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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/27) Luke 6:1-11

Mar27

A 5-day per week study.

March 27 – Reading Luke 6:1-11

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” Luke 6:2

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The Gospel according to Luke 6:1-11

Review – Last time, we read how Jesus called not only lowly fishermen but also wealthy, important (yet hated) men to follow Him.  And the conversion of Levi was so profound that the former tax collector immediately wanted to introduce all his like-minded associates to his new Lord Jesus.

The giant feast Levi held might have sparked some envy in the hearts (and stomachs) of the local Pharisees, who made it their habit to fast two days per week. Using three illustrations, Jesus reminded them that a “new Way” was coming.  Their old works-related righteousness wouldn’t fit with faith and grace.

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Vss. 1-2

On a Sabbath day, Jesus and His disciples were enjoying an afternoon stroll, with good conversation and camaraderie. A couple of them, maybe Jesus Himself, pulled off some grain from the stalks growing along the outer path. They rubbed the kernels between their hands to remove the husk and popped the sun-warmed grain into their mouths, savoring the crunch and flavor.

Abruptly, some religious leaders, “spying” on them, accosted Jesus with, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Huh?

Picking and chomping on a little granola as you walked was unlawful on the Sabbath?

Was our sinless Savior breaking “the Law”?

Was this “harvesting” and “winnowing”?

Was Jesus WORKING???

Nope.

Deuteronomy 23:25 says, “If you go into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the ears with your hand, BUT you shall not put a sickle to your neighbor’s standing grain.”

The Pharisees were so afraid of breaking the Law of Moses (not for God’s sake, but to show off their piety) that they put “fences” (their own laws) around each of God’s laws, so they wouldn’t accidentally “break” one.

Farming was working, and working was forbidden on the Sabbath.  But… what WAS farming?   Sure, you couldn’t go out with a sickle, harvest sheaves of grain, then take them to the winnowing floor and toss them into the air with a fork to send the husks off in the wind, then collect the grain and grind it into flour that could be made into bread and then eaten.

Every Jew knew this.

BUT… (maybe!!!) picking a head of grain “could” be considered harvesting.  And (maybe!!) rolling it between your hands “could” be winnowing!  And crunching it with your teeth…  Well, let’s just be safe and say it’s all breaking the law and therefore forbidden.

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Vss. 3-5.

“Have YOU not read…?” Jesus asks these educated teachers of the law if they haven’t read the scriptures.  Whoa! That was a well-deserved jab.

Jesus then reviews the story of David and his men, fleeing from the murderous King Saul and, desperately hungry, going to the tabernacle of God at Shiloh and asking the priest for the used “Shewbread” in the Holy Place.

Now this Shewbread was replaced each day with fresh loaves. The old loaves were meant ONLY for the priests. But old Ahimelech knew the difference between strictly keeping the letter of the law and showing compassion for someone in need. He asked if David and his men were “ritually” clean, and when affirmed, gave them the bread to eat.

Then Jesus told these self-righteous men that HE was greater than any priest. “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Jesus, as God, instituted the Sabbath.  It was meant to be a gift to mankind. A day when they were released from labor.  A day they could use for physical and spiritual rest and renewal.  It was not a thin white line to carefully balance on.

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Vss. 6-11.

Jesus was now going to illustrate the idea of compassion over the “letter” of the law.

On another Sabbath, Jesus was again teaching in the synagogue. A crippled man was in attendance.  His right hand – the one he was supposed to use for labor – was deformed.

Jesus saw him.  The scribes and Pharisees saw him (perhaps even brought him in as a trap) and watched to see what Jesus would do.

(Um, this is like playing games on your phone in church. NOT the reason you are there.)

Jesus knew their thoughts.

He told the crippled man to come stand in front of Him.

Then Jesus asked,“Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”

He looked around at the Pharisees, but none answered.

Then Jesus looked at the crippled man (surely with compassion) and said, “Stretch out your hand.” And when the man obeyed, his hand was restored.

Silence (except perhaps for the grateful weeping of the man).

