Archives

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (10/1): Matthew 6:5-18.

Oct1

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

.

.

REVIEW – The first of Jesus’ three warnings against hypocrisy in a believer’s life was about charitable giving. Yes, this is a good thing. Many people are needy and poor, and a believer who has been blessed by God with so great a salvation, not to speak of material things, should be willing to bless others with their help and finances.

But the WAY we give is also important. Jesus condemns those who make a show of it, who want people to see and praise them for it. These folks get their reward right then. God’s way is to give secretly and humbly. HE will see this and reward us.

.

.

Matthew 6:5-8.

“When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites.”

Jesus warns us against hypocrisy in prayer. It’s hard to imagine this sin showing up in such a sacred action as communing with our heavenly Father, but Jesus says “when,” not “if,” it does. We’re sinners, so I guess we should expect our hearts to be tempted in this way. So how can we tell if our hearts are not right, even when we pray?

“They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners…”

There’s nothing wrong so far. We can stand to pray in church and Bible study meetings; we can even stand on a street corner and pray. Before the broadcast media we have today, street preachers often prayed and preached on street corners. It’s not the action, but the heart attitude.

“…that they may be ‘seen’ by others.”

Seen by others as ‘pious’. Seen by others as way ‘more righteous’ than any of them. Seen and even praised for their ‘dedication to God’. THIS is what Jesus condemns. This is what will NOT be rewarded.

“But when YOU pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who SEES in secret will reward you.”

Let’s make our prayer time private, between only the Lord and ourselves. Others need not see or hear our groaning, weeping, confessing, or thanking God. Alone with the Lord, we can pour out our hearts’ longings, fears, and disappointments. We can earnestly intercede for a friend or family member. We can also engage in joyous, exuberant praise.

See how honest this is? If we look for man’s praise, we could never speak to God in this way. (And He won’t respond anyway.)

.

.What is the other way that Jesus says we are hypocrites in prayer?

“When you pray, do not “heap up empty phrases” as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard (by God) for their “many words.” Do not be like them.”

This is basically being in love with our own words. When we do this, we are really praying to ourselves, admiring how we say it, marveling at our lofty, theological speech, how beautiful and poetic it sounds. And if others hear these “great” words, all the better!

Example: The Pharisee’s prayer in the temple in Luke 18:9-14:

“ The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’”

This man was praying to himself, and to the people around him, while the “tax collector,” whom he considered a great sinner, prayed off in the corner to God alone. “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Whose prayer was “rewarded?” Jesus said it was the tax collector who went home justified.

.

.

Matthew 6:9-13.

Then Jesus teaches His listeners, those who are following Him, His disciples… HOW to pray. “Pray then like this:”

The following words are so familiar to us, we could probably recite them in our sleep. But Jesus says this is the WAY believers are to pray. (NOT the actual same words.)

Notice first, the prayer begins with praise to our Father in Heaven, unlike how that Pharisee began.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…” Hallowed means “holy,” set apart. Psalm 111:9b says, “Holy and awesome is His name.”

We might begin our praying with these words. Dear God (or Father in heaven), “Your name is holy and awesome!” Then continue with the praise for Him that wells up in your heart.

If you need help, many of the Psalms praise the Lord beautifully, including more in Psalm 111. “Great and wonderful are Your works.” “Your righteousness endures forever.” “You are gracious and merciful.” “You remember your promises forever.” “Your word is trustworthy.” “You sent redemption to your people (Jesus).”

You could spend an hour this way in praise – in your room, with the door shut, alone with God.

.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Before you put ONE REQUEST into your prayer, acknowledge that you willingly submit to all God’s purposes and plans for your life – for HIS glory.

Remember how Jesus prayed in Gethsemane? “Nevertheless, not MY will, but YOUR will be done.”

Remember also Roman 8:28. Perhaps even pray it: “Father, I know that, because I love You and You have called me according to Your own purposes, all things will work together for my good, even the things I consider trials. I trust You in this and submit to Your perfect will.”

.

