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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/13) Luke 2:22-40

Mar13

A 5-day per week study.

March 13 – Reading Luke 2:22-40

Read and believe in Jesus.

“…my eyes have seen Your salvation that You have prepared in the presence of all peoples.”  Luke 2:30

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The Gospel according to Luke 2:22-40

(Review)  In the last study, we read the familiar story of Jesus’ nativity. Everything pointed to a lowly birth, except for one thing that happened in the middle.  It began with the long trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then no room to lodge in the usual places, and finally settling in a stable, where Jesus’ first “crib” was a feed trough.  Afterwards, the group of sheep-smelling men came to ooh and aah over the baby and tell their tale of a vision.

But right in the middle, Heaven couldn’t contain itself.  Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, who sat at the Almighty’s right hand, had made it safely to earth and mankind.  The glorious work of salvation – stolen from man in the Garden of Eden – was about to take place.  And… a Heavenly Host burst out in a song of praise, “Glory to God in the Highest!”

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Vss. 22-24.

At the end of yesterday’s study, the first “rite” of babyhood took place. At eight days old, Jesus was circumcised (initiated into the Community of Israel) and given His name. (which Gabriel has told Mary)

Now, at about 6 weeks, there were two more Jewish rites written in “the Law of the Lord” that had to be fulfilled.

  1. The Rite of Purification. (Leviticus 12:2-4)  When a woman had a baby boy, she was considered “ceremonially unclean” for 40 days. After that, she was to bring a lamb and a pigeon or dove (or two pigeons or 2 doves, if she was poor) to the priest, who would make an offering for her, and then she would be “ceremonially clean” and able to worship, fellowship, and partake in marital relations.  (Mary and Joseph’s offering was two birds.)
  2. The Dedication (and Redemption) of the Firstborn Son.  (Exodus 13:2, 12-15 and Numbers 18:16)  Because the LORD freed the Israelites from slavery with the death of Egypt’s firstborn sons, He claimed all the firstborn males of Israel to be HIS (man and beast). The animals would be sacrificed, but the baby boys were to be ‘redeemed’ or bought back.  The amount was five silver shekels.

Joseph and Mary faithfully performed these rituals according to “the Law of the Lord.”  Right from His beginning, Jesus fulfilled ALL the Law perfectly – for us – so He would be the perfect “spotless” Lamb of God sacrifice.

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Vss. 25-35.

Simeon, a special old man (not a priest), who was righteous, devout, and waiting (longing) for “the consolation of Israel” (a messianic title derived from the O.T., like in Isaiah 40:1-2).   The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die until he saw the Messiah with his own eyes.

(Wow!  Can you imagine a promise like that?)  What hope and expectation he must have had!)

On that day, when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to “redeem” Him, Simeon “just happened” to be there. The Spirit of God indicated somehow that THIS BABY was the Messiah Simeon had been looking for.  Simeon walked over to the couple, took baby Jesus up in his arms, and praised God.

“Lord, now you are letting your servant 

depart in peace,

According to Your word;

For my eyes have seen Your salvation

that you have prepared in the Presence

of all peoples;

a Light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and for Glory to your people Israel.”

 

Mary and Joseph stood there and marveled at what Simeon said about Jesus.  Then this dear old man blessed them.  He also warned Mary that “a sword will pierce through your own soul.”

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Vss. 36-40.

There was also an eighty-four-year-old prophetess named Anna in the Temple that day.  She had been married only seven years before becoming a widow.  Now, she didn’t leave the Temple area, but worshiped with fasting and prayer night and day.

When she saw the parents and Jesus, she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were “waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Those who looked forward to the Messiah)

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(What a wonderful thing that God included these two old people early in the life of Jesus.  Yes, God still has a use for seniors.  Just think how grandparents and great-grandparents can have a godly influence on our children today!!  Thank You, Lord!)

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(NOTE:  Luke omits the visit of the Magi when Jesus was around 2-years old, and the flight to Egypt for a time, and picks up when they are heading back home.  Finally.)

The family travelled to Nazareth after years away.  They were a family now. Did anyone remember when Mary left in disgrace as an unwed mother?  (Well, yes. Some did.)   They settled back into the familiar patterns, and Jesus grew up.  He became strong and filled with wisdom.  And the favor of God was upon Him.

