Archives

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/31) Luke 6:27-49

Mar31

A 5-day per week study.

March 31 – Reading Luke 6:27:49

Read and believe in Jesus.

“As you wish others would do to you, do so to them.” Luke 6:31

.

The Gospel according to Luke 6:27:49

Review – Jesus, after a night in prayer, chose twelve of all the disciples to be Apostles.  Then Jesus began teaching the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples, starting with the Beatitudes.

.

Vss. 27-36.

Have you ever read (and really pondered) 1 Corinthians 13?  If you have time, do it now.  It describes the selfless LOVE we are to have towards each other: the self-sacrificing LOVE Jesus had for sinners when He died in their place.

Now, read these verses in Luke about loving OUR ENEMIES.

REALLY??  Our enemies?  (And yet, isn’t that what sinners are to a Holy God?)

  1. Love your enemies,
  2. Do good to those who hate you,
  3. Bless those who curse you,
  4. Pray for those who abuse you,
  5. Willingly accept a blow to the other cheek,
  6. Give to him more than what he takes from you,
  7. Generously lend to him, and neither require nor expect anything back.

And WHY does Jesus say His disciples are to do this?

“You will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  Be merciful, as your Father is merciful.”

And also, “your reward (in heaven) will be great.”

(Of course, there is no way we can do this without the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Romans 5:5 tells us that “God’s LOVE has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

.

Vss. 37-45.

BAD judging and GOOD judging.  FIRST, the BAD kind.

“Judge not, lest you be judged. Condemn not, lest you be condemned.” 

This is the self-righteous, pompous, looking-down-your-nose, wagging-your-finger type of judging.  It says, “I” certainly would NOT do that!

The thing is, WE probably WOULD do the offence, given the right circumstances.  We are ALL sinners.

(And as my Hubby likes to say, “When you point a finger at someone, the other three fingers are pointing back at YOU!”)

.

No, Jesus tells His followers to, “Forgive, and you will be forgiven, give and it will be given to you, and in a measure you will barely be able to hold!”

And to illustrate His words, Jesus tells them to “picture” a big LOG in your eye, keeping you from seeing anything.  Then, picture a tiny speck of dust in your brother’s eye.   SERIOUSLY, you need to remove that “log” before you can help your brother.

(Jesus was not talking about literal logs and specks, but those faults that we are so eager to point out in others, when OURS are totally larger and more grievous. Go to God, humbly confess your sin, repent of it, and then with tenderness and understanding you can help your brother.)

.

GOOD judging.

We aren’t to be “judges” of others, but we CAN be “fruit inspectors.”

Jesus said, “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit.”

And again, it is a HEART issue.  What is in the DNA makeup of a tree determines what fruit it will bear, and what is in the heart of man is what will come out in his life and through his mouth

We can try to be sweet and kind.  We can try to bear sweet juicy peaches.  But if our unsaved nature is to be a “crabapple tree,” all we can bear is … crabapples.   Again, it is the Holy Spirit of God, given to us when we are saved (regenerated), who can change our selfish selves into Christlike ones.  THEN, the “fruit of the Spirit” will grow freely and naturally.

.

Vss. 46-49.

Jesus now gives a familiar illustration of two homebuilders.

One is thorough, spends more time and money, but builds a sturdy house on a bedrock foundation.

The other is impatient, does not seek out or listen to building codes, and puts up a “quickie” pre-fab home on soft, golden sand.

What happens when a storm breaks the upstream dam, and a huge flood of water rushes at the houses is both reassuring and horrific.

  • The house on the rock (Christ) stood firm.
  • The house built on sand went “smack,” as kids clap their hands when singing that song.  (“It fell, and great was the ruin of it.”)

Okay, so trees and houses, what is Jesus teaching?

Come to Him … hear His words … obey.   Simple.  Let the Word of Christ change you from the inside out, and you will be strong, loving disciples in His kingdom.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (3/18) Luke 3:21-38

Mar18

A 5-day per week study.

March 18 – Reading Luke 3:21-38

Read and believe in Jesus.

“The heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him…”  Luke 3:21

No photo description available.

.

The Gospel according to Luke 3:21-38

In the last study, we saw John the Baptist “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Many came to him, were baptized, and with repentant hearts asked how they could bear the fruits of repentance. From religious leaders to tax collectors and soldiers, they came, and John told them.  And while they were there, he preached the good news of the coming Messiah and his own unworthiness.

Before John was arrested by Tetrarch Herod for incest and adultery with Herod’s brother’s wife (and a few other sins), John also (reluctantly, according to Matthew 3:13-15) baptized Jesus “to fulfill all righteousness.”

.

Vss. 21-23a.

At Jesus’ “righteous” baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Him “in bodily form,” like a dove.  And a Voice (of God) came from Heaven, saying, “You are my beloved Son, with You I am well pleased.”  Jesus heard the voice, an affirmation from His Father.  John saw the dove descending on Jesus and took it as the sign he’d been promised that “this was the Messiah.” He then began pointing to Jesus as “the lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29-34)

This was when Jesus began His ministry.  he was about thirty years of age.

.

Vss. 23b-38

Here, Luke inserts another of his factual reports, a genealogy of Jesus. These are the passages we typically skim through, if at all.  But there are some interesting things to see.

