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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/24): John 19:1-16

Aug24

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“Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’ The chief priests answered, ‘We have no King but Caesar.’” John 19:15

REVIEW – Jesus endured roughness in the Garden at His arrest, being slapped around at the palace of Annas, abuse and accusations on the way to see the High Priest, then the decree of “Guilty” from the Sanhedrin under the leadership of Caiaphas, and finally, the call for His death.

The guards continued their mocking brutality as they waited for morning when they could move Jesus on to the Praetorium and the Roman Governor. 

Familiar with their clean/unclean practices, Pilate went out to meet the mob. “What accusations do you bring against this Man?” 

“Of doing evil,” they basically said, and Pilate told them to see to it themselves. (Perhaps his breakfast was waiting.)  But when the Jews answered that they were not allowed to put a man to death, Pilate listened up. He called Jesus inside to question Him.

We had a glimmer of hope as Pilate at first refused to condemn Jesus. “I find no guilt in Him. Shall I release to you the ‘King of the Jews’?”  But the Jews cried louder, “NOT THIS MAN, but Barabbas”

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John 19:1-7.

Thinking a little savagery might appease the growing crowd, Pilate had Jesus flogged.  This was a cruel act where Jesus was stripped, tied up facing a post, and beaten by soldiers with a whip in which pieces of bone had been tied. USUALLY, this was done before execution to weaken the victim, but it seems that here, Pilate wanted to elicit sympathy for Jesus, so he could release Him.

It didn’t work.

The soldiers also made a crown of thorns, pressed it onto Jesus’ head, and put a “royal” purple robe on Him.  Then they mocked Him further by hailing Him as “King!” and viciously socking Him through the robe.

Jesus was a frightful figure (weakened, bruised, and bleeding) when Pilate brought Him outside to the waiting mob.  Instead of sympathy or compassion, however, the crowd screamed “CRUCIFY HIM!”

“I find no guilt in Him!” cried Pilate for a second time. 

The Jews threw back their penultimate argument.  “According to our law, He ought to DIE because He has made himself THE SON OF GOD!“

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John 19 8-11.

This accusation scared Pilate even more. Romans were very superstitious. The title “Son of God” to them, would place Jesus in the category of one with supernatural powers. Pilate had just whipped and tortured a person who could (in his mind) bring down a curse or vengeance on him!

He brought Jesus inside and asked Him, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not answer.

“YOU will not speak to ME?? Do you know that I have authority to release You and authority to crucify you?

Jesus answered quietly, with an authority of His own.“You would have NO AUTHORITY over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.”

(Jesus was probably speaking of Caiaphas and the Jewish leaders as having turned Him over to Pilate and having the greater sin, for THEY knew the Scriptures, the Messianic prophecies; they had heard Jesus’ teaching, and witnessed His miracles. Pilate knew none of that. However, Pilate was not without excuse.)

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John 19: 12-16.

After hearing Jesus speak with such authority, the Roman Governor sought all the more to release Him.

Then the Jews spoke their ultimate argument which was the last straw for Pilate. “If you release this Man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes Himself a king (like this Jesus) opposes Caesar.”

Terrified now for his soul and his position as Governor, Pilate brought out Jesus and sat down on the judgement seat at the place called “the Stone Pavement” or “Gabbatha.

Matthew 28:24 says “Pilate took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood, see to it yourselves.”

Then this pagan Roman official said, “Behold your King!”

And the reply from those of whom it was entirely TRUTH, as prophesied in their Holy Scriptures, was, “We have no king but Caesar.”

NOW, who was speaking blasphemy?

And so Pilate delivered Jesus over to them to be crucified.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/20): John 18:15-27

Aug20

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“Since that disciple (John) was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door.” John 18:15b-16a

REVIEW – While in the quiet garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was approached by a group of hostile Jewish leaders and soldiers – all led by Judas – and after their embarrassing fall to the ground – said they were there to ARREST Jesus.

Peter got carried away and whipped out his sword. Blood flowed, but Jesus stopped the violence and healed the ONE wound.

Jesus made sure His disciples were NOT also under arrest, after which they all ran away; then He submitted to being bound and led off to Annas’ house for the first of many “puppet” trials.

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John 18:15-18.

After initially running away from the scene of Jesus’ arrest, Peter and John returned to follow the crowd from a distance. The soldiers took Him first to the home of Annas, the former high priest.

John was known to the household, so he could enter Annas’ courtyard. He then spoke to the servant girl who kept watch, and she let Peter inside too. Then John went on into Annas’ house to see what was happening to Jesus.