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Jesus fulfilled everything according to the Law, even when He was an enfant and couldn’t do it Himself.  He did what WE never could do – not sin, EVER.  And all that God required in the Law, it was done. Jesus lived sinless, in perfect harmony with His Father in Heaven.  Then He died – the spotless Lamb of God – to take away the sin of the world.  He paid sin’s debt = death.  For us.  THANK YOU, Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

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Vss.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/12) Luke 2:1-21

Mar12

A 5-day per week study.

March 12 – Reading Luke 2:1-21

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.”  Luke 2:10

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The Gospel according to Luke 2:1-21

In the last study, we saw the birth and naming of John (the Baptist) and Zechariah’s voice returning. Immediately after confirming his son’s name, the old priest was filled with the Holy Spirit.  He praised God for the salvation He was sending and His great mercy. Zechariah also prophesied his son’s future ministry as a prophet and the herald of the Messiah.

Then we saw John grow and become strong in spirit, and retreat into the wilderness until God would call him to appear in Israel and begin his ministry.

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Vss. 1-7.

And now we return to Mary and follow the details of Jesus’ birth.

          (This chapter is very familiar to believers. We’ve probably heard it read many, many times at Christmas.  Some can probably recite it by heart.  But let’s read it with “fresh eyes” if we can.)

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The Roman ruler of the “world” said everyone had to be registered.  This was so Augustus wouldn’t miss anyone when levying taxes.  And at least for the Jews, who kept records of their genealogies, their ancestors’ birthplaces were mostly known to them. For both Mary and Joseph, the place was the same because both were of the “house and lineage of King David.”  And David was born in Bethlehem.

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(NOTE:  Luke records Jesus’ lineage back from Mary’s line, through King David’s son Nathan (3:31), to Adam.  Matthew records the lineage from Abraham down through King David’s son Solomon (Matt. 1:6) to Joseph, the husband of Mary.  BOTH these lineages were important.

           The line that came through Solomon was eventually cursed because of the last despicable king who reigned until Jerusalem fell. (See Jeremiah 22:30.) Jesus had no genetic connection to this line (other than title) because of His virgin birth.   Jesus, born of Mary, came through the line of Nathan, which had no curse.  Jesus, called the Son of David, would inherit the kingdom from his earthly ancestor David, through the “uncursed” line.)

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Okay, back to the account of Jesus’ birth.

Even though Mary was due to give birth very soon, she and Joseph were forced to travel to Bethlehem (more than 70 miles).  Were Joseph and Mary remembering Micah 5:2, which says the Messiah would be born in that little town … or were they just concentrating on the grueling trip and Mary’s condition?

They finally made it, and while they were there, she gave birth to Jesus in a lowly stable. (All the inns were full by then.)  She wrapped baby Jesus in swaddling cloths and laid him in an animal’s feed trough.

I love this painting by Gari Melchers, which is probably closer to how it was than our traditional nativity scenes…

Vss. 8-20.

Meanwhile, in the hills outside Bethlehem, there was a group of shepherds watching their sheep.  The animals were probably all snuggled down together, sleeping, while the men sat around a campfire that was fast going out.

THEN AN ANGEL APPEARED!

THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHONE AROUND THE SHEPHERDS!

They were VERY afraid.

But the angel (could it have been the messenger, Gabriel?) told them,

  • “Fear not, for behold, I bring you Good News of great joy that will be for all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. And THIS will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying … in a manger.”

And then, more wonderfully terrifying, a multitude of heavenly hosts appeared, praising God and saying,

  • “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

And then they were gone, and again it was a dark, silent night.

“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us!”

And so they did.  They didn’t search inns, but looked for a stable. (After all, the angel said the baby would be in a feed trough.)  And they FOUND Mary and Joseph and the baby … lying in the manger, just as the angel had said.  They told the couple what had happened out on that hillside.  And Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

And then the shepherds returned to their duties, glorifying and praising God for all they’d seen and heard, as it was told to them.  And everybody who heard their story was in wonder about it.

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Vs. 21.