Unlike Matthew’s genealogy, Luke begins and ends with Jesus.  Son of God, AND born of man (Adam).

He starts with “Jesus being the supposed son of Joseph, who was the son of Heli.  It should actually say, son-in-law of Heli, for this is the lineage of Jesus ON MARY’S SIDE.  Her line also leads back through King David, but through his son, Nathan, not Solomon.  This is important because, just before the fall of Jerusalem under the last king of Judah, God said NO MORE KINGS IN THIS LINE would rule Israel (Jeremiah 22:24-30 – read this for yourself.), and yet the Messiah would be King, a descendant of David.  And so the true blood line DOES come down through David (as God promised him), but through a different son.

.

And  so, God the Father proclaimed Jesus His “beloved Son,” and Jesus’ genealogy back to the beginning also proclaims Jesus as “the Son of God.”

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/5) Mark 9:30-50

Feb5

A 5-day per week study.

February 5– Reading Mark 9:30-50

Read and believe in Jesus.

And He said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”  Mark 9:35

.

The Gospel according to Mark 9:30-50.

Jesus and all his disciples are together again when Jesus heals the boy with the unclean spirit. This demon had been tormenting him with violent and murderous assaults, and the nine disciples alone could do nothing to help.  But Jesus released him and encouraged the father’s small belief.  Afterwards, Jesus told the disciples that this kind of spirit would come out only through totally concentrated, selfless prayer.

.

Vss. 30-32.

Jesus leads His disciples (a few elated by the incident on the Mount, and the rest subdued by their inability to help the boy) back through Galilee.  He didn’t want anyone to know He was there, because He had more to teach them. His time with them was growing short. He is heading more and more towards Jerusalem and His death.

For the second time, as they walked along, Jesus said, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him.  And when He is killed, after three days He will rise.”

This is very understandable to us, 2000 years AFTER the fact, but to the Twelve who believed Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, this was nonsense.  Die?  No, their Messiah was to establish the Kingdom, defeat the Romans, and rule from Jerusalem!  They did not understand! And it seems they especially did not grasp what Jesus said about resurrection.

But after Jesus’ rebuke of Peter the last time He told them about His death, they were afraid to ask about it now.

.

Vss. 33-37.

As they walked, some of the disciples were arguing about another topic.  Again, it was related to the soon and hoped-for setting up of the Kingdom by their Messiah. When they were once again in Capernaum and safely ensconced in Peter’s home, Jesus quizzed them about it.

“What were you discussing on the way?”  (Wow, is there nothing that Jesus did not know about them??)

Again, they were silent, which was foolish because He already knew.  They had been arguing over who was the greatest.  Surely Peter was a contender, but the brothers, James and John, were also in the inner circle.  Did any of the other nine think they should be on top, too?

Jesus must have been so discouraged with them.  Hadn’t they learned anything about Him? Had they ever seen Him elevating Himself above everyone else?  Hadn’t they observed the Messiah as meek and lowly?  Sure, He taught the scriptures with authority! Sure, he commanded sickness and legions of demons, and they instantly obeyed Him. But had He asked any followers to bow to Him?

“If ANYONE would be first, he must be LAST of all … servant of all.

Then Jesus picked up a child (Peter’s niece or nephew?) and held him in His arms, smiling and perhaps tickling him.  And looking up to His men, He said, “Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me, receives not Me (only) but Him who sent Me.”

Jesus would say more on this, but John interrupted Him.

.

Vss. 38-41.

“Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”  (Oh man, was John ever looking for a pat on the head and an “atta boy!”  He thought they had done well.  NOPE.  Also, was this a “dig” on the nine disciples who were UNABLE to cast out that demon?)

Jesus said, “Do NOT stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in My name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of Me.  For the one who is not AGAINST us is FOR us.  For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”

Huh?  John (or any of them) said nothing to this rebuke.  Truly, Jesus had a lot more to teach them!)

.

Vss. 42-50.

Again looking to the little one on His lap, Jesus said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”

 

Okay, they understood that. But then, Jesus said,

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.”

What??

“And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.  It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.”

The disciples must have been stunned!

“AND, if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.  (See Isaiah 66:24)

What were they to make of this?  Surely self-mutilation was NOT what Jesus was teaching.  But sin is serious, whether it involves doing, going, or seeing.  They were to be brutal in eliminating it from their lives.  (Paul would later write, “Present our bodies as a living SACRIFICE, holy and acceptable to God. Do NOT be conformed to this world, but be transformed…  (See Romans 12:1-2)

 

Jesus continued, also thinking of sacrifice, “For everyone will be salted with fire.”

They all would be purified with suffering and persecution – not just Him – like the OT sacrifices that were often accompanied with salt.  Suffering?  Self-denial?  Sacrifice?  What kind of Kingdom was Jesus bringing?

“Salt is GOOD.  Have salt in YOURSELVES. And be at peace with one another.”   

Salt is a good preservative. Let the words of Christ enter and dwell in them (and us), cleansing, cauterising.  Then they will make a difference in the world … for Christ.

And, for goodness sake, STOP ARGUING among yourselves!

 

 

 

 

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (2/4) Mark 9:14-29

Feb4

A 5-day per week study.

February 4– Reading Mark 9:14-29

Read and believe in Jesus.