Outside, in the dark night, by the warmth of a charcoal fire, Peter began his three steps downward into denial and despair.

“You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” Asked the servant girl.

“I am not,” answered Peter.

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John 18:19-24.

Meanwhile, inside Annas’ house, John stood in the back and anxiously watched as they interrogated Jesus. First, the former high priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.

Jesus answered them, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”

(This is probably the longest answer that Jesus will give in all of His trials.)

After Jesus said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus and said, “Is this how you answer the high priest?”

And Jesus answered the officer, right to his face. “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?“

Silence in the courtroom.

Then Annas, remembering he was ‘not actually’ high priest that year, although he was revered for his former standing in that office, sent Jesus bound to his son-in-law, Caiaphas, the current high priest.

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John 18:25-27.

Meanwhile, out around the charcoal fire, rubbing their hands together for warmth, someone said to Peter, “You also are not one of His disciples, are you?

Peter denied it, saying, “I am not.

Then one of the servants of the high priest, a relative of Malchus, whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?”

Peter again denied it … and at once a rooster crowed.

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(NOTE: Luke 22:60-62 tells us that at that moment, they were transporting Jesus from Annas’ house to Caiaphas, and Jesus was able to see into the courtyard and hear Peter’s final denial. “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, ‘before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And Peter went out and wept bitterly.“)

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(None of us have probably experienced exactly what Peter felt that night when he spoke those words and then saw Jesus looking at him. But you and I have probably had times when we knew we had disappointed Jesus by our fall into sin, or perhaps denied Him or His so great a salvation. We’ve wept bitterly, but it seemed Jesus was nowhere around. Was the separation final? Had Jesus forsaken us? Oh, how we might have wept.

But we are yet to study how Jesus, after His resurrection, made a special effort to see Peter alone. And then, back at the Sea of Galilee, how Jesus, step by step, leads Peter back into fellowship with Him and into leadership of the Eleven. God is good! For Jesus’ sake, He forgives if we confess and repent. Praise Him forever!)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/30) John 12:20-36

Jul30

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“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32.

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – On what we now call “Palm Sunday,” Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (the picture of a peaceful king). Crowds called out Hosanna, and Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, but did they know what they were saying? Did they truly believe Jesus was their Messiah? The religious authorities were even more determined to arrest Jesus and put Him to death, jealous of his popularity, angered at His exposing their hypocrisy. The tide is going to quickly change … and Jesus knows it.

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John 12:20-26.

Interestingly, as the Jewish officials plot Jesus’ death, and the manic crowds are soon to turn their opinion against Him, some Greeks (Gentiles, probably converted to Judaism and in Jerusalem for Passover) are SEEKING Jesus.

They ask Philip, who asks Andrew, who goes to Jesus. (With this, we get just a peek of the door opening to the Gentiles, as the Jews, “His own people, receive Him not,” and the promise, “but to those who do believe and receive Him, He gave the power to become the children of God.” See John 1:11-12)

Jesus continues with the cost of following Him, starting with His own sacrifice. He compares Himself to “a grain of wheat that falls into the earth and dies,” and then, as with a seed, it abides alone a certain time, but then grows and bears much fruit. (He is speaking of His own death, burial, and resurrection, which will eventually bring in a harvest of both Gentiles and Jews.)

And then Jesus turns the concept to His followers (His disciples and the seeking Gentile Greeks). “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”

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I wonder if these Greeks went away satisfied with Jesus’ answer, stayed around for the horrendous happenings of the next week, heard about/saw His resurrection, and were ones of those who returned to their homes outside of Israel with the message of Salvation through Jesus. I wonder…

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John 12:27-30.

And now, the horror of what is to take place begins to hit Jesus. He will experience physical pain, yes, but greater still is the taking on of the wrath of God for the sins of the world. The SINLESS Savior!

2 Corinthians 5:21
"For OUR sake He made Him to be sin,
who knew no sin,
that in Him,
we might become the righteousness of God."

Philippians 2:5-8
"Have this mind among yourselves, 
which was in Christ Jesus, who, 
though He was in the form of God,
did not count equality with God, 
a thing to be grasped,
but,
made Himself nothing
taking the form of a servant,
being born in the likeness of men. 
And being found in human form, 
He humbled Himself 
by becoming obedient to the point of death,
even death on a cross."

Hebrews 12:2
"...looking to Jesus, 
the founder and perfecter of our faith, 
who for the joy that was set before Him, 
endured the cross, 
despising the shame..."

