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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 323

Nov19

    Day 323—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 323 – Acts 9 – 10 (Saul persecutes, Saul saved & commissioned, Peter heals Aeneas & Dorcus, Peter & Cornelius/gentiles)

Acts 9.

Saul, an extreme Pharisee and keeper of every letter of the Law, is out to punish or kill anyone whom he believes is NOT keeping it. The new growing group of believers in Christ seems to be the biggest threat, so he wildly runs to and fro, jailing them and killing them, with the total agreement of the religious leaders.  Believers flee Jerusalem for safety and to fulfill Jesus’ command to take the Good News to the surrounding areas and the world.

With papers of authority to the synagogues to arrest any he found of “The Way,” Saul charges towards Damascus. But on the way, Jesus stops him with a blinding vision and a direct word. Jesus identifies with His followers when He asks Saul, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Saul, having been thrown to the ground and now blind, asks who the voice is. Jesus identifies Himself and tells Saul to go into the city and wait.

He obeys and spends three blind days praying (and perhaps receiving clarity about the Scriptures he sought to protect and how they related to Jesus as the Messiah, much like the two on the road to Emmaus).  Then, a believer named Ananias fearfully obeys God, comes to Saul, and touches his eyes. Saul’s blindness leaves and the Holy Spirit enters his soul.  He is immediately baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah.

Full of the Holy Spirit and the corrected teaching of the Law concerning Jesus, Saul immediately starts proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues in Damascus, saying, “Jesus is the Son of God.”  At first the people could not believe he was the same man whose threats they feared. But Saul increased in wisdom concerning the Scriptures, proving that Jesus was the Christ, and they embraced him.

Now, of course, it is Saul whose life is in danger from the Jews. And the believers smuggle him out of the city at night in a basket let down over the wall.

(NOTE:  This may be when Saul spent three years in Arabia, studying and receiving direct revelation from God about Jesus in the Scriptures, preparing him to go to the Gentiles with the Good News. See Galatians 1:11-17)

Next, Saul goes to Jerusalem and attempts to join the disciples, but they are still fear him. Barnabas – that “son of encouragement” – takes Saul under his wing and vouches for him. So Saul boldly preaches the Good News and disputes with the very Hellenists in the synagogue he’d belonged to. But they seek to kill him, as they had done to Stephen, so the brothers send him back to his hometown of Tarsus in Cilicia, where he ministers for years.   And the church multiplies.

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Meanwhile, Peter is ministering along the coast at Lydda. He preaches to the believers there and heals a man who’d been crippled for eight years, causing many more to turn to the Lord.

Next, he goes north to Joppa and learns that a saintly woman, Tabitha (Dorcas is her Greek name), who did many good works of charity, has died. He goes to there and sees all the sewing she’s done for the poor. He goes into the house, kneels down, and speaks to her body, “Tabitha, arise,” and she is raised to life.  Many more believe in the Lord.

Next, Peter goes to Simon, the tanner, and stays in Joppa with him.

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Acts 10.

In Caesarea, about 30 miles north of Joppa, there is a Roman Centurion named Cornelius.  He is a devout man who fears God, with all his household.  He continually prays to God and is generous with giving alms. One day, he receives a vision of an angel (who terrifies him). The angel says his prayers and alms have been noticed by God.  The angel directs Cornelius to Joppa to escort Simon Peter back to his house. The next day, he sends a couple servants and a soldier to Joppa.

Meanwhile, back in Joppa, it’s noon, and Peter is hungry. While he’s waiting for lunch, God shows him a vision, repeated three times. (Peter is good with threes, it seems!)  A colossal sheet is let down – from Heaven – containing all kinds of “unclean” animals, like reptiles, raptors, camels, hogs, and rabbits.  Peter is told to kill and eat them.

“NO WAY!” says the ex-fisherman. “I have NEVER eaten anything common or unclean.”

THREE TIMES this happens. (Sigh)

Peter is left perplexed as to what the vision might mean. But he doesn’t have to wait long, for the men (Gentiles and “unclean”) that Cornelius sent have arrived at his door.  While he might hesitate to let these men into the house, Peter gets another word from God.  “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

Peter goes beyond listening to these men. He invites them in as his guests to eat and stay the night!

The next morning, Peter – and a few brothers as witnesses – goes with them on the journey back to Caesarea.

