Tag Archive | christianity

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/9): Matthew 2:1-12.

Sep9

Read and Believe in Jesus.

“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him.” Matthew 2:11

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REVIEW – When Joseph heard that his betrothed “wife” was pregnant (and not by him), he was in turmoil. What to do? He loved Mary and didn’t want to shame her. But that she was pregnant meant only one thing, right? Infidelity. So sadly, he decided to “divorce” her privately, saving her from a spectacle or even severe judgment.

But before he could act, an angel visited him in a dream and explained the whole amazing story. Mary was pregnant by … the Holy Spirit! Her morality was intact! He, Joseph, would be the child’s legal father and so pass the right to King David’s throne to the boy. Joseph was to name this stepson Jesus because… He would “save His people from their sins.” The angel nodded at the dreaming Joseph and assured him it was right in God’s sight for him to marry Mary. So he did.

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And now we take a giant step in time.

If you read Luke’s gospel, you know that Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem “for a census” (or so Rome thought), but actually it was to fulfill scripture that the Messiah would be born in David’s hometown of Bethlehem. While there, Mary gave birth.

Eight days later, a local priest (perhaps even Zechariah, John’s father) circumcised the boy, and Joseph named Him Jesus. Forty days after Jesus’s birth, to fulfill all the Jewish laws, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem to “redeem” Him, as all firstborn males were to do. This was also the time of Mary’s ritual cleansing after a birth. She could now become “a wife” to Joseph. For this, they brought two doves, which were the appropriate sacrifice for the poor.

In the temple, old Simeon also blessed Jesus and identified Him as the long-awaited Messiah of Israel, and “a light for the Gentiles.” He told Mary that her Son would “pierce her heart.” An old prophetess, Anna, also blessed Jesus and His parents.

Then, preferring to live in Bethlehem and not return to Nazareth, the couple found a house, and Joseph set up his carpentry.

TWO YEARS HAVE PASSED.

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Matthew 2:1-2.

Then, one normal day in Herod’s palace, a foreign delegation arrived and upset the king and his household, and in fact, all Jerusalem, forever.

These majestic, blue-and-gold, star-crested, robed, and bejeweled foreigners dismounted their camels and entered the palace with smooth, assured bearing. They looked around, and then, in a tone that told they were used to dealing with mere “human” kings, asked Herod,

“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star when it rose, and have come to worship Him“

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(NOTE: People have wondered about the star for ages. Could it have been a supernova? A conjunction of planets? Halley’s comet? Consider what Bible commentaries say: that this was supernatural reality, similar to the Shekinah that guided the Israelites in the days of Moses. Read Exodus 13:21; it is very enlightening.)

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Matthew 2:3-6.

Herod is stunned and angered at their audacity. HE is king of the Jews. HE is the one who rules in Jerusalem. What do they mean, a new King has been born?? But then a cold chill turns his heart to ice. King of the Jews? Do they mean … the Messiah? NO! It can’t be!

Smiling on the outside, Herod invites his important guests, these “Magi,” to a lounge to perhaps be refreshed and entertained while he finds the answer to their question.

Quickly, Herod assembles the chief priests and scribes and asks them WHERE the Messiah was to be born. These men are familiar with the Scriptures and don’t need to go searching. They know the passage written by the prophet Micah (5:2), and they quote it.

“And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.”

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Matthew 2:7-8.

Calming himself and perhaps taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Herod calls back in these important Eastern “wise men.” First, he casually asks when they first saw this star, and then he directs them just a few miles southeast of Jerusalem to the little town of Bethlehem.

“Oh, and be sure to let me know where you find Him. I want to come worship him too.” Herod adds with false fervor as he escorts the men to their waiting camels.

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Matthew 2:9-12.

After getting the directions, the Magi (three or a dozen) went on their way. And, lo and behold, the star appeared again and seemed to lead the way. They rejoiced greatly and eagerly followed it. Soon it came to rest over a small house in Bethlehem. (What a stir they must have caused in the sleepy little town!)

They each took a prepared gift from the saddlebags of their camels and went to the house. Inside, they saw Jesus with his mother. They fell down before the little boy and worshipped Him. Then, they opened their treasures and gave Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.