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“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”

And a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

But the crowd heard it only as thunder or perhaps an angel speaking.

“This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself!”

Jesus said this to reveal what death He would die (crucified and lifted up on a Roman cross). But the crowd disagreed. (Can you see them beginning to turn from Jesus?) “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can YOU say that the Son of Man must be “lifted up?” WHO is this Son of Man?”

Jesus knows they don’t understand, but urges them that, “The Light is among you for only a little while longer. Walk in the light while you HAVE the light. The darkness is coming and will overtake you.”

“WHILE YOU HAVE THE LIGHT, BELIEVE IN THE LIGHT, THAT YOU MAY BECOME SONS OF LIGHT.”

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And this warning is for us today, too. Jesus will return for those who believe in Him. Waste no time. Believe in Him while you can. Walk in that Light.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/20) John 10:1-27

Jul20

Read and believe in Jesus

“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved…“ John 10:9a

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – In three parts, Jesus has healed a man born blind, watched as the man’s faith grew under persecution by the Jewish leaders, and then blossomed into true discipleship and worship when he met Jesus face to face.

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John 10:1-6

Jesus continues speaking to the same people from chapter 9: religious leaders (false shepherds) who were blind so they could not lead God’s people; the people listening, whom Jesus refers to as the sheep (all Israel); and the few believers in the crowd (My sheep).

(Israel is often compared to sheep in the Old Testament, with the Lord as their shepherd (Psalm 23:1). “He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11), and promises that one day, “I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15.)

Jesus tells them, “in a metaphor,” that HE is the Shepherd of the sheep. When He speaks to “His sheep,” they hear him and follow Him. They know His voice and trust Him.

And although the religious leaders knew the O. T. scriptures, revealing that they were NOT the kind of shepherds that pleased the Lord. “They did not understand what Jesus was saying to them.”

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john 10:7-9

Jesus elaborates on the metaphor of sheep and shepherds from a different angle.

“I am the door of the sheep(fold). All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.”

“I am the door. If anyone enters BY ME, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus is saying that belief in HIM is the only way to be saved. (John 14:5 says it even more clearly, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” )

The door, the gate, the way. There is NO OTHER possible means to be saved except by Jesus and faith in His atoning work on the cross.

Jesus continues to state this even more clearly. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

He compares Himself and His way of shepherding to that of the current and past shepherds of Israel. They were as ‘hired hands,’ not really caring for the sheep, only what they could get from the job. In their case, prestige, admiration, money. BUT, when real difficulty came, they were nowhere to be found, protecting themselves from the “wolves” who attacked the sheep. They were … BAD shepherds!

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

There is personal knowledge between the Good Shepherd and His own. He knows them personally, cares for them (read Psalm 23 again), and will sacrifice Himself for them.

“And I have ‘other sheep’ that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and THEY will listen to my voice.”

Jesus is speaking of most of us, Gentiles, non-Jews. Yes, He has opened His “sheepfold” to include us as well, to any who come to Him by faith.

“So there will be ONE FLOCK, one Shepherd.”

Paul reinforces this truth. In Christ “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on ALL who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12.

And also, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus. And, if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Galatians 3:28-29

Wow, what a promise!

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Then, probably looking straight at those religious authorities who will (in a few months) take Jesus to trial and demand His life from the Roman governor, looking at THEM, Jesus says…

“I lay down my life that I may take it up again. NO ONE takes it from me, but I lay it down of my OWN accord. I HAVE AUTHORITY to lay it down, and I have AUTHORITY to take it up again. I received this from My Father.”

WHEW! I wonder if they stepped back a pace or two at the power of Jesus’ words?

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John 10:19-21.

It’s interesting that “there was again division among the Jews because of these words.“

Many said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to Him?

But others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

This is not the first time that there was division among the authorities.

In John 7:40-52, some were “wowed” by Jesus’ words, and Nicodemus even questions their ire against Him. (We know that both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, members of the Sanhedrin, later believed in Jesus and were responsible for burying His body after the crucifixion.)

John 9:16 tells us that at the testimony of the formerly blind man, “Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath.’ But others said, ‘How can a man who is a sinner do such signs/’ And there was a division among them”

Acts 6:7 also says that “a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith” under the apostles’ preaching. (That must have stirred up a hornet’s nest!)

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Anyway, it was much like today. Some will believe in Jesus and receive everlasting life and resurrection on the last day… and some will refuse to believe and forfeit eternal life in heaven for agony in hell… for eternity. Oh, be one of the former ones!!

