Tag Archive | #Read the Bible in 2024

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 317

Nov13

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 316

Nov12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“BARRABAS!!” they shouted.

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

“Let Him be crucified!” they shouted.

“Why? What evil has He done?”

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

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

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

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

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

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

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 315

Nov11

     Days 315—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

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

 Day 315 – John 14-17. (Jesus teaches, warns, and encourages the eleven, His high-priestly prayer)

John includes private and precious teaching by Jesus to His disciples before the horrors of arrest, trials, and the crucifixion. Read these chapters and ponder all that Jesus said and prayed.

John 14. Teachings and Q & A by the disciples.

The disciples don’t understand what is coming soon to Jesus and to them although Jesus has stated clearly that He is going to be tortured and killed. Nevertheless He speaks peace and hope to them. “Don’t be afraid. I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again and take you to myself, when I am.”

Thomas: “Lord, we do not know where you’re going, how can we know the way?”  “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me, and you have known my Father.”

Philip: “”Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough.” “Have I been so long with you and you still don’t know? Whoever has see me and seen the Father. The Father and I are one.”  “He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will manifest myself to him.”

Judas (not Iscariot): “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world?”  “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him and WE will come to him and make our home with him.”

Then Jesus teaches them about the “Helper,” the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send to them. “He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. I’m leaving you my peace. Don’t be afraid.”

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John 15. The vineyard example. Persecution. More about the Holy Spirit.

Jesus gives them a private parable. He compares Himself to a vine, the true vine. He tells them that His Father is the vinedresser/vineyard keeper.  He cuts off dead and unproductive branches, and prunes back the fruitful ones so they will bear more grapes.

Jesus tells them that they (and believers today) are branches. He urges them to stay connected (abide) in Him so they will bear a lot of fruit for the Master. (They can produce NO fruit unless connected to Him.) Jesus tells them that He chose them and appointed them to go and bear fruit, and that that fruit would be lasting forever.

“Abide in ME. Bear MUCH fruit. Prove to be my disciples! And so glorify my Father.”

Jesus tells them to also abide in His words and in His love. And their prayers will be answered. A way to abide in His love is by keeping his commandments (as He kept the Father’s.) He promises them abundant joy by abiding in Him, loving Him, and obeying Him.

Specifically, Jesus tells them to LOVE EACH OTHER as He has loved them — sacrificially, laying down their lives for each other.

Jesus then warns them that the world systems will HATE them as they hated Him and hated God.  They will persecute and kill the disciples, as they will do to Him….and without a cause. (Psalm 35:19m 69:4)

Again Jesus encourages them by telling them of their Helper, the Holy Spirit who will be sent by the Father. He is the Spirit of Truth and He will witness about Jesus through them, even in persecution.

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John 16. Reason for warning them, More on the Holy spirit and joy, more Q&A.

Jesus’ disciples WILL be persecuted. People will think they are doing God a service by killing them (Like Paul did. Acts 9:1-2.)

Jesus tells them He is going away, back to the Father who sent Him.  He knows they are sorrowful, but the truth is, it is to their advantage, because when He goes, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, will come to them.  The Spirit will convict the world about sin, righteousness and judgment.  He will guide them into all truth because He will speak only what He hears. He will tell them about things to come. He will glorify Jesus.

The disciples: “What is this that He says to us – a little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me; and because I am going to the father. What does He mean? We don’t know what He is talking about!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. You have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”   “I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to My Father.”

Disciples: “Ah, now you speak plainly and not using figurative speech.  Now we know. Now we believe.

“Do you now believe?

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John 17. Jesus prays to His Father for them (and us).

Jesus prays that He will glorify His Father in His “hour” to come. He says he has accomplished all that the Father told Him to do so far. And He prays that He will do it to the end.

He states that “And this is Eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

He prays for the disciples, that God would keep them in His name and make them become one. He prays God will keep them from the evil one and sanctify them in the truth, which is God’s word.