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(Good works were especially appropriate on the Sabbath – particularly deeds of charity, mercy, and worship. REFUSAL to do good was the same as doing evil. See James 4:17)

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Nevertheless, the hearts of the religious leaders were FILLED WITH FURY.  Privately, they discussed what they might DO to Jesus.

(Why? You might ask.  Well, Jesus’ compassion showed them up for the hypocrites they were.)

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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/26) Luke 5:27-39

Mar26

A 5-day per week study.

March 26 – Reading Luke 5:27-39

Read and believe in Jesus.

“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:32

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The Gospel according to Luke 5:27-39

Review – Yesterday, we looked at two astonishing miracles of healing that Jesus did around Galilee. A man full of leprosy came to Him in humility and FAITH and asked for cleansing. Jesus willingly healed him.

In the second instance, it was the FAITH of friends that moved Jesus. The paralyzed man’s four friends went to great lengths to bring him to Jesus.  Here, Jesus both forgave the man’s sins and instantly healed his paralysis.

Jesus has all power to forgive, deliver, and make well, and He is willing. What limits that power is unbelief. (Remember in Nazareth … Jesus could do no good “work” because of their unbelief. Mark 6:5-6)

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Vss. 27-28.

A few fishermen are following Jesus, learning how to “catch men” for the Kingdom of God. Now, Jesus approaches a man who is nearly the opposite in life.  Levi (later known as Matthew) is a hated tax collector.  Why were they hated, other than because mankind has hated to pay taxes forever?

Tax Collectors in Jesus’ day were employed by the Romans (the oppressors). Rome didn’t care how much money was collected beyond what was due to them, so tax collectors charged more, as much as 4x more than required, and filled their own pockets.  Common people had no choice but to pay, unless they wanted a company of armed Italian guards knocking at their doors.

(Imagine if the IRS worked that way!!)

Tax Collectors, especially “turncoat” Jews, were educated men who grew VERY rich. Prime locations in town or along the trade routes were very desirable. Levi had one.

Levi was wealthy, greedy, hated, and his only friends were fellow collectors. What was it that made him open to the Savior’s call?   The Holy Spirit was working in his heart, bringing conviction of sin and a need for mercy and forgiveness.

(Re-read the story Jesus told about the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14.)

Had Levi heard the “reports” about Jesus – His teaching and healing, delivering, and cleansing powers? Oh, yes, for sure. The crowds who passed his booth daily talked about nothing else.

Then Jesus came to Levi personally.

“Follow me,” Jesus said, looking right at Levi.

And miracle of miracles, for a changed heart is just that, Levi LEFT EVERYTHING and followed Jesus. His prime real estate tax booth, the piles and bags of coins, the Roman records, all.  (I’m sure another collector quickly sat down in his place.)

It didn’t matter.  Levi’s longing for forgiveness and cleansing was there in the Master’s gaze.  Levi never turned back.

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Vss. 29-32.

Chosen, forgiven, and loved, Levi now wanted to share Jesus with the only friends he had.  He invited all the tax collectors and other outcasts he knew who could fit into his large, well-appointed house.  And they came. (Hey, free food and entertainment!)  Jesus and his few followers also came and enjoyed the feast.

(Perhaps many of these guests turned to Jesus as well and mended their greedy ways.)

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(It’s interesting that Zacchaeus, a tax collector in Jericho, also invited Jesus and his fellow outcasts to a feast after meeting/believing in Jesus.  He also restored all he’d stolen or cheated, recompensing MORE than was required.  Luke 19:1-10.  Perhaps Levi also did this.)

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Jesus and the outcasts are joyfully celebrating the return of a ‘Son of Israel’ to God.  Outside, the Pharisees and teachers of the law (envious and jealous?) are grumbling.

“Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” they say.

Jesus’ answer is a bit perplexing.

“Those who are well have no need of a doctor, but those who are sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

WHO are “the well” and “the righteous”?   WHO are “the sick” and “the sinners”?

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It must be that Jesus is speaking about HEART ATTITUDES.  Those who “think” they are righteous and of no need for repentance will not see their need and seek help.  But those who “know” they are sinners and sick unto death, gratefully welcome a physician.

(Again, review the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector.  Think also about the Prodigal Son and his jealous brother. Luke 15:11-32)

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Vss. 33-39.

