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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/11): Matthew 2:19-23.

Sep11

Remembering the lives lost in the events of September 11, 2001

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:23

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REVIEW – After the visit from the Magi, who were seeking to WORSHIP the young King of the Jews, the evil-hearted Herod mercilessly slaughtered all the baby boys under two in Bethlehem, in an attempt to DESTROY the young King of the Jews. Certainly, he was filled with and controlled by the devil, who, since God’s promise of a Savior in Genesis, had been trying to stop God’s plan of redemption.

However, God warned Joseph in a dream shortly after the Magi departed to take Jesus and Mary to Egypt ASAP. Again, Joseph immediately obeyed. The gifts the Magi had brought were instrumental in their escape and their livelihood in Egypt.

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Mathew 2:19-21.

King Herod did not last long after the massacre of the children. He was already full of a despicable disease from which he’d tried every known cure without success. In his madness, he’d already killed his ‘beloved’ wife Mariamme, and many of his sons and relatives in an attempt to keep them from deposing him.

But God has the last word when a king is dethroned, and a man dies.

The great Herod succumbed to his disease … and Jerusalem rejoiced … for a minute. He still had a few sons by other wives who could take his throne. Who would it be?

The Roman emperor, Augustus, would decide. After some scrambling and many bribes, in which Herod Antipas tried for the spot, the wicked and brutal Archelaus, son of Herod’s Samaritan wife, became the new king of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. (Antipas was sent to rule over Galilee and Perea. He was the “Herod” of Jesus’ ministry.)

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(NOTE: Archelaus was so ineffective that Rome eventually deposed him and appointed a series of governors. Pontius Pilate was the fifth governor of Judea.)

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Anyway, God sent an angel in a dream to Joseph saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.”

Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary, and went to the land of Israel. (Such immediate obedience!)

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Matthew 2:22-23.

As Joseph and his family entered the southern border of Israel, he heard that Archelaus had been made king, and he was afraid. Perhaps he’d been planning to return to Bethlehem, where they had lived for two years after Jesus’ birth. But it was so close to Jerusalem and the king’s residence. Could another massacre happen?

God did not let his chosen caretaker of Jesus fear for even a moment. He again warned him in a dream NOT to settle in Judea, but to return all the way back to Nazareth, that tiny, “nowhere” town on the side of a hill in Galilee.

And Joseph obeyed. They probably traveled the unfamiliar coastal road to keep out of the attention of Archelaus.

Did the young couple remember that journey to Bethlehem years ago with Mary pregnant and about to deliver? Did they remember that first stable where Jesus was born, and the arrival of the shepherds with their wondrous story of an angel choir and message? And then the home where those amazing Magi visited? And that horrible night of flight.

And now back to sleepy Nazareth, where Mary had been scorned for her pre-nuptial pregnancy. Would those people remember? What would they think of Jesus? Would they call Him a…?

“And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.'”

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(NOTE: there isn’t a specific O.T. scripture that says the Messiah would be “called a Nazarene.” Matthew, as with his quotes before, likes to “picture” or allegorize his points.)

Consider this: the root of the word Nazareth is nezer, or “branch” or “shoot”, and remember one of Matthew’s purposes is to show Jesus as the true descendant of David, and the King of the Jews.

Now, consider these passages:

  • Isaiah 11:1 – “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse (David’s father), and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him…”
  • Jeremiah 23:5 – “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He shall reign as king… “
  • Jeremiah 33:15 – “In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and He shall execute justice and righteousness for the land.”
  • Zechariah 38b – “…behold, I will bring my servant, the Branch.”

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These O.T. prophecies pointed towards Jesus’ 1,000-year reign on earth, still future to us, but by presenting them and comparing them to the title Jesus will be known for on earth – Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus, the Nazarene – Matthew is hoping his readers will make the connection and “see” the Branch of David, and the King EVERY TIME they hear and read about Jesus.

Let US do the same.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/10): Matthew 2:13-18.

Sep10

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“And he (Joseph) rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt…” Matthew 2:14

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REVIEW – A delegation of wise men came from the East to Jerusalem seeking the One who had been born “King of the Jews.” This put Herod “the Great” in a panic, for he thought HE was the king of the Jews. Herod asked the religious leaders where the Messiah was to be born, and they quoted Scripture, identifying Bethlehem.