NOW that our minds and spirits are willing for God’s will in our lives, we can offer our requests, both for ourselves and for others. We can also confess our sins against Him and others, assured that He will hear and forgive, for He has promised. (1 John 1:9)

“Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

See how THIS humble prayer is so opposite the prideful, boasting words of the Pharisee?

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

We KNOW, that our holy God does NOT tempt us to do evil. (James 1:13), but He WILL allow situations where evil is present to tempt us, teach us, and strengthen (or humble) us.

Remember Job (Job 2:9 – allowing Satan to hurt Job in every way but death).

Remember Peter. (Luke 22:31 – allowing Satan to “sift Peter like wheat.”)

Of course, we don’t WANT these trials and may pray not to experience them, but God knows what is best for our spiritual growth. He may allow trials that hurt and seem like evil, but KNOW that He is faithful and…

“He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to ENDURE it.” And ultimately HE will receive the glory for our growth in holiness.

.

Matthew 6:14-15.

Then it seems, Jesus goes back to expand on one point in that sample prayer. Forgiving others. “Or else… God will not forgive you.”

Yep, that’s a hard one. WE feel hurt, defiled, ridiculed, belittled, etc., etc., etc. WE want revenge. We do NOT want to forgive others (in our natural flesh). Even as believers, who have been washed in the cleansing blood of Jesus, totally forgiven and bound for heaven, even now, we often hold grudges.

Jesus warns against this, saying if we do, God will NOT forgive us.

WHAT? Does He take back our salvation, our assurance of heaven? NO! That eternal forgiveness is sure.

As with Jesus at the last supper with His disciples, they had been “washed” (saved by faith in Him). They needed only the dust of the world cleaned from their feet. DAILY sins need to be confessed. Grudges need to be released. Reconciliation needs to be made. This clears our heart, and God “washes our feet” so to speak.

Oh, and that feels so good. To be clean!

.

.

Matthew 6:16-18

The third Christian duty – fasting – can also be corrupted by our pride.

Like with giving and praying, our fasting from food (or even other things that are important to us) for the sake of spending more time with our Lord, should be NOT visible to others. We shouldn’t go around with a gloomy face, a hungry look, drab clothing … so that people ask whats the matter, or assume we are fasting and praise us for our “holiness.”

This would be disgusting to God, I would think. No, as with the other things, our fasting should be a secret and precious thing shared only with our loving Father.

Self denial is personified in Jesus.

Let us look to Him always, who, “though he was in the form of God, did ot 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 man. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” Philippians 2:6-8.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/25): Matthew 5:27-32.

Sep25

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“But I say to you….” Matthew 5:28a

.

.

REVIEW – Last time, Jesus began a series of “heart understandings” about the Law. The overt action may be murder, but in the heart and the mouth is where it begins. Anger, insults, and degrading name calling is just the beginning. Jesus said these are just as worthy of judgment as the final act of murder.

HIS followers are to go and reconcile with the offended person before doing anything else. Only then can the law “clean” us to worship our holy God. He warned if we don’t come to terms with the other fellow (or gal), things will get very, very bad.

.

.

Matthew 5:27-30.

As before, Jesus first calls their attention to the Law. “You have heard that it was said…” reminding them of the 8th commandment. (Exodus 20:14) “You shall not commit adultery.”

That’s pretty clear.

But once again, Jesus tells them, that this gross sin begins inside of us with the eyes and the mind (imagination). Inside, where no one else can see or condemn… except God.

“But I say to you… everyone who LOOKS at a woman (or man) (and this could also include pornography) with LUSTFUL INTENT has already committed adultery in his heart.”

A look, an imagining of sexual delight…or violence…and the sin is committed. The thought, the continual contemplating and adding to the scenario, is as the deed. Wow. And the longer it goes on, the worse it gets. Yes, you know it. Eventually the deed WILL be done, or at least attempted (with that person, or another one).

How serious does Jesus take this?

VERY!

He says if you find yourself looking with lustful delight, causing you to sin … gouge out your eye!!!

Now that is serious!

(And, if it keeps happening with the other eye, I think He might say, gouge that one out too!) What is being blind compared to being separated from the Holy God?

SIN IS SERIOUS. It is an affront to God. ESPECIALLY for a believer, a follower of Jesus.