And at eight days, Jesus was circumcised and officially named JESUS, the name that Gabriel had given to Mary before He was conceived.

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed on Him, would not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/10) Luke 1:57-66

Mar10

A 5-day per week study.

March 10 – Reading Luke 1:57-66

Read and believe in Jesus.

“What then will this child be? For the hand of the Lord was with him.”  Luke 1:66

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The Gospel according to Luke 1:57-66

Last time we saw Mary, who was barely pregnant, going to visit Elizabeth, who was already six months along. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb jumped for joy when Mary greeted her. And on hearing that, Mary burst out in a song of praise to the Lord.  What fellowship the women must have had!  Both were being used by God to carry out the “hope of the ages.” Strengthened in the Lord, Mary returned home.

John would be born first and prepare the way.  Then Jesus would come, be baptised by His cousin, and be identified as the Lamb of God.  Both John and Jesus would die at the hands of evil men.  Jesus would rise as Savior of the world.

Elder Elizabeth & teenage Mary; John, a prophet like Elijah, and Jesus, the Son of God. The Messiah!

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Vss. 57-61.

The time finally came for Elizabeth, and she gave birth to a son. All her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown mercy to the aged couple and rejoiced with them.

On the 8th day, when a baby boy would be circumcised and named, Elizabeth broke tradition and said, “He shall be called John.” All the couple’s friends and neighbors were shocked.  First, it was the father’s privilege to name his son; second, the firstborn should be named after his father.  But, remember, Zecheriah had been mute since that time inside the Temple when he’d disbelieved angel Gabriel’s good news.

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Vss 62-66.

Still, the family couldn’t believe Elizabeth’s choice and “made signs” to Zechariah. (Whoa!  Does this mean he was also deaf???)   The old priest called for a notepad and wrote “John.”  And immediately his voice returned and he blessed God!  All were amazed and filled with holy fear.

And these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea.  All who heard the story, “laid them up in their hearts,” saying, “What then will this child be?” for the hand of the Lord was with him.

What indeed will John be?  The next study is Zechariah’s “benediction.” He will tell of the Son of David, and of John, the prophet of the Most High.

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/9) Luke 1:39-56

Mar9

A 5-day per week study.

March 9 – Reading Luke 1:39-56

Read and believe in Jesus.

“My soul magnifies the Lord,” Luke 1:46

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The Gospel according to Luke 1:39-56

The last scripture we looked at told us how Gabriel’s message to the young betrothed Mary about becoming the mother of the Messiah was accepted with humble grace.   “Let it be to me according to Your word,” although Mary had to know the problems that would arise in explaining her pregnancy to her family, and especially Joseph. (As an unwed mother, she could have been deemed an adulteress and stoned to death!)  The news of Elizabeth’s miracle pregnancy cheered her and assured her that “NOTHING will be impossible with God.”

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Vss. 39-45.

As soon as it could be arranged – probably as a big help for Elizabeth – Mary travelled in a group south into the hill country of Judea, where Zechariah and Elizabeth lived.

As she entered the house and called out a greeting to Elizabeth, something wonderful happened.  Elizabeth’s unborn baby – John – “leaped in her womb!”  And Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Her loud words revealed a knowledge that no one had told her.

“Blessed are you (Mary) among women, and blessed is the fruit of YOUR womb!  Why is it granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.  Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

How wonderful for the Lord to encourage Mary in this way.  If she’d had any doubts (and I don’t think she did), they were gone after Elizabeth’s prophecy.  How comforting to be able to talk it over with this “grandma-type” woman.  Mary had probably not told anyone of the angel Gabriel’s visit.

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Vss. 46-55.

In response to Elizabeth’s praise, Mary’s own heart soars.  The verses that follow are almost a song.  Can you imagine that?  Her words are full of praise to the Lord, and many Old Testament allusions and quotations.   Even as a woman in Jewish society where only the men studied, she knew the Word of God.  There are allusions to the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets.  What sweet words to the “ears” of God.