Herod told the wise men about the little town to the southeast, and then that sly wolf asked them sweetly, ‘WHEN’ they had first seen their “guiding star.” After they’d mounted camels and were leaving, Herod called to them, “When you find Him, bring me word so I can come and worship Him too.”

The wealthy Eastern Magi easily found the house where the King of the Jews was living, for the “shining light” stood right over the roof (much like it had over the Tabernacle in the wilderness). They worshipped the Boy King, gave gifts to His parents, and then quietly departed, taking a way home that avoided Jerusalem, for God had warned them not to return to Herod.

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Matthew 2:13-15.

Joseph and Mary, with the young Jesus on her hip, waved to the camel train as it faded into the sunset. They came back inside, still in a state of wonder, hardly believing until they saw again the gifts the Magi had brought. Then, it seems that as soon as they retired, the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.

“Rise, take the child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.”

Joseph must have sat up immediately and awakened Mary, who gently woke Jesus. Hurriedly, they packed their few belongings, some food, and Joseph’s tools into sacks, along with the Magi’s gifts, and loaded a small donkey cart. Within hours of the wise men leaving, Joseph had his family on the road to Egypt.

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(What a righteous man. No wonder God chose Joseph to care for His Son during the boy’s growing-up years. Immediate obedience, without question: how many of us could or would obey so quickly?)

The Magi’s gold paid for the trip and a place to stay in Egypt. The myrrh and frankincense from the East (very rare and valuable in Egypt) helped to keep the family until Joseph could get established again.

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(What perfect timing! We can always trust our omniscient God with fearful surprises and “unknown” futures. He is THERE before we are. And He has already taken care of our expenses.)

Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1, “Out of Egypt I have called my Son,” which speaks of God bringing the nation of Israel out of captivity. Here, Matthew uses it more as a “picture” or “allegory” than a prophecy.

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Matthew 2:16-18.

Herod soon realized the Magi had tricked him.

How long would it take to travel the 6-8 miles to Bethlehem, look and ask around, and find that kid? Even if they stayed a few days, they should have returned to Jerusalem by now. He was furious.

He called his most devious and loyal henchmen and sent them to Bethlehem. Their orders? To kill all the male children in the town and the region who were two years old or younger.

The above line is easy to type, but oh, the horror of such a plan to consider and imagine. Mothers and babies screaming as the henchmen wield their huge swords, leaving the little ones dead and in pieces. Parents trying to hide the little ones, but having them wrenched from their arms and slaughtered before their eyes. Oh, the weeping and wailing! The heartbreak. The ghastly horror!

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Again, Matthew quotes O.T. scripture to describe (more than predict) the horrific massacre.

Jeremiah 31:15 says, “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children: she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Jeremiah’s prophecy was of the Babylonian captivity, when weeping and wailing accompanied the deaths and deportation of the Jews from their homeland. Their lamentation prefigured the pain that occurred that day in Bethlehem.

But, horrendous as it was – the death of all those sweet boys, the hopes of their fathers and mothers – the more atrocious idea was that Herod knowingly attempted to kill Israel’s promised Messiah. It was the first of many attempts, and it would finally happen, but only in God’s way and in God’s time.

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/8): Matthew 1:18-25.

Sep8

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“She shall bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21

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REVIEW – Matthew was the first of the four Gospels written; its author was an ex-tax collector named Levi, until the Lord saved him. In his own writing, he uses his other name – Matthew – which means “gift of the Lord.”

Matthew writes mainly to a Jewish audience (look for many O.T. references, no explanations of Jewish words or customs, and a respect for God’s name). He does not write chronologically; instead, he groups his information into five themes.

His genealogy of Jesus, beginning with Israel’s patriarch Abraham and their great king, David, shows his purpose in writing this gospel: to present Jesus as 1) the promised Jewish Messiah and 2) the King of Israel.

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Matthew 1:18.

Joseph and Mary were “betrothed” to be married. (Betrothal in Bible times was “marriage but without consummation,” and needed a divorce to be broken.)

In Luke’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her of the miraculous conception of a baby in her womb by the Holy Spirit. Soon afterward, she went to Bethlehem to stay with her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. Elizabeth’s son would be John the Baptist. Mary stayed there for 3 months until John was about to be born, then returned to Nazareth. It was probably then that she told Joseph of her own pregnancy.

Joseph was a just and gentle man. But he didn’t know what to think. The woman he was betrothed to was pregnant, and he knew HE was not the father. What did that mean? Should he believe her quite unbelievable story, or accept the more plain possibility of infidelity?

