence, Paul’s inability to visit Rome resulted in this masterpiece of gospel doctrine. 
  • The theme of Romans is the righteousness that comes from God: the glorious truth that God justifies guilty, condemned sinners by grace alone through faith in Christ alone.  Chapters 1-11 give theological truths, while chapters 12-16 detail the practical working out of those truths.” (from John MacArthur’s commentary)

SUNDAY – Day 341 – Romans 1.

Paul introduces himself and greets the church in Rome.  He calls himself both a servant (slave) of Jesus and an apostle (sent one).  Paul was called to share the gospel (good news) of God, which God promised through His prophets in the Old Testament concerning His Son, to the nations, including the Romans. He prays for them, the Grace and Peace of God.

Then Paul tells them how he’s been longing to come to Rome, but it has never worked out.  But he has been praying non-stop for them because he so wants to impart a spiritual gift to them to strengthen them… and be strengthened BY them. He knows there is a huge harvest there among both the Jews and Gentiles, just the people God is sending him to.

  • “I am eager to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome!   For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the POWER of God for salvation to EVERYONE who believes.  In the gospel is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God revealed. 

Next, as is necessary, Paul presents the evidence of man’s overwhelming sinfulness and how man deserves God’s judgment. They have suppressed the truth about God and ignored His attributes and power.

  • “Although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools and worshiped images of man, birds, animals, and creeping things … instead of the immortal, glorious God. So… God gave them up to impurity, to serve the creature rather than the Creator.

Then Paul lists the despicable, gross, unrighteous things that their debased minds prompt them to do. (Not only to DO, but to approve of others doing too!  Ugh!!

(Read this awful list carefully, for in it, we also will see some things that we are/were guilty of at one time.)

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Romans 2.

Paul nails that thought down even tighter.

  • “You have no excuse, O man, EVERY ONE OF YOU who judges. For in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself.  You, the judge, practice the very same things!!”

Then Paul strikes deeper into the Self-righteous in us all.

  • “Do you suppose, you who practice the very same things, will escape judgment?  Do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?  Don’t store up wrath for yourself when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Paul (and God) shows no difference between Gentiles and Jews in the matter of sin.

For all who have sinned “outside the law” will also perish “outside the law.  All who have sinned “under the law” will be judged “by the law.”

It is the “doers” of the law who will be justified, not just those who “hear” it.  Gentiles may not know the letter of the Mosaic Law, but the law is “written on their hearts.”

No one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, but inwardly by the Spirit, and not by the letter.

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Romans 3. 

Then Paul asks a question.  What is the advantage then of the Jew?  MUCH!

They were entrusted with the Words of God!  What IF some were unfaithful, did that nullify God’s word?

And then, seemingly, the opposite question. Are we Jews any better off?  No, not at all.  The whole population is under the curse of sin and death…

  • ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God;  ALL have turned aside; together they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one.”

This is a terrible position to be in, to comprehend, but he says it so NO ONE can justify themselves.

  • Yes…. ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…… and are justified by His GRACE as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus….. whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood….. to be received by FAITH.

Oh, what hope he brings to the desperate, soul-sick sinner!

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MONDAY – Day 342 – Romans 4.

Paul then calms the worries of the Jewish believers reading his letter.  Yes, Father Abraham IS included in righteousness by faith alone.  He BELIEVED God’s promises (personal to him as well as about the future Messiah).  And so, God counted that as righteousness for him.  This was BEFORE the law, and even before Abe and his family were circumcised.  Faith alone in the promises of God!

  • “To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”

Praise God!  And not to Abraham only.

  • “It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, the One who was delivered up for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.”

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Romans 5.

Then Paul writes those promises that are so sweet to us who have believed. Hopefully we have memorized them.

  • “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame … BECAUSE God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
  • a. “For while we were still WEAK, at the right time, Christ died for the UNGODLY.
  • b. “God shows His love for us in that while we were still SINNERS, Christ died for us.
  • c. “For while we were ENEMIES, we were reconciled to God by the death of His son, and saved by his life. 

Weak, ungodly, sinners, and enemies.  Oh, the matchless love, grace, and mercy of God toward us for Jesus’ sake!

Paul then reminds them of how it all happened.

SIN came into the world through one man (Adam), and DEATH came through that sin.  Then death spread to all men because, after Adam, we ALL HAVE SINNED.  (And as we will see in 6:23, the WAGES or PAYMENT for sin is death.)