“O righteous Father, even though the world does not know You, I know You, and these know that You have sent Me. I made known to them Your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 314

Nov10

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 313

Nov9

     Day 313—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 313 – Matthew 26, Mark 14 (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

Today’s and tomorrow’s passages are similar.

Jesus states clearly to His disciples that “after two days, the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” (How plain can He say it?)

The chief priests and elders gather in Caiaphas’s palace and plot to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill Him.

Judas goes to them and asks what they will pay him to deliver Jesus to them.  They give him 30 pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas seeks an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Two disciples ask Jesus where He wants them to prepare the Passover. Jesus tells them to find a certain man in the city, one carrying a jar of water (an unusual sight because women usually carry water). They were to ask him where, and he would show them a large upper room furnished and ready.

At the meal, Jesus announces that one of them will betray Him. Eleven disciples exclaim, “Is it I, Lord?” Judas asks, “Is it I, Rabbi?” Jesus answers him, Yes, and dismisses him to do what he must.

Jesus then institutes the Lord’s Supper (Communion), relating the bread to His body and the wine to His blood. Both would be “given” to them at His crucifixion, where the forgiveness of sin would be purchased.  Hereafter, they were to eat and drink these in memorial to Him.

Then, after they had sung a hymn (probably Psalm 118), Jesus announced that they would ALL fall away that very night because of Him. He quotes Zechariah 13:7, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”  But He tells them AGAIN that He will be raised and that afterward, He will go before them to Galilee.

“Even though they all fall away, I WILL NOT,” declares Peter.

“Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”

“If I must die with You, I WILL NOT DENY YOU,” repeats Peter, and they all join the pledge.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

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And they went out to the Mount of Olives to a place called Gethsemane….

More tomorrow.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 312

Nov8

     Day 312—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 312 – Matthew 25 (Kingdom parables, final judgment)

Jesus continues to tell His listeners about the end times using parables. First is the Parable of the Ten Virgins. 

All ten went to wait for the bridegroom to arrive at the bride’s house for the wedding. They were to be the welcoming committee. There was a delay, but at midnight, the call came that He was approaching. All the lamps had gone out while the virgins were sleeping, but FIVE were able to relight theirs and go to meet the bridegroom because they had brought extra oil. They knew the wait could be a long one.

But the other five had not brought extra oil, could not relight their lamps, and could not go to meet Him.  They tried to buy some from the others, but the wise ones had none to spare.  The bridegroom came, the wise five went into the banquet hall with him, and the door was shut. The foolish five pounded on the door and begged to be let in, but the groom’s father said he did not know them.  Yikes. Jesus warns his listeners to WATCH because they don’t know the time of His coming.

In this case, I don’t think the oil represented the Holy Spirit but rather readiness and preparedness.

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The second parable was the Parable of the Talents.  In this one, a man going on a long journey, entrusted his servants with his property.  To one servant He gave FIVE talents (a measure of weight, not a specific coin), to another He gave TWO talents, and to the other He gave ONE. (Not favoritism, but according to each’s ABILITY to handle money.)

The five talent guy traded in the markets and earned five more.  Likewise, the two talent guy doubled  his money. But the one talent guy – lazy, more than fearful – hid the one talent…incase he lost it in a bad stock option.

When the master returned, the five and two talents men were praised and rewarded. However, the one talent man was berated. AT THE VERY LEAST, he should have invested the sum and gained interest – probably not double, but some!  As a penalty, the master gave the one talent to the guy with five. The “worthless fellow” was cast into outer darkness where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The man’s own words condemned him.

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Then, Jesus gives a sheep/goats parable about the last judgment.  He compares all the world’s nations and peoples to sheep or goats.  The sheep are those with kind, love-filled hearts who minister to the poor, sick, and imprisoned with mercy and supplies in Christ’s name.  The goats represent those with hard, selfish hearts, who do not bother to give any help to the weak, sick, and needy.  (Let them go to the poorhouse, as Scrooge said.)

The loving sheep will be blessed with an eternal inheritance prepared for them by God from the foundation of the world.