In turmoil and grieving in his heart, he decided to divorce her privately. (That meant he would obtain a writ of divorce from an official and hand it to her privately, apart from any witnesses.) And it would be over.

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Matthew 1:19-21.

Dreams remembered upon waking were thought to be a special blessing in Bible times. It was believed to be a sad thing if one went more than 10 days without one. (Those were normal, eating-too-many-lentils type dreams, and not like the one Joseph received from an angel of the Lord.)

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“Joseph, son of David,” began the angel in his dream. Wait. David? From Matthew’s list of Jesus’ genealogy yesterday, we saw that Joseph’s father was named Jacob. The angel (probably Gabriel) addressed Joseph as a member of King David’s royal line. Yes, he was, but Joseph probably didn’t think about being in the ancient king’s line very often.

“Do not fear to take Mary as your wife,” continued Gabriel. Oh! Just the answer he was seeking! Joseph thought with relief. But…

“…for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit,” the angel answered Joseph’s unasked question, leaving him even more stunned.

“She will bear a son, and YOU shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Then the angel was gone, the dream ended, but everything remained vivid in Joseph’s mind.

Mary was pregnant by … the Holy Spirit. (Oh, my!) Her baby was a boy, and when He was born, Joseph was to name Him Jesus (or Savior). It was the father’s duty to name the children, so this was no surprise. But “Jesus”? What did it mean that the boy would “save His people (the Jews) from their sins”?

Perhaps, as he thought about all this, Joseph recalled Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call Him Immanuel,” which Joseph knew meant, God with us. This boy, this Jesus, this Savior who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was GOD. With. Us!

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When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel commanded and took Mary as his wife. No questions. No reservation. “Mary, be my wife!” “Yes!” Done.

But Joseph did not “know her” (have sex with her) until after she had given birth to the Son, and Joseph had named Him JESUS.

(NOTE: the naming was at 8 days old, when baby boys were circumcised.)

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Next time, two years later….

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/21): John 18:28-60

Aug21

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“I find no guilt in Him.” John 18:38b

REVIEW – Jesus, inside the house of Annas and observed by John, answers plainly a question by the former high priest. ‘I taught openly in synagogues and the Temple; if you want to know what I said, ask all those people.’

A guard didn’t like that answer and slapped Him, a foretaste of greater abuse to come. Annas decided to send Jesus to his son-in-law, Caiaphas. As Jesus was led there, He was able to see Peter in the courtyard, openly and vehemently denying he was a follower of Jesus – for the third time.

The rooster crowed, stunning Peter, but realizing Jesus’ presence sent him into the night, weeping.

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John 18:28-32

NOTE: John skips the mock trial with Caiaphas, but Mark 14:55-64 gives us a glimpse.

1) First, many false witnesses spoke against Jesus, but they couldn’t seem to agree with each other (and the LAW says 2 or 3 witnesses MUST agree).

2) Some claimed they heard Jesus say that He would destroy the Temple and rebuild it Himself in three days, but even here, no two could agree exactly.

3) Caiaphas stood up and demanded, “Have You no answer to make against these men who testify against you?!” But Jesus looked at him, His mouth firmly closed.

4) Finally, Caiaphas asked, “Are YOU the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

And Jesus responded, “I AM.” This caused chaos in the chambers, and in a great show of pious horror, Caiaphas tore his gorgeous priestly garments.

5) “What further witnesses do we need?” He asked the 70 members of the Sanhedrin. “You have heard His blasphemy. What is your decision?”

They all condemned Jesus and called for His death.

6) Some members spit on Jesus. Others covered His face, hit Him, and taunted Him by saying, “Prophesy who hit you!” Given license from these actions, the Temple guards began beating Jesus with their fists.

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And we pick up with John 18:28…

“Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the Roman governor’s headquarters. It was early morning.”

Now why would they do that? Several reasons.

It was Passover. They had a “criminal” that they wanted executed, but this was a high holy day. They were ceremonially “clean” so they could take part in this holy day. Stoning someone to death would make them ceremonially “unclean” for at least a week.

Second, for a person as well known as Jesus, the Romans would demand the right of execution. And, presumably, the Jews could not kill someone for breaking the law because they were a nation under Roman control.