However, life, eternal life through Jesus, is a GIFT by God’s grace.  If death reigns because of the sin of one man (Adam), Paul says that righteousness reigns through one perfect “man,” Jesus Christ. As the ONE ACT of trespass led to condemnation for all men, so ONE ACT of righteousness (the cross) leads to justification and life for all men.

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Romans 6.

Paul says it gets even closer to Home. 

  • Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised by the dead by the glory of the Father, WE TOO might walk in the newness of life.
  • So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
  • LET NOT SIN REIGN IN YOUR BODY TO OBEY ITS PASSIONS.
  • Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness. 
  • Present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.
  • “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Amen and amen!

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Romans 7.

Paul then speaks mostly to Jewish believers about the Mosaic Law.  After a lifetime trying to keep the LETTER of that law and failing, failing, failing, it is hard to let it go and simply TRUST in Christ.  Paul compares it to a marriage.  A married woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.  But if her husband dies, she is released from that marriage.

“Likewise, my brothers, YOU also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead. And so, you are released from the law, so that they can serve in the new way of the Spirit.

Paul isn’t saying the Law is bad – for how could we know what sin is, unless God gave the law against it.   But the law does try to draw him back into sin.  It’s a huge struggle sometimes. for…

  • I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
  • Now, if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good,
  • It is no longer “I” who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
  • For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
  • For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing.
  • If I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

 

  • O wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death!!
  • Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

Wow, do you ever feel that way?  I do.  I keep on doing the things I don’t want to, and as for the things I want to do to please God… well often they never happen.

But the VERY BEST NEWS COMES IN VERSE ONE AND TWO OF THE NEXT CHAPTER!  Take a peek at it right now!!

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 317

Nov13

Day 317 – Reading – Luke 23 and John 18-19

Read and believe in Jesus!

Luke 23 and John 18-19 review what we studied in the last two days and add some details. 

John 18 backs up to Judas’ betrayal and Jesus’ arrest, His time before the Jewish Council, Peter’s denials, and the high priest’s questioning. Then we see Jesus before Pilate (an extended conversation), before Herod, then His being delivered over to be crucified, more extensive details about His crucifixion, His death, and Burial.

 

Jesus’ Betrayal and His Arrest

Judas, having committed himself to betraying Jesus, and having been paid, now leads a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and Pharisees to the Garden of Gethsmane.  He’s been there several times with Jesus and the other disciples and knows the spot well.

Jesus: “Whom do you seek?”

The crowd: “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus: “I AM he.”  At those words, Judas and the soldiers all fell back to the ground, as if the very words had slammed into them. (Okay, so who is in control of this scene?  Jesus!)

Jesus again asks, “Whom do you seek?”

The crowd. (Were they afraid to answer?):  “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus: “I told you that I am He, so if you seek ME, then let these men go.” He was protecting His disciples.

That’s when Simon did his brash thing with the sword, and Jesus had to fix the damage by healing the man’s ear.  To Peter, He said, “Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

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Jesus and The High Priests, Annas and Caiaphas.

The soldiers stepped forward cautiously and tied Jesus’ hands. Then they led him to Annas, the former High Priest and the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the current High Priest.  Annas questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.  Jesus answered that he’d been teaching in synagogues and in the temple, so why hadn’t they quizzed Him there?   When he said this, one of the officers back-handed Jesus, saying, “Is that how you answer the High Priest?’

Jesus: “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”

Annas then sent Jesus, still tied up, to Caiaphas.

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Peter’s Denials

Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard of the high priest, Peter was warming himself by the fire.  He and John had followed Jesus there after His arrest.  John knew Annas, so he entered into the house with Jesus (so he could record the happenings).  John arranged for Peter to gain access to the court. 

Peter was recognized and asked three times if he was not a follower of the criminal inside.  Fear controlled the big fisherman, and he answered, “Woman, I do not know Him.”  “I do not know what you are talking about!”  “I am not a disciple of His!”  “I am not a Galilean!”  “I don’t know Him!”  “May God curse me! I DO NOT KNOW THIS MAN!”   Then the rooster crowed. And Peter ran out, weeping bitterly.

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Jesus before the whole Council (Sanhedrim)

All 70 members were present (even Joseph and Nicodemus).  

Them:  “If you are the Christ, tell us.”