“And Jesus said, ‘All things are possible for the one who believes.’”  Mark 9:23

.

The Gospel according to Mark 9:14-29

Jesus and the “inner three” disciples have come down from Mount Hermon, where Jesus had been transfigured.  Those disciples had been stunned by the vision of Jesus in all his Heavenly glory, talking to Moses and Elijah.  When Peter tried to say something smart, the mighty voice of God broke through, saying He was very pleased with His Son … and told Peter (and us) to listen to HIM.

The atmosphere was quiet as they hiked down the mountain. Jesus had told them not to tell anyone about this incident until AFTER he’d been raised from the dead.  Not knowing how to respond to THAT, they thought of seeing Elijah and asked whether the prophet was yet to come.  Jesus told them yes, and no, so it was still as clear as mud to them.

.

Vss. 14-18.

Reaching the end of their hike down, Jesus and the three saw a great crowd and some scribes clustered around the other nine disciples.

.

(NOTE: After a “mountaintop” spiritually uplifting experience with the Lord, always be prepared to face problems in “the valley.”)

.

“What’s going on here?”  Jesus demanded, His “mama bear” hackles rising at the possibility of His own being threatened.  And looking right at the learned scribes, Jesus added, “What are you arguing about with them?

But it was a man of the town who spoke up.  “Teacher, I brought my son to You for he has a spirit that makes him mute.  And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.  So I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they were not able.”

(This is surprising when you think of the things the disciples did on their two-by-two training mission several months back, specifically casting out demons. (See Mark 6:13)

Jesus’ exasperation at the unbelief is shown by his questions, “O faithless generation, how long am I to BE with you?  How long am I to BEAR with you?”

.

(NOTE:  So just who was Jesus so upset with?  Them all!  The father, for sure, the nine disciples, the unbelieving scribes who were probably gloating over the disciples’ failure, the crowd, and, yes, with unbelieving Israel in general.  Faith, belief in Jesus, was key to His entire mission on earth!)

.

Vss. 19-27

“Bring him to Me,”  Jesus said to the father, and the child was brought.  Instantly, on seeing Jesus, the spirit convulsed the boy. He fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.”

“How long has this been happening to Him?  Jesus asked.

“From childhood,” the father said.  “And it has often cast him into the fire and into water to destroy him. But … if you can do anything … have compassion on us and help us!”

.

(NOTE: The man said, “If you CAN.”  Compare this with others who brought their sick to Jesus, and asked, “If you WILL, have mercy on —.” or “If you WILL, you can heal me.”  Probably, since the other disciples were unable to help his son, the father’s hope had begun to waver. He had started to doubt that healing was possible – much like we do sometimes.)

.

Jesus picked up on that word, “can.”  And seeing the man’s faith wavering like a “bruised reed,” Jesus did not break it, but strengthened it.

“‘If you can,'” Jesus quoted the man, then added, “All things are possible for the one who BELIEVES.”

“I believe!!  Help my unbelief!”  the man cried out.

Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, ‘You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again!”

After crying aloud and convulsing the boy terribly, it came out.  But the boy lay still as a corpse.  “He’s dead!” some said.

But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up.  And he arose.  (Does this mean…..?)

.

(NOTE:  Jesus often healed those in a crowd without requiring faith.  He has the power.  He can do that.  But sometimes – maybe looking at the man as one who would eventually believe unto salvation – Jesus tested and strengthened his faith.  Or maybe, Jesus glanced at the nine disciples when He said, “All things are possible for the one who believes.”)

.

Vss. 28-29.

Later, in the house where they were staying, the disciples asked Jesus why THEY couldn’t cast out the unclean spirit?

“This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer,”  Jesus told them.

  • (NOTE: Both Matthew 17:21 and Mark 9:29b leave out the phrase, “and fasting,” in some versions.)
  • 1)  Perhaps the nine disciples had been overconfident because of past experience. Perhaps they had trusted in their own words and had neglected to draw on the power of the Spirit.
  • 2)  Matthew 17:18-20 says their faith was lacking.   
  • 3)  Some demons are more powerful and obstinate, more resistant to being cast out. (See Matthew 12:43-45)   

 

 

 

 

.

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (1/26) Mark 6:30-44

Jan26

A 5-day per week study.

January 26 – Reading Mark 6:30-44.

Read and believe in Jesus.

(Jesus) had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.” MARK 6:34

The Gospel according to Mark 6:30-44

The Twelve had just returned from their mission journeys. They were excited and wanted to tell Jesus all about it, but the crowd in Capernaum was growing. The message spread, “The ‘Teacher’ is back!”  Some wanted to hear more of his teaching. Most needed to be healed.

But Jesus knew the disciples needed time to decompress from the excitement of ministry. He also wanted quiet time to evaluate their experience and encourage them.

Again, Mark writes a “sandwich.”  This section begins with “…they had no leisure even to eat,” and ends with everybody having eaten their fill and the disciples collecting 12 baskets (lunchbox size) of scraps, one for each of them to ‘chow down.’

(Watch for these in Mark’s Gospel.)

.

Vss. 31-34.

Jesus said, ”Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while,” and they got into a boat and headed across the Sea of Galilee.