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/13) John 8:31-47

Jul13

Read and believe in Jesus

“If you abide in My WORD, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the TRUTH, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – At the end of the Festival of Tabernacles, at the lighting of the lamps, Jesus cried out, “I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the Light of Life.” Since this Festival “remembered” the time God led and cared for Israel in the wilderness, this statement of Jesus would instantly remind the celebrants in Jerusalem of God (represented by the pillar of fire at night and the cloud by day), leading them so they did NOT walk in darkness. Of course, the Jewish authorities complained that it was a lie, for Jesus was testifying about Himself. Jesus told them TWO testified to this fact, Himself and His Father in heaven. The closing verse of this section stated that MANY believed in Him.

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John 8:31-33.

Now Jesus addresses the ones who had believed in Him. What was next, after belief? It’s the same today.

“…Abide in My word…” Stay (continually live) in God’s Word, the Bible – read, study, meditate on, memorize, preach it to yourself, and trust in it.

“…and you will KNOW the truth.” If you do the above, Jesus promises you will know the truth. You will not be tempted to believe the lie of the devil.

You will KNOW you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. You will KNOW that God is holy, holy, holy, and can not allow sin in His presence. But you will also KNOW that God loved you so much that He provided a way for you to be saved from your sin, a way for you to live forever in His presence. He sent His own priceless, sinless Son (in the flesh) to die in your place (to take the punishment for your sin on Himself, and DIE for it.) You will also KNOW that if you trust in what God did for you, He will now see you as righteous (clothed in the righteousness of Christ) and acceptable in “the Beloved (Son).”

…And the truth will set you FREE.   Free from what?  Free from the POWER OF SIN.  Before Christ, we were “dead” in our trespasses and SIN, unable to save ourselves in any way. We all followed the prince of the power of the air,  carrying out the evil deeds of our flesh, by nature children of wrath! We were SLAVES to this, powerless to escape!

But the TRUTH of the Gospel is that “God being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, EVEN when we were dead in our trespasses …. made us alive together with Christ! (By grace you have been saved, and THAT not of yourself, it is the GIFT of God [that He gave, that by believing we might have eternal life.[ ) – This truth, when we combine it with God-given faith, sets us free from enclavement to Satan and our own sinful flesh. (Ephesians 2)

(WHAT GLORIOUS GOOD NEWS!)

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John 8:34-35

And the Jews all rejoiced in it. NOT!!

“We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it,” they asked Jesus, “that You say, ‘You will become free?'”

“Everyone who commits sin is a SLAVE to sin. If the Son (Me) sets you free (from sin), you will be FREE INDEED.” “And yes, I know you are offspring of Abraham, yet…. you seek to kill me because My WORD finds no place in you.”

Because they have so hardened their hearts, the truth of Jesus’ words of grace and salvation and freedom from sin … find no sticking place in them. They are cold and hardened, and His love and offer of freedom bounce right off their hearts.

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John 8:38-47.

Jesus boldly tells them that THEY have and obey a different “father” than He does.

“Abraham is our father,” they claim.

“If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works that Abraham did.” (which was believing God, having faith in God’s words.) “No, you are doing the works your father did (the devil).”

Incensed, they answered back, “WE were not born of sexual immorality. (Speaking of Jesus’ mother, Mary, being pregnant with Him before she was married.)

‘WE have ONE Father – even God,” they boastfully shout.

Um, no. (And Jesus gives a clear description of our arch-enemy, and these opposing leaders’ father.)

“If God were your father, you would love Me, for I came from God. I came of my own accord, but He sent me.

“YOU are of your father, the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a MURDERER from the beginning and has nothing to do with the TRUTH, because there is NO TRUTH in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a LIAR, and the Father of LIES.

“Whoever is of GOD hears the WORDS of God. The reason why you do NOT hear them is that you are NOT OF GOD.” (Plain and simple.)

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The Jews will do some blaspheming in the next reading, and then Jesus will speak a powerful “I AM” revelation of truth. We already know they will be incensed and moved to murder by “their father,” a murderer from the beginning.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/18) Luke 19:11-27.

May18

A 5-day per week study.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“.”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Last time was the wonderful story of the “short” Tax Collector, Zacchaeus, who climbed a tree to see Jesus.  But Jesus saw him first and desired to fellowship with him.  Zacchaeus joyfully welcomed Jesus into his home and heart.  The evidence of his true conversion was the abundance of giving back and restitution. (Unlike the rich, young ruler, Jesus meant much more to Zacchaeus than all he possessed, even though he was also very rich.  (Oh, for such a hungry heart!)