“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.“ 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.

Jesus carries the remedy further with, “And if your right (dominant) hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to lose your members than your whole body … and go into hell.”

I believe Jesus could also mean by your ‘right hand’, that you are to eliminate every sinful deed you are prone to do or accomplish. It’s not just a leud man patting or pinching a woman’s bottom at the office. The “right” or dominate hand represents your strength. Cut it off if it causes you to sin!

.

.

.

Matthew 5:31-32.

“It was also said,” (Jesus continues) “whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.”

God gave this provision to Israel for the welfare of women.

Husbands who no longer wanted their wives – for some little thing they did or didn’t do, or because the man had lusted after another, younger, prettier woman – could just kick them out to manage on their own. Often their father would not accept them back into the family house, and without resources, they would eventually die or become a prostitute.

To save them from this, Moses required unhappy husbands to write their wives a certificate of divorce. That way, she could legally become the wife of another man. It was a concession, and NOT God’s perfect plan. But it rescued the unwanted wives.

But notice Jesus’s heart-understanding of this concession. “But I say to you, that every man who divorces his wife – except on the ground of sexual immorality – makes her commit adultery.” (either by prostitution or marrying another man while still married to the unhappy one). A man was not to simply “divorce” his wife for every little thing that bothered him, or even something big. Reconciliation is always the first step.

It’s God’s way. After man sinned in the garden of Eden, God could have thrown us away and created a new world. But no, He provided a way (Jesus’ death) that we could be reconciled to Him.

Our Lord is so kind. For women (or men) today, this means that if divorce occurs because of unreconciled unfaithfulness (the first option is always to seek reconciliation, as with the first of Jesus’ saying about someone offending you), the divorced one is free to marry again.

It’s NOT God’s perfect way. There will be complications with possessions, finances, and the children (who are often hurt most). But God’s heart of love, SO loves His children, that He allows this, though I believe every divorce grieves Him.

.

.Do you wonder, like me, how the people on the hillside received Jesus’ words. Were they confused, perplexed? Did the more learned of them go back in their minds to see the Torah’s writing, and nod at this new wisdom? Was there fear, or joy, in their heart? Did they now long for the kingdom of heaven this Jesus was preaching?

Or was that first stirring of disappointment rising. Reconciling? Sexual purity? What did that have to do with the Messiah freeing them from Rome?

.

.

.

.(NOTE: for those who read my closing thought yesterday, yes I did go to my husband, confess my offense, and ask forgiveness. And he gladly, quickly, forgave me. What a relief! And my prayers to God came so much easier afterward! Thank You, Jesus. Your heart-teaching is what we need every day.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/24): Matthew 5:17-26.

Sep24

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

.

.

REVIEW – True disciples of Jesus are “salt” and “light” to the world. Our manner of life, our “attitudes,” and our testimonies should cause others to thirst for Jesus. And by not hiding our faith, either in the world or in our families, we can show others how to find Him.

It’s not that His followers SHOULD BE salt and light; we ARE salt and light. So let’s allow Him to shake us out of our comfort zones, remove our timidness and fears, and change us into bold witnesses for Him.

.

.

Matthew 5:17-20.

The Law.

Does Jesus teach “the Law”?

Now that the Messiah has come, do we ignore the Law?

What was/is the purpose of the law then, and now?

Right off, Jesus makes one thing clear to His listeners. He has NOT come to abolish (get rid of, or nullify) the Law.

Jesus said, “I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law. Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one ‘jot or tittle’ will pass from the Law until ALL is accomplished.”

NOTE: Jots and tittles were the tiny marks that made up the Hebrew letters (like the dots over the i’s and j’s, and the crossing of the t’s in English).

Jesus fulfilled the “moral law” by keeping it perfectly.

Jesus fulfilled the “ceremonial law” by being everything the types and symbols pointed to.

And Jesus fulfilled the “judicial law” by exhibiting God’s perfect justice and ‘paying the wages’ of OUR sin on the cross.

.

“Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called ‘least’ in the kingdom…” and “…whoever does and teaches them will be called ‘great’…”

Don’t ignore God’s law: obey it humbly, and teach it rightly.