On another occasion, these Pharisees are back with their condemning questions. (They don’t really want to know the answer, only to accuse.)

“The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do disciples of the Pharisees, but YOURS eat and drink.” 

Again, I hear some jealousy. The Pharisees bragged that THEY fasted twice a week.  But this was for
“show” to prove their “holiness.”  God only required fasting ONCE A YEAR on the Day of Atonement.  All other fasting was to be private between just you and God.  (Or in a national emergency.)

So, seeing Jesus and His disciples feasting irked them (perhaps making their stomachs growl).

Again, Jesus’ answer is perplexing, although after Jesus’ work on earth is finished, we can see more clearly what He meant.

He refers to a wedding feast, how, as long as “the groom” is present, “the groomsmen” will feast along with Him.  Once he leaves (this refers to Jesus’ death), the feasting is over, and they will grieve and fast … for a time, at least.

But this is all above the Pharisees’ heads.

So, Jesus gives a couple of illustrations that perhaps they WILL understand.

  1. A person does not mend an old garment by cutting a piece from a NEW one to repair it. It won’t match, and the new garment is now ruined.
  2. A person does not put NEW (expanding, fermenting) wine into old, stiff wineskins, but into new, flexible ones. Why? Because the expanding wine will split the old skins, and both will be ruined. Still-expanding wine needs to be put into new, expandable skins so that both are saved.
  3. And Jesus adds, “No one, after drinking old wine, desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

WHAT WAS JESUS TALKING ABOUT?

Old garments and old wine are familiar things. They feel and taste good.  This is how the Pharisees viewed their strict religious way of that day.  The letter of the law. Fast, tithe, keep strict Sabbath rules, don’t associate with any of this New Way of Jesus, or everything will be wrecked.

“Our old ways are best!”

New garments need to be worn by “new-hearted” people.  New wine – that of salvation by faith alone – is for new believers/followers of Jesus.  The “old” ways must go to allow the “new” to come in.

The Pharisees were not willing.  They would go so far as to kill Jesus to get rid of the New Way.

  • At Jesus’ crucifixion, the dividing veil in the Temple is torn, allowing access through Jesus to God for everyone, “a new and living way”.
  • And in 70 A.D., all those old “ways” would be forcibly taken away by the Romans when the temple was destroyed and the priesthood demolished.

 

(Blessed are those who turn to Jesus and follow Him instead of trying to make themselves holy by their good works. It won’t work.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/19) Luke 4:1-13

Mar19

A 5-day per week study.

March 19 – Reading Luke 4:1-13

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit … was led by the Spirit into the wilderness…and Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee…”  Luke 4:1 and 14

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The Gospel according to Luke 4:1-13

Review:  Jesus – the Son of God – testified to by the descent of the Holy Spirit on Him, and God’s voice, and by His own genealogy.  Totally God and totally man with that genealogy leading clear back to Adam, who was formed of the dust by God’s own hands and received the breath of life from He Who IS life.  No wonder Paul calls Jesus “the Last Adam.” (Check out 1 Corinthians 15:45-49)

Today we will see Jesus tested by the same”Snake” that tempted the first of mankind.  But Jesus succeeds in resisting that old serpent again & again by using the two-edged sword, which are the words that God spoke.

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Vss. 1-4.

In a desert wilderness with wild animals and reptiles.  No food.  Hungry.  Tempted constantly by Satan in all the ways WE are.  (1 John 2:15-17)

#1 – the lust of the flesh

Satan: “IF you ARE the Son of God, command this stone to become bread…”   (‘You ARE hungry, Jesus. I know it. Maybe even starving.  You don’t want to die … now … do you?  You deserve some food.  You have the power.  USE it to satisfy your hunger.  God will understand…’)

JESUS: “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.”

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Vss. 5-8.

#2 – the lust of the eyes

The devil took Jesus up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time (Persia, Greece, Rome, Great Britain, America), and said to Him,

Satan: “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If YOU, then, will worship ME, it will ALL BE … YOURS.”   (You are God’s SON.  You deserve to have authority and glory… NOW.  You don’t have to go through all that ridiculous suffering.  Merely bow a knee – just one – to ME, and it will be yours NOW.  God WANTS this for You…’)

JESUS: “It is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your GOD, and HIM ONLY shall you serve.”