At Caesarea, after a little hesitation, Peter and the brothers go into this Gentile home, which is now crowded with people eager to hear what he says.  The story of the vision is told (and maybe Peter’s visions as well).  And so, Peter opens his mouth and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is Lord over all, now going to  “people of every nation who believe.”

At the end of his sermon about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and the offer of forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name to all who believe…. OH MY!  The Holy Spirit falls on this room full of Gentiles, and they speak with other tongues and praise God – just like Peter and the others at Pentecost!

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” declares Peter, amazed.  He commands them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then he stays there some days (teaching them the scriptures concerning Jesus).

NOTE:  The door to “the uttermost part of the world” has been opened. Peter has used his “keys of the kingdom” to unlock it.  He must do a little explaining to the group in Jerusalem, but then God has His powerful ambassador, Saul/Paul, poised to step through that door with the message to the then-known world. Jesus Saves!

All praise and glory to Jesus and to God Supreme!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 320

Nov16

Day 320—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 320 – Acts 1 – 3 (Jesus last appearance, His ascension, Holy Spirit, preaching and converts, miracle healing)

Acts 1.

While Jesus was still on earth, He ordered His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for “the promise of the Father, the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

They asked Jesus WHEN He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus told them it wasn’t for them to know, only the Father.  FIRST, they were to be witnesses for Him throughout the whole earth, beginning in Jerusalem and spiraling out.  Then – before their very eyes – Jesus was lifted up to heaven, disappearing in a cloud.  They stared and stared until two angels called them back to reality.  “This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw Him go.”

When they returned to the city from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus had ascended, they all met together in the upper room. 120 were all of one accord and devoted themselves to prayer.  Peter, taking his position as leader, brought up the topic of Judas. Their first order of business after praying was to choose a disciple to replace him. When two men’s names were put before them – men who had been with Jesus from His baptism by John until His ascension – they prayed again and cast lots.  Matthias was chosen to join the eleven. (See Proverbs 16:33.)

(NOTE: This was the last time the Old Testament method of revealing God’s will was used. After the Holy Spirit came and indwelt them, it was not necessary.)

Acts 2.

Finally, the day of Pentecost arrived. (50 days after Passover, and a time to show God gratitude for the beginning of their harvest season*.)  And while the 120 men and women were together in the upper room….suddenly, from heaven, a SOUND like a mighty rushing wind was heard, filling the entire house.  Divided TONGUES AS OF FIRE appeared to them and rested on each one. THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Outside the house were crowds of Jews and Gentile converts who had come to Jerusalem for the Feasts.  At the sound of the wind and the speaking, they came together to investigate.  They each heard the 120 speaking the mighty works of God in the language of their own country. They were bewildered, amazed, and astonished.

“Are not these all Galileans?”

“How is it that we hear each of us in our own native language?” (16 languages are named)

“What does this mean?”

“They must be filled with new wine.”

But Peter, the bold, outspoken, sometimes foolish disciple, is now filled with the Holy Spirit and power from above. “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem…these people are NOT DRUNK, since it’s only 9:00 am. THIS is what the prophet JOEL said.”  (He quotes Joel 2:28-32, about how, in the last days, God’s Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, and they will speak, prophesy, and do signs and wonders. And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Then he preaches a powerful sermon about how the righteous Jesus was put to death by lawless men, but God raised Him up.  He quotes other scriptures as if he were a studied rabbi but solely empowered by the Spirit.  He tells them “we all are witnesses of the resurrection!”

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus, WHOM YOU CRUCIFIED.”

These Spirit-empowered words cut to the hearts of the multitude. “Brothers, what shall we do??”

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins!” And with many other words, Peter bore witness and continued to exhort them. And those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

And all these devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Day by day, they attended the temple together, broke bread in their homes, and praised God.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 3.

One day, on the way to the temple, Peter and John saw a beggar near the gate called the Beautiful Gate, asking for alms.  The two apostles fixed their eyes on him and said, “Look at us.”  The man looked at them, expecting some hand-outs.  But Peter said those words that have been made into a wonderful children’s song, “Silver and gold have I none. But such as I have, give I to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Peter took the man by the hand and pulled him up, and IMMEDIATELY, his feet and ankles were healed. And he went with them “walking and leaping and praising God” into the Temple.  And all who saw him were “filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

Taking advantage of the crowds, Peter again preaches a powerful sermon, denying they had any power to heal except what God gave them in Jesus’ name.