And then that shocker!

‘Unless YOUR righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will NEVER enter the kingdom of heaven.”

The people saw and heard the religious leaders brag about keeping the last speck of the law (no, going over and beyond it!), and how they paraded their good deeds before all the ‘lesser’ people, even thanking God that THEY were not like those nobodies. How could anyone keep the law better than they?

Jesus saw right through the Pharisees’ shiny facade to the filth and defilement (pride, greed, hate) in their hearts. He would later call them out, comparing them to ‘whitewashed tombs’. No, the people of HIS kingdom were to exhibit true righteousness, which comes from acknowledgment of sin and godly repentance.

.

.

Matthew 5:21-26.

‘You have heard that it was said…”

And now Jesus begins a section of “explaining” the heart and truth of the Law – those parts of God’s word that the Pharisees didn’t “get.” He begins the next six sections in Matthew five with these or similar words, then gives the text from Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.

.

“…You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.” (Exodus 20:13)

Then, Jesus goes deeper into God’s law, revealing the heart attitudes that come BEFORE the act of murder.

“But I say to you that everyone who is ANGRY with his brother… whoever INSULTS his brother… whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to judgment, and… even the hell of fire.

WOW! Why?

Because those are “murder” in your heart and mouth. It just hasn’t come out in actions.

How often have I been angry with a loved one, insulted them, or called them offensive names!!! Jesus says these are worthy of judgment as much as murder. HIS kingdom is one of meekness, mercy, purity of heart, and a desire to reconcile with others. THIS is the heart of God behind the law.

So what is Jesus’ resolution to these angry attitudes towards others?

Don’t keep on going like nothing is wrong while you seethe inside (or perhaps plot violence!).

Jesus says to “reconcile with your brother and quickly come to terms with your accuser,” and only THEN can you come before Him with a “pure heart” and make your offerings. He will accept them now.

And you won’t end up in the hangman’s noose or in prison with a life sentence.

.

(Oh, boy, has this smacked me in the face! I was recently very angry with my husband. I insulted him and called him a fool, in so many words. It has weighed heavily on my conscience. THIS is NOT how I must live in Jesus’ kingdom. Today, when he returns from work, I will apologize, ask for his forgiveness, and reconcile with him. And THEN I will go to my Heavenly Father and do the same.)

. .

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/14): Matthew 3:1-12.

Sep14

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“…and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:6

.

.

REVIEW – Quite a while has passed since the last reading. Joseph brought his family back to Nazareth and settled there. Matthew says nothing about that time. Luke tells of one incident when Jesus went with his family to Jerusalem at age 12 and astonished the teachers by his questions and answers. (Luke 2:38-52) But that’s all we knew.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)

.

.

Matthew 3:1-6.

About 30 years after Jesus’ birth, a man who looked much like the prophet Elijah appeared on the scene. It was John, Jesus’ cousin and the son of the priest Zacheriah and Elizabeth. He became known as John the Baptist because that is what he did. He was also a mighty preacher.

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” was his sermon topic.

Matthew tells us that this John was one who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness; ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'” (Isaiah 40:3-5) He was preparing the way for Jesus to begin His ministry.

And John indeed DID look like Elijah. He wore a “garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.”

.

(NOTE: I have eaten fried grasshoppers while on a short mission trip to Africa. They are like crunchy little twigs and taste like … grass.” I suppose there is protein in them, and many Africans catch and eat these often. But… also I’ve read that the “locusts” mentioned “could” be the pods of the locust tree, which are very much like carob. “Food” for thought.)

.

Matthew tells us that people from Jerusalem and all Judea went out to hear John preach and were baptized by him in the Jordan River… confessing their sins. True repentance, or a change of heart, DOES produce a willingness to confess sins.

.

(NOTE: John’s baptism had its roots in Jewish purification rituals, but did require repentance. Jews of that day who were baptized by John were ‘saying’ that they had been as Gentiles and needed to become the people of God genuinely. (This was an amazing admission!) John’s baptism is different from Christian baptism, which symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. See Romans 6:3-5. Here, John was preparing hearts to meet the Messiah.)