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Vss. 9-12.

#3 – the pride of life

And the devil took Him to Jerusalem and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him,

Satan: “IF you ARE the Son of God, throw yourself down from here!  FOR IT IS WRITTEN,  ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’  and  ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike  your foot against a stone.'”  (See, Jesus, I know the scriptures too. Here’s a couple you can claim.  Just think, how amazed the people will be to see you walking on angels’ wings!  This is the sign they need!  They will see you as … THE MESSIAH!  Do it!  God is waiting to send His angels…)

JESUS: “It is said, ‘You shall NOT put the Lord your God to the test!'”

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And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him … until an opportune time.

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1 John 2:17 – “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

1 Peter 2:9 and 11 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  “Beloved, I URGE you … abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”

James 4:7-8a – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

 

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/16) Luke 2:41-52

Mar16

A 5-day per week study.

March 16 – Reading Luke 2:41-52

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49

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The Gospel according to Luke 2:41-52

We ended last week’s study after the dedication of the baby Jesus in the temple, Simeon’s prophecy, and Anna’s testimony. The family then returned to Nazareth, where Jesus grew and matured.  (Luke does not cover the Magi or the family’s flight to Egypt.) We pick up this time with Jesus as a twelve-year-old.

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Vss. 41-45.

It’s the time of the Passover celebration.  This is one of the Feasts that the Lord required all Jewish men to attend in Jerusalem.  Joseph took his family, including Jesus, who was “about to be a man” when he turned thirteen.  They spent the days of the Festival in Jerusalem, including sacrificing a lamb and eating the “Passover meal” together as Moses commanded Israel when they were freed from Pharaoh’s slavery in Egypt.

The family had traveled to Jerusalem in a larger group of friends/family for both safety and fellowship. After the Festival ended, they all headed back to Nazareth, with fathers and older teens at the front and women and kids behind. In this case, both Joseph and Mary “assumed” that Jesus was with the other.  But He was neither.  The boy Jesus had stayed behind in Jerusalem.

After a full day of travel, when the family began looking for lodging, they realized that Jesus was not with the other parent.  He was not with any of the group’s members.

Can’t you imagine a panic taking hold?  Have you ever lost a child in a big crowd?  Then you know.

Early the next morning, Joseph and Mary set out on a daylong trek back to Jerusalem.  And the following day, they searched the city from top to bottom, asking one and all if they’d seen Jesus.

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Vss. 45-50.

Finally, they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.  All the learned men who heard Him were amazed at His understanding of the law and his answers.

You wonder what Jesus did during the two nights He was absent from Mary and Joseph.  Did the scholars take Him in?

Of course, Mary and Joseph were astonished.  (But Jesus had done what any child should do when separated from his parents.  He remained in a public place in the presence of trusted adults, where his parents might be expected to find him.)

Do you know that feeling after finding a lost child?  Relief at finding him and anger at his being separated. This was Mary.

“Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress,” Mary fired at Him.

Then came the gentle rebuke by the child to His mother, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”   (It seemed such a natural thing for a child to be separated from his parents in Jerusalem to go to the temple!  And … there was that gentle acknowledgement that Jesus, “the Son of God,” which Mary knew, would be with His true “Father,” in His Father’s house.)

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Vss. 51-52.

They all left Jerusalem and again headed back to Nazareth.  Jesus was submissive to them, as He should.  And “Mary treasured up all these things in her heart.”  (THE Son of God…  the SON of GOD.  ‘Immanuel,’ Gabriel had said.)

And all that covers Jesus’ teenage years and His twenties is … “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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: (2/20) Mark 13:1-36

Feb20

A 5-day per week study.

February 20– Reading Mark 13:1-36.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.”  Mark 13:33

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The Gospel according to Mark 13:1-36

Jesus (and His disciples) have been at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem all day. He has been teaching the crowds and confronting the religious leaders. He ends the time with praise for an extremely poor, but generous, widow and her meager offering.