And lastly, it was prophesied that the Messiah would not be stoned to death, but would be “lifted up on a pole, or tree,” which pointed to the Roman form of execution. (See Psalm 22:16 and Deuteronomy 21:23.) Later, in Acts 7, however, we see this religious group stoning Steven to death, a believer in Christ,

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And so we see the accusing Jews standing “outside” the Roman headquarters (to “stay clean” for Passover). Governor Pilate was used to these Jewish customs and came outside.

“What accusation do you bring against this man?” A logical question for a “judge,” even today.

“If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered Him over to you.” They said.

Yes, yes. Pilate knew these Jews well and turned to go back inside. “Take Him yourselves and judge Him by your own law.”

“But, but… it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death!”

This caught Pilate’s attention.

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John 18:33-38a.

Pilate went inside and sat down, calling for Jesus to be brought to him.

“Are You the King of the Jews?” he asked Jesus, looking at his somewhat battered appearance.

“Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say this about me?” Jesus asked boldly. Was Pilate’s heart open to the Gospel, or was he speaking only as a judge?

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

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” replied Jesus, explaining more to this Gentile ruler than to His fellow Jews.

“So…. You ARE a king?”

“You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born, and for this purpose I have come into the world — to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

Pilate throws down his quill and rises. ” What is truth?”

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John 18:38-40.

Outside in front of the Jewish leaders and the growing crowd, Pilate announced, “I find no guilt in Him. But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release the King of the Jews?”

But instigated by the Jewish officials, the crowd cried out, “NOT THIS MAN, but Barabbas!”

Now Barabbas was a robber. (He was also a terrorist, an insurrectionist, and a murderer.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/5) John 13:31-38

Aug5

Read and Believe in Jesus

“When he (Judas) had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.'” John 13:31

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus had just revealed that one of His small group would betray Him. None suspected Judas. In fact, Peter asks John to ask Jesus who it was. Jesus indicated Judas when He handed him the dipped piece of bread, but it was as if a veil was over their eyes. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have mobbed Judas and stopped him? Judas took the offered bread, and at Jesus’ “What you are going to do, do quickly,” he slipped out into the night, the devil filling his heart with darkness.

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John 13:31-33.

A moment or two after the door closed, Jesus looked up at his beloved men and said, “NOW is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.”

Yes, Jesus could have dwelt on the things that were going to happen to him soon as a result of Judas’ mission. But He turned to look PAST that, to the way that both He and His Father would be glorified at His finished work on the cross (that They had planned before the world was created), after it was accomplished.

Hebrews 12:2 says, “…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, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Then Jesus looks around at the Twelve, His men, and calls them, “little children.” Tenderly He tells them that he is going “somewhere” they cannot come.

He means His death on the cross.

Yes, almost all of them will one day face martyrdom, some on a Roman cross, but THIS death, Jesus’s death, is for the redemption of all those who will ever believe in Him. THIS death is the “wages” earned by sinful man that God pronounced in Genesis 3. It will be substitutionary, for a sinless Jesus will die in the place of every sinner who repents and believes in Him.

NO, His disciples cannot go with Jesus.

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John 13:34-35

Then Jesus gives them a NEW commandment, that He (and they) will repeat in their teaching and writings. It is:

“Love one another:

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another.” (repeated three times!)

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What makes this a “NEW” commandment? Isn’t it already part of the two greatest commands: LOVE God and LOVE your neighbor as yourself?

Yes and no. It has the tone of the second commandment, for sure. But notice that Jesus replaces “as yourself” with “as I have loved you.”

Yes, we are to love others (our neighbors) as we love ourselves, treating others well, caring for them, sparing nothing on their welfare… but Jesus’s “as I have loved you” speaks of DYING for others. Not just giving our time, money, experience, kindness … but sacrificing our LIVES, our physical lives for others. Wow.

Yes, this will definitely reveal that those who love in this way ARE the true disciples of Jesus.

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John 13:36-38.

Then Peter – (don’t you just love him) – jumps up and asks, “Lord, WHERE are you going?”

And Jesus answers him as before, “Somewhere you can’t follow me … though you WILL follow some day.”

“Lord, why can I not follow you NOW?” And then, thinking of that new love, he says, “I will lay down my life for you!”