I imagine Mary sitting (or perhaps standing by a stove with a wooden spoon in her hand), her mouth wide open in wonder at such a sight – the richly attired wise men, their worship of her Son, their magnificent gifts. WOW. Did she go call in Joseph? Did they stand in wonder?

And Jesus? Grinning and pointing with a chubby hand at the fancy-dressed men. Reaching for the shiny gifts, patting them and clapping His hands. “Looka, Imma! See, Abba!”

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Matthew 2:12.

How long did the Magi stay? Perhaps they brought in sweet treats from Babylon – baklava, honey & wafers, raisins & dates – and shared sweet wine with the family. But at some time, at least one of them received a warning dream from Jehovah God.

“Do not return to Herod!”

So they all mounted camels, waved at the joyful boy in Mary’s arms, and went towards their homeland … by another route.

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I know the Bible does NOT call these visitors Kings. And nowhere does it tell us how many there were, but the Christmas Carol “We Three Kings” has always been my favorite. Especially the final stanza, which describes what their three gifts “could have” depicted. 

"We Three Kings" by John H. Hopkins (1820-1891)

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Refrain:
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.

Refrain

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.

Refrain

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

Refrain

Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (9/7): Matthew 1:1-17.

Sep7

Read and Believe in Jesus.

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INTRO – (It’s long, I know. Sorry!)

Matthew’s gospel was the first of the four gospels to be written … at about 27 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is only one of two gospels to be written by an apostle, although many believe that Mark is simply Peter’s gospel as he dictated it to the young man.

Matthew’s account is the longest of the four.

Matthew’s gospel is not written chronologically, so don’t be confused to see some events placed out of order. Instead, he writes the life of Jesus in a series of FIVE themes, each begun with a major speech (or discourse) and followed by narration of Jesus actions or other teachings.

There is also a short prologue and epiloge.

Matthew’s other name is Levi, a name that the other gospel writers use for him “before” Jesus called him. We don’t read of Jesus changing his name, like with Simon/Peter, so perhaps he changed it himself, or he used a second name. Matthew means “gift of the Lord.”

Matthew/Levi was a Publican, or tax collector. He was very wealthy and powerful. People feared and hated him as he sat in his booth at the crossroads and demanded the money owed to Rome. He was considered a traitor to the Jews, working for the enemy.

Perhaps it was a thirst for wealth and defference that made Levi volunteer to serve Rome. After he collected the listed tax for the Empire, he could add however much else he wanted for himself. And he did. His own people got poorer as he got richer.

But Matthew must have had an ache or vacant spot in his heart that the money did not completely satisfy, because when Jesus passed by and called him, Luke 5:27-28, reports that Levi ” left everything, rose, and followed Him.”

Perhaps Levi/Matthew had been hearing reports of Jesus, but it seens that it was the event where a paralytic’s friends let him down through a roof into a crowed house so he could see Jesus that softened Matthew’s heart. For the report was that Jesus not only healed the paralysis, but “forgave the man’s sins.” Mabe that was the deep, deep longing that Levi had too.

Right after this incident, Jesus passed by Levi’s tax booth and said, “Follow me.”

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Matthew presents Jesus as Messiah, and the King of the Jews. He writes his gospel mostly for a Jewish audience. He quotes O.T. scriptures 60 times, does not explain Jewish customs or holidays (because the Jews would know them), he refers to Jesus as “the son of David,” and he guards against Jewish sensibilities regarding the Name of God, rererring to the “kingdom of heaven” instead of the “kingdom of God” as in the other gospels.

His purpose in writing the gospel: to show that Jesus is the Jewish nation’s long-awaited MESSIAH.

Matthew’s opening geneology of Jesus documents Jesus’ credentials as Israel’s KING.

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Matthew 1:1-17

Matthew first refers to Jesus Christ as the son of David.

To David the Lord God had promised a descendant who would reign as king forever. (See 2 Samuel 8:16-17, the familiar Isaiah 9:6-7, and Psalm 89:35-36)

Matthew’s genealogy is divided into three 14-name sections, each either beginning or ending with David. They are not complete lists, but rather show three times/eras. Abraham to King David; King David to the deportation to Babylon; and after the deportation to the birth of Christ.