  • “My soul magnifies the Lord,
  • and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
  • for He has looked on the humble
  • estate of his servant.
  • For behold, from now on all generations,
  • will call me blessed;
  • for He who is mighty has done
  • great things for me,
  • and Holy is His Name.
  • And His mercy is for those
  • who fear him.
  • From generation to generation,
  • He has shown strength with His arm.
  • He has scattered the proud 
  • in the thoughts of their hearts;
  • He has brought down the mighty from their thrones
  • and exalted those of humble estate.
  • He has filled the hungry 
  • with good things,
  • and the rich,
  • He has sent away empty.
  • He has helped His servant Israel
  • in remembrance of His mercy,
  • as He spoke to our fathers,
  • to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

 

(Perhaps Mary sang songs like this as lullabies to her baby Jesus, too.)

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Vs. 56.

I wish I knew more about the three months Mary spent with Elizabeth. They must have encouraged each other in the Lord.  Perhaps Elizabeth gave her advice or counsel about her family and Joseph, for when she returned home, “showing” her pregnancy.  Was she there when John was born? Did she hear (when Zecharia could finally speak again) how John would open the way for ministry for her own son, Jesus?

Regardless of our speculation, Mary finally returned to Nazareth “to face the situation.”  WHO would believe her?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/6) Luke 1:26-38

Mar6

A 5-day per week study.

March 6 – Reading Luke 1:26-38

Read and believe in Jesus.

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Luke 1:37

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The Gospel according to Luke 1:26-38

It’s happening.  The time when the Old Testament writers and prophets foretold and longed for.  From Genesis 3:15 (s triumphant Savior will come) to Malachi 4:5-6 (a forerunner like the prophet Elijah will come first), it is happening.

Yesterday, we saw the announcement of the coming of John, the one who would prepare the way for the Messiah.  The old priest had a hard time believing it, even though it was the angel Gabriel in person telling him, AND while he was in the temple just outside the Most Holy Place.  And so, Zechariah was made mute and prevented from announcing this great miracle to the other priests and the people praying outside.

Soon, his wife became pregnant (and at a great age!).  He HAD to believe it now.  But still, Zechariah was mute.  Six months have passed. Elizabeth is in her last trimester.  And in a little town, way north of Jerusalem, Gabriel is sent to make another announcement.

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Vss. 26-30.

In Nazareth, a small, unappreciated town, there lived a young (possibly early teens) virgin named Mary.  She had been betrothed to an older man named Joseph.  Both were in the lineage of King David, although through different lines.  Mary was probably in her parents’ house doing chores when Gabriel appeared.

“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you,”  came the bold announcement from the herald of God.  You get the feeling that Gabriel was the one honored in this situation.

Like Zechariah, Mary was more than startled.  Seeing a large, shining angel appear in your kitchen would be frightening. And hearing those words probably didn’t calm her.  What did this mean??

The angel spoke more gently this time, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

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Vss. 31-33.

And then that wonderful, amazing announcement.  “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

What a message!  What a prophecy!  “Son of the Most High?”  “The throne of David?”  “Reign forever?”  It was so much to take in, but you can be sure Mary remembered those words forever.

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Vss. 34-38.

Even as a young teenager, Mary knew the facts of life.  She’d been raised around animals.  And her mother had probably instructed her before she was betrothed to Joseph.  So….  when would this happen? It sounded like the angel’s words had an urgent, immediate tone, as if this conception would be very soon.  Her marriage was still a little way off.  Would Joseph be…..?

“How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And then, those magnificent and scary words.  “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God.”

“The Son of God….”

The angel continued, building Mary’s faith.  “And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who WAS called barren.”  Did Mary’s mouth silently form a big, “WOW?”

And the words that sealed Mary’s faith.  ‘For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Well, that said it all.  Mary acquiesced with a bow of her head.  “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

And Gabriel left.

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And so two women, one very aged, and the other barely a “woman” and a virgin, are miraculously “with child.”  Truly, nothing is impossible with God.

Mary is allowed, with other family members, to go and stay with Elizabeth for three months.  The family probably thought the young Mary could help the older woman (now advanced in age and “great with child”) with the housework.  She could probably learn more about being a wife and “eventual mother” as well.

Who knew that these two women, carrying “men of God,” would be able to encourage each other “in the Lord?”   Next time, we’ll read about their first meeting and of Mary’s great “song of praise” to the Lord.