Jesus:  “If I tell you, you will not believe. But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

Them: “Are you the Son of God, then?”

Jesus: “I AM.”

And with that, they had their verdict. Guilty of blasphemy and death.  All they needed was someone to EXECUTE Him, for they did not have that power under Roman rule.

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Jesus and Pilate

The entire 70-man Sanhedrin brought Jesus to Pilate in the wee hours and started to accuse him.

Pilate: “What accusation do you bring before this man?”

“We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that He himself is Christ, a king.”

Pilate: “Take Him yourselves and judge Him by your own law.”

“It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.”

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Jesus’ Kingdom

Pilate to Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

Jesus:  “Are you saying this, or did others say this about me?”

Pilate: “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and chief priests have delivered you to me.  What have you done?”

Jesus: “Yes, I am King of the Jews, but my Kingdom is not of this world.”

Pilate: “So you ARE a king.”

Jesus: “Yes. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I came into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate: “Ha!” Pilate said, walking away. “What IS truth!”

Pilate to the chief priests:  “I  find no guilt in this man.”

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Jesus and Herod

The Jews: “He stirs up the people teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

Pilate:  “Galilee?  Ha!  He’s in Herod’s jurisdiction.  Take Him there!”  Herod was in Jerusalem at the time.)

At Herod’s house, the Jewish king was happy to see Jesus.  Remember he’d thought Jesus was a reincarnation of John the Baptist, and wanted to see Jesus do some miracle.

Herod: “Are you John returned to life?”  “Do some miracle so I can see your power!”  “Can you heal people… raise them from the dead?  Aw, c’mon, do something!”

Jesus: Silence.

So, denied his entertainment, he let his servants mock Jesus, arraying him in a royal robe, bowing to him, etc.  Then Herod returned Jesus to Pilate.  (Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day.)

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Back at Pilate’s courtroom, he brought Jesus out to the people.  “I find no fault in Him. He is not guilty of any of the charges against him. Herod found none as well.  I will therefore punish Him and set Him free.”

The Jews and the crowd whom they had excited: “Away with this man and release to us Barabbas! 

(Pilate was in the habit of releasing one prisoner at Passover time, but Barabbas was an insurrectionist against Rome and a murderer!.  “He is innocent. I will release Jesus.”

The crowd: “Crucify! Crucify Him!

Pilate: “Why?  What evil has he done?  I have found no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish Him and release Him.”

The crowd: “Crucify! Crucify Him!”

Pilate: “Take Him yourself and crucify Him. I find no guilt in Him.”

The Jews:  “We have a law, and according to that law, He ought to die because He has made himself the Son of God.”

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Pilate felt chills down his back. He took Jesus inside and asked, “Where are You from?”

Jesus; Silence.

Pilate: “You will not speak to me??!!  Don’t you know that I have the authority to release you and the authority to crucify You??

Jesus: “You would have no authority over me at ALL unless it had been given to you from ABOVE.  Therefore, he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

This scared Pilate, and he tried even more to release Jesus.

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Jesus Delivered to Be Crucified

The Jews (desperate): “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”

When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out, sat down at the judgment seat, and wrote out the sentence. He gestured to Jesus, “Behold your King.

The Jews: “Crucify Him. Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him.”

Pilate: “Shall I crucify your KING?”

The Jews: ‘We have NO KING but Caesar!”

So Pilate delivered him to be crucified.

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The Crucifixion.

They led Jesus away, conscripting one Simon from Cyrene to carry the cross for the weakened Messiah.  On the road a great crowd watched, including women who were mourning and lamenting for Him.

Jesus “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, weep for yourselves and your children. Behold the days are coming when you will wish you never gave birth. People will cry for the mountains to fall on them and cover them….”

Two other criminals were crucified with Jesus, one on each side.

As they pounded in the nails, Jesus (who had refused the drugged wine) cried out, “Father forgive them, for the know not what they do!”

As scripture foretold, (Psalm 22), they cast lots for his clothing.  Then the mocking began. The Jewish rulers mocked Him. The soldiers mocked Him. The bystanders mocked Him. The criminals on either side mocked Him.  And then, one of the criminals repented.

“Do you not fear God since you are under the same sentence of death?  We indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong. Then turning to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Jesus: “Truly I say to you, TODAY you will be with me in Paradise.”