When the boat left, many people observed it, and the able-bodied decided to “run around to the other side and get there ahead of them.” (This was about 4-5 miles on foot.)  Their timing was perfect.  The crowd (probably the younger and more fit) had begun to arrive just as Jesus stepped off the boat.

.

Were the disciples disappointed that their time with the Master been preempted?  Perhaps they had been able to talk on the boat trip, as they slowly made their way, with little or no wind. 

Was Jesus upset or even angry? Nope.

.

As the verse at the top says, when Jesus saw the bedraggled but excited people, He had compassion on them.  He saw them as sheep without a shepherd.  And HE was “the good shepherd.”

.

Vss. 34b.

“Jesus taught them many things.” 

Did He use their eagerness or the surroundings to tell parables? 

Or did He teach them simple truths of the Kingdom, as in the Sermon on the Mount?

Did He call to their remembrance how God had been faithful to them in the Wilderness, that other “desolate” place?

.

Vss. 35-38.

The day waned, and Jesus knew the people were getting hungry.

The disciples saw it too.  Or maybe it was THEIR OWN STOMACHS that were growling. 

“This is a desolate place,” they reminded Jesus, “and the hour is late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

.

(I can imagine Jesus smiling as He looked around at the crowd. He would teach His disciples a bit about “living by faith.” It would be needed later as they journeyed around the world with the Gospel.)

.

“YOU give them something to eat,” Jesus said calmly to His disciples.

They must have stared at Him. “Shall WE go and BUY two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat???

.

(NOTE: 200 denarii would be 200 days’ wages for a laborer at that time. For a fast-food worker in California today, that would be about $4,000.)

.

“How many loaves do you have?  Go and see,” Jesus told them.  They returned shortly with the little boy mentioned in John’s account. (See John 6:9.)  They now had five barley loaves (rolls) and two fish (think sardines).

.

Vss. 39-44.

Jesus told the disciples to have all the people sit down in groups of 50 and 100 for an orderly distribution.  They probably still did not understand what Jesus was going to do.  Nevertheless, they obeyed.  Soon, 10,000-15,000 people (including women and children) were seated, with aisles between all the groups. 

Goodness!  Could you even see the people in the back groups???

.

Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked to heaven, and said a blessing.  Then He began breaking the loaves and giving them to the disciples to distribute.  Nest he divided the two fish and gave them to the disciples in the same way.

AND they ALL ate and were satisfied!  All those thousands of hungry people ate to their fill!

AND … there were twelve baskets full of broken pieces and fish LEFT OVER!!

.

How did that happen?  Jesus, of course.

“Give us this day, our daily bread,” Jesus taught us to pray.

“He shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory.”

Ravens brought bread to the prophet Elijah during a drought and famine.

“Do not be anxious, saying, … ‘What shall we eat?’ … for your heavenly Father knows you need it.”
.

They may not have been alone, but Jesus DID teach the Twelve a few lessons they would need when they went out to minister in His Name: compassion, trust and obedience, finding opportunities, order, prayer, and abundance repaid.

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (1/19) Mark 5:1-20

Jan19

A 5-day per week study.

January 19 – Reading Mark 5:1-20.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you.” Mark 5:19b

.

The Gospel according to Mark 5:1-20

First, Jesus was “mobbed” by the crowds seeking healing. Then He taught the parable of the soils, and it seems the crowd disappeared. Next, Jesus spoke to His own followers, explaining the parables and why He would use them to teach.  And when He decided to go to the quiet of the other side of the lake, the disciples saw the creative power and majesty of Jesus as He calmed the fierce wind and sea with His word. 

“Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey Him?” they asked each other.

.

Vss. 1-6.

Arriving at the Eastern side of the Sea of Galilee, in the country of the Gerasenes, when Jesus had barely stepped off the boat, immediately a “crazy” man ran towards Him.  (It seems the disciples remained in the boat, taking it all in.)

First, a raging sea and now a raging man, for indeed the man was tormented and out of his mind. He was filled with so many demons you couldn’t even count them!

Facts:

  • He lived among the tombs.
  • No one could bind him, not even with chains.
  • He broke off shackles and chains like they were threads.
  • No one had the strength to subdue him.
  • Day and night, among the tombs and on the mountains, he was always screaming and cutting himself.

And yet he ran towards Jesus and fell down before Him. (Only in Jesus is there hope for this man.)

.

Vss 7-13.

The voices of the many demons spoke through the man’s lips, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”

Jesus: “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.”

Demons (through the man’s mouth):  “I beg you by God, do not torment me!”

Jesus: “What is your name?”

Demons: “‘Legion,’ for we are many.”  (NOTE: A Roman legion is made up of 6,000 infantrymen.)  “We beg You, don’t send us out of the country. Send us… into those pigs!”

Jesus: “GO!”

All the demons were instantly transported into the large herd of pigs on the hillside.  The whole herd went instantly mad and plunged down the hill and over the cliff into the sea, where they all drowned.

(NOTE: Don’t, like me, question the sovereignty of the Son of God in this matter.  If nothing else, that huge herd of swine going mad was a picture to the man of what he had been ‘saved’ from.)

.

Vss. 14-17.

The swineherds, the men, ran away. They told what happened in the city and all over the countryside. And people came out to see what had happened. 

What did they see?  (Not pigs, that’s for sure.)