Now, as they leave for the day, one of His disciples exclaims at the grandeur of the Temple buildings, specifically the great huge gleaming white marble stones.

(Some of the foundation stones were 40’x12’x12′.  The ones on the east-facing wall were covered with gold plates that gleamed in the morning sun. This was the Temple that Herod was rebuilding.)

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Vss. 1-2.

“Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” said one of the twelve.

“Do you see these great buildings?” Jesus asked. “There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

That silenced them.  How did that relate to Jesus coming into His Kingdom, since they believed it was about to happen? (Remember His triumphant ride into Jerusalem?)

(What Jesus was talking about was the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 A.D., when the Roman general, Titus, invaded.  He built large wooden scaffolds around the temple buildings, piled them high with flammable materials, and set them on fire.  The heat was so intense that the great stones crumbled.  Later, the rubble was sifted to retrieve the melted gold. The remaining ruins were “thrown down” into the Kidron Valley.)  

(Most of the disciples will be martyred before this happens.  We only know for sure that John lived to hear of Jerusalem’s destruction. (It’s believed John died in 100 A.D.)  It’s also possible that Simon the Zealot lived a couple of years after (74 A.D.). But before General Titus came, all the disciples would have left the city to carry the Gospel “to the uttermost parts of the world.”)

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Vss. 3-8.

Once outside the city, Jesus and the men rested on the Mount of Olives before continuing over and down to Bethany to His friends’ home, where they would stay the night.  From where they sat, the Temple Mount was in clear view. (Today, the Muslim Dome of the Rock stands in that place.)

Jesus’ four closest disciples came near, and one asked Him, “Tell us when these things will be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to happen.”

Of course, the disciples “thought” that Jesus was about to usher in His Kingdom. They probably thought some huge miracle would happen – like the Temple being gone – to announce the coming Millennial Kingdom of Jesus.

They had a rude awakening.

“See that you are not led astray,” Jesus warned. “Many will come in my name. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  Do not be alarmed.  This MUST take place, but the end … is not yet.”

Jesus went on to tell of continuous wars, earthquakes, and famines that would happen.  But THAT was only the beginning (the birth pangs) of the End.

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Vss. 9-13.

Jesus speaks of persecution and martyrdom, of their witness before kings, and of the gospel first spreading to all nations, and warns, “Be on your guard.”

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Vss. 14-23.

Then Jesus warns them about “the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be.”  (This first happened during the time of the Maccabees when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a pig on the altar. But it would be duplicated in the end times by the Antichrist, who would also set up an image of himself in the Holy place.)

Jesus tells them that those living in Judea at that time should immediately flee to the mountains. (He says, “Let the reader beware,“ speaking to those who live in the end times, and not to His disciples.)  The tribulation in THOSE days will be worse than ever before, since Creation.  Many will try to duplicate Jesus and deceive people.  But the Lord says again, “Be on guard!”

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Vss. 24-27.

Jesus tells them that after “that” tribulation (the Great Tribulation in the end times), horrific signs will occur in the literal heavens (sun, moon, and stars) and in the spiritual heavens (the “powers” will be shaken).

And THEN, they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.”  And He will send out His angels to gather His elect from the ends of the earth.

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Vss. 28-31.

Jesus seems to return to the disciples’ initial question, “When will this happen, and what is the sign of your coming?”  Perhaps His gaze took in that withered fig tree from a day ago, and He said, “From the fig tree (a healthy one), learn its lesson.  When its branch puts out leaves, you know summer is near. So also when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates.”   

Jesus then says that “THIS generation,” meaning the one who lives in the end times, “will not pass away until all these things take place.”

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Vss. 32-37.

Then to keep the disciples, and indeed US READERS. from predicting exactly when Jesus will return, He says, “Concerning that day or that hour, NO ONE KNOWS, not even the angels in heaven, NOR THE SON, but only the Father.  Be on guard, keep awake. For YOU do not know when the time will come.”

It’s like a master going away (Jesus says) and leaving his servants to stay awake and watch for his return.  The servants won’t know if he is to return in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning.  They are just to stay awake and be ready to open the door and welcome him in.