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/5) Luke 1:1-25

Mar5

A 5-day per week study.

March 5 – Reading Luke 1:1-25.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“You shall call his name John… ”  Luke 1:13

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The Gospel according to Luke 1:1-25

And so we begin again with the “Good News” of Jesus the Messiah … according to Luke.  Luke is the only Gentile to write a book in the Bible (he also wrote Acts).  He writes to Theophilus (“lover of God”), who could have been a real person or a nickname for a well-known (“most excellent”) dignitary.

Luke admits his story of Jesus comes from interviews with “eyewitnesses,” and that his aim is to write an orderly and accurate account of the life of Jesus.  It’s very obvious that Luke’s research and writing were “moved by the Spirit of God” (See 1 Peter 1:21), and are the infallible “Word of God.”

Paul, who knew him well, says Luke was a doctor.  So, as we read through this Gospel, note his interest, more detailed descriptions of diseases and illnesses, and his concern for women.

And although this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Dr. Luke begins with the story of John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah.

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Vss. 1-4.

Luke tells his friend that, although many “eyewitnesses” and “ministers of the Word” have compiled narratives about Jesus, it seemed good for HIM also to write an “orderly” account.  And why?  So that his friend would have certainty concerning the things he’d been taught.”

This Theophilus had been taught the bare basics of Jesus, and maybe he wondered aloud to Luke if it all was true.  Good friend that he was, Luke set down in writing the Gospel story for him … and for us Gentiles who read it as well.

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Vss. 5-10.

Luke sets out the details to set the scene:

  1. During the days of Herod, the king of Judea.
  2. A priest named Zechariah, of the Abijah division.
  3. (There were 24 priestly divisions, each serving the Temple for a week, twice a year. Individual priests were chosen by lot to actually minister inside the Temple. This was Zechariah’s BIG MOMENT.  See 1 Chronicles 24:4-19)
  4. His wife, Elizabeth, was also from the tribe of Aaron.
  5. Both priest and wife were righteous before God, walking in the commandments & statutes of the LORD.
  6. They had no children.
  7. They were old.
  8. Outside the Temple, a crowd waited and prayed.

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Vss, 11-17.

And then the action:

Zechariah carefully burned incense on the Altar of Incense right in front of the veil that hid the Holy of Holies. (Yes, he was nervous!)

Suddenly, in front of him, to the right of the Incense Altar, an “angel of the Lord” appeared.  Zechariah was terrified.

(Imagine … in the dark Holy Place, lit only by the Lampstand with its small oil flames off to his left, and some coals in his sensor … Zechariah’s eyes adjusted to the dimness.  THEN a bright being appears.  Yikes.

The being spoke,  “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”

Surely his and Elizabeth’s prayer for countless years had been a son, but … had he also been praying that prayer as he stood mere feet from the “Presence of God” behind that veil?

The angel continued, “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord.”

Did Zechariah imagine a son who would become a great priest after him… maybe even… High Priest???

He listened to the angel saying that this boy must have the Nazarite Vow on him his entire life.  That meant he wouldn’t cut his hair – except for a holy vow to the Lord – and he would NOT eat grapes in ANY form: fresh, dried as raisins, juice, or wine, and he would not touch a dead body.  “A prophet, then,” thought Zechariah.

There was more.

“He will be filled with the  Holy Spirit… from the womb. 

He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord.

He will go before Him in the spirit and power of … Elijah.

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Vss 18-21.

But then, doubt flooded into Zechariah’s heart and mind.  A son at OUR old age?  A great PROPHET of the Lord?  Maybe I’m dreaming.  This incense is boggling my mind…

“How shall I KNOW this?  For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years…”

Okay, that really angered the angel of the Lord.  How dare he question the very word of God??

“I am Gabriel. 

I stand in the presence of God. 

I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this great news.”

I’m sure Zechariah was cowering a bit by now, perhaps with an arm raised to deflect the angelic ire.

“And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, BECAUSE you did not believe my words, which WILL be fulfilled in their time.”

Gabriel left, and Zecharia stood, shaking and stunned, for minutes. Did he try to speak?  Did he clear his throat and try again?  And again? Did it finally sink in that what the angel had said might be true?  Could it be?