They saw the formerly tormented man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind.  And the people were TERRIFIED! (NOT relieved. NOT happy. NOT praising God.)  No, they begged Jesus, “Go away, Jesus!  Leave our region!”

And Jesus complied. 

.

Vss. 14-20.

As He was stepping back into the boat, the man came to Him and begged to go with them. But at this time, Jesus was discipling only Jewish men.  (Later Gentiles would join His sheep, but not now.) 

Instead, Jesus commissioned the man to be a “missionary” in his own hometown and to his family and former friends.  “Go, tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”

And the freed man obeyed.  “He went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis (Ten Greek-influenced Cities east of the Jordan River) how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone who heard him marveled.

.

(Jesus knew when He got into the boat with His disciples at Capernaum, that this tormented man would be awaiting them. Perhaps that’s why that fierce storm came, and the disciples called out, “Don’t you care if we perish?”  YES, Jesus cared.  And He cared about this demon-possessed man who was also “pershing”. 

Perhaps the disciples needed to see Jesus’ command of the wind and sea so they wouldn’t completely ‘lose it’ when they saw the man screaming and running towards their boat.  Jesus’ control and calm words over a ‘legion of demons’ were the same as they’d witnessed during the storm. 

Who is this, then?  Truly, the Son of God.

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (1/8) Mark 2:18-28

Jan8

A 5-day per week study.

January 8 – Reading Mark 2:18-28.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”  Mark 2:27

.

The Gospel according to Mark 2:18-28.

In today’s reading, we see the Pharisees becoming more vocal in their displeasure with Jesus.

When the paralytic man was forgiven and healed, they criticized Jesus “in their hearts.”  When Jesus had dinner with a tax collector and other “sinners,” the Pharisees spoke their criticism aloud, but only to each other. 

Now, they openly confront Jesus with a question that is actually an accusation.  They will get an answer, alright, and it will be outrageous.  But first…

.

Vs. 18.

John the Baptist still had some followers as he preached and baptized people for the forgiveness of their sins. These were super loyal to him, especially now that he was in prison.  They would have supplied him with food and carried messages, including the haunting question they later took to Jesus from John and Jesus’ answer. They also told Jesus the news of John’s death. 

These disciples of John adhered to the strict Pharisaic practice of fasting twice a week.  The Pharisees used this unnecessary practice to “promote their holiness” in the eyes of the people.  God only required His people to fast on ONE DAY per year, the Day of Atonement in late autumn. (See Leviticus 16:29, 31).  (Sometimes, in a time of national crisis, a special fast might also be called.)

.

Vss. 19-20.

This concerned the people who daily crowded around Jesus. Eventually, they asked Him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast… but YOUR disciples do not fast?”

Jesus’s answer might have confused them at first, but they would have understood what He meant after thinking about it.  “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them?  As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and THEN they will fast … in that day.”

Um…. was there a wedding somewhere? 

Was Jesus getting married? 

Who would be taking “this bridegroom” away?   

Then, the people saw the analogy.  A wedding was a time of celebration. No one fasted, but rejoiced and ate and drank.  Jesus wasn’t getting married, but His time among them with His teaching and healing miracles WAS a time for rejoicing … LIKE a wedding. And after He was gone, yes, THAT would be a sad time. Fasting would be suitable. 

(Of course, no one – even the disciples – realized that Jesus was talking about His death on the cross.) 

.

Vss. 21-22.

Jesus continues with some illustrations about the “new life” He was bringing to them, and how the “old traditions of the Pharisees” just wouldn’t mesh with it.  The people were certainly acquainted with the examples he gave.

  1. “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment. If he does, the patch will pull away from it (when washed), and a worse tear is made.”
  2. “No one puts new wine into old (stiff) wineskins. If he does, the wine (as it ferments) will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are destroyed.  New wine is for new wineskins.” (New life is for changed hearts.)

.

Vss. 23-24.

We know what “the Sabbath” is. (Sabbath actually just means “seventh.”)  After God’s six days of Creation, He “rested” on the seventh day.  He declared the day “holy,” which just means “set apart for Him.” 

God gave this GIFT to his people, Israel.  No longer would they be required to labor nonstop for seven days per week, month after month, year after year, as they had in Egypt.

They would now have a legally mandated day of rest.  Even the women would not be required to cook meals that day.  Rest, glorious rest.  God wanted them to also think of Him, as their Creator and Savior, and have a heart of gratitude.

.

Centuries later, the rabbis of Judaism, to protect the commandment to “NOT WORK” on the Sabbath, created 39 detailed restrictions on what constituted “work” on the Sabbath. 

  • You couldn’t spit on the ground, for it might make a groove in the dust, and that would be “plowing,” or it might make a little mud, and that would be “mixing mortar,” which would be “building.” 
  • You could have nothing in your pockets or wear a piece of jewelry, for that would be “carrying a burden.”  
  • Untying a knot was prohibited because it couldn’t be done with one hand.
  • You couldn’t cut your nails or trim your beard. It would be considered “shearing.”
  • AND, you couldn’t pluck grain, rub it in your hands to remove the chaff, and then blow the chaff from your hand.  THAT would be “reaping,” “threshing,” and “winnowing.”

.

Vss 25-28.