.

Matthew 3:7-10.

However… not all Jews who came to hear John preach were interested in a change of heart. John recognized the legalistic Pharisees and the liberal Sadducees who came to “check him out” as the hypocrites they were.

“You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Seeing their superior looks and stances, John continued.

“And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children of Abraham. Even now … the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire!”

This shocked these religious leaders. They believed that the wrath of God was coming only upon the Gentiles.

Then John really gives it to them, and to anyone else who came only “to see the show.”

“I baptize you with WATER for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. HE will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn. But the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire!”

Whew! John truly was a “fire and brimstone preacher.”

Note the three types of baptism John mentions: with water, with the Holy Spirit, and with fire. 1) John’s baptism with water symbolized cleansing. 2) All believers are Spirit-baptized. 3) Because fire symbolized judgment, this was probably the “baptism” upon the unrepentant.

The picture of the Messiah’s “winnowing fork” tells of the separation between believers and those who reject Him.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/4): John 21:15-23.

Sep4

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“What is that to you? YOU follow me.” John 21:23.

REVIEW – Back in Galilee, seven of the disciples decide to go fishing – their OLD occupation – while they wait for Jesus. This effort yields zero fish. Then Jesus appears and basically tells them how to do their job. They obey, and this time the reward is a humongous catch of fish. (Lesson one: without Jesus, we can do nothing. But submit to Him, and our efforts will be fruitful, 30x, 60x, or even 100x.)

Jesus had prepared some bread and grilled fish for breakfast. He could have multiplied His small amount to feed them all, but He asked the disciples to bring some of the fish THEY had caught to the meal. He finished cooking them, broke the bread, and passed around this “familiar” meal. (Lesson two: Jesus can use whatever we willingly give Him to further His Kingdom and bless others.)

.

.

John 31:15-17.

After breakfast, no one left the circle; instead, they turned toward Jesus, perhaps expecting Him to give them more instruction. They all learned something that morning; it’s true, but it was to Peter that Jesus directed His words.

“Simon, son of John (bar Jonah), do you love me MORE THAN THESE?” (Notice that Jesus uses Peter’s “old” name, meaning he was “walking in the flesh, not the spirit.” Peter remembered how he had at one time boasted that, “Though THEY ALL fall away because of you, I WILL NEVER fall away!” Matt.26:33)

“Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.” Did he feel the hot stares of the other disciples on him? Did he glance around at the other disciples for confirmation? All were silent. But they HAD heard.

Jesus didn’t contradict Peter; He instructed him, “Feed My lambs.” Peter’s mission was to care more for OTHERS than for himself.

.

Then Jesus continued. “Simon, bar Jonah, do you love ME?”

“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” Peter said, perhaps more quietly. Was he remembering how he’d once, twice… three times denied Jesus? Swearing that he did not even KNOW his Lord? I can imagine Peter squeezing his eyes closed as tears began.

“Tend My sheep,” Jesus instructed, challenging Peter to be a good shepherd over those he would lead, as his Master was.

.

And then, for the third time, came that stinging, probing question, “Simon bar Jonah, do you love me?”

Peter, grieved perhaps as much as when he’d heard the rooster crow and remembered Jesus’ dark prediction, may have fallen to his knees at this point. “Lord … You know everything! You KNOW that I love You!”

Peter’s true humility and sorrow for his denials are revealed. Jesus knew it, but now the other disciples had witnessed it. He grew tall again in their estimation, although he was bowed low at Jesus’ feet. The others could now trust him to lead them again.

I imagine Jesus gently smiling as he reached out and pulled Peter to his feet. “Feed my sheep.” And I imagine Peter nodded.

.

John had now shown the THIRD thing he wanted to make clear in this “epilogue chapter” – Peter’s reinstatement into leadership. That done, he was ready for that pesky rumor. The FOURTH thing he needed to do was reveal how the rumor started, then refute it.

.

.

John 31:18-23.