Meanwhile, the praying people outside were getting concerned.  What was taking Zechariah so long to put new incense on the Altar and light it?  Had … he died?  Had the Lord struck him dead for some mistake?

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Vss. 22-25.

At last, Zechariah came out, and the people breathed a collective sigh of relief. But something had happened to him.  He looked shocked.  And… and, he couldn’t speak!  WHAT HAD HAPPENED?  Zechariah made signs and motions, and finally, they realized that he had seen a vision in the Temple.  But what WAS it?  He couldn’t tell them, because he was MUTE!

Zechariah finished out his week of service and went home.  He wrote out on some parchment what happened (could Elizabeth read?)  He explained what the angel said with gestures and signs, mouthing the words.  Did he tell her that their son would be called John, writing it out clearly?

Then, miracle of miracles, Elizabeth got pregnant!  She didn’t tell anyone else, and she kept to herself in the house.  For five months.  And she gave glory to the Lord.

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (BONUS) Mark 16:9-20

Mar4

A 5-day per week study.

February 16– Reading Mark 16:9-20 (a bonus lesson).

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel…”  Mark 16:15

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The Gospel according to Mark 16:9-20 (bonus verses).

Some of the earliest manuscripts do not include this ending of Mark, and it does feel like it was tacked on at a later date, perhaps by someone other than Mark, as a kind of summary of events after Jesus’ resurrection.

But the King James Version (that I grew up with), as well as the English Standard Version (which I use now), includes it, so I’ll highlight it as a “bonus” lesson before we begin the GOSPEL OF LUKE tomorrow.

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Vss. 9-13.

It seems that after the women ran away from the tomb where Jesus had been, Mary Magdalene returned.  Jesus appeared to her.  Then she went and told the disciples that He had risen from the dead, and she’d seen Him.  They were weeping and mourning, and when they heard her testimony, THEY WOULD NOT BELIEVE IT.

Jesus later appeared to two of them, as they were walking in the country (See Luke 24:13-32).  When they returned and told the disciples, THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THEM.

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Vss. 14-18.

After that, Jesus appeared to the eleven themselves as they were eating. He rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they hadn’t BELIEVED those eyewitnesses.

Then Jesus told them to do the same.  Be eyewitnesses of His resurrection to others.  “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.  Whoever BELIEVES and is baptized will be saved, but whoever DOES NOT BELIEVE will be condemned.”  Jesus also told them that miraculous signs would accompany them, as proof of their message.

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Vss. 19-20.

Then, after Jesus finished speaking to them, he was taken up to heaven.  (Where He sat down at the right hand of God.)

So they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

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Yes, this does sound like a footnote from later on, but it’s all true. 

  1. Jesus DID commission them to go preach to all the world.
  2. He did tell them about the Holy Spirit’s coming and how He would empower them.
  3. Jesus did ascend into Heaven before their eyes.
  4. And, according to Stephen’s testimony when he was being stoned to death in Acts 7:55-56, Jesus had “sat down at the right hand of God,” because Stephen saw Him rise and receive him into glory.

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: 3/4) Mark 16:1-8

Mar4

A 5-day per week study.

March 4 – Reading Mark 16:1-8

Read and believe in Jesus.

“He is risen.  He is not here.”  Mark 16:6b

The Gospel according to Mark 16:1-8

Jesus has been crucified and buried (not by His close disciples, but by two members of the elite Sanhedrin). What irony!

It was a cruel death for our Savior and a devastating shock for the disciples.

But it was a victory for the religious leaders.  They had finally (they thought) stopped an imposter and a blasphemer, a real thorn in their side, and a deep prick to the conscience.   For a few days, they did all they could to keep Jesus in the tomb, including setting a Roman guard, bribery, and circulating a slew of false rumors. But….

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Vss. 1-4.

Remember the women who watched the crucifixion from afar, saw the two men take down Jesus’s body and carry Him away.  They had followed them to Joseph’s tomb, watched them lay Jesus inside, then rolled the great stone over the opening.