Well, one Sabbath, Jesus and his disciples were walking by a grainfield.  As they walked, the disciples began to pluck heads of grain to eat.  (God’s law allowed this. See Deuteronomy 23:25).  The “extra” rules of the Pharisees did NOT allow this.

“Look!  Why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath??” they demanded, no doubt pointing fingers.

Jesus, like a ‘mama bear,’ turned to protect his disciples.  He was harsh.  “Hey, you, Teachers of the Law, haven’t YOU read the Scriptures?   David, when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him entered the house of God (the Tent of Meeting) and ate the bread of the Presence (Showbread), which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to his men.

Life or bread. Which is more important?  “The Sabbath was made FOR men, not man for the Sabbath.”

.

 Jesus would later emphasize this whenever He healed someone on the Sabbath.  If they could rescue a sheep in a pit on the Sabbath, why couldn’t He “rescue” one made in the image of God who had been suffering long with a disease or demon possession?   “The Sabbath was made FOR men, (for their health and welfare).  It was a kindness from their God.  Having food, helping others – this was good.

.

After this incident, the Pharisees and religious leaders kept an eagle eye on Jesus, and pounced on Him for every good deed He did on the Sabbath.  It was part of the case against Him that would later lead to their demand for His crucifixion. 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (1/7) Mark 2:13-17

Jan7

A 5-day per week study.

January 7 – Reading Mark 2:13-17.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners”  Mark 2:17b

 

The Gospel According to Mark 2:13-17

Vss. 13-14.

Jesus is again beside the Sea of Galilee (it was near Peter’s home).  The crowd was coming to him, and He was teaching them. (Standing by the water and speaking up the sloping land made for great acoustics. Many people were able to hear Jesus’ voice clearly.) 

Then, Jesus continued along a certain path, but this time He wasn’t looking at the boats.  He knew where He was going and who He would find there. And as he’d specifically called the two sets of fishing brothers to Himself, Jesus now spoke to a Tax Collector sitting at his tax booth.  

“Follow me,” Jesus said, looking into the man’s eyes.  (I almost expected Him to say, “…and I will make you a ‘Collector of Men’,” but of course He didn’t say that.)  The tax collector, Levi, got up, left his coveted Roman franchise booth, where he’d become a rich man at the expense of his fellow Jews, and followed Jesus.  

Don’t you wonder what Peter, Andrew, James, and John were thinking?  Levi had probably extorted money from their family’s fishing businesses many times. And Jesus was calling… him?  How did the richly ornate robe of the Publican blend with the simple attire of local fishermen?  

(I’m so glad that Jesus calls all types of people to follow Him.)

Like with the fishermen, I believe Levi had heard Jesus speak before as He made his way along the shore of Galilee.  Perhaps he’d witnessed miraculous healings too, as he watched from inside his booth.  Whatever he’d seen and heard, Levi’s heart was now toward Jesus.  The instant the Master called, Levi was out of the booth – leaving the quills, ledgers, and piles of coins behind – and walking with Jesus.

(By the way, this man’s other name was Matthew.  And this careful calculator wrote the wonderful Gospel by his name, specifically to the Jews about their Messiah.)

.

Vss. 15-17.

Peter had invited Jesus to headquarter in his home. Now, Levi asked Jesus (and disciples) to a feast at his house. He also invited a bunch of other tax collectors (and “sinners”) that he knew. 

(Another tax collector – Zacchaeus – did the same thing in Luke 19.  This is SO like what happens to a person who has truly been converted. They want to share “the good news” with others. They want friends and family to know Jesus, too.)

Jesus, of course, accepted the invitation. He is comfortable with anyone who truly seeks Him.  Did other “sinners” there believe in Him and follow His way too?  

Outside, the Scribes (probably the same ones who’d observed the paralytic man being healed) had sour faces.  “Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  (THEY would never do that!)

Jesus heard what they said as He left Levi’s house.  He looked these self-righteous men in the eyes and said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick do. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

Did they understand what Jesus meant?  What DID Jesus mean? 

.

Did He truly see these Jewish rulers as “righteous,” not needing forgiveness and salvation?  Absolutely not.  Psalm 14:2-3 says, “None is righteous (good), no, not one.”  Jesus was speaking about the “self-righteous” who “think” they don’t need a savior.

Later, in Luke 18, we will see that Jesus tells a parable about a Pharisee and a Tax Collector. Was He thinking of Levi and these men?   He told this story “to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt.”

In the story, the Pharisee stood and bragged of all his good works and accomplishments, and how he had never done such sinful things as the extortioners, adulterers, the unjust, or even… the tax collector…

The Tax Collector, on the other hand, could say nothing but, “God, be merciful to me a sinner.”  (Were those Levi’s words that Jesus quoted?)   Jesus told his audience that the Tax Collector went to his house JUSTIFIED, while the braggadocio Pharisee did not.

.

Here, in Capernaum, the Jewish leaders were just beginning to spar with Jesus.  It would get worse. Would any of them recognize their lack of true righteousness before it was too late?

 

 

 

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (1/6) Mark 2:1-12

Jan6

A 5-day per week study.

January 6 – Reading Mark 2:1-12.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  Mark 2:5

 

The Gospel According to Mark 2:1-12.

Vss 1-2.