(If you’ve studied the history of the kings, you will know that because of their horrible evil, the last kings of Israel were removed from David’s line of promise. However, if you check Haggai 2:23, you will see that God basically put the promise (His signat ring) back onto Zerubbabel, the grandson of the exiled to Babylon king to whom God showed favor. Jesus’s Kingly line to David’s throne is then passed along through Zerubbabel’s descendents to Joseph, the “legal” father of Jesus.)

Matthew also begins with Abraham, the founder of the Jewish people.

God also promised Abraham a descendant “in whom all families/nations of the earth would be blessed.” Genesis 12:3. The Messiah.

So Matthew lays out his two purposes, to show JESUS as the promised Jewish MESSIAH, and the promised KING who will sit on David’s eternal throne.

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One other thing to notice: the inclusion of FOUR women in this genealogy before he even gets to Mary. (This is very unusual in genealogies of the time.)

  • Verse 3 – Tamar. She was Judah’s daughter-in-law whom he got pregnant, believing she was a prostitute. (Genesis 38:13-30)
  • Verse 5 – Rahab. She was a prostitute living in Jericho who saved the two Israeli spies, who then brought her into the “family.” ((Joshua 2:1-22)
  • Verse 5 – Ruth, a Moabite woman, daughter-in-law of Naomi who returned to Israel with her and married the rich landowner, who became her “redeemer.” (Book of Ruth)
  • Verse 6 – The wife of Uriah, whom David (yes, our David) raped, took into his house when he found she was pregnant, then had her husband killed to “cover up” his dirty deed. Matthew honors her innocent husband by naming Uriah. She was, of course, Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11:1-27).

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And now, whew, we are ready for “the Birth Jesus Christ.” 1:18 (tomorrow)

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/11) John 15:18-27

Aug11

Read and believe in Jesus

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” And, “Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.” John 15:19 & 23.

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The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – In the first half of chapter 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of a grapevine to show the close connection He has with His disciples and all true believers. Without Him, they can do nothing. But by remaining “in” Him and submitting to the vinedresser’s wise pruning, they can become abundant fruit-bearers.

Other blessings of abiding in Christ are guidance in prayer and promised answers, as well as assurance of both His and the Father’s love.

Jesus urges the disciples (and us) to obey the Father’s commandments, just as He has always done. And the result of this abiding and obeying and loving others, as Jesus did? His friendship and fullness of joy!

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John 15:18-25. 

Abiding in Jesus and obeying His commands, loving others sacrificially, being fruitful, and being loved and called Jesus’ friends are the bright, JOYFUL side of being a true believer. But there is a dark, hate-filled side as well that Jesus now prepares His disciples for.

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated ME before it hated you.“

“You are not OF the world. I chose you OUT of the world; therefore, the world hates you.”

“If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”

And note the hatred of the world goes both ways (up and down from Jesus). Because of Jesus’ teaching of God’s words, doing the miracles God ordained, and obeying His Father in everything, the world hates HIM, though they may not realize it!

“Whoever hates Me hates my Father also.

Why the hatred? Because of their sin. They refuse to accept the free offer of Jesus to come to God in faith and repentance, turning from their sin and being forgiven. And so, they remain in their guilt, and hate all that reminds them of it.

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(NOTE: As I (we) well know, feeling guilty and carrying unforgiven sin around makes me very unhappy, resentful, and hateful to everyone around me! Praise God, He has provided a way to be forgiven: confession and belief. 1 John 1:9)

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But it’s worse for the world when they reject Jesus, for God sent Him that they might be forgiven and experience eternal life (John 3:16), and they REFUSED His offer!! (That’s like punching God in the face!)

Because of their sin, the unbelieving world unwittingly fulfilled scripture. “They hated Me without a cause.” (Psalm 35:19, 69:4)

But… Jesus offers consolation to His own.

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John 15:25-26.

Jesus again reminds the disciples that He will send the Holy Spirit to them. He is their helper, the Spirit of Truth, directly from the Father.

The Spirit will bear TRUE witness about Jesus, His coming, His words and works, and His obedience in everything the Father asked of Him. With this precious promise of Help from above, THEY will be able to witness boldly about Jesus.