NOW, early on Sunday (the first day of the week), as they walked to the tomb, carrying the necessary burial spices, Mary Magdalene, Mary, James’ mother, and Salome wondered who would roll the stone back for them.  Would there be a gardener there, other mourners?

But, miracle of miracles, when they arrived, they saw that the stone had already been rolled back!

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Vss 5-8.

Maybe they thought Joseph had returned to further anoint Jesus’ body. Anyway, they were not afraid to walk right into the tomb.  Once inside, they were totally alarmed, for sitting there on the right side of the slab where Jesus had been laid, was a young man dressed in a white robe.  WHO???

Seeing their alarm, he quickly spoke. “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell His disciples – AND PETER – that He is going before you to Galilee.  There you will see Him, just as He told you.”

And the women went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing (NOTHING??) to anyone, for they were afraid.

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And that’s where Mark left off his narrative.

Since the Gospel of Mark was later referred to as “the memoirs of Peter,” and Mark was known as “the disciple and interpreter of Peter,”  perhaps it was Peter who ended the narration of his story there. Citcumstances… Time constraints…  We don’t know.

But it seems that either Mark or someone else picked up the pen and “finished” the story, or, at least, made some notes about what happened later.  Verses 9-20 are not included in many Bibles, but they do appear in my English Standard Bible with that caveat.  So… I decided to write one more post in The Gospel of Mark, as a “bonus” study.  I’ll publish it shortly after this one goes live.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/2) Mark 15:21-32

Mar2

A 5-day per week study.

March 2 – Reading Mark 15:21-32

Read and believe in Jesus.

“And they led Him out to crucify Him.”  Mark 15:20b

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The Gospel according to Mark 15:21-32

  • The Jewish leaders said, “He deserves death!”
  • The crowd said, “Crucify Him!”
  • Pilate said, “Ok, then. “Scourge and crucify Him.”

The verdict is agreed upon. A horrendous death is to be done to the precious, sinless Son of God.

Little did they all know that this event had been planned by the Trinity before the world was created. For US!  For our salvation.

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Vss. 16-20.

Jesus is humiliated, mocked, and scourged by the hardened soldiers of Governor Pilate.  His back is torn to shreds, dripping blood. They force the heavy crossbeam of the executional “tree” onto His back.  He staggers and takes the first step on the Via Dolorosa (Way of suffering).

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Vs. 21.

Jesus falls under the beam’s weight, and the soldiers grab and force the nearest man, one Simon from Cyrene, to pick up the beam and carry it. Jesus follows.

(NOTE:  Mark mentions that this Simon, a Jew from North Africa, in the Holy City for Passover, is the father of Alexander and Rufus.  Why is this noted?  Later, at the end of his letter to Rome, Paul sends greetings to Rufus and his mother.  He calls Rufus “brother,” who was evidently saved after his father’s contact with Jesus. Paul also says that Rufus’ mom, Simon’s wife, had cared for the apostle at some point. Mark later ministered with Paul in Rome, and could also have known this family.)

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Vss 22-28.

Mark is very succinct in his account of the crucifixion of Jesus. It’s almost as if he can barely stand to write about it at all.  He might have been there in person as a teenager, or, again, this might have been from Peter’s point of view, who, after his denials of Jesus only hours before, was standing way far off on Golgotha’s hill.

  1. The soldiers offered Jesus wine mixed with myrrh (a narcotic-type mix that would have deadened the pain).
  2. Jesus refused the drink.
  3. They crucified Him.
  4. They nailed His hands to the crossbeam and nailed his feet to the post. Then it was raised and set into a dug hole.
  5. The soldiers divided his clothes among themselves and cast lots for his robe.
  6. It was 9:00 in the morning.
  7. The inscription of the charge against Jesus was, “The King of the Jews.”
  8. They crucified two robbers with Him; one on the right, the other on the left.

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Vss 29-32.

Those who passed by derided Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha!  You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross.“

So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked Him to one another, saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”

Those who were crucified with Him also reviled Him.