Jesus, and a few disciples, had been away preaching and casting out demons throughout all Galilee for several weeks or months. Then, after the glorious healing of the leper, Jesus had gone into seclusion for a bit because of the crowds thronged Him. 

Now, He had returned to Capernaum, to Peter’s house, and after a few days … it was reported that He was back.  Immediately many came to hear and be healed. They pushed into Peter’s house till it was packed like sardines, and they crowded around the door to try and hear Him. 

In that crowd, were some Scribes who had mananged to come inside. They were “sitting” and watching Jesus with hawk eyes.  And Jesus preached “the word.”  (The Gospel of grace, faith, and forgiveness.)

.

Vss 3-5.

In Capernaum, there lived a man who was paralyzed in his legs. We aren’t told if this was an injury or a birth defect.  But this man was very fortunate. He had four friends, perhaps former co-workers, who cared about him deeply. They heard that Jesus, the miracle-healer, was back in town.  They got a stretcher for their friend and jogged (double-time) to Peter’s house. 

But before they got close enough to even hear Jesus speaking inside, they saw the crowds straining and pushing around the door. 

Perhaps they stopped, took in the situation, speaking among themselves. What to do?  Should they wait outside till Jesus came out?  Did the paralytic tell them to just take him home, that maybe later….

But no!  One had spied the steps leading to the roof of Peter’s house. (It was a flat place where the family could sit or sleep when it got too hot inside.)  The friends nodded. They went around the house and carefully carried their friend up the steps.  Once there, they began removing the roofing material, surely laying it aside neatly so they could later repair it.

Inside, Jesus was aware of their efforts.  Soon everyone was, as an opening appeared in the ceiling. Gasps? Dismay? Outrage? 

But Jesus saw something else.  He saw THEIR FAITH.  And as they let down the paralyzed man, Jesus said to him, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 

(Was there joy on the man’s face?  Was THIS his main problem, the one that haunted him even more than his useless legs? What joy he must have felt!) 

.

Vss 6-9.

Ah, but those Jewish scribes.  What were they thinking?  You could tell by their faces they weren’t happy. 

One was thinking, “Why does this man speak like this?“

The second one, “He is blaspheming!”

The third one, “Who can forgive sins but GOD alone??”

Just like Jesus could see into the paralytic’s heart, he saw the darkness in these men’s hearts.

“Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk?’  But, that you man KNOW that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”

The man, whose sins were forgiven, rose and immediately, picked up his bed, and went out before them all.  The parting crowd was amazed and they glorified God.  They said, “We never saw anything like this!’“

 

(And of course, the friends of the man ran down the steps two at at time. The embraced him and joined in glorifying God. 

Yes, I think later they returned and repaired the roof.)

###

.

(Back to the question Jesus asked the Scribes.  “Which is easier TO SAY?”  This is different from, “Which is easier TO DO?”  Anyone could say anything, but did that make it true?   Jesus had backed up His words with actions. The Scribes didn’t believe their EARS, but they had to believe their EYES.

The paralyzed man of course believed his ears at both things Jesus said. And so did his friends.  He was forgiven.  He was healed.   And he had acted on both. He got up and went home, a forgiven man.

Oh, Lord! for FAITH to believe ALL You say to us in Your Word! Like You said to Thomas, ‘Blessed are those who don’t see and yet believe!’)                                       

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 346

Dec12

Day 344 – Reading – Acts 20 – 23
Read and believe in Jesus!

Acts 20.

We left off in Acts with Paul in Ephesus just after that big riot by the silversmiths about their idol Artemis/Diana. (Actually, it was about them losing money on the sales of their icons and statues.)  The riot (and endless chanting) was finally quieted with a threat of Roman intervention. Paul’s friends had kept him from joining the ruckus.  Now they urged him to leave Ephesus.

.

Checking on the churches in Macedonia and Greece was his plan anyway, so he gathered the group, encouraged them, and said goodbye.  North to Troas, then across the Aegean Sea to Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, then south through Athens and to Corinth, where he spent three months. But when he heard of a plot to kill him, he left by ship, not to Syria as planned, but back north to Macedonia, where he celebrated Passover and Unleavened Bread.

Eventually he reached Troas, where he stayed a week..

He talked (and taught) the believers there long into the night on the last day. The room was warm and crowded. A young man sat on the window sill to catch a breath of cool air.  But he was drowsy, and…. YEP, HE FELL OUT THE WINDOW!   They were on the THIRD STORY!!!  They rushed down and found him DEAD!

But Paul encouraged them that Eutychus was still alive (after all, Paul had also been left for dead once and had aroused).  The boy got up, and after they all had eaten something, they went back upstairs for more of Paul’s teaching till daybreak.

.

Luke maps Paul’s progress as he heads back to Jerusalem, hoping to arrive there by Pentecost. At one stop, the elders of the Ephesian church met him at Miletus.  He gave them final words of encouragement.  Final, because the Holy Spirit was telling him that imprisonment and affliction was awaiting him.  He might not see them again.

  • “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

He exhorted the elders to remain faithful. He warned them of “wolves” trying to come in an hurt the “sheep.”  And he commended them to God and the Word.  Then he knelt down and prayed with them all.  And there was a lot of weeping and hugging and kissing, everyone realizing that they would not see him again.

.

Acts 21.