Yes, there will be persecution and even martyrdom for them, but they will KNOW the truth from the Spirit, who speaks like Jesus and causes them to remember everything that Jesus has said.

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Reading the Gospels in 2026 (8/4) John 13:18-30

Aug4

Read and believe in Jesus

“But the Scripture (Psalm 41:9) will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.‘” John 13:18b

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The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus and the twelve were cloistered in the upper room for the Passover meal with all its rituals. Alone with His men (no servants around), Jesus took off his outer clothes and knelt to wash their feet. The disciples were shocked that their Lord and Teacher would do such a lowly thing, and Peter downright refused to let Jesus do it … until Jesus explained what it symbolized and what principle He was teaching them. Then Peter was “all in.” This lowly act, so similar to Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet earlier in the week, must have disgusted Judas Iscariot. And yet, Jesus stooped to do it for him too.

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John 13:18-20.

Jesus tells His men that they will be blessed as they serve others in His name. He glances at Judas and perhaps says quietly, “but not ALL of you.” And then he quotes Psalm 41:9, perhaps looking Judas straight in the eyes now. “He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.“

He goes on to tell the group, as they perhaps settle in reclining positions around the low table, that He is revealing these things, so when they happen … they will believe in Him.

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John 13:21-26.

Perhaps because of Judas’ proximity to Jesus (he reclined at Jesus’ left side), or maybe because of the darkness of evil that was coming, Jesus became troubled. And again in a low voice He claimed, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”

John heard it. John was reclining at Jesus’ right side, and could have leaned back on Jesus’ chest if he wanted to. Peter, directly across the table from John, heard it too.

The two disciples looked wide-eyed at each other, then Peter gestured to John to ask Jesus WHO it was. John leaned back against Jesus so he could speak softly and said, “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus answered just as softly, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it in the herbs.” Perhaps John gestured to Peter with his eyes toward the piece of bread in Jesus’ hand. And then, maybe they both watched silently as Jesus dipped the morsel into the bowl … and then handed it to Judas Iscariot to eat.

When Judas took the bread from Jesus’ hand, Satan entered into him.

“What you are going to do, do quickly,” Jesus said softly to Judas, and the man rose and left the room.

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John 13:27-30

Most of the other disciples thought maybe Jesus was sending Judas on a last-minute errand, for indeed, he did carry the moneybag. Maybe he was to buy something else for the feast… Or give some money to the poor… Peter and John knew Judas was the betrayer, but maybe even they thought he was on a simple errand. I mean… betray the Master on Passover??? No way!

But, alas…that was indeed just what Judas was intending to do. And when he went out, “it was night.”

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/27) John 11:45-57

Jul27

Read and believe in Jesus

“You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that one Man should die for the people…” John11:50

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus had finally arrived in Bethany. Lazarus was dead and in the tomb for four days. The sisters led Jesus to the burial cave that had a large stone covering the entrance. Martha protested for only a moment when Jesus said to take away the stone, thinking of decomposition. A simple reminder of seeing the glory of God moved her to obey. After Jesus prayed that the Jews observing would finally believe in Him, Jesus ordered Lazarus to come out of the tomb. And he did, amazing (shocking?) everyone. “Unbind him and let him go,” were Jesus’ words, and also His desire for all those enslaved in sin.

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John 11:45-46

“Many of the Jews who had come to mourn with Mary and Martha saw what happened and believed in Jesus.” (How could they not??) But, as we discovered before, the Jews in Judea/Jerusalem had a ‘divided opinion’ about Him.

“Some of the Jews (who also witnessed the dead Lazarus emerge from the tomb) “went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.”

Sheesh! Did they get any “brownie points?”

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John 11:47-53

It seems very casual at first that the Jewish leaders (chief priests/Saducees and Pharisees) called together the 70-member Sanhedrin, but this may be like calling the Supreme Court of the United States together during the summer recess. (Remember it is almost Passover.)

“What are we going to do?” Someone brings up, “This Man is performing many miracles.” (Yes, like raising the dead!)

“If we let Him go on like this … everyone will believe in Him … and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation!”

(Feel their panic and self-centeredness?)