After Jesus finished calling out the veracity of Peter’s love, and seeing Peter humble himself for ready service, He led him apart for a different revelation. Best friend John followed quietly along.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, Peter, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”

Jesus said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. (imprisonment and crucifixion – stretching out his hands)

Perhaps Peter was thinking about Jesus’ words to them in Matthew 16:24-28. Read them now as Peter might have been recalling them….

  • Matthew 16:24 – “Then Jesus told His disciples, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me.
  • 16:25 – “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
  • 16:26 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
  • 16:27 – “For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done,
  • AND THEN…..
  • 16:28 – “Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

Wait, what? What did Peter just remember???

Walking with Jesus on the beach of Galilee, after breakfast and a difficult but sweet time of restoration, Peter remembered THOSE WORDS?

He looks at John and says to Jesus, “Lord, what about THIS man?”

Oh, no, that not-so-friendly competition raises its head. If Peter is destined to die, crucified, what about John? Will he suffer that death too? Or will he be one of those who…?

Then Jesus speaks the words that someone heard and spread as a rumor. “If it is My will that he remain until I come…what is it to you? YOU follow me.”

.

Of course, Jesus was not promising that His beloved disciple would live until He returned. Jesus’ point was for Peter to ‘mind his own business.’ Peter was to accomplish Jesus’ will for HIS life, and not look at others’. Keep your eyes on Jesus, Peter! Follow in His steps.

By telling how it started, John hoped to quell this rumor.

By the way, Peter lived 30 more years and was martyred in Rome by crucifixion, hanging upside down. John lived 60+ more years and suffered torture and exile. God preserved him to write the book of Revelation; then he died a natural death of old age.

.

..

John 21:24-25.

John then attests to the fact that it is HE, JOHN, who has written this. He is a WITNESS of these things. That should settle it. And then, before he lays his quill down for the final time, John’s mind is filled with many, many other things he could write about Jesus. Then he “waxed poetic.”

“Were every one of the things that Jesus did to be written… I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.”

.

.###

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.“

The famous last stanza of the classic Christian hymn The Love of God, written by Frederick M. Lehman in 1917.

..

…

Next up, The Gospel of Matthew.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/3): John 21:1-14.

Sep3

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“Simon Peter said to them, ‘I’m going fishing.'” John 21:3

.

REVIEW – Chapter 20 ended with John’s reason for writing his Gospel, after three others had been written and after so many years had passed. His specific reason was that his readers would “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

John included seven miracles that, to the Jewish mind, should have proved Jesus was the Messiah.

(Remember when John the Baptist sent his disciples with questions about Him? Jesus performed a series of healing miracles and attached a connecting scripture in Isaiah that pointed to Him as the Messiah.)

John also listed seven claims that Jesus made that He was the Son of God in His “I AM” statements.

Oh, the Jews knew exactly what He was saying, and finally killed Him for saying He was the Son of God. But still…they did not believe. (KNOWING and BELIEVING are two different things!)

John told readers at the beginning of his Gospel that Jesus’ own people wouldn’t receive Him, and then opened the door for ANYONE who would believe to come to Jesus.

.

.

John 21:1-3.

Chapter 30 was originally the end of John’s Gospel until a rumor began circulating that “the beloved disciple” would not die until Jesus returned. (Not true.) So, John picked up his quill and wrote chapter 31.

It also gave him the opportunity to 1) tell of another appearance of Jesus, 2) show their impotence without the Lord, and 3) how Peter was reinstated into leadership after his three denials of Jesus. And finally, 4) to correct that rumor.

FIRST. Mark 16:7 tells us that while Mary Magdalene was running to tell Peter and John that the tomb was empty and Jesus’ body was stolen, two angels told the other women who had remained there that “Jesus had risen!”

They were also told, “Go. tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.”

So after Jesus appeared twice to the group in Jerusalem, they obeyed and went back to Galilee, where Jesus had first called them. Only seven disciples were here at this appearance.

SECOND. After waiting and waiting, they began to feel a bit “antsy.” Finally, Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” And promptly the others agreed.

They climbed into the boat, so familiar from their old life, and pushed out into the sea. They threw the nets overboard and waited. They hauled them in and heaved them out again. NOT a sardine to be seen.

