November 1 & 2
Acts 1-4
With Acts, we return to our favorite researcher, Dr. Luke! Acts appears to be Book 2 in his two-volume work, Luke-Acts! Both the gospel and the history of the early church are written either to a man named Theophilus or to the general reader, whom Luke kindly refers to as: “Lover of God,” which, of course, is what “Theophilus” means! The difference here in Acts is that, with this material, Luke is much closer to home! For some of it, he was an eye-witness!
Nevertheless, these first four chapters required some research on Luke’s part. How else would he have learned the details of Jesus’ ascension, the disciples’ waiting, and the great gift of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost? Where did Paul get the text of Peter’s sermon in Acts 2? From an interview with Peter, perhaps, or with others who were there! For the miracle healing of the crippled beggar in Acts 3-4 and Peter’s powerful words to the gathered crowd and to the authorities, Luke could have interviewed John or Peter. Both of them were there.
But the point is: as we read, we must make the attempt to enter into the text and make the Bible account come alive!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Friday, October 31, 2014
OCTOBER 31, 2014
October 31, 2014
John 18-21
The arrangers of our Bible Read-thru have times the end of the Gospels with the end of October. John’s final four chapters are not unlike his entire gospel: filled with material we didn’t hear from the others. Nevertheless, the picture we see of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection is NOT inconsistent with Matthew, Mark and Luke.
It’s only John that recounts how the arresting mob fell to the ground when Jesus identified himself, “I am he.” (Another great “I AM!”) Only John tells us the name of Peter’s ear-cutting victim: Malchus. Only John gives us the extended version of Jesus conversations with Pilate. Only John tells us specifically that Jesus “carried his own cross” for a while. Only John tells us of Pilate’s odd refusal to change the sign over Jesus’ head. Only John describes his tender conversation with John and his mother from the cross. Only John records his thirst and the statement, “It is finished.” Only John tells us that Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathea in Jesus burial.
When it comes to the resurrection, it is a bit difficult to reconcile the four accounts of what precisely happened and who was there, but they all agree on the most important details. Only John, however, tells us of Jesus self-revealing conversation with Mary Magdalene in the garden near the tomb. Only John relates Thomas absence from the secured room on Easter evening and his encounter with Jesus the next week. And finally, only John tells us of the Jesus resurrection appearance to seven of the disciples along the shores of Galilee. There Jesus reinstated Peter in the most creative and powerful way.
Like Peter, we can hear Jesus ask us: “Do you love me more than these?” As we say, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” he quickly adds, “Then feed my sheep!”
Tomorrow is All Saints Day (and today is All Hallow’s Eve!), the day we celebrate the lives of Jesus’ sheep!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
John 18-21
The arrangers of our Bible Read-thru have times the end of the Gospels with the end of October. John’s final four chapters are not unlike his entire gospel: filled with material we didn’t hear from the others. Nevertheless, the picture we see of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection is NOT inconsistent with Matthew, Mark and Luke.
It’s only John that recounts how the arresting mob fell to the ground when Jesus identified himself, “I am he.” (Another great “I AM!”) Only John tells us the name of Peter’s ear-cutting victim: Malchus. Only John gives us the extended version of Jesus conversations with Pilate. Only John tells us specifically that Jesus “carried his own cross” for a while. Only John tells us of Pilate’s odd refusal to change the sign over Jesus’ head. Only John describes his tender conversation with John and his mother from the cross. Only John records his thirst and the statement, “It is finished.” Only John tells us that Nicodemus assisted Joseph of Arimathea in Jesus burial.
When it comes to the resurrection, it is a bit difficult to reconcile the four accounts of what precisely happened and who was there, but they all agree on the most important details. Only John, however, tells us of Jesus self-revealing conversation with Mary Magdalene in the garden near the tomb. Only John relates Thomas absence from the secured room on Easter evening and his encounter with Jesus the next week. And finally