Standing by the cross were Jesus’ mother and John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved”.  Looking at his mother, Jesus said, “Woman… behold your son.” And to John, “Behold your mother.”  And from then on, John took Mary into his home and cared for her. 

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Jesus’ Death

At noon, it grew dark.  Jesus, knowing that He’d accomplished everything, said, “I thirst.”  Someone brought some sour wine to moisten his mouth.  “Father into your hands I commit my Spirit.” 

Then with a cry of victory, Jesus shouted, “IT IS FINISHED!”  Then he bowed His head and died.

The thick veil inside the temple tore in two from top to bottom, opening the way for all to come to God.  The ground shook.  And when the Centurion saw all this, he confessed and praised God. “Surely this man was innocent.”

Because it was getting late, the Centurion went to each of the other criminals and broke their legs to hurry death by suffocation.  When He got to Jesus, he saw He was already dead.  He thrust his spear into his heart to be sure, and water with blood flowed, proving death.  He did not break Jesus’ legs, as scripture foretold that NONE of his bones would be broken (Numbers 9:12). 

Later, when Pilate inquired of him if Jesus was truly dead so Joseph could take the body, the Centurion could declare he was truly dead.

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Jesus’ Burial.

Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Council, a “good and righteous man”, had NOT consented to their decision and action for he was a disciple of Jesus, looking for the kingdom of God.  Joseph went to Pilate and got permission to take down Jesus’ body. Nicodemus, also a “secret follower” of Jesus, joined Joseph, bringing a great amount of myrrh and aloes.  They wrapped Jesus’ body in a linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb cut in stone where no one else had been laid. They rolled the stone across the entrance.

Some woman, disciples of Jesus since Galilee, who had watched at the crucifixion, followed and saw where Jesus was laid. They would return with spices and ointments of their own after the Sabbath.

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 316

Nov13

Day 316 – Reading – Matthew 27 and Mark 15

Read and believe in Jesus!

Matthew 27 and Mark 15 cover the Roman trials of Jesus, His crucifixion, and His burial (as will Luke and John in tomorrow’s study).   It’s good to take a long, hard look at what Jesus endured to secure our salvation. He received the judgment that was rightly ours in God’s sight.  

 

Jesus Delivered to Pilate.

The Jewish Sanhedrin condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy in their three “mock’ trials, because He said -under oath – that He WAS the Son of God.  Under Roman rule, the Jews did not have the power to execute someone.  This fulfilled prophecy, because Jesus was to “hang on a tree” and not be stoned.  And so they bound Jesus and led Him to Governor Pilate.

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Judas Hangs himself

Judas must have been hanging around the courts too, because when he saw that Jesus was actually condemned to death, he changed his mind.  He brought back the thirty pieces of silver he’d earned to betray Jesus. Was he hoping to stop the execution??

Judas: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!“

The Jews: “What is that to us?  See to it yourself.“

Judas threw the silver coins into the Temple, and went out and hung himself.

The Jews, picking up the coins, said, “Well, it is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” Instead, they purchased the potter’s field as a place to bury strangers. (This also fulfilled prophecy. (See Zechariah 11:12-13.)

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Jesus Stands Before Pilate

Pilate asks Jesus a question, right off, because this is a crime against Caesar, and He could give the death sentence the jews wanted.  “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus agreed.  Meanwhile, outside the chief priests and elders were shouting accusations.  Pilate turned to Jesus, “Have You no answer to make?  See how many charges they bring against you?”  But Jesus was silent.

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The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

Pilate went out to the crowds of people gathered outside.  At Passover, it was his custom to release one of his prisoners to them.  Currently, he had one nasty dude, an insurrectionist and a murderer, Barabbas.  Surely, in comparison, the people would want Jesus. 

“Do you want me to release to you the ‘king of the Jews?’  But the Jews had roused the people to call for the criminal.

“Barabbas!”

“Then what should I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”

“Crucify Him!”

“Why?  What evil has he done?”

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”  

The Jewish leaders had done their job well, exiting the crowd who had called Jesus their king less than a week earlier, to now scream for Him to be crucified.

Pilate took a bowl of water, and in the sight of the crowd and leaders, “washed his hands.”  “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”

And they all answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Pilate released Barabbas, had Jesus scourged, and sent Him to be crucified.