Jesus answers, “WILL you lay down your life for me, Peter? Truly, truly, I tell you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

Whoa.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/21) John 10:22-42

Jul21

Read and believe in Jesus

“” John

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus clearly stated that HE was the good Shepherd of Israel. He kept His sheep safe, fed them, and in fact, would lay down His life for them. He also compared Himself to the gate or door into the sheepfold – the ONLY door. There is only one way to safety, to God, to salvation, to heaven, and it is Jesus. Jesus knows that the very authorities who are harassing Him are the ones who will demand His death at the hands of the Roman government, but with power He reminds them that HE is the one with the authority, the power to give up His life. AND, He alone has the power and authority to “take it up again,” or be resurrected to life. A division among the leaders about Jesus is beginning to be apparent. But the evil core will press till they kill Him.

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John 10:22-30.

It’s now about a month or so later, in December. The Feast of Dedication, also called the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, is being celebrated.

(NOTE: This is not one of the Feasts that God required Israel to celebrate. In fact, it didn’t even start until 164 BC. In 170 BC, Israel fought against the then Syrian leader, Antiochus Epiphanes, who had captured Jerusalem and defiled the Temple. This Hasmonian family successfully freed the temple and the land from Syrian dominance until 63 BC, when Rome, under Pompey, took control.

This bit of guerrilla warfare was called the “Maccabean Revolt.” However, the Temple needed cleansing and their was but ONE day’s worth of sacred oil to anoint all the holy articles. It would take 8 days to make a new supply and they prayed. God allowed that ONE day’s worth of oil to light the Candlestick in the Temple for the EIGHT days. (This is why the eight candles on a Menorah are lit each night on Hanukkah today, in remembrance of that Miracle.)

Anyway, Jesus was in Jerusalem again. Since it was winter and cold, He was on the eastern side of the Temple under the sheltering “porch,” or colonnade, of Solomon (presumably with His disciples).

Some of the religious authorities approached Jesus, gathered in a circle around Him, and demanded, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you ARE the Christ (Messiah), tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them plainly. “I told you, and you do not believe.” Yes, He had. And several times they picked up stones to kill Him for blasphemy. But they wanted to hear His words again, encircling Him as they did, so He couldn’t escape this time.

Jesus tells them that the “works” (miracles) He does in His Father’s name should be enough proof of Who He is. But they can’t “see” that, because they are not “His sheep.” They can’t “hear” His voice calling them to follow Him either. If they DID see and hear… and believe, Jesus said He would give them eternal life, and they would never perish.

Then Jesus said that “His sheep” are safe. “No one can snatch them out of My hand.” And, “No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand either.” Why? And here is the clincher they were waiting for: “The Father and I are One.”

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John 10:31-39

And the Jews picked up stones to stone Him.

Jesus holds them back with His words. “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?”

“It’s not for a good work that we are going to stone you, but for BLASPHEMY, because YOU, being a man, make Yourself GOD,” they answer.

Then Jesus holds them back with what WE think is a very confusing argument. He talks about God calling some unjust judges “gods” (Psalm 82:6), and they know that the scripture can’t be broken; and so what’s the problem with Him calling Himself “the Son of God?”

They are perplexed for a minute, thinking that over.

Jesus continues, “If I am NOT doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; BUT if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that … the Father is in me, and I am in the Father.”

Again they sought to arrest him, but Jesus escaped from their hands.

Hey, when it is NOT the time for arresting Him, NOTHING can stop Jesus’ escape.

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John 10:41-42.

Because of the increasing hostility, Jesus left Jerusalem and retreated across the Jordan River to where John had been baptizing. (This is where Jesus’ ministry had begun, with His own baptism, the Holy Spirit descending on Him, and the voice of His Father.) Many followed Him there, people who had heard John’s declarations about Him, and they believed in Him.

Jesus remained there until it was time for that “last” journey to Jerusalem near Passover, which would end in His death (and Resurrection).

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/15) John 9:1-12

Jul15

Read and believe in Jesus

“Is not this the man who used to sit and beg?” John 9:8

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – The religious leaders accused Jesus of “having a demon,” or worse (to them) of being “a Samaritan” after Jesus revealed His view of them – their father was the devil, a murderer and a liar. This was not a name-calling contest; Jesus was explaining why they would not (could not) see Him for who He was, sent from God, their Messiah, and that He was bringing truth to them. After their bragging that they had the great patriarch, Abraham, as their “father,” Jesus shocked and horrified them by saying that “Before Abraham WAS … I AM.” Not only was He claiming His eternality, but also stating that He was God. They tried to kill Jesus then and there, but because “His hour had not come,” and His death was NOT to come by stoning, He slipped right out of their presence, unseen.