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Vs. 11.

  1. Because of who Zacchaeus was and what he had done with all his MONEY after meeting Jesus, and …
  2. Because Jesus was getting close to Jerusalem, and his followers “supposed” He would now take the Kingdom NOW, overthrow Rome, and rule (and they would be by His side) …
  3. And because the Jews were “circling” Jesus, like beasts of prey …
  4. Because of these things … Jesus told this parable about a Nobleman who went away to a FAR country to receive his kingdom, and then returned to settle his affairs.

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Vss. 12-15.

There are three main characters in this parable: the Nobleman, His servants, and His citizens. See if you can guess who each represents.

The nobleman, of course, illustrates Jesus, who would soon depart to receive His kingdom … and ONE DAY return to rule.

  • (Kings in Roman provinces like Galilee actually went to Rome to receive their kingdoms from the Emperor. This was true of the Herodian dynasty. The listening audience would know about this.)

Before the Nobleman left, he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.  (A mina was worth about 100 days of salary.)  He told His servants to “Engage in business until I come.”  (The KJV says, “occupy until I come.”)

These are those who are left to represent Jesus on earth – true and false followers.

Then Jesus introduced another group of characters in the parable.  The “citizens” of his land HATED the nobleman and sent a delegation after him, saying, “We do not want this man to reign over us.”

  • (Actually, this happened in the case of Herod. The Jews sent a delegation to Rome saying they did NOT want him to reign over them.  But they were denied, and he returned as king for a while.)

These “citizens” represented the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day, who rejected Him as their Messiah, and were plotting even then to kill Him.

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Eventually, the Nobleman returned, having gained His Kingdom, and He called His servants to account, rewarding them in His Kingdom.

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Vss. 16-26.

In this accounting, the nobleman addresses only THREE servants, but let’s consider them representatives of the others.

The first came and presented ten minas for the one he was given. “Well done, good servant!  Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.”

The second came and presented five minas for the one he was given.  “And you are to be over fivc cities.”

Then another came with  “such an excuse!!”  “Here is your one mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man.  You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.” 

Ah-oh!

  • (Could this servant represent those who profess to be followers of Jesus, but who are afraid to witness, and never mention His name or share the good news with someone? The “least” this servant could have done was to support those who DID spread the Gospel)

The nobleman answered, “You wicked servant!  I will condemn you with your own words.  If you knew I was that kind of man … why did you not put my money in the bank, and I would (at least) get it back with interest?”

And the nobleman gave this servant’s mina to the servant who had earned ten.

THEN, the nobleman dealt with his citizens (enemies), who hated him and didn’t want him to reign over them.   “Bring them here and slaughter them before me.”

WHOA!!

This is the end for those who reject Jesus.

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/11) Luke 17:20-37

May11

A 5-day per week study.

May 11 – Reading Luke 17:20-37

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Being asked by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God would come, He answered…the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”  Luke 17:20-21

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus spoke of a believer’s duty and faith. He told an awkward (to us) story about obedience. Then he healed 10 lepers, but only one – a Samaritan – returned to worship and thank Jesus.

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Vss. 17:20-21.

The Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the kingdom of God come?”  

hey were probably mocking Him, because they had already decided Jesus was not their Messiah.  They believed the Messiah would overthrow Rome and set up the millennial kingdom.  Jesus’ path was totally different.

Jesus’ kingdom would be the invisible rule of God in men’s hearts through faith in Him as Savior. He did not say that the expected Old Testament Millennial Kingdom would NOT come.  Just not now or first.

But the Kingdom of God was there and then, in Jesus.

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Vss. 17:22-25.

But now, Jesus’ disciple wanted to know the answer too. Jesus told them the two sets of “signs” to watch for that would herald His coming to rule. 

BUT … there were events that would occur first, even in some of their lifetimes. He warns them of these.

There would be news of false comings. “Look here!” and “Look there!” but they were not to be fooled. His coming would NOT be a secret. It would be like lightning flashing across the sky.  ALL would see and know.

Also, Jesus told them, “But first the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”  (Again, predicting His soon death.)

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Vss. 17:26-33.

Then Jesus illustrated His coming in power by two familiar Old Testament stories of judgment.

Sign one:

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.”

How was it then, in those 120 years it took Noah to obey God and build the Ark? 