“The God of our fathers glorified His servant Jesus, WHOM YOU DENIED in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release Him. YOU DENIED THE HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS ONE and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and YOU KILLED THE AUTHOR OF LIFE, whom God raised from the dead.”

“REPENT THEREFORE and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”

And while they were speaking…… (Continued tomorrow.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 319

Nov15

   Day 319—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and the final day of studying the Gospels.

Day 319 – Luke 24, John 20 – 21 (Thomas restored, Road to Emmaus, Great Commission, Ascension, and John’s epilogue)

Two of Jesus’ followers decided to walk home to Emmaus after the excitement that Sunday. They’d heard the women say the tomb of Jesus was empty, and Mary said she’d even SEEN Jesus.  Peter and John confirmed the tomb was empty, but no one knew what to think.

In the seven-mile walk, these two discussed all that had happened that week concerning Jesus.  Then casually a stranger joined their walk and asked what they were talking about.  They explained, and He said, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken. Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and enter into His glory?”  Then He began with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

When they got to their house, the two invited Him inside. When they sat to break bread, Jesus opened their eyes to recognize Him.  Then He vanished.  They were amazed and immediately started back to Jerusalem with the news that they, too, had seen and talked with the risen Jesus.

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The first time Jesus appeared to the disciples in a locked room and ate food with them, Thomas was not there. He vowed he could not believe in the resurrected Lord until he saw and touched Jesus himself. Now, Thomas IS present when Jesus appears. “Thomas, put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  The astonished Thomas falls to his knees  and worships Him, saying “My Lord and my God!”

Jesus encourages us by saying, “Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have believed.”

(John puts in an editorial note here: “These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in His name.”)

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Jesus once again goes over everything that “was written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms that had to be fulfilled.”  Then, He opened their minds to understand the scriptures.

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.  YOU are my witnesses of these things.  Behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you (the Holy Spirit). But stay in the city until you are ‘clothed with power from on high.'”

Then, Jesus led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them.  While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.  The disciples worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God.

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(John again writes an epilogue to his book in the 21st chapter.)

  He takes us back to when Jesus met some of His disciples in Galilee before he ascended…as He said He would.  There is the story of them deciding to go fishing, catching NO FISH at all, and then catching more than a boatload of fish at Jesus’ suggestion. John and Peter immediately recognize Him and rejoice. They all have a warm breakfast that Jesus made.

But the real reason for this incident is for Peter’s sake.  Remember his boastful attitude and proclamation that he (unlike all the others) would NEVER leave or deny Jesus, only to do just that THREE TIMES that night before the rooster crowed.  Remember his agony of remorse at the realization when Jesus looked at him.  Peter had run off into the darkness (of night and of soul), weeping and distraught.  Later, Jesus made a point to have others tell this disciple in particular that He had risen. (Mark 16:7)

Now, Peter needed to be reinstated in the group as their leader, as well as, in his own eyes.  Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?”  Peter answers ‘yes’ in humility. He is so different.  He knows that in himself, he can do nothing.  It is all Jesus. Three times, Jesus tells him to feed and care for His sheep.  He is still their leader, but he is a servant too, just like Jesus.

Jesus also warns Peter that he will indeed DIE for His sake.  He will be a martyr, but his eyes are to remain on Jesus.  “You follow me!”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 318

Nov14

     Day 318—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 318 – Matthew 28, Mark 16 (Jesus resurrected, guards bribed, Mary Magdalene & women, messages of the angels, Peter & John)

Today’s reading of the resurrection and the following events is similar to tomorrow’s, with different details. Some overlap.

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Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and some other women went to Jesus’ tomb. Their plan was to add spices to the burial garments that Joseph and Nicodemus had hurriedly prepared three days earlier and to anoint the body of Jesus. They discussed who they could get to roll the stone away. (They probably didn’t know about the seal and Roman guard stationed at the tomb.)

However, before they arrived, there was a great earthquake and an angel of the Lord came down and rolled the stone back.  The 16 soldiers “guarding” the site fainted for fear and lay as “dead men.”  When they got up and saw the stone had been moved away, they panicked and went straight to the chief priests in the city. The priests assembled the elders, discussed the problem, and gave the soldiers a sufficient amount of money to spread a false tale – that the disciples had come and stole the body of Jesus. (Right! From 16 trained Roman soldiers!!)  The elders told them they would make it right with Pilate (more bribes), and the soldiers did as they were told.