(NOTE: I’m trying a larger font. My glaucoma eyes struggle to see the small fonts. Comment if you don’t (or do) like it.)

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Part One (of three): Jesus heals the Man Born Blind

John 9:1-5

Not long after the events in chapter 8, we find Jesus and the disciples returning to the Temple area, where, on most days, the poor, crippled, and congenitally sick lay, hoping for alms from the people who entered to worship God.

Jesus “saw” a blind man there, “who had been blind from birth.” How was it possible to know that just by looking at a person? Were the eye sockets “empty?” Were the lids so shriveled as to show there had been no use for a long, long time? Jesus would know everything, of course, but it seemed the disciples saw it too.

“Rabbi,’ they asked Jesus, “who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

Now I’ve always wondered how a baby in the womb could sin to a degree that he would be born blind. Yes, there is the truth that from conception we ALL have the sin-nature passed down to us from Adam. But then, why are we not ALL born blind? The parents are a different thing. There are some diseases brought on by sin (such as syphilis) that can affect an unborn infant’s eyes. Also, the Jews had in their tradition other sins of parents that could bring injury to their unborn children.

But Jesus said neither was the case with this man sitting at the gate of the temple, begging for alms. It was “that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Does that mean we sometimes suffer so that God will be glorified? Yes. Think of the book and story of Job. Think of the life of Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son. Think of Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

Jesus told His disciples that the time was short. (He would be crucified in less than 6 months.) He had to work “the works of His Father” while it was still day. “As long as I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” And then Jesus proceeded to bring light and vision to the never-seeing blind man.

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John 9:6-7

Jesus used some of His own saliva mixed with the clay on the ground to make a bit of damp mud. Then, having alerted him (we assume), He pressed this mud on the eyelids of the man “born blind.” “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,” Jesus instructed.

(This pool was where just days before a ceremonial jug of water had been drawn and carried up to the Temple, with the people remembering and praising God for supplying water for them in the wilderness. That same time when Jesus had cried out, “If any man thirst, let him come to ME.”)

The pool is about 1/3-1/2 miles down the “Pilgrim’s Way” and would have taken him (with help) about 20 minutes to reach.

Whether the man had help finding the pool or not, he obeyed Jesus’ command. And when he’d finished washing the mud from his eyelids, he could see (for the first time ever). What must that have been like? Beautiful? Scary? Amazing? Did he praise God?

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John 9:8-12

It seems he might have wanted to thank Jesus, for he made his way back up to the temple mount. Many people saw and heard him on the way.

“Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?” they wondered.

“It IS he!” said some.

Others said, “No, but it is LIKE him.”

“I AM the man!” the ex-blind man said.

“Then how were your eyes opened?” they asked.

He explained, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me to go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I did, and I received my sight.”

“Where is He (Jesus)?” they demanded.

“I don’t know,” he said.

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Part Two, next time.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/14) John 8:48-59

Jul14

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“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus told those who “believed in Him” to abide (stay in, seek always) His word, which was the absolute TRUTH. And if they did, they would be set free from bondage/slavery to sin. When the authorities refused to believe they had sin, Jesus told them they were believing the lie of their “father,” the devil, who is the originator of lies and a murderer as well. As today, those who refuse to believe they are sinners and in need of a Savior are believing Satan’s oldest lie and will die in their sin..

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John 8:48-50.

The religious leaders (chief priests and teachers of the Law) did not like Jesus saying that they were “not of God.” Weren’t they chosen for that role? Hadn’t they studied the Words of God (the Law) in minute detail?

“You are a Samaritan” (the worst people they could think of) “and have a demon!” They told Jesus with disdain.

Jesus counteracted, “I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father. YOU dishonor me.” Jesus is not seeking His own glory, but someone is. He tells them that His Father in heaven DOES seek to glorify the Son. And HE is the true judge. (A warning for sure, but they do not heed it.)

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John 8:51-56.

Then Jesus returns to what He was saying earlier about those true believers who “abide in” His Word. “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps (loves, honors, obeys) my Word, he will never see death.”

But the authorities only guffaw. “NOW we KNOW that You have a demon! Abraham died as did the prophets, yet You say, ‘If anyone keeps my Word, he will never taste death?'” (more laughter) “Are YOU greater than our father Abraham, WHO DIED? And the prophets, who DIED. Who do YOU make yourself out to be?“

(What a loaded question. And they were about to get a loaded answer. They would totally NOT understand.)