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Jesus is Mocked

Pilate’s soldiers sought to have some fun with the prisoner before they took Him to be crucified.  They stripped Jesus, and put on Him a scarlet robe, and a “crown” they twisted from some thorns, handing him a stick as a scepter.   They kneeled before him and mocked him. “Hail, King of the Jews!”  They spit on him and took the stick and beat Him on the head.  Then they stripped Him of the red robe, put His own clothes back on and led Jesus away to be crucified.

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The Crucifixion

As Jesus climbed Golgotha’s hill, the soldiers conscripted a strong man to carry His cross. It was a man from Cyrene, named Simon. 

When they arrived at the ‘Place of the Skull,’ they offered him a drink of drugged wine to dull the pain, but Jesus refused.  They took off his clothes, dividing them among themselves by casting lots.  And they nailed him to the cross.  Over his head, in the place reserved for the list of crimes committed by the prisoner,  they nailed a sign that Pilate sent along.  it said, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” in three languages.

Two robbers were also crucified with Jesus. They put one on either side of Him.

And then the mocking began. 

“You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself!”

“If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!”

“Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”

“He trust in God; let God deliver Him now.”

And the robbers on either side of Jesus also mocked Him.
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The Death of Jesus

At noon, darkness spread over the whole land for three hours.

About 3:00 p.m., Jesus cried out, “Eli, Eli, Lama sabachthani?” (My God, my God, why have You forsaken me.)

Some thought Jesus was crying out for Elijah and ran to get a sponge so He could speak more.

“No, wait, let’s see whether Elijah will come and take him down.”

Jesus cried out with a loud voice (“It is finished!”) and breathed His last breath, yielding up His Spirit.

THEN! 

—–The veil in the Temple that covered the Most Holy Place was torn in two from the TOP to the Bottom.

—–The earth shook and rocks were split.

—–Tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints were raised, coming out of their tombs.

The Centurion who saw the earthquake and what happened was filled with awe.  “Truly, this was the Son of God!”

There were also women watching from a distance who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him.

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Jesus is Buried.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, a respected member of the Council, who was also a disciple of Jesus.  He (took courage) and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised that Jesus was dead already and asked the Centurion. When he learned Jesus WAS dead, he ordered His body to be given to Joseph.  Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb.  He rolled a great stone to the entrance and went away.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there and saw when Joseph put Jesus’ body.

The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate.

“Sir, we remember how that imposter said, while he was still alive, that after three days, He would rise.  Therefore, order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. The last fraud would be worse than the first.”

Pilate: “Here’s a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

So they sealed the stone of the tomb and set a guard.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 210

Jul29

Day 210 – Reading – Isaiah 49 – 53.

Read today’s Scriptures.  

Isaiah 49.

“Listen to me, O coastlands…”  Who are the coastlands?  As Isaiah says, they are “peoples from afar.” Coastlands most likely refers to Gentiles in the unknown regions of Isaiah’s day.  Think: the coasts of the countries that circle the Mediterranean Sea. In the prophets’ time, Tarshish, or Spain, was really, really far away. Gentiles, is another way to think of “coastlands.”  And these might include the lands that at that time were not yet even discovered.

So America… head’s up!  Isaiah is going to tell you about Jesus, the LORD’s “Suffering Servant.”  It is Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was slain to redeem God’s elect from every nation.

  • “I will make you as a light for the nations (Gentile), that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

But, no, God has not forsaken Israel for the Gentiles!

  • “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that I should have no compassion on the son of her womb?  Even THESE may forget, yet I will not forget you.  Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…”

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Isaiah 50.

Verses 4-11 of this chapter picture Jesus Christ, “the suffering servant.”

  • “I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting.”

And a call to the unconverted to believe and be saved.

  • “Let him who walks in darkness and has no light … trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”

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Isaiah 51.

In this chapter, God comforts and encourages both Jew and Gentile.

  • “Look to Abraham, your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but ONE when I called him, that I might bless him and MULTIPLY him. 
  • “For the Lord comforts Zion … joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.
  • “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

And…

  • “My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the COASTLANDS hope for me, and for my arm they wait. 

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Isaiah 52.

Again Isaiah foretells a time of Israel being restored to their land and to glory when their Redeemer comes to rule.

  • “You were sold for nothing (in the countries of the world), and you shall be redeemed without money.”