They were eating and drinking. (Daily life, as usual)

They were marrying and giving in marriage. (Joining families and procreating, planning for the future of their generations.)

All, as if it would go on forever.

Noah preached about the coming judgment for all those years, and no one listened or prepared.  Instead, they mocked him. They hooted and howled … until the first raindrops fell…and the water began to rise…and they tried to cling to the pitch-covered ark and pounded on the door….

It was too late then. Noah’s family, and the representatives of all the beasts of the earth and fowl of the air had entered that great boat.  The door was shut and sealed … by God.

(Just a side note; Do you ever wonder why specimens of the creatures in the sea were not taken on board the Ark when all creation was judged? It “could” have been done. My thoughts – and only thoughts – are that the sea creatures were needed to clean up the oceans of all the dead bodies of humans and animals, and all the rotting vegetation. In Revelation 19:17-21, God calls the birds of the air to come clean up the corpses after the Battle of Armegeddon. so why not the fish?)

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Sign two:

“Likewise, just as it was in the day of Lot.)

This was a much shorter warning period. God revealed his plans to Abraham, and the man of faith interceded for the people as far as he could.  Then God sent angels, and it was a mere day’s warning.  “Get out now.”

But the townsfolk were busy.

Eating and drinking. (life as usual)

Buying and selling. (greedily trying to acquire more and more)

Planting and building. (assuming they had lots of time to live in the future).

But on that DAY (when Lot left town, pulling his reluctant wife and daughters along, it “rained” fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all.

Jesus specifically tells them to “Remember Lot’s wife.”  Her attachment to Sodom and her “things” was strong.  Even as fire rained down, she looked back in longing.

How much do our own “things and way of living” mean to us?  Have we laid down our lives, forsaken all, taken up our cross, and truly followed Jesus?

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No one will expect Jesus’ coming (except those who are His own). All will be bound up with their own ordinary lives, future good and bad schemes, and wild machinations and fears.

Like today.

By the way… have you noticed how many of God’s spokespersons are now calling for people to “get ready,” and turn to Jesus, BECAUSE HE IS COMING VERY SOON?

“All the prophecies are being fulfilled! Nothing is hindering His appearance! Don’t be left behind!”

God states in Amos 3:7 that He will warn of His coming, especially in judgment.

“Surely, the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants, the prophets.”

God graciously does this to allow time for repentance.

It was 120 years in Noah’s time…barely a week for Sodom.

How long for us today?

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Vss. 17:34-37.

“There will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken, and the other left.” Jesus warns.

Sleeping, doing chores … just like in the days of Noah and Lot.

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Oh, be prepared!  

Trust in Jesus’ sacrificial work on the cross for your salvation!

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/5) Luke 15:11-32

May5

A 5-day per week study.

May 5 – Reading Luke 15:11-32

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Let us eat and celebrate. For this, my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” Luke15:24

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – Jesus told two “lost and found” parables: a lost sheep and a lost coin, emphasizing the importance of the missing one and the need to restore it.

Today is the third such parable, about a son who was lost and then found, and the great rejoicing that followed.

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Vss. 15:11-12. 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is very well known and loved.  It’s the longest of Jesus’ parables, and it has several applications.  I always thought “prodigal” meant a wayward son, but the word actually means “recklessly wasteful, extravagant spending of resources without caution.”

It would be like winning the lottery and spending it all on the pleasures you’ve dreamed about without a thought of future responsibility.

In this parable, a man had two sons. The younger demanded to have his inheritance immediately. This would be like a wish that his father were already dead.  It was unheard of and shocking.

But the father did it. He converted 1/3 of his wealth into cash and gave it to the boy. (As the oldest, the other son had the birthright inheritance of two portions (or 2/3 of his father’s wealth. Now, it was ALL his.)

(The religious leaders who so hated the tax collectors that Jesus was associating with were shocked at the younger son’s behavior and saw immediately that he must represent those sinners. THEY, of course, were represented by the faithful, hard-working older son.)

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Vss. 15:13-16.

Jesus continues the story about the fall of the younger son, causing the religious leaders to feel smug and proud that THEY would never do that.

The wandering son journeyed far away (out of his father’s influence) and squandered his inheritance in reckless living. He was living the “good life,” with lots of “fair-weather” friends.  But when the money ran out, he found himself alone and in need.  To top it off, a famine came to that country, and he became hungry.

Desperate, he hired himself out to one of the citizens there, who sent him into the fields to feed … pigs. (super detestable to Jews) Things got so bad that he longed to be fed EVEN THE PIGS’ SLOP, but no one gave him anything.