Then the august high priest, Caiaphas, stands. “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one Man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”

(John inserts here in his Gospel that Caiaphas ‘did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.’)

This was the last prophecy from God for Israel.

So from that day on they made plans to put Jesus to death.

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John 11:54

After raising Lazarus, Jesus stayed the Sabbath with His friends, then on Sunday, He went eastward to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there He stayed with His disciples.

(NOTE: This town is probably Ephron, located 4 miles northeast of Bethel and about 12 miles from Jerusalem.)

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John 11:55-57.

And so Passover approached. Many people were flooding Jerusalem the week before to be “purified” for the sacred holiday.

They were looking for Jesus and asking one another, “What do you think? Will He come to the feast or not at all?” What if He does? What if He doesn’t?

The chief priests and Pharisees had given strict orders that if anyone knew where Jesus was, he should let them know, that they might arrest Him.

The mood was tense; people were watchful and jittery, guards were extra observant, and the religious leaders sat on pins and needles. Would Jesus try something spectacular? Would Roman soldiers flood their streets and take control?

(They were definitely NOT thinking of the meaning of Passover, and how God saved their ancestors from the death angel with a sacrificial lamb, whose blood stained their doors, allowing them to escape bitter slavery to an evil tyrant. )

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2 Corinthians 5:21

"For our sake 
He made Him to be sin 
who knew no sin, 
so that in Him, we might become 
the righteiousness of God."

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/2) John 6:41-71

Jul2

Read and believe in Jesus

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…” John

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus tells the crowd seeking a miracle sign from Him before they “believe” in Him … that He is the true “bread from heaven,” who gives life to the world. “I AM the bread of life,” Jesus said. “Whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst,” But it all seems to go over their heads (or rather their stomachs). (This was the first of seven “I AM” statements that John presents about Jesus in his gospel.)

John 6:41-51.

At some point, this conversation/teaching moved into the synagogue at Capernaum. Jesus continued as teacher, but these Jews, who moments before were wanting to make Jesus their king so He could give them free bread every day, now grumble about His claims to be “spiritual bread” sent down from heaven. “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does He say now that He has come down from heaven?”

Jesus clarifies one thing. It’s not their wisdom and understanding that will draw them to faith in Him. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” Jesus then paraphrases Isaiah 54:13 and tells them that they must be “taught the truth by God” and, with that learning, they can be drawn by God. By themselves (and ourselves), they could never come to and believe in Jesus on their own. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever BELIEVES (the word that God has given about Jesus) has eternal life.

“I AM the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. THIS is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and NOT die. I am the LIVING bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of THIS bread, he will LIVE FOREVER.”

And then that statement that began their distancing from Him. “The bread that I will give for the life of the world is … my flesh.”

(Of course we know the rest of the story. Jesus DID give His life, His “flesh,” for the world, so that “whosoever believed in Him might not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) His life for theirs.

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John 6:52-59.

But the selfish, glory-seeking Jews in the audience took the wrong meaning. “How can this man give us his FLESH to eat?” (Among other obvious reasons, this would have been super UN-kosher.)

Jesus doesn’t coddle them. He trusts His Father to give understanding and belief to those He wants to draw toward faith. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man … and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (Imagine their faces, aghast and cringing, as He continues.) “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood HAS eternal life, and I will raise Him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood ABIDES in me, and I in him.”

The crowd, as one, has leaned or retreated back from Jesus, imagining the gruesome “physical” picture He was painting. (Yes, there were a few who were getting the Spiritual” meaning, as we’ll see in a minute.)

Jesus concludes his Sabbath sermon with this summary. “THIS is the bread that came down from heaven, NOT like the ‘bread’ the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

To us, this is a message of hope, but to these Jews, understanding evaded them, and they did not receive His teaching.

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John 6:60-65.

Many of the crowds of Jesus’ followers now had second thoughts. This was not the great and grand Messiah who would lead Israel to victory against the Romans. This man spoke almost like a crazy man. His teaching was “hard,” and they took offense. MANY turned back and no longer followed Him.

“Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?

And then this truth for all who are ever drawn to Jesus and saved: “It is the SPIRIT who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and LIFE.”