And after that time messengers will go throughout the mountains around Jerusalem, to spread the good news that redeemed Israel has returned.  (Paul later picks this up to show the spread of the Gospel, in Romans 10)

  • How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Then Isaiah gives a summary and preview of the humiliation and exultation of the “Servant.” (The details will be given in the following chapter.)

  • “Behold, my servant shall act wisely; He shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.  As many were astonished at you — his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and His form beyond that of the children of mankind — so shall He sprinkle (with his own blood) many nations; kings shall shut their mouths because of Him;”

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Isaiah 53.

And then that great chapter that describes the excruciating death of Jesus for our sins and our redemption.  (Many Jews call this the “forbidden chapter.” Sometimes it is even omitted from their scriptures.)  

Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

For He grew up before him like a young plant, 
and like a root out of dry ground:
He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him,
and no beauty that we should desire Him.

He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;
yet, we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for OUR transgressions;
He was crushed for OUR iniquities;
upon Him was the chastisement that brought US peace,
and with His stripes WE are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned -- every one -- to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed, and He was afflicted,
yet He opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so He opened not His mouth.

By oppression and judgment, He was taken away;
and as for His generation, who considered
that He was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?

And they made His grave with the wicked 
and with a rich man in his death,
although He had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in His mouth.

Yet, it was the will of the LORD to crush Him,
He has put Him to grief;
when His soul makes an offering for guilt,
He shall see His offspring; 
He shall prolong His days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

Out of the anguish of His soul 
He shall see and be satisfied;
by His knowledge shall the righteous One, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and He shall bear their iniquities.

Therefore, I will divide Him a portion with the many,
and He shall divide the spoil with the strong,

because He poured out His soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
Yet, He bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.

**** Thank You, LORD, for your sending Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  Jesus did that by sacrificing His own life, taking our sin, and dying as the punishment we deserved.  Oh, God!  How great a salvation you planned!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 356-357

Dec23

   Day 356-357—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE: Sunday’s and Monday’s studies will be posted on MONDAY,

Day 356 – Hebrews 7 – 10 (Melchizedek, Better Covenant, Redemption, Sacrifice, Faith)

Read a quick review of Melchizedek and Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20.

Hebrews 7.

The author discusses Melchizedek, king of Salem (peace), king of righteousness (zedek) and a priest of the Most High God. He tells how Abraham, coming home from rescuing his nephew Lot from an invading army, gave this priestly/kingly man a tithe (10th) of the loot. And Melchizedek blessed Abraham.

This was WAY before Israel’s priesthood was set up on Mt. Sinai, with Aaron, the Levite, as High Priest.  In a way (the author of Hebrews says), Aaron, the High Priest, paid tribute to Melchizedek, “being still in Abraham’s loins.” (He had no children at that point.)

Melchizedek is also said to have had “no beginning of days nor end of life” as a priest forever. He was a priest not based on the law (like Aaron) but on the power of an “indestructible” life. The author compares Jesus to this mysterious man, without beginning or end of days, but HIS ministry is much more excellent.  

The first covenant of law could make nothing perfect, so a new one was needed, allowing us to draw near to God. “Consequently, Jesus can save to the uttermost, those who draw near to God through HIM since He always lives to make intercession for them. 

Jesus is a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.  HE HAS NO NEED TO OFFER SACRIFICES DAILY like other priests, first for their own sins, then the people.  Jesus did this ONCE FOR ALL when he offered up HIMSELF.

Hebrews 8.

Jesus, as High Priest, is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a more excellent ministry than the old one.  He can mediate better because the new covenant has better promises and is faultless. In this new covenant, God says He will put His Law on their hearts and minds, not stone tablets, and His people will know Him.

He will be merciful toward their iniquities and will remember their sins no more!

Hebrews 9.

The author then reminds readers how the old covenant worked, with the Holy and Most Holy places in the “tent of worship.”  Behind the second curtain was the ark of the covenant and God’s presence.  No one could go into this place except for the High Priest, and that only once per year… carrying the blood of the sacrifice. 

But Christ, as high priest, entered ONCE FOR ALL into the most holy place through HIS OWN BLOOD. Doing this, he obtained ETERNAL REDEMPTION.  He appeared ONCE FOR ALL to put away sin by sacrificing himself. 

Hebrews 10.

Under the old covenant, the sacrifices were a reminder of sins every year. “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  Now, we have been sanctified (made clean, holy) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL.