(Can’t you imagine the pious Pharisees nodding and giving Jesus thumbs-up signs.  This is JUST what that boy deserved.  The tax collectors standing off to the side probably recognized themselves in this parable. So far from God, sinners, unworthy … but with hope.)

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Vss. 15:17-20a.

In that distant land, during a famine, standing in the mud with pigs, this wasteful, selfish younger son “came to himself.”

“How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger. 

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’”

THIS is a clear picture of repentance.

It’s recognizing the helpless, horrible state that you are in, and that in no way can you help yourself. It’s realizing that you are completely unworthy to be God’s child. Your sin has separated you from Him. But, because you know what kind of God He is – just, but merciful – you have hope.  You will humble yourself and return to Him, and lay your life into His hands, trusting Him.

This part of Jesus’ story probably made the religious leaders a bit uncomfortable.  They might have soothed their thoughts by assuming the father would probably punish the son and put him in the lowest servant position he had. He would have to labor hard and eat little.  THAT would teach him a lesson!

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Vss. 15:20-24.

The skinny, dirty and in rags, son stumbles homeward.  When he is still afar off, barely able to make out the buildings of his father’s property, he sees an image that must surely be a mirage!

His father, with his robes girded up so his legs are free, is running towards him!  And he’s weeping with joy, calling, “My son!  My son!”

How can this be?

Reaching him, the father embraces his son in a hug so genuine, so loving, and soon they both are weeping.

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son……”

But the father immediately calls for his servants. “Bring the best robe quickly, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate!

Or THIS, my son, was dead, and is alive again, he was lost, and is found.”

And they began to celebrate.

(Okay, you know for sure that the Pharisees and scribes did NOT like this ending.  That kid should have been punished severely, not only for stealing his father’s property and wishing him dead, but for his gall in accepting all the prizes and the restored position.  THIS UNFAITHFUL SON DID NOT DESERVE THIS HONOR!

Yes, of course, the sinners and tax collectors who had hopped in Jesus rejoiced at this ending.)

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Vss. 15:25-32.

The religious leaders cooled down when Jesus began with “the rest of the story,” about the faithful oldest son.  HE was the one that deserved praise!

”Now, the older son was in the field, and as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  He called one of the servants and asked him what it meant.

The servant said, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’

As you can imagine, this infuriated the older brother, jealousy raising its ugly head in his heart.  He refused to join the celebration, but remained outside, no doubt pouting.

The father came out and begged him to join in the celebration.  But he would not.

“Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when THIS SON OF YOURS came – who has devoured your property with prostitutes – you killed the fattened calf for him!!!”

(I can imagine the religious leaders, hearing this with their arms crossed on their chests and looking down their noses, totally agreeing with this son.  HE was the faithful one. (Like them.)  It was totally NOT FAIR for the son who wasted all to be honored so. (Like those tax collectors and sinners and gentiles.)

Jesus’ words were gentle as He finished the parable.

“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this YOUR BROTHER was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”

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Lost and found things.  Yes, the 99 sheep, the 9 other coins, and the older son were important and valued. But the lost ones… they (he) needed to be brought back, and then celebrated.  This is the love and mercy of God for lost sinners.

Oh, thank You, LORD!

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/22) Luke 12:1-21

Apr22

A 5-day per week study.

April 22 – Reading Luke 12:1-21

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness…”  Luke 12:15a

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review –

Jesus confronted the arrogant religious leaders and spoke SIX WOES on them for their greed, pride, and self-righteousness, and their neglect of justice and the love of God.  They respond with renewed energy to “catch Him” in something.

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Vss. 12:1-3.

Even though there were “many thousands of people gathered together around Jesus, so many that they were trampling one another,” Jesus spoke to his disciples first about the disgruntled Pharisees and scribes they’d just left.

He said, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.”

(The hypocrisy or ‘teaching’ of the Pharisees was their over-concern about externals and ceremonies and what people saw and thought of them, but not matters of the heart.)

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Vss. 12:4-12.

Jesus also warns them about persecution by the religious hypocrites, thinking perhaps of His own upcoming death.  “Don’t fear those who can kill the body and have nothing more they can do.  Fear Him who, after He has killed, has the authority to cast into hell.”

Jesus continues to “His friends” with a gentle, “Not a single near-worthless sparrow is forgotten by God, so you are not to fear.  Are you not of more value than many sparrows?”