Meanwhile, the women–also terrified–got instructions from the angel(s). “Don’t be afraid. I know you seek Jesus. He is not here, for He is risen as He said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then QUICKLY, go, tell the disciples–AND PETER–that He is risen.”  So, with both fear and joy, the women ran to where the disciples stayed. Jesus met the ladies on the way with “Greetings!” They fell at his feet to worship Him.

It seems that Mary Magdalene had lingered at the tomb (maybe inside it), so when she saw a man through her tears, she assumed He was the gardener. “Where have you taken my Lord?” she asked.  “Mary…” came Jesus’ voice with love, and she instantly recognized Him and fell at his feet in worship.

Meanwhile, the other women told the disciples what they had seen and heard at the tomb, but the men did not believe. However, John and Peter decided to investigate and ran off to see.  John arrived first, bent down at the door, and peered in. Peter, who arrived seconds later, plunged inside and gazed at the empty shelf where Jesus’s body should have been. Only His folded linen burial clothes were there. John then came inside, and instantly, he believed Jesus had risen.

As they told the other disciples, still waiting in the room in fear, the despondent Thomas said, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.”  All ten yet-to-be-courageous men waited in fear, doors locked to see what would happen.

Two others decided to return home to Emmaus.

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Continued tomorrow…

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 317

Nov13

     Day 317—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 317 – Luke 23, John 18 – 19 (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

After the Last Supper and Jesus’ private teaching of the disciples and prayer, the group leaves for the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, where Jesus and His disciples are used to hanging out.  Judas knows this and leads the religious leader and soldiers there so Jesus can be arrested.

When they take Jesus away, the eleven disciples flee in fear. John and then Peter follow the crowd to Caiaphas’s palace, where several mock, illegal trials are held for Jesus. He remains silent even with the false accusations and abuse but finally says that He IS the Son of God, as they say.  Meanwhile, Peter is met with three accusations. At each, he proclaims and swears that he is NOT a follower of Jesus and, in fact, he does not even know Him. A rooster crows, Jesus looks at Peter, and the “brave” disciple runs away in great remorse.  

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Next, Jesus is taken to Pilate, who questions Him extensively about being a “king.”  Jesus says He is a king, but His kingdom is not of this world. Pilate learns Jesus is from Galilee and tries to shirk his duty by sending Him before King Herod, who is also in town. 

Herod is gleeful. He’s wanted to see the “miracle worker” for a long time and hoped to see Jesus do some miracle.  Jesus remains silent before “that fox,” and so Herod arrays Jesus in fine clothing and allows his soldiers to mock and mistreat Him. Then, he sends Jesus back to Pilate. “Herod and Pilate become friends from that day.” 

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Pilate approaches the Jewish leaders and says he finds NO GUILT in Jesus, and neither has Herod. “Therefore, I will punish and release him.”

The crowds, stirred by their leaders, respond, “Away with this man. Release to us, Barabbas! Crucify, crucify Him.”  Finally, Pilate, tired of the matter, washes his hands and tells them to do with Him as they wish. He turns Jesus over to their will.

“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” Pilate had written on a sign to be placed above Jesus’ head, showing the “crime” he was accused of. The Jews objected, but Pilate was firm.

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And so, the procession to Golgotha. Jesus, struggling under the weight of the beam, is helped by a stranger. He speaks warning to some weeping women along the way. Two other criminals follow to be crucified with Him. 

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At the place of The Skull, they nail Jesus to the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The soldiers cast lots for His garments and His robe as was usual, AND as it was prophesied (Psalm 22:18).

Inspired by Satan, who is still trying to keep Jesus from dying on the cross (and ending his power over mankind), people taunt Jesus to come down from the cross to save Himself…. IF HE IS THE CHRIST.

The criminals beside Jesus mock Him, too, but then one of them turns, repents, and asks Jesus to “remember him in His kingdom.”  “Truly, I say to you, today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Standing near Jesus’ cross were His mother, Mary, with three other women, and John.  “Woman, behold your son!” Jesus said to her. To John, indicating His mother, He said, “Behold your mother!”  And from then on, John took her into his own home. 