Jesus concludes with, “What I say to you, I say to all: STAY AWAKE.”

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(NOTE:  Take some time with your Bible and a Bible commentary, and read this again. See where Jesus is talking about the disciples, and when He tells about the times still future to us, when the Antichrist will appear, the Great Tribulation will happen, and Jesus’ glorious second coming in the clouds.

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Also, realize that these disciples do not know that their world is about to be turned upside down. Jesus is about to be arrested, tried, and crucified in just a matter of days.  All their beliefs of becoming partners in His earthly reign NOW, will be replaced by fear and confusion. Then, the resurrection, the ascension, and the Holy Spirit’s power on them.  They won’t be thinking of beautiful walls falling, or crowns on their heads.  They will begin fulfilling the Great Commission to take the Good News throughout the world.

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/18) Mark 12:28-34

Feb18

A 5-day per week study.

February 18– Reading Mark 12:28-34.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“You are not far from the Kingdom  of God.”  Mark 12:34b

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The Gospel according to Mark 12:28-34.

Jesus has been matched up with the various sects of Judaism. The chief priests, scribes, and elders accused Him concerning the radical clean-out of the Temple courtyard. The Pharisees and Herodians tried to catch Him up about paying taxes.  The Sadducees thought they had Him with that portion of Deuteronomy about a dead man’s brother marrying his widow, and life after death.  But Jesus knows the hearts of men. He can see right through their connivings and traps.  He can confidently tell them, “You are wrong.”

And so, when a lone scribe approaches Jesus, He is anticipating something different.

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Vss. 28-31.

A scribe (an expert in Old Testament Scriptures and often associated with the Pharisees) had been watching these encounters with Jesus.  He saw how Jesus had “answered them all well and with astonishing authority.”  He came up to Jesus and asked a question.

Now we don’t know his heart, so we don’t know whether this was one of those “test” questions meant to trap Jesus, or if he wanted to solidify what he was beginning to realize about Him: that He was a true prophet.

And so, without any “buttering-up,” he said, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”

Seeing the scribe’s sincerity, Jesus answered, “‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  AND the second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

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  1. (NOTE:  If you review the Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai, you will see that this FIRST “great commandment” encompasses the first FOUR of the ten.  The SECOND “great commandment” that Jesus quoted to the scribe takes in the remaining SIX of the ten commandments.  Go and check them now, if you want.  Exodus 20:1-17.)
  2. (NOTE: Jesus also taught “who” was a person’s neighbor – basically everyone, including your enemies – in the parable of the Good Samaritan.  He also came right out and said, “Love (and pray for) your enemies,” in Matthew 5:44.)
  3. (NOTE: Later, Jesus expands again on the second great commandment for His disciples (and all believers to follow) in John 15:12-13.  He says, “This is my commandment, that you love ONE ANOTHER as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”   This is the second great commandment, magnified.)

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Vss. 32-34.

The scribe heard Jesus speak the two greatest commandments (Wow, did they sound like the voice of God to Moses on Mt. Sinai?) and agreed. I can almost see the scribe’s body relax, any confrontational stiffness leaving him, as He heard the words so close to his own heart come from Jesus’ mouth.  I believe it was as if the two of them were alone, cocooned off from the crowds, speaking God’s heart back and forth to each other.

“Teacher, You have truly said that He is One, and there is no other besides Him.”  That must have brought joy to Jesus.

The scribe continued in wisdom, “And to love Him with all the heart, understanding, and strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

(Yes, hadn’t God told King Saul the same thing, through Samuel? “To obey is better than sacrifice.” See 1 Samuel 15:22.)

Jesus looked on the scribe with compassion because he had answered in this way.  “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”  An encouragement that I pray the scribe followed through on.

After THAT, no one dared to ask Jesus any more questions.

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Are those two great commandments the center of my own life?  Or do I use my time up on the outward actions of “good works” or, as the scribe said, “burnt offerings and sacrifices?”  Those are good, yes.  But what is in my heart?

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/12) Mark 11:12-25

Feb13

A 5-day per week study.