And again, when any of His own are persecuted by rulers in the synagogues and by other authorities, they are not to be anxious or try to defend themselves. “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you shall say.”

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Vss. 12:13-15.

Then, right in the middle of Jesus’s teaching, and changing the subject completely, a man calls out loudly,

“Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!”

Okay, someone in this family has died, and there is a dispute over the inheritance. (No sorrow or grief about the loss is noted at all.) The money, lands, and goods are all that fill these two brothers’ hearts.

 

First, Jesus says, “Man, who made ME a judge or arbitrator?” 

Then, probably seeing the greed and covetousness in the man’s heart, Jesus continues with a warning, a parable, and a startling truth to ponder.

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The warning:

“Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

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The parable:

“The LAND of a rich man produced plentifully.”

The man thought to himself, “What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store MY crops?”

Then he snapped his fingers. “I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all MY grain and MY goods.”

Pleased with the plan, he leaned back and said to himself, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry!”

But God said to him that very night, “Fool!  This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared … whose will they be?”

(Obviously argued over by his descendants!)

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The truth to ponder:

“So is the one who lays up treasure for HIMSELF, and is not rich toward God.”

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Jesus will continue on the topic of wealth and anxiety in the next study.

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/21) Luke 11:33-53

Apr21

A 5-day per week study.

April 21 – Reading Luke 11:33-54

Read and believe in Jesus.

“One of the lawyers said, ‘Teacher, in saying these things, you insult us too.”  Luke 11:45

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – The foolish crowd accused Jesus of freeing a demon-possessed man by using the devil’s power.  Jesus has ALL the power He needs to do any miracle. The false exorcists, on the other hand, do not. The unbelieving crowd asked Him to do a sign. Nope. The only sign they’ll get is Jonah. Yes, think about it.

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Vss. 11:33-35.

Jesus tells two metaphors about light. In verse 33, the “lamp” is the word of God.  You don’t want to hide it, but to share what God has to say to all who enter your house.

In 34-35, the “lamp” is your eye or the source of light for your body/heart.  The crowd’s problem was their perception, not the lack of light. They didn’t need “another sign.”  They needed hearts to believe the miracles (and power) Jesus had already shown.

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Vss. 11:36-41.

While Jesus was saying these things, a Pharisee walked up to Him and invited him to dinner. Jesus accepted and went with him. In the man’s house, Jesus reclined at the table (presumably already set).

The Pharisee stood there aghast, his jaw hanging open.

Why?

“He was astonished to see that Jesus did not first wash before dinner.”

Now we aren’t talking about a little boy with grimy hands whose mom told him to wash his hands and face before he could eat.

No. What Jesus did not do that offended the Pharisee so much was the elaborate ceremonial rinsing of His hands. These uber-righteous men thought it would cleanse them of any “accidental” ceremonial defilement.

  • It involved someone pouring water from a jar onto another’s hands, with the other’s fingers pointed upward, letting the water drip off the wrist.
  • Next, water would again be poured on the person’s hands, this time, with the fingers pointing downward.
  • Then each hand would be rubbed with the fist of the other hand.)

Jesus hadn’t done that.

It’s not clear what happened next, or if Jesus eventually got to eat.  But He certainly was not going to let this pass.

“Now YOU Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.  You fools!  Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?”

Jesus told the “offended” man that he should be concerned more with his inner attitude before God than with outward ceremonies.

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Vss. 11:42-44.

Jesus then began a series of “woes” (the opposite of blessings) on the Pharisees.

“Woe to you Pharisees!  You tithe tiny pinches of herbs, but neglect justice and the love of God.”

“Woe to you Pharisees! You love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.”

“Woe to you! You are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it (a hidden source of defilement).”

These are pretty strong words!

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Vss. 11:45-52.

About then, some lawyers (or scribes who were experts in the Law) came to Jesus and said He was “insulting THEM too.”

Jesus then spoke to them.

“Woe to you lawyers also!  You load people with burdens hard to bear (minute laws), and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with your little finger!”

“Woe to you!  You build tombs for the prophets (whom your fathers killed), just as God had prophesied. The “blood” of all the prophets is charged against THIS generation … from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah (A – Z).”

“Woe to you lawyers!  For you have taken away the key of knowledge.  You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

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Vss. 11:53-54.

Well, all that did not sit well with the usually much-honored and respected religious leaders.

The Pharisees began to “press Jesus hard and to provoke Him to speak about many things … lying in wait for Him, to catch Him in something He might say.”