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At noon, a gloomy darkness covered the land until 3:00pm and Jesus cried out, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? (My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?)  Spectators thought Jesus was asking for Elijah and said, “Wait, let’s see if Elijah comes.”

With a parched mouth, Jesus rasped, “I thirst.” They dipped a sponge into some sour wine (vinegar) and held it to His mouth. Moisture returned, and He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  And with a final breath, Jesus cried aloud, “It is finished!”  And. He. Died. (Satan, YOU LOSE!!)

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A great earthquake shook the earth and split rocks. Tombs were opened, and saints walked about. AND THE CURTAIN IN THE TEMPLE WHICH SEPARATED THE HOLY PLACE FROM THE MOST HOLY PLACE….TORE IN TWO FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP! (Opening the way for all people to approach God through His blood/death.)

“Truly, this man was the Son of God!” cried the Centurion overseeing the crucifixion. 

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Ever suspicious and worried about their own status, the Jews went to Pilate and asked that the crucified men’s legs be broken to hurry on their deaths. They needed the bodies DOWN before the sun went down and the Sabbath began.  A soldier did the deed, and the two criminals soon died. But when he came to Jesus, he saw He was already dead. He thrust his spear into Jesus’ side and saw the blood and clear fluid flowing out, proof of death, so Jesus’ legs were not broken. (This fulfilled Numbers 9:12, Zechariah 12:10)

There was a man, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, a good and righteous man who had NOT agreed to the verdict and action by the council, a man looking for the kingdom of God, a secret disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus to bury Him.  After Pilate confirmed that Jesus was indeed dead, he agreed. Joseph and the other secret disciple, Nicodemus, took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in linen with many pounds of burial spices, and laid it in Joseph’s newly hewn tomb. He rolled the stone across the opening.  The women who were at the cross followed and noted where Jesus was buried. 

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The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate. They were worried about the rumors circulating about Jesus’ promise to “rise again” on the third day.  They asked Pilate to make sure the tomb stayed closed by posting a guard to keep the disciples from “stealing his body” and claiming Jesus had been resurrected. (They knew that this circumstance would have been worse than the first.)

Pilate gave them a guard (16) of soldiers. “Go, make it as secure as you can.”  These Jews made sure a Roman seal was put on the stone, sealing it (like an official envelope), and set the Roman guard around it.  There!  Done and dusted!

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AS IF… a wax seal and 16 puny humans could stop the SON of GOD from coming to life!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 316

Nov12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“BARRABAS!!” they shouted.

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

“Let Him be crucified!” they shouted.

“Why? What evil has He done?”

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

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

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

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

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

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

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 314

Nov10

     Days 314—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

NOTE:  THIS WEEK, the Sunday and Monday studies will be posted separately because they are lengthy.

Day 314 – Luke 22, John 13. (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

Luke’s passage is similar to yesterday’s Matthew and Mark but has a few other details. Verse 3 mentions that Satan entered into Judas. Verse 8 reveals that it was Peter and John who acquired the room for the Passover meal. Verses 24-29 show that the disciples are STILL vying for the chief spots in the Kingdom. Jesus tells them they must be servants first, and that He and the Father have indeed assigned them to sit at His table and on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

John describes how Jesus illustrates how to be a servant. He removes his robe, kneels, and does the job of the lowest slave: He washes their feet.  Peter objects at first but then tells Jesus He may wash his whole body. Jesus tells the eleven they are “clean” already and just need the dust of the world removed.  Judas, however, is NOT included in this “clean” group.

John also reveals how, when Jesus says one of them will betray Him, Peter signals to John across the table to find out from Jesus who it is, as John is sitting next to Him.  Jesus tells John – and Peter, who is watching – that the next person He gives a portion to is the one. Jesus hands it to Judas. Then, Jesus dismisses the traitor from the group to “do what he must.”

Before Peter can get puffed up, Jesus tells him that HE will deny his Lord that very evening. Peter violently objects, but Jesus tells him He has prayed for Peter, but, before the rooster crows, he WILL deny Jesus THREE TIMES.

(John 14 – 17 recounts the intimate time of teaching and prayer Jesus has with the eleven in the upper room, which we’ll read tomorrow.) 

Then, the company goes to the Mount of Olives – as was Jesus’ custom – to the Garden of Gethsemane. While the disciples sleep, Jesus prays three times that “the Cup” He is meant to drink to the dregs might be removed, But three times, he acquiesces to the Father’s will.