Finally, the sun began peeking over the horizon. Discouraged, tired, and hungry, they began hauling the heavy, wet nets into the boat. Done for the day. Nothing to show for all their work.

.

.

John 31:4-8

And then a stranger called from the shore, “Children, do you have any fish?”

“No,” they called back.

“Cast your net on the other side of the boat, and you’ll find some,” said the stranger. So… they cast the net again to the other side. Now the net was so full they couldn’t haul it into the boat!

Recognizing the miracle that Jesus had done for them before, John said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”

When Peter heard that, he grabbed his shirt and ‘threw himself’ into the Sea. This time Peter swam (instead of walking ON the water) and came to shore, just as the others arrived, dragging the full net behind.

.

.

John 31:9-14

On the beach, they saw a charcoal fire in place with fish laid out on it and bread. He asked them to bring some of the fish “that THEY had caught” to add to His on the grill.

As the fish cooked, the disciples counted the large fish they’d caught – 153 – a HUGE catch! And yet the net had not torn. So much to think and be amazed about.

Finally Jesus told them to come and have breakfast. They came, staring at Him, knowing who it was, not daring to ask if it was true. As He took the bread and the fish and divided it among them, they saw the nail prints on his hands. Yes, it was Jesus!

.

Can you imagine all their thoughts and memories as they ate? Jesus’ first call to be “fishers of men,” and to “follow” Him; Jesus telling them to “cast the nets on the other side of the boat;” Jesus breaking bread and passing it out with the fish, to both 5,000+ and 4,000+ people on the hillside. So much had happened since then!

At some point, Peter may have stopped chewing as he stared at the fire, remembering that other charcoal fire he had sat by that horrible night… and the awful words he had spoken there… and the rooster crowing to announce the dawn… and his denials of His Lord. And then Jesus bound and bruised, looking at him….

Yes, Jesus had spoken to Him privately (1 Cor. 15:4), and he’d confessed and been forgiven. But still the words rang in his ears. And… John had heard them! Had he told the others?

.

Tomorrow, we’ll see Jesus gently walking Peter away from that awful scene in his mind.

.

..

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

Aug20

Read and believe in Jesus

“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.

.

.

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.

.

.

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.

.

.

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.

…

(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.“)

.##

(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 (8/3) John 13:1-17

Aug3

Read and believe in Jesus

“When Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” John 13;1b

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus again urged the people to believe in Him, but they did not, would not, though He gave them many signs. Jesus then quoted a scary section from Isaiah, how the choice would be taken away, and they would not be ABLE to believe. God would blind their eyes and harden their hearts lest they see and understand and turn to Him so He could heal them. Though Jesus pleads with the words that His Father gave him, only a few believed, and those kept silent from fear.

.

.

John 13:1-5.

So… Jesus turns from public to private ministry. He retreats from the world and gathers His disciples to Himself. There is much He wants to teach them before “departing out of this world to go to the Father,” and the time is getting short. He has loved them, and He will love them to the end. But even here, in that intimate circle of chosen men, one is an unbeliever.

John tells us that even then, during the Passover meal, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus, although at the time, only Jesus knew it.

And… knowing it, Jesus humbled Himself to become the lowest of servants, removed His outer clothes, took a towel and a bowl of water, and went to each of the twelve (yes, TWELVE) disciples, and washed and dried their feet. Silence reigned, until….

.

John 13:6-11.

….Jesus came to Peter, who withdrew his feet. “Lord! Do You wash MY feet?”

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand,” Jesus said gently.

Peter leaned back, raised his hands, palms out, and shook his head. “Not me! Huh-uh. You shall never wash my feet, Jesus!”

(Not love for Jesus, or humility, but pure pride was speaking. Peter, the big fisherman, would not submit to his Lord and Master washing his big ole smelly feet. Nope. Too, too humbling.)

From below him, kneeling on the rough boards, Jesus looked lovingly at Peter. “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

Peter drew in a sharp breath, fear in his eyes. “Lord! Not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus smiled up at Peter and lifted a big old foot into the basin. “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And YOU are clean. But…not everyone of you is.”