The selfish, heartless goats will be cursed for an eternity, prepared for the devil and his angels.

(Wow. I need to examine my heart and confess my selfishness!!  And laziness. And unpreparedness.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 311

Nov7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 310

Nov6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 309

Nov5

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Did they even understand what He was saying?

Do we?

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 307 and 308

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     Days 307 and 308—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

NOTE:  Both Sunday and Monday studies are posted on MONDAY.

Day 307 – Mark 11, John 12. (triumphal entry cleanses the temple, about His death and the reason foretold)

Six days before Passover, when Jesus will be crucified, he visits His friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (whom He had raised). As usual, Martha was serving, Lazarus was reclining at the table with Jesus, and Mary – quite unusually – took a jar of expensive ointment and anointed Jesus’ feet, wiping the excess with her hair (a sublime gesture of love, and as Jesus says, a sign of his upcoming burial).  The fragrance from the perfume and her act of love “filled the house.”

All the disciples objected, but Judas spoke aloud. “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to…. the poor? (He didn’t care about the poor. He had charge of the moneybag and was a thief. He wanted to help himself to some of the hard cash the ointment would have brought.)

Jesus rebuked his words (and the other disciples’ thoughts). “Leave her alone so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.  You always have the poor (Judas!), but you do not always have me.”  (Later, we will see that Judas used this rebuke as a final excuse to go to the Jewish leaders and “sell” Jesus to them in betrayal.  He WOULD get some money one way or another!!)

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The next day, a large crowd heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. They took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him.  Meanwhile, Jesus sent two of His disciples into the village, where they found a donkey colt tied up (Matthew says the colt’s mother was there, too) They were to bring it to Jesus. If anyone questioned their actions, they were to simply say that the Lord needed it (and that it would be returned).

They brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it. Jesus mounted it and started into the city, where the waiting crowds cheered. They waved palm branches and threw them on the street so He could ride over them.

(NOTE: Remember, this young donkey had never been ridden before, and from one who has owned horses, I can tell you cloaks thrown over his back, wild cheering, and palm leaves waved and strewn in front of it would – typically – have caused him to “spook” and buck and try to run away out of fear.  But just as Jesus had calmed the wild, bucking waves and wind with a word, this young cold remained calm in its master and creator’s hands.)

Jesus’s actions were later recognized by His disciples as fulfillments of scripture, although at the time, they were probably caught up in the excitement and thought Jesus’ crowning day had come.

“Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father, David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel! Hosanna in the highest!” (Psalm 118:25-26)

(From Zechariah 9:9) “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.”

Meanwhile, the Pharisees simmered in their hatred and jealousy and said to one another. “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him.”  They went after Jesus, indignant, and asked Him if he HEARD what the people were saying.  “Yep, have you never read (a jab at the very ones who knew the law), ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies, You have prepared praise?'”

Jesus then, in righteous anger, cleans out the Temple of cheating moneychangers and animal merchants.  “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”  Seeing their profit disintegrate, the chief priests and scribes sought all the more to DESTROY Jesus, but they didn’t act for fear of the people.

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Jesus then gives some heavy-duty teaching about His upcoming death and its reason. “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” 

And then an astonishing incident. “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose, I have come to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!”  And a voice from heaven came, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”  The crowd heard thunder but not the words of the Father to the Son.

Jesus continued, “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.  (This indicated that He would be lifted up on a cross to die.)

“We heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever,” the crowds say. “How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who IS this Son of Man?”  And Jesus answers that He, as the light, will be among them only a little while longer. It’s time to WALK in that Light and BELIEVE in that Light that they too, might become sons of Light.

But the people did not believe in Him, although He had done so many signs before them. This also fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:1 and 6:1.   Interestingly, MANY of the authorities did believe in Him, but for fear of the Pharisees, they did not confess it.  (This puts in mind silent believer Nicodemus, who later openly sided with the Lord Jesus.)

Jesus then retires back to Bethany for the night.