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(But… we know “WHO” it really was that was taunting Jesus to come down from the cross. It was that unholy one, the devil, speaking through these oh, so self-righteous men.   Satan knew that Jesus’ death was a mere “bite on the heel” by the serpent.  But Jesus, dying on that cross, and then His glorious rising from the dead, would be the heel crushing of the serpent’s head.  (Genesis 3:15)

Jesus HAD to stay on the cross. He HAD to be accursed of God, experience the wrath of God for sin, and make the payment for our sin – death.  But in the resurrection, God, His Father, showed His pleasure with the accomplished work of Jesus, and raised Him back to life. Sorry, Satan. You have only limited power for a limited time.) 

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/27) Mark 15:1-20

Feb27

A 5-day per week study.

February 27– Reading Mark 15:1-20

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Are You King of the Jews?”  Mark 15:2a

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The Gospel according to Mark 15:1-20

We’ve read how Jesus was arrested, hauled into a mock hearing and trial in front of the High Priest of Israel and the Sanhedrin, who deemed Him worthy of death. He was knocked around a bit (for fun). Now, at dawn, the Sanhedrin “formally convened” and “officially sentenced” Jesus to death.

Problem:  THEY could not execute Jesus.

Under Roman rule, the Jews could not execute someone  (although later, they DID stone Stephen).  Also, to fulfill scripture, Jesus could not be stoned. He had to be “hanged” on a “tree,” and so become “cursed” by God for us.  (See Galatians 3:13, with Deuteronomy 21:23.)

Solution to the problem?

They had to convince the Roman Governor Pilate, who was in Jerusalem for Passover, that Jesus was worthy of Roman capital punishment.  It wouldn’t be simple (as you know, if you read all the Gospel accounts together), but they would succeed!

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Vss. 1-5.

The Jewish leaders (with the Temple guard) bound Jesus and took Him to the Pretorium, where Pilate judged cases.  The Governor would not have listened to a charge of blasphemy, so they came up with three accusations that were sure to catch Pilate’s attention (See Luke 23:2)

  1. Misleading our nation
  2. Forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar
  3. Saying that He is Christ, a King.

Pilate jumped on that last one, because if Jesus was proclaiming Himself a King, that meant He was a rebel and insurrectionist against Caesar – a crime worthy of execution.

“ARE You a King?”  he asked Jesus.

“You have said so,” He answered.  By saying that, Jesus was indeed agreeing that He was the King of the Jews, but that Pilate had no “earthly” idea of what that meant.  Jesus answered no more questions, and Pilate seriously doubted He was a terrorist.

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Vss. 6-10.

It was a custom that, during Passover, Roman Governors would sometimes grant amnesty for a prisoner at the people’s request.  Pilate saw this as a possible way to release the harmless Jewish “wannabe king.”  Not a dummy, he KNEW that the Jewish leaders had accused Jesus of such a serious crime, because they were jealous of Him.  Pilate did not want to play up to them.  And … conveniently, he had in his dungeon right then a very vile criminal, who was really guilty of insurrection, as well as murder. His name was Barabbas (which weirdly means “son of the father!!”)

So, when the crowd outside asked him to do as he usually did and release a prisoner, Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?

(Remember, just five days earlier, Jesus had ridden triumphantly into Jerusalem to the cries of “Hosannah!” and “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord,” and “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosannah in the highest!”)

But the chief priests went through the crowd, stirring them up so much that they would as for Barabbas instead!

Surprised and confused, Pilate asked, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”  He was not ready for their startling and brutal answer.

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Vss. 11-15 

“Crucify Him!” they shouted, responding to the urging of the Jewish leaders.

“Why?  What evil has He done?” Pilate asked.  He KNEW that crucifixion was “the cruelest and most hideous punishment possible.”

“Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!”  The riotist chant was repeated over and over.

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So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd (and not stir up a complaint against him to Rome),  released Barabbas for them.

(A lucky day for this criminal.  I wonder if he ever considered the Man who actually took his place on the cross … a visual of what Jesus did for each person who would ever believe in Him.)

Pilate then had Jesus scourged and condemned Him to be crucified.

(Scouraging was also a fearful thing.  It was done with a whip of metal-tipped leather thongs, which cut the flesh down to the bone and caused severe bleeding.  This torture would weaken the prisoner (sometimes to death) and intensify the pain for the following ordeal.)

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Oh, Jesus!  Thank You!