When Christ had offered FOR ALL TIME A SINGLE SACRIFICE FOR SINS, He sat down at the right hand of God. “For by A SINGLE OFFERING, He has perfected FOR ALL TIME, those who are being sanctified.”

Jesus. the perfect, sinless High Priest, offered Himself a spotless sacrifice and opened the new and living way for us through the curtain so that we can now “draw near (to God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” 

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Day 357 – Hebrews 11 – 13 (the FAITH chapter & heroes of the faith, witnesses for us to endure too, discipline as sons, acceptable worship, final instructions)

Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 11 is called the “Faith Chapter” or the “Saint’s Hall of Fame.” In it, the author defines faith and how it’s to be used. He lists heroes of faith from the Old Testament, sixteen by name (including women), and many others by deeds or means of death. These all have served and glorified God.

DEFINITION: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (verse 1)

WHAT IT INVOLVES: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (verse 6)

From righteous Abel to the prophet Samuel, men and women have lived and died for God, loved and obeyed Him, trusted and spoke for Him without shame or fear, and many paid for it with their lives. 

These heroes “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong through weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to fight, and some women received back their dead by resurrection!! 

(I can think of some names that come to mind here, can you?”

Others were tortured for their faith, suffered mocking and flogging, even chains and imprisonments, stoning, beheading (killed by the sword), and even being sawn in two!  They were destitute, afflicted, mistreated, and lived in deserts, mountains, dens, and caves.  OF WHOM THE WORLD WAS NOT WORTHY!

And YET, they did not “see” the promised Messiah they spoke about and waited for like WE HAVE!  (How totally blessed we are!)

Hebrews 12.

“Therefore, SINCE we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (those heroes listed above), let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith.  He, for the JOY that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated now at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus, as God’s Son, endured much hostility against Him. And so we, as God’s children, must endure “discipline” too.  God disciplines us (through suffering/persecution) for OUR GOOD, so we may share His holiness.  It doesn’t seem pleasant at the moment, but later, it “yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” to those trained by it. 

So…. lift your drooping hands….strengthen your weak knees….and make straight paths for your feet.   And “let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken (by persecution or death), and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

Hebrews 13.

The author encourages readers to continue in brotherly love, hospitality to strangers, and prayer and support for those imprisoned for their faith.  They are to be faithful in marriage, not love money but be content with what they have.

They are to “remember their leaders (in prayer and financially), the ones who first spoke the Word of God to them.”  They are to consider the fruit of those men’s ministry and imitate their faith.  They are to pray and support their leaders and also to submit to and obey them (for THOSE MEN will have to give an account one day).

He ends with a doxology. ‘Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant….equip you with everything good, that you may do His will.

To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever. Amen”

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 354

Dec20

   Day 354—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 354 -1 Peter 1 – 5 (salvation, example to others, the Lord’s return)

Peter wrote his first letter “by the hand of Silas” (a Roman citizen and fellow servant of Paul) while living in Rome, possibly just after Emperor Nero burned the city and blamed it on Christians.

Paul also sent Silas to deliver the letter to the churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). He used “Babylon” as a “code name” for Rome to keep Christians living there from even more persecution. 

1 Peter 1.

Peter writes the gospel in his salutation to these churches. “Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for US, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for salvation (which is) ready to be revealed in the last time. In THIS, we are to rejoice…”

He then reminds them that the trials they are experiencing “test” the genuineness of their faith, so rejoice in them!

Some exhortations follow: “Set your hope fully on the GRACE that brought you to salvation. Don’t be conformed to your former passions, but be HOLY, as He who called you is holy, knowing you were ransomed from the past futile ways.  Love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”

1 Peter 2.

Peter encourages these believers to “put away all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.  Instead, like newborn babies, LONG FOR the pure spiritual milk, “that you may grow by it.” 

He reminds them that their Lord Jesus is a chosen and precious stone, rejected by some but loved by them.  They, too, are “spiritual stones” being built up as a spiritual dwelling place of God.  They are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession.” (This is spoken about the Gentiles!!)

(Even in that horrible time of Emperor Nero’s wrath), they are to “be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether the emperor as supreme, or to governors sent to punish evil.”    “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”  For if they do GOOD and suffer for it and endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (This is just what Christ did, as an example, to follow in His steps. No matter the suffering, HE entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.)  However, they were to make sure that they weren’t suffering for doing evil.

1 Peter 3.

Like in Paul’s letters, Peter writes about the practical order in the church.