It is Jesus’ human body that shrinks from the coming torture and bearing the sin of the world. His divine nature willingly accepts the plan of salvation that He and the Father planned before the world was created.

Afterward, while his three close disciples joined the others in a post-meal/wine nap, God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus, whose sweat had become bloody with stress and agony.

Then…. it begins. The traitor, Judas, leads a pack of 600+ men/soldiers to the customary place where he knows Jesus will be.  Confirming the sign he’d planned with the Jewish leaders, Judas goes to Jesus and gives Him a welcoming kiss. Jesus calls him “friend.”

Impetuous Peter, perhaps thinking to dispel Jesus’ prediction that he will deny Him, grabs his short sword and attacks the chief priest’s servant, Malchus. He misses the man’s throat and slices off an ear.  Jesus, probably loving Peter even with his misled and violent ways, says to stop. Then He calmly replaces the ear back on Malchus’ head.

Jesus tells Peter that if He chose to, He could ask His Father for 10,000 angels to rescue Him (who could in a single night kill the entire world’s population!).  But how would all be fulfilled? (How would salvation be bought?)

Jesus, knowing what was happening, then asks the crowd WHOM they seek. He is protecting his disciples from arrest, even as they are poised to flee. He wants the mob to state clearly the only person they want. The answer comes, “We seek Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I AM He,” Jesus says, stating His Sovereign-God name. The crowd falls to the ground at its power and awesomeness.  Scrambling to their feet again, Jesus repeats that He is Jesus of Nazareth and willingly surrenders to them, stating that He had been daily in the Temple. They didn’t need to make this midnight raid to arrest Him. (He and they both know that they would NOT have arrested Him during the daylight because they feared what the crowds would do.  Cowards!!)

As they lead Jesus away, the eleven vanish into the trees. One young man (perhaps Mark) is caught by his tunic, which comes off and makes him flee away naked!  It seems John followed the mob at a distance to see what would happen to Jesus.  Peter followed him at a greater distance.  Both men observe the horrendous ordeal that begins for their Master in Caiaphas’s palace….the accusations, spitting, slapping, verbal and physical abuse to which Jesus says not a word. (Only that He IS the Son of God, which causes them to nail down the verdict — guilty of blasphemy.)

Meanwhile, in the courtyard, Peter watches in horror and anguish.

“This man was also with him,” says a servant girl, pointing at Peter. “Woman, I do not know Him.”

“You also are of them,” said another a little later. “Man, I am NOT!”

“Certainly, this man also was with Him, for he too is a Galilean,” accused a third.  “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” (Mark tells us that Peter begins to invoke a curse on himself and to swear he isn’t a follower of this Jesus.)

AND IMMEDIATELY, WHILE PETER WAS STILL SPEAKING, THE ROOSTER CROWED.

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. (Oh, what a look!!)  And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord.  And he went out and wept bitterly. 

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(We will backtrack a little tomorrow to read about Jesus’ teaching & priestly prayer before they all leave the upper room.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 311

Nov7

     Day 311—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 311 – Matthew 24 (more on the destruction of the temple, end-time warnings, antichrists, His coming)

This chapter covers what we’ve looked at in the last two days, with different details.  The conversation begins with the disciples admiring the temple building and ends with the Lord’s second coming.

The disciples naturally want to know the details, and Jesus proceeds to teach about short-term, long-term, and unknown-term happenings. I’m not sure the disciples understood any more after Jesus was finished. I don’t!

Jesus talks about false messiahs, wars, and catastrophes near and worldwide. They are not to fear but remain faithful.  Jesus says many will grow cold, and fall away, and betray each other, and that lawlessness will increase. They are to endure to the end.  And they are to consistently proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world. When that is complete, the end will come.

Further, in the end times, the abomination of desolation will appear that was foretold by Daniel. False Christs and prophets will perform great signs and wonders and try to lead even God’s elect astray.  DO NOT BELIEVE THEM!

Terrifying occurrences in the heavens will happen, and then the Son of Man will appear in clouds with power and great glory. And “all the tribes of the earth will mourn.”  When the disciples of that day see these things happening, they will KNOW the time of the end is near.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Jesus is and speaks the truth. We can always trust in what He says.