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 Day 308 – Matthew 22, Mark 12. (Parables, paying taxes, questions answered)

Jesus returns to Jerusalem the next day and is continually confronted by religious leaders who try to trap him. He continues to teach in parables.  He compares the kingdom of heaven to a king who gives a wedding feast for his son. He sent out servants to call those who’d received invitations to come now, for the feast was ready. But, one after another, those invited guests came up with an excuse, sometimes even abusing the king’s servants. This angered the king, and he sent more servants to go to the main roads and invite as many as they could find to come to the prepared wedding feast. And so they did, bringing good and bad people alike and filling the wedding hall.  (First likely meaning – God’s chosen people were “invited” to come to their Messiah, but when they refused, God opened the doors to sinners and Gentiles.)

The second part of the wedding parable involved a man who had snuck into the feast without the proper wedding garment, which was given to everyone asked to come. This man was tossed out of the wedding feast “into outer darkness, where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Second likely meaning – only those whom God gives the robe of righteousness through faith in His Son – 2 Corinthians 5:21 – will be allowed into the kingdom of heaven. All others who try to sneak in by any other means will end up in hell.)

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Okay, that didn’t end well for the Pharisees, so they plotted to test Jesus in another way. They tried to schmooze him with 1. “we know you are true and teach the way of God truthfully,” and 2. “you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances…..”  Then, the clincher — “Tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  (They had tested Jesus before about paying the Temple Tax, and Jesus had sent Peter to get the coin from a fish’s mouth to pay it.)

Jesus now asked to see a Denarius coin.  “Whose image is on this?” He asked.  “Caesar’s,” they replied.  “Well, give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”   I think the Pharisees must have stomped their foot at that.  “Darn! Foiled again!” (As Christians, we are obligated to live lawful lives under the government over us, so far as it doesn’t defy God’s law.)

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Next, a group of Sadducees (who do NOT believe in the resurrection of a person after death) came to test Jesus. They tell him a “hypothetical” story of a woman married to one man. He dies without her giving him offspring.  According to Jewish tradition and Moses’ ok (so that a tribe’s or person’s inheritance in the land of Israel didn’t go out of existence), a brother would then marry the woman and the first son would carry on the first husband’s legacy. In this story, the Sadducees said the woman was married over and over without producing a child.  So…. they grinned slyly, “In the “resurrection,” whose husband would she be?”  (Ha-ha, we got Him now!)

Jesus looks straight at them and says, “You are wrong because you know neither 1. the Scriptures nor 2. the power of God. In the resurrection, they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven. (So the woman would be wife to NONE of them.)

Then Jesus confronted their unbelief about the resurrection (the power of God) by saying that God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  “Is,” not was. He is the God of the living.  Even the crowds understood that one and were amazed at his teaching. The Sadducees slunk away, disgruntled.

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One more test loomed, but this challenge seemed to be asked by a sincere Pharisee, who inquired of Jesus which of God’s laws was the “greatest.”  Jesus, of course, recited Deuteronomy 6:4.  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  THIS is the great and first commandment.” Then Jesus added a two-for-one answer that was not asked. “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these TWO commandments depend ALL the law and Prophets.”

“You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that He is the one, and there is no other besides Him. And to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. (Note, that the religious leaders would not say the Holy Name of God from Deuteronomy.)

Jesus saw this Scribe’s heart and said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Hopefully, this man took the final step and believed in Jesus.)

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Later, Jesus told his followers, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces, and have the best seats in the synagogues, and places of honor in the feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.  They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Then, Jesus looked across at the treasury, where people were putting money in the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums with a great show, but a poor widow came and slipped in two small copper coins, which together made up one penny.  “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.  THEY all contributed out of their abundance, but SHE, out of her poverty, has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

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In all this teaching in parables and testing, the chief priests and Pharisees “perceived that He was speaking about THEM.  And although they were seeking to arrest Jesus, they feared the crowds because the people held Him to be a prophet.”