And again, “This is why I told you that NO ONE can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

John 6:66-71.

Jesus looked deeply at His twelve chosen disciples and said, “Do YOU want to go away as well?”

“LORD, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to KNOW that You are the Holy One of God,” said Simon Peter.

And yes, there was even one of the twelve who did not KNOW Jesus as the “Bread of LIFE.”

Reading the Gospels in 2026 (7/1) John 6:25-40

Jul1

Read and believe in Jesus

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” John 6:37.

The Gospel according to John

REVIEW – Jesus miraculously feeds 5000+ people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish from a boy’s lunch. All are filled, and there was enough leftover for the disciples to have their fill. The people wanted to make Jesus KING, so He would feed them for free every day. But He hides, sends the disciples back across the Sea, and after it’s dark, He walks to them (on the water). Another pair of miracles.

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John 6:25-29.

Jesus and the disciples had arrived back in Capernaum during the night via a miracle of Jesus. The crowds had waited around and, when they found Him gone, had boarded boats (or traipsed around) and arrived much later.

“Rabbi, when did you come here?‘” they asked Jesus in wonder. I think their real question might have been HOW did you come here? Jesus had walked on the water half way, got into the disciples’ boat, which was then miracously at the opposite shore. Wouldn’t that have shocked them!!

Jesus knew the reason for their anxious seeking Him. They still wanted to make Him king after that miraculous sign of multiplying the loaves and fish. But Jesus wanted them to “hunger” for Spiritual things, for Him.

“Don’t labor for the food that perishes, but rather for the food that endures to eternal life … which the Son of Man will give to you.” (What a promise!)

“What must we DO to be doing the works of God?” The people thought they were required to do some works to “earn” eternal life.

(OH, isn’t that what so many people think today. They HAVE to be good, not lie, cheat, steal, kill, and all the other commands, to be “good enough” to deserve eternal life. NOT SO! We can never be good enough. It is a gift of God that Jesus gives by His own sacrifice.)

“THIS is the work of God,” Jesus tells them. “that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

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John 6:30-34.

Believe in Jesus, the Son that God sent into the world to save the sinners whom He loved so much. Believe in that mercy and grace, and receive life everlasting. (John 3:16)

But the people are way off on another planet in their understanding. Jesus’ words of salvation go right over their heads. “Um…then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate manna in the wilderness (for 40 years!) Moses gave them ‘bread from heaven to eat.”

Had they completely forgotten how Jesus had just miraculously fed a crowd of 20,000 with one boy’s lunch???

(I would have given up on them and just walked away. But Jesus shows His love for His own people.)

“It wasn’t Moses who gave you Manna, but my Father in Heaven. My Father (now) gives you the TRUE bread from Heaven … the “Bread of God” is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jesus is speaking of Himself.

Then, much like the Samaritan woman who sought the water that would quench her thirst forever, these people misunderstood Jesus’ words. “Sir, give us THIS bread always.”

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John 6:35-36.

“I AM the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.“

Jesus could not make that much plainer. HE was the answer to their heart’s hunger and thirst. HE was sent down by the Father to fill them and satisfy them. And yet they do not believe.

(Earlier in John 1:10, the apostle says, “He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” Paul later explains that Israel was blinded or hardened temporarily concerning Jesus, as a mercy for the Gentiles to be included in salvation. Then the nation of Israel would believe. See Romans 11:25-31)

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John 6:37-40.

This section is full of wonderful promises. Read and meditate on them!

“All that the Father gives me WILL come to me…

“And whoever comes to me I will NEVER cast out.”

“I have come from heaven NOT to do my own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that I should lose NOTHING of all that He has given me.”

“For this is the will of my Father, that EVERYONE who looks on the Son and believes in Him, should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

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Amen! Thank You, Jesus!

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Reading the Gospels in 2026: (5/22) Luke 21:1-19.

May22

A 5-day per week study.

Read and believe in Jesus.

“…you will be brought before kings and governors for My name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.”  Luke 21:12b-13

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The Gospel according to Luke 

Review – While Jesus taught at the Temple, the Sadducees, Pharisees, and others tried to trick Him with their questions. But His answers stumped them, and when He asked THEM a question, they silently went away,

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Vss. 21:1-4.