February 12– Reading Mark 11:12-25

Read and believe in Jesus

“My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”  Mark 11:17b

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The Gospel according to Mark 11:12-25

Last time, we saw Jesus ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, to the hails of “Hosannah!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”  The people thought that Jesus was finally going to set up His Kingdom and defeat the Romans.  They didn’t know that by that Friday, Jesus was going to be crucified by those very Romans at the behest of their Jewish religious leaders.

After He came into the Holy City, He went to the Temple Mount, where He looked carefully around at the buying and selling, the noise and the mess, the greed and the hypocrisy.  Then He went with His disciples back to Bethany, possibly to the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus for the night.

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Vss.15-19.

The next morning (Monday), Jesus entered the city and went again to the Temple Mount.  A cacophony of raised voices and distressed animal cries assaulted Him. Vile odors filled his nostrils, and where peace and worship should have been, there was hypocrisy, greed, and extortion. Yes, many who traveled a great distance for Passover had to purchase animals for sacrifice upon their arrival. Their Roman or foreign coins were not accepted in the Temple, and they also had to be exchanged (for a fee). But this all should have been done outside the courts of the Temple!

In righteous anger for the sake of His Father, the Holy One of Israel, Jesus began driving out those who sold and those who bought animals.  He overturned the tables of the moneychangers, scattering the coins across the pavement, and He upset the seats of those who sold pigeons. Chaos ensued. Angry shouts and threats followed His actions.

In a loud voice, Jesus quoted Isaiah 56:7, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations!'” and Jeremiah 7:11, “But you have made it a den of robbers!”

The chief priests and scribes were furious at the loss of their commerce.  They wanted to destroy Jesus, but feared Him, because the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 

Later, towards evening, when things quieted down, Jesus and the disciples left the city.

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That was the “meat” of this section’s “sandwich.”  You remember Mark’s sandwiches?  Next, we’ll look at the top and bottom “bread” sections.

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Vss. 12-14. (bottom slice)

Early that same morning, Jesus and the men left Bethany. Jesus was hungry. (Perhaps they’d left before Martha could prepare food.)  As they walked over and down the Mount of OLIVES, Jesus saw a green FIG tree in the distance, along the road.  A handful of figs would do nicely for breakfast. But when they got close, they saw the tree had NO FRUIT, despite being fully leafed out. 

(When fig trees end their winter dormancy, they first develop figs, which grow ripe as the leaves come on.  It was early in the year, but if there were leaves, the tree SHOULD have had fruit.)  What a disappointment.

Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

Okay, Jesus was not having a temper tantrum. 

Because He spoke “to” the tree, this shows He was personifying it.  The fig tree was frequently an Old Testament “type” of the Jewish nation of Israel. (See Hosea 9:10, Joel 1:7, Nahum 3:12, Zechariah 3:10.)  This was a divine “object lesson” about Israel’s hypocrisy and fruitlessness despite all its advantages.  Jesus’ cursing of it illustrated God’s judgment against the earthly Israel, especially in the rejection of their Messiah.

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Vss. 20-26. (top slice)

Morning again.  It’s Tuesday, and again Jesus and the disciples are leaving Bethany and heading towards the City. They come by the fig tree, which is now completely withered from the ground up.

At once, Peter notices it and cries out, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that You cursed has withered.”

And Jesus answers, “Have faith in God. Truly, I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass … it will be done for him.”  And, “Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

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Now, what in the world was Jesus teaching?  Surely NOT the “Name it and Claim it” doctrine so foolishly taught by some tele-evangelists today.

The expression “rooter up of mountains” was used in Jewish lore about great rabbis or leaders who could solve difficult problems and seemingly do the impossible. 

(NOTE: Jesus never did gratuitous miracles, although the Pharisees demanded Him several times for such a sign to prove He was a Messiah.)   

No, Jesus was telling His disciples that if they sincerely trusted in God and realized the power that is available through such faith in Him, they would see mighty powers at work. 

In His private “upper room discourse” with them (John 14:12-13), Jesus said, “Whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” And, “Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the FATHER MAY BE GLORIFIED in the Son.”

And of course, 1 John 5:14. “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, He hears us.” (and will give us what we request.)