Again, Luke maps Paul’s trip as he heads east to Israel and Jerusalem, stopping at several ports and switching ships sometimes.  At Tyre, Paul stayed with some believers for a week while the unloaded the ship.  Again, these men urged Paul not to go to Jerusalem.  But Paul was determined, and on the last day, they all knelt on the beach to pray and bid farewell to each other. Then aboard the ship again, finally arriving at Caesarea, the port for Jerusalem.

In Caesarea he stayed with Phillip, the evangelist. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Agabus, another prophet from Judea, also stopped by and all foretold imprisonment and suffering if Paul persisted on his way.  Everyone strongly urged Paul NOT TO GO UP to Jerusalem!  

Paul answered. 

  • “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?  For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Eventually they got ready and went up to Jerusalem, escorted by some of the disciples from Caesarea.  Paul met with James and the other elders in the Jerusalem church, telling him about his travels and how the Gentiles were coming to the Lord Jesus  And they glorified God.

Then the elders warned Paul about some Jews (who have believed) but were zealous of the law.  They did not like what they heard of Paul’s “lax” ministry to the Gentiles.  The elders feared there might be trouble when Paul went into the Temple to finish his vow.  They suggested he take two other men there, Jews, who were fulfilling a vow as Paul, and pay for their expenses.  This would show that he was respectful of the ways of Judaism.

Paul took their advice, purified himself, brought the offerings for all of them and went into the temple.  But the Jews from Asia, seeing Paul in the temple with two other men, assumed he was bringing his Gentile converts INTO THE TEMPLE!!   

“Help! Men of Israel! This is the man who is teaching against the Law!”

A crowd gathered. Paul was seized and dragged out of the temple.  They even attempted to kill him, but word of the riot came to the Roman cohort. Soldiers and centurions rushed to the scene.  Immediately the Tribune arrested Paul. He asked who he was, but got conflicting answers, so he took Paul back to the barracks. Outside the crowd was shouting, “Away with him!”

Paul asked the Tribune if he might speak to the crowd.  The Roman was shocked that Paul could speak Greek, thinking he was that Egyptian rebel rouser.  When Paul told him he was a Jew from Tarsus, he allowed Paul to speak. 

.

Acts 22.

He addressed the crowd in Hebrew.  When the crowd heard that, they quieted down.  He explained further that he was trained in the law in Jerusalem under the famous teacher, Gamaliel.  he told them how he’d persecuted Christians, all the way to Damascus.

But then… Paul shared his personal testimony of meeting Jesus and becoming blind. He told about the man who came to heal his eyes. 

“The God of our fathers appointed you to know His will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth: for you will be a witness for Him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.”

Paul held their attention. He even recounted how he had stood and approved of the stoning of Stephen.  But when Paul quoted Jesus, “Go, for I will send you far away to the GENTILES,” the mob broke out again in shouts of killing him.  The tribune grabbed Paul and pulled him inside for his safety… and for interrogation.

When he had Paul stripped and stretched out to receive the whips, Paul said calmly to the centurion, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a ROMAN CITIZEN and un-condemned?  

Whoa, whoa, whoa!  Nope, Can’t do THAT!  The tribune was told and quizzed Paul.  I was BORN a Roman Citizen, having lived in Tarsus.  They all withdrew from him, fearful for what they had almost done.  The next day, the tribune brought the chief priests and the council and Paul together.  What exactly was he being accused for.

.

Acts 23.

Again Paul began to tell his testimony, carefully watching his words before these men.

  • “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day,”

The high priest commanded that Paul be struck on the mouth, and Paul responded sharply.

  • “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall. Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law, you order me struck??”

Someone nearby asked Paul, “Would you revile God’s high priest?

  • “I did not know brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'”

Paul then thought it was best to get to the nitty-gritty.  Looking around, he saw that some of the council members were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, two rival groups, with only the Pharisees believing in the resurrection of the dead.

  • “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial…”

And again all pandemonium broke out, with the two rival factions fighting each other. When it became truly violent, the Tribune stepped in and commanded that soldiers go and bring Paul back into the barracks.

THAT NIGHT, the Lord stood by Paul and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in…..ROME.”

(It would be a few years, but Paul was going to Rome as he had so hoped.”)

Meanwhile, the fired-up Jews concocted a plot to murder Paul. They even pledged not to eat or drink until it was done.  (Sorry guys, you’re going to get pretty hungry!)

But (heh, heh, heh), Paul’s young nephew overheard the boasting and told Paul. A centurion took the boy to tell the tribune.  Immediately he called for 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to take Paul to Caesarea in the middle of the night to Governor Felix.

The tribune sent a letter about what had happened so far, about the plot, and that Paul was a ROMAN CITIZEN.

The soldiers took Paul (also mounted) on a midnight ride to a Roman military post about 40 miles away. The next day, they escorted him down to the coast and presented him to the Governor. Felix agreed to give him a hearing when the Jewish accusers arrived.  Meanwhile he was guarded in Herod’s praetorium, which was Felix’ official residence in Caesarea.

Think of Paul’s confidence in God’s sovereignty.  He had promised Paul a trip to Rome.  NOTHING could happen to the missionary until that time. He would trust. He would rest. He would testify wherever he could until then.

.

Actually I feel a little sorry for the guys who pledged to kill Paul.  I wonder what they did about their vow.