At the end of chapter 20, Jesus warned the people to beware of the ways of the scribes (Pharisees), because, among other ridiculous things, they “..devour widows’ houses..” This was a practice in which pious religious leaders would visit newly widowed and vulnerable women and persuade them to give all their inherited possessions to the “religious community.” It would be a “donation to God,” and “what their husbands would have wanted.” This usually left the new widows bankrupt, and the temple coffers bulging. Jesus hated the practice of “devouring widows’ houses.”

Now, it seems that when Jesus lifted His eyes, there, in front of them, was just such a desperately poor widow. (Righteous anger for her must have burned in Him for what those scribes had done. But for the woman, herself, noting but love and tenderness and admiration.

As this widow dropped two tiny copper coins into the temple offering box (ALL that she had, says Mark 12:42), Jesus commended her. “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them (the rich). For they all contributed out of their ABUNDANCE, but she out of her POVERTY, put in all she had to live on.”

(This makes me feel convicted. When I drop 10% or even 20% into the offering box, I often feel so “righteous.” But I would be giving out of “my abundance.” LORD, help me to be generous (even till it hurts) with all You’ve given me!”)

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Vss. 21:5-6.

While Jesus continued to sit in the temple courtyard, watching the people with His disciples, He heard a comment about how beautiful the temple was and how it was adorned with noble stones and decorations (donations from the wealthy). And although this temple was not as grand as Solomon’s, Herod had done a pretty amazing job at renovating the old one. It was almost gaudy-beautiful.

Still, Jesus knew its future was less than 40 years….

“As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will ot be thrown down.”

Shocking words. It would be like someone saying this about the U.S. Capitol Building or the White House. Unimaginable. Still, the God of the universe knew everything from eternity past to eternity future, and Jesus spoke the truth.

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Vss. 21:7-19.

Horrified, the disciples and people around Jesus wanted to know WHEN this would happen and WHAT the warning signs of imminent destruction would be.

Jesus listed a few “signs of the times,” mingling the horrors of 40 A.D. and Titus’ destruction of Jerusalem, with the signs of the Great Tribulation, still future to us.

  1. Many would come, claiming to be the Messiah.
  2. They would hear of wars and tumults.
  3. Nations fighting nations would be common.
  4. Earthquakes would be everywhere.
  5. Famines and plagues (viruses) would come.
  6. Terrible signs in the sky would appear.
  7. Severe persecution would come.
  8. Family betrayals unto death would be common.
  9. Martyrdom.

Then Jesus says some amazing words that speak to a believer’s ETERNAL SECURITY even in the face of martyrdom.

“But not a hair of your head will PERISH. By your endurance, you will GAIN your lives.

John 10:28-29 makes this even clearer. “I (Jesus) give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

True believers are double-protected, in the hands of Christ underneath, and the hands of God Almighty above. Completely covered and protected FOR ETERNITY, though we may suffer loss and death in the horrific times to come (as many Jews did in 40 A.D.).

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(I use the 2010 MacArthur Study Bible, English Standard Version, for my studies.)

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/24) Luke 12:35-48

Apr24

A 5-day per week study.

April 24 – Reading Luke 12:35-48

Read and believe in Jesus.

“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”  Luke 12:40.

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The Gospel according to Luke

Review –

Jesus talked about anxiety, what we worry about, and told us to seek and store our “treasures” in Heaven, and not on earth in the material “things” of the here and now.

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Vss. 12:35-40.

From Jesus’ last admonition to “Sell your possessions, give to the needy, and provide yourselves with treasure in Heaven,” where He seems to tell them to free themselves from the pull of earthly possessions, He now urges His listeners toward further preparedness for Christ’s return.

“Stay dressed for action!”

“Keep your lamps burning!”

“Be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once!”

And… “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.”

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Vss. 12:41-48.

Peter, the spokesman for the disciples, asks a question that you and I are probably wondering too.

“Lord, are You telling this parable for us or for all?”

Good question, but Jesus does not answer it fully.  He sort of implies that these admonitions are for unbelievers, especially the ones to whom much had been given.

Jesus then compares three “managers” or chief servants of the Master.  (Those in leadership?)