WIVES are to be subject to their own husbands, so if they are unbelievers, they will have their wife’s witness.  These women are not to be “outwardly” adorned but beautiful in their hearts.

HUSBANDS are to be understanding towards their wives and honor them, like you would care for a fine, porcelain tea cup since they, too, are heirs of the grace of life.

ALL CHURCH MEMBERS are to have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind, not repaying evil for evil but blessings.

“Even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. In your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, and always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you the reason for the HOPE in you.”

1 Peter 4.

“Since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking.”  So that in everything you do, speak, and think, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

But “don’t be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…as though something strange was happening to you. But REJOICE, insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, and when His glory is revealed, you will be glad.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and God rests upon you!”  Entrust your souls to a faithful Creator!

1 Peter 5.

Paul then exhorts the church elders to shepherd the flock of God and be an example to them. They will receive a crown of glory when the “Chief Shepherd” appears.  

As far as the congregation, they are to be subject to the elders with humility. In fact, they all are to “humble themselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time HE may exalt them because He cares for them.

Paul warns the churches about “their adversary, the devil.” He “prowls around like a roaring, hungry lion, seeking someone to devour. RESIST HIM, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by their brotherhood throughout the world.”

“After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will, Himself, restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”

To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

In closing, Paul says, “She who is in Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings.” (i.e. the church in Rome)  Then he mentions Mark and refers to him as “my son,” much like Paul refers to Timothy. 

“Peace to all of you who are in Christ.”

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(NOTE: It’s believed that Mark wrote his gospel while with Peter and after hearing all the apostle’s memories of Jesus while on earth.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 316

Nov12

     Day 316—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 316 – Matthew 27, Mark 15. (Judas, Pilate, Barabbas, Crucifixion/Death, two thieves, Burial/Tomb)

(Today’s and tomorrow’s readings cover the same events,  so we will look at the details of each.)

The Jews, finished with their three mock trials with their verdict of “blasphemy” (John 18), now deliver Jesus to the Roman authorities to get the death penalty. (The Jews, under Roman rule, were not allowed to impose the death sentence. Also, their means of death would have been stoning, and prophecy stated that Jesus would die cursed “on a tree”

Judas sees Jesus condemned to death, and changes his mind (not his heart in true repentance). He tries to return the 30 pieces of silver he was paid and stop the fiasco, but the Jews do not care for him and refuse.  He throws the money at them, then goes out and hangs himself.  They take the “blood money” and buy a burial ground for strangers.

“Are you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asks Jesus.

“You have said so.” (In other words, yes.)

(Luke 23 here tells how Pilate, trying to get out of his responsibility, sends Jesus to Herod. Herod sends him back.)  (John 18 tells of Pilate’s extended conversation with Jesus about truth and His kingdom that was not of this world, and his attempts to release Him.)

“I find no guilt in Him,” says Pilate. “And according to my tradition, I will release one criminal to the people at Passover.  Do you want Barabbas (a murderer and insurrectionist), or Jesus who is called the Christ (Messiah)?”

“BARRABAS!!” they shouted.

“Then what do you want me to do with Jesus?” he asks in desperation.

“Let Him be crucified!” they shouted.

“Why? What evil has He done?”

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

“Okay,” Pilate finally agrees, knowing they wanted Him dead out of envy, “but I am innocent of this man’s blood.”

“His blood be on us and on our children,” shouted the Jews.  (They meant the “guilt” of Jesus’s death, but in reality, Jesus’ blood on us is what saves us in God’s sight.)

So Pilate released Barabbas, scourged Jesus, and delivered Him to be crucified.  It was the soldiers, a whole battalion of them, who scourged Jesus (whipped Him with cords embedded with bits of bone). They also mocked him, putting on a scarlet robe and a crown of thorns and kneeling before him. They struck him about the head with a reed and spit on Him. “Hail, you King of the Jews!” Then they stripped Him of the robe.

They laid the cross piece of the cross on Jesus’ bloody shoulders and compelled Him to carry it up Golgotha’s hill. When He stumbled and fell, they compelled a stranger, in town for the Feast – Simon of Cyrene – to carry it for Him. (Luke 23 tells about Jesus addressing some weeping women along the way.)

They offered a drugged wine for Jesus to drink to dull the pain, but Jesus refused it. Then the nailed Jesus to the cross, hands and feet.