(For Jesus knew who was to betray him; that was why He said, Not ALL of you are clean.)

.

.

But how were Peter and the others (except Judas) “already bathed and clean?”

John 15:3-4: “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”

John 6:68: During the three years Jesus had with the disciples, He gave them “the words of life,” and they believed. He taught them even about his death and resurrection, although they didn’t completely understand then. But they would.

Ephesians 5:25b-26: “…as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word…”

Titus 3:4-5: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteiousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us…”

And finally,

Romans 10:8-10, 17: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” “So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.“

They were saved, regenerated by their belief in Jesus as the Son of God, that they had heard Him preach. But, as with us, they/we daily commit sins and do things that make “our walk, or feet” dirty. Then, we go to the Lord, confess our sin, and He is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us (wash our feet; we don’t need saving again) from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

.

.

John 13:12-17. After washing Peter’s feet, Jesus stood, put the basin and towel away, and redressed in His outer clothes. Then He taught them about what He had just done.

Yes, He was their teacher (their rabbi), and He was their Lord as well.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, YOU also ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.”

Did they look around at each other then? I wonder what their thoughts were… (I’m not washing HIS feet… oh, well, I guess I will, if I am to be like Jesus.)

“Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Jesus was soon to send them to spread His Good News throughout the world. They would be His messengers, His apostles. And they were also to remember how, as their Master, He was a servant to them that evening, and never lose that mindset themselves.

“You are blessed if you know this and DO this,” He said.

And so will WE be, my fellow servant.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/28) John 12:1-11

Jul28

Read and believe in Jesus

“The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. A joyous, praise-worthy thing, right? And yet the Jewish authorities seethed at Jesus’ growing popularity. They called a meeting of the Council to decide what to do with Him. “If He keeps growing in popularity, promoting Himself as King, the Romans will come and take away our place (Temple & priesthood) and destroy our nation. WE MUST DO SOMETHING!” And so they put out a warrant for Jesus’ arrest, planning to seize Him and kill Him. Jesus lay low. But now Passover was approaching. The BIG Question was whether He would show up in the Holy City or not.

.

.

John 12:1-3.

Jesus had traveled back to Jerusalem with His disciples on the Friday before Passover, arriving in time for sundown and the beginning of the Sabbath. They are again staying with His friends in Bethany and eating the Sabbath meal with them. Martha is serving (but not complaining this time). Lazarus is reclining with Jesus and his men at the table.

And Mary, who in times past sat at Jesus’ feet listening to Him teach, is again in this position. However, her heart is overflowing with gratitude and love for the Master. As she kneels there, she breaks open a small, very expensive alabaster jar of pure nard. (Nard is an oil extracted from a plant grown in India and imported, so perhaps you can imagine its fragrance…and its cost.)

(Actually, my fave perfume is from India as well and called Shalimar. It’s sugary sweet in fragrance.)

Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with the oil, and wipes it with her long hair, which she has let down. It is an act of pure love flowing from a tender heart.

.

.

John 12:4-8.

A harsh, brittle accusation splits the air as Judas Iscariot gets to his feet. “Why was this ointment not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?”

He perhaps points to Mary at Jesus’ feet, her hair tangled and oily, and looks away in disgust. 300 denarii was, after all, the equivalent of a year’s wages for a common laborer.

(John again adds a bit of explanation to his gospel narrative, telling us that, “Judas said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief! And having charge of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.” )

Jesus knew this, of course, and I can imagine Him looking deep into Judas’s eyes and saying, “Leave her alone.”

Then He explained to the others, “She may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.”

As soon as he could, Judas left the meal and went to the chief priests in order to betray Jesus to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. (Mark 14:10-11)

.

.

John 12:9-11.

Somehow = perhaps Judas spread the word = a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there, and they came, not only on account of Him, but also to see the risen Lazarus. So … the official Jews made plans to kill Lazarus again. Even now, many of them were believing in Jesus when they saw Lazarus!

Jesus remained the rest of the Sabbath day (Saturday, until sundown) with Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.

***

The next day was Sunday … Palm Sunday.

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.

.

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!)

.

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.

.

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.)

.

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.