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Yes, Jesus is still teaching His disciples by words and actions. His time with them is very short.  In two days, what He told them three times  will begin to come to pass:

  1. The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes.
  2. They will condemn him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles.
  3. They will mock Him and spit on Him and flog Him … and kill Him.
  4. And after three days, He will rise.  (Mark 10: 33-34)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/10) Mark 10:32-52

Feb10

A 5-day per week study.

February 10– Reading Mark 10:32-52

Read and believe in Jesus.

“What do you want me to do for you?”  Mark 10:50b

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The Gospel according to Mark 10:32-52

We left Jesus and the disciples on the eastern side of the Jordan River.  They’d just watched the rich young ruler turn away from Jesus.  Jesus told them that riches did not buy their way into the kingdom of God, but following Him and giving up material things was the way to blessing.

Now they were heading west towards Jerusalem.  They would pause for a short time in Jericho, then walk through the wilderness up to the holy city for Passover.

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Vss. 32-34.

Right on the heels of that conversation about leaving all to follow Jesus, He – for the third time – told the disciples that He would “be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they would condemn Him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise.”

Again, we see no response.  Surely they heard the words. Pain. Death. Resurrection….

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Vss. 35-45.

But it seems it was the turn of the “Sons of Thunder” to ask about the Kingdom of God.  Not about leaving everything behind or about suffering and dying, but about honor and privilege when the kingdom came.

  • “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you,” said James and John.
  • “What do you want me to do for you?” asked Jesus, although He knew exactly what they were going to ask.
  • “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in Your glory.”
  • I imagine Jesus just shook His head at their naivety. “You do not know what you are asking.  Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptised with the baptism with which I am baptised?” 

Jesus, of course, was speaking of the suffering and the horrible substitutional death He would experience for all who would be saved from their sins.

  • Proudly, the two answered, “We are able.”

Jesus probably looked at them with love, these two fiery young men who willingly followed Him. He knew that James would be the first martyr of the Twelve in just a few years, and that although John would live to an old age, he would be tortured and spend years in exile.

  • “The cup I drink, you WILL drink, and my baptism, you WILL experience.  But to sit at my right and left hands … is not mine to grant, but for those for whom it’s been prepared.”

Of course, the other ten disciples were indignant with James and John.  How dare they!  Why did they think THEY were better?

  • Jesus had to calm them all down. “Actually…”He said, “Ruling and authority over others shall NOT be so among YOU.” 
  • He looked around at them closely. “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”
  • “Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  

(I bet that quieted them for a while.)

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Vss 46-52.

They spent a short time in Jericho, then, amid a huge crowd of people, they went out from the city. By the side of the road was a blind beggar, whose name was Bartimaeus (Son of Timaeus).  He heard the crowd passing -possibly coughed at the dust that rose.  He learned that it was Jesus of Nazareth.  He’d heard of the great teacher/healer, and who He was.  Hope rose in him.  And panic that Jesus would pass him by.

  • “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” cried Bartimaeus.
  • The crowd looked at him, not in pity but in annoyance.  “Be quiet!”
  • “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” he cried even louder.

Jesus heard him and stopped. He called for someone to bring the blind man to Him.

  • Now the voice of the crowd changed. “Take heart. Get up; He is calling for you.”

Bartimaeus threw off his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus … following the sound of that kind voice.

  • “What do you want me to do for you?”
  • “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.”
  • “Go your way; your faith has made you well.

And immediately he recovered his sight … AND FOLLOWED JESUS ON THE WAY.

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What a good story of simple faith. And determination.

Since the blind man was named (and was wearing a cloak), it’s possible that he was a known merchant of some standing in the city, who had, for some reason, lost his sight and was left to beg for a living.  Perhaps an accident or a disease had caused him to be blind. Notice he asked that his sight be recovered, as in, found after being lost.

He’d heard of Jesus.  And he believed in Him.  Notice what Bartimaeus called Jesus.  “Son of David” was Jesus’ Messianic title.  Bartimaeus knew Jesus was “the One to come,” and knew if he could get close to Him, he would be healed.

And afterward… Bartimaeus followed Jesus.   No question. So unlike the rich young ruler.