He compares the end times to those days of Noah. People will be eating and drinking as they normally do every day. They will marry and attend weddings until the DAY of judgment comes when they will be swept away.

“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know what day your Lord is coming.  Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do NOT expect.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 310

Nov6

     Day 310—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 310 – Mark 13 (destruction of the Temple, end times)

Mark 13 is similar to what we read yesterday. When the disciples comment on the beauty of the temple, Jesus tells them that soon, not one of the huge stones will be left standing on another.

They question Him when it will happen and what the sign is that it is about to happen. Jesus answers that first question at the end of the chapter, but first, he warns them of other more dangerous things like their being led astray by false Messiahs, rumors of unrest, and individual persecution. Jesus tells them that these things will happen, but they are not to be fooled or be afraid.  Instead, they are to “be on their guard.” They are to endure to the end.

Jesus also mentions the “abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be.”  If they see that, they are to flee to the mountains fast.  They would have recognized the reference to Antiochus Epiphanes, the king of Syria who invaded Jerusalem in the 200’s BC and sacrificed a pig on the alter.  However, here Jesus is warning them both of the Roman invasion which would tear down this current temple, and in the days of “great tribulation,” the Antichrist would again defile the altar.

The warning to NOT believe every prediction of Christ’s appearance is to us, also. “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.  But be on guard, I have told you all things  beforehand.”

There will be days of great tribulation and terrors. The sun will be darkened, and the moon too, and stars will fall from heaven. But… the REAL THING they will see — “the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send out the angels and gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”

Then Jesus answers their first question – when it will happen.  “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”  So then (and we) are to be on guard and keep awake, for we do not know when the time will come.

“What I say to you, I say to all; ‘stay awake’.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 309

Nov5

     Day 309—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 309 – Matthew 23, Luke 20 – 21 (seven woes to religious leaders, destruction of the Temple, end times)

Several things are repeated in these chapters, but Matthew begins with seven “woes” (or pronouncements) against the religious leaders who do not practice what they preach. Jesus tells the crowd to obey Moses’ Law, which they teach, but do not copy what they do, for they act righteously only to be seen, adored, and respected by others, not God. 

Jesus tells the people that their religious leaders (Scribes and Pharisees) scrub clean the “outsides” of their lives, but their hearts are full of greed and self-indulgence. God views them as white-washed tombs with rotting remains inside. (Whoa!)  Outwardly, they seem righteous, but inside, they are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 

Jesus calls them hypocrites, blind guides, fools, serpents, a brood of vipers, and murderers. And even as they challenge His authority, Jesus turns back their words on them in obvious and condemning parables.  They burn inside and desire to seize Him and kill Him, but… they fear what the people would do to them.  And so, they watch and wait and send spies who pretend to be sincere that they might catch Him in SOMETHING to deliver Him to Pontius Pilate. But it all fails because it is not yet “His hour.”

Later, Jesus tells his disciples (in the people’s hearing) to “Beware the scribes!”

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Jesus uses their admiration of the Temple’s beauty to teach about the coming destruction.  “The days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

Perhaps thinking of Jerusalem’s fall at the time of the Babylonians, they ask, “Teacher, WHEN will these things be? What will be the sign?”

Jesus gives them a list of horrors that will come first but are NOT the sign of the end. (Jesus’s prophecies combine the coming destruction of Jerusalem with the end times of all flesh.)  

Many will come saying they are the Christ. (Don’t go after them.)

Wars and tumults will come. (Do not be terrified.)

Nations and kingdoms will war. Earthquakes, famines, and pestilences will happen in various places. There will be terrors and great signs in heaven.  

But, before that happens, they will lay hands on YOU, deliver YOU up to persecute and imprison you. But use it as an opportunity to bear witness.  Settle in your minds not to meditate beforehand how you will answer, for the Spirit will give your mouth wisdom.

When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies…KNOW that desolation is near. Leave the city and flee to the mountains. For there will be great distress and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and be led into captivity.  And Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.  (This last could be describing 70 AD when the Roman general, Titus, destroyed the city and led many Jews away as slaves who had not escaped.)

Then Jesus looks more to the future.  “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When you see these things begin to happen… straighten up and raise your heads… because your redemption is drawing near.”

Jesus then warns them to watch themselves, and not let sin or cares distract them. “Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Did they even understand what He was saying?

Do we?