Jesus first repeats the truth that God is His Father. He KNOWS God (and they do not). And He KEEPS His Father’s word. (There is not one tiny incident, action, purpose, or word of His Father’s will that Jesus does not fulfill.)

And then the lead-up to “the kicker.” “Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”

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John 8:57-59


(Astonishment and disbelieving laughter) “You are not yet fifty years old, and have YOU SEEN ABRAHAM?”

In a calm voice that they could not turn away from, Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, BEFORE Abraham WAS, I AM.”

Not only was Jesus saying that He existed before Abraham lived, which was true. He was also claiming to BE God. “I AM” in Hebrew (Jehovah or Yahweh) is God’s covenant name to Israel. It means that God (and Jesus) have always existed.

Can you believe the bombshell this was for those uber-pious Jews? This nondescript man from Galilee, standing before them, was claiming to BE God Almighty; He had even dared to speak that name (which orthodox Jews changed in their writings to LORD).

They had questioned Jesus about stoning the woman caught in adultery, but NOW there was no question. As one, the men picked up stones to throw at Jesus, to kill Him, believing Him to be the worst of the worst blasphemer.

But Jesus (who was indeed God) cloaked Himself and left the temple unseen.

Yep, you read that right.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/10) John 8:21-30

Jul10

Read and believe in Jesus

“I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as My Father taught Me.” John 8:28

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus continued teaching in the temple area as the week-long Festival of Tabernacles went on. But He was interrupted when some religious leaders brought a woman caught in adultery (as a test) and pushed her in front of Jesus. They asked if He thought they should do what the Law said and stone her. Jesus did not answer their multiple-choice test, but instead put it back on THEM. The one without sin should begin the stoning. None of them were sinless, so they snuck away without a comment. Jesus then judged the woman and found her a sinner. But He had come to SAVE sinners. He set her free with the admonishment to “sin no more.” —- Then at the evening lamp-lighting ceremony, Jesus declared loudly that HE was the light of the world and whoever would follow after Him would not walk in darkness but have life.”

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John 8:20.

The “hour” or “time” that Jesus often spoke about is the reason He came down from Heaven as a perfect Man. His death and resurrection are the means of salvation for sinful mankind that He and the Father planned before the beginning of time. A sinless man standing in the place of sinful humanity, then being sacrificed in their stead – well, it was the ONLY way to redeem sinful man and make them fit to live for eternity with the absolutely holy God. Jesus knew the plan, and ever since His ministry began when he was baptized by John, His mind was fixed on that “hour” of extreme suffering and forsakenness on behalf of those in His creation who believed.

All Jesus did was with that “Hour” in mind – that it was coming at an exact point in time that the prophet Daniel had foretold. He did nothing to delay its arrival, and He also did nothing to cause his death to come too soon. There was an appointed time, and Jesus would be there.

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John 8:21-25

Jesus now speaks about that hour of His death, resurrection, and ascension (all as one event), but in veiled terms. Those whose hearts were opened would receive it. But everyone else would be confused, disbelieving, and hostile.

So, Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. WHERE I am going, you cannot come.”

The hostile Jews were affronted by Jesus’ vagueness. “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going you cannot come?'” They probably looked at one another as if this was a big joke, perhaps even elbowed their fellows. “HEY, if He kills Himself, we won’t have to! Haha.”

Jesus brought them back to seriousness. “YOU are from below; I am from above. YOU are of this world; I am not of this world.”

Yes, they knew exactly what Jesus was talking about, but they WOULD NOT believe Him.

“And you WILL die in your sins unless you believe that I AM.” Unless they believed He was one with the God of the Old Testament, there was no hope for them.

“WHO ARE YOU?” they asked.

“Just what I’ve been telling you from the beginning.” (In other words, haven’t you been listening?)

These religious leaders, priests, and teachers of the Law were completely missing the “One” about whom the Scriptures had pointed for thousands of years. And they didn’t understand He was talking about the LORD God, His Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth who had sent Him here with a work of salvation/redemption to finish.

“I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught Me. He who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”

“WHEN you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He.”

As Jesus was saying these things, MANY BELIEVED IN HIM.

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/9) John 8:1-20

Jul9

Read and believe in Jesus

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life.” John 8:12

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – The religious leaders in Jerusalem are “foiled again” when the officers they sent to arrest Jesus came back empty-handed. They had been “wowed” by the words that Jesus spoke and couldn’t bring themselves to manhandle Him. The authorities were furious, especially when Nicodemus, one of them, seemed to support Jesus. I can imagine them pulling out their hair in frustration. But … today, they present another scheme to trap Jesus between His teaching/actions and the Law of Moses. Okay, their Sabbath rules ma-a-ay be in the gray zone, but who could question ADULTERY?