  1. The faithful and wise one, whom the Master will find doing what He commanded before He left, will be rewarded plentifully.
  2. The lazy and cruel one who knew the Master’s will but did not do it. Instead, he beat the other servants and indulged in eating, drinking, and getting drunk. This one will be “rewarded” with a severe beating.
  3. And lastly, the servant who had not heard and did not know the Master’s will. He still deserved punishment, but received a light beating.

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(NOTE: Yes, the Bible teaches that there will be varying degrees of punishment in hell.  See Matthew 10:15, 11:22 & 24, Mark 6:11, and Hebrews 10:29)

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Jesus ended this teaching (perhaps peering into the faces of the people and Jewish leaders around Him) by saying,

“Everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrust much, they will demand the more.”

 

Reading the Gospels in 2026: (4/2) Luke 7:18-35

Apr2

A 5-day per week study.

April 2 – Reading Luke 7:18-35

Read and believe in Jesus.

“”  Luke

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The Gospel according to Luke 7:18-35

Review – A godly Centurion showed great faith, and Jesus healed his servant from afar with just a word. Then Jesus “saw” the widow in the middle of two huge crowds, came to her, and restored her dead son to her alive. The people feared, glorified God, and spread the news far and wide.

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Vss. 18-20.

John the Baptist is in Herod’s prison. His disciples come, bring food, and tell him of the news. They give John some of these wild reports about Jesus that have been circulating through Galilee and Judea. They tell him of His miracles and compassion for hurting people, and of His teachings about love … especially for their enemies.

From the beginning, John had preached a message of coming judgment (“The One is coming who will baptise you with fire!  The axe is laid to the roots of unfruitful trees! He will burn the chaff with unquenchable fire! Repent of your wicked ways!”).

 But, Jesus, whom John baptised, was not judging evil. Forgive and love your enemies?  Huh??

(Have you ever been confused about God, Jesus, and the Bible? Have you had questions that needed to be answered?  Did current struggles ever make you doubt?)

John sent a couple of his disciples to Jesus with this question, “Are You the One who is to come, or shall we look for another?”

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Vss. 21-23.

Jesus, instead of immediately answering John’s question with “Of course I am the One,” began a flurry of healings and casting out demons. Diseases were cured, plagues removed, and the blind were made to see.

Then Jesus tells John’s disciples this: “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.”

What was Jesus saying?

He was preaching the scriptures (that John knew so well) back to this questioning servant of God.  This was Isaiah 29:18-19, the Messianic passage that tells of the FIRST part of the Coming One’s ministry (the part before the verses about judgment).

This very passage in Isaiah was the one Jesus read in the synagogue at the beginning of His ministry, then sat down and said, “Today this is fulfilled in your sight.”

Jesus knew that John would recognise the passage and be reassured.  Judgment WAS coming, later, but first the message of Good News, confirmed by miracles.

(And when we are unsure, doubting, questioning, this is what WE should do.  Go to God’s word and ask Him to help us see more clearly.)

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Vss. 24-30.

After John’s disciples left with the visual and verbal message, Jesus turned to the crowd.

  • “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
  • What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in kings’ courts! 
  • What then did you go out to see? A prophet?  I tell you, and MORE than a prophet.”

Then Jesus quotes Malachi 3:1. “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.”

Then Jesus continues, “I tell you, among those born of women, none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

When the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God JUST, having been baptised with the baptism of John.

But the Pharisees and lawyers REJECTED “the purpose of God” for themselves, not having been baptised by him.

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Vss. 31-35.

Jesus looked at the self-righteous religious leaders and compared them to children sitting in the marketplace, taunting each other.

  • ‘We played the flute, and you didn’t dance.’
  • ‘We sang a dirge, and you did not weep.‘

Jesus uses strong language to rebuke the Pharisees. He’s suggesting they were behaving childishly, determined NOT to be pleased with any outcome.

  • John the Baptist came, eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say He has a demon.
  • The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!

“Wisdom is justified by all her children.” (True wisdom is vindicated by what it produces.)

The real problem with the Pharisees and scribes was the corruption of their own hearts, but they wouldn’t acknowledge that.