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John 7:53-8:2

Some people went home after the water-drawing festivities. Jesus went simply to the Mount of Olives. He could have spent the night with (or without) n the other side of the Mount. Regardless, in the morning He returned to the temple early, sat down, and began teaching the crowds again.

Then an astonishing incident occurred. I always pictured this in a solitary place with only Jesus, the woman, and the group of self-assured scribes and Pharisees. However, it could have happened right in the middle of that crowd that Jesus was teaching. When the Jews pushed the woman forward and announced her sin, the crowd probably pulled back, allowing a clear space around the scene, and quieting down to see what might happen in this drama.

(NOTE: This story is in a sort of parentheses in the middle of the Festival of Tabernacles. Some manuscripts do not include it. Others put it in a different place. However, it’s good to consider the text’s meaning and leave it there. It also shows the frustration of the Jewish leaders at their inability to arrest Jesus.)

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John 8:3-11

A group of fancy-dressed religious leaders brought a struggling woman (possibly not fully clothed) into the courtyard and shoved her toward Jesus..

“Teacher! This woman has been caught IN THE ACT of adultery. Now … in the LAW, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. (Smirk, smirk.) So, what do YOU say?

They thought they’d trapped Jesus. If He said, “Stone her,” the crowd would have gone into a frenzy. If He gave her leniency, these pompous men would accuse Him of being a law-breaker.

(What “I” want to know is where was THE MAN. If she had been “caught in the act,” it would mean another person was involved. Did the authorities “set it up?” Did they let the man (possibly one of their own) escape? It’s all “fishy” to me. Deuteronomy 22:24 says to bring them BOTH outside the city for stoning. Leviticus 20:10 says, “both the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.” So……)

Jesus said nothing.

He stooped and “wrote” something with His finger on the ground. What, I wonder? A word? A name? A Scripture passage? A squiggle?

“What do you say?” Her accusers asked again. And again.

Then Jesus stood and looked them full in the face (but saw their hearts). “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Then He stooped again, and wrote on the ground. What DID He write? Their names? Their sins? Words of compassion that only the woman could see?

When Jesus rose back up, all the accusing men were gone. They had slipped away (ashamed? fearful?) the oldest among them first.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?

“No one, Lord.”

“Neither do I condemn you; go and from now on sin no more.”

Jesus knew the Samaritan woman had been married five times and was now living in adultery, and yet He revealed to her that He was the Christ. Jesus healed the cripple at the pool of Bethesda, and told him also to “sin no more.” What mercy and grace. At this point, Jesus had not come into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to give His life to save those who would turn to Him in faith. Surely the Samaritan woman ‘cleaned up her act.’ Did the ex-cripple and this woman turn from their sin for good?

Jesus offers US the same grace and forgiveness, based on His accomplished death and resurrection. Come to Him. Cling to Him. Love Him and serve Him.

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John 8:12

At the end of the Festival of Tabernacles, another “tradition” took place: the lighting ceremony. As with the water drawing tradition, Jesus used this as another metaphor to reveal a truth about Himself. Four large lamps were lit in the court of the women. While the Levitical orchestra played, and smaller torches were lit and held aloft, there was dancing and the singing of praises.

And Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This saying – used often in the Old Testament- highlights Jesus’s role as the Messiah and Son of God. The coming Lord would be a “light for His people and for the whole world.” (Isaiah 50:19-22, Psalm 21:1, Psalm 119:105)

His reference to “following Him” (fully and completely) and not “walking in darkness” alludes to the pillar of fire in the wilderness that led the Israelites at night and protected them. (Exodus 13:21)

What a startling announcement!

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John 8:13-20.

Again the Jews argued with Jesus concerning testifying about Himself, which does NOT verify truth. But Jesus says, “In your Law it is written that the testimony of two people is true. I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”

“Where IS your Father?” they asked in scorn.

“You know neither my Father nor me. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” Jesus was saying that even though they were priests and teachers of the Law, they did not KNOW God. If they did, they would welcome Him as God’s Messiah.

John comments that, even though Jesus was teaching openly, NO ONE ARRESTED HIM. Why? Because “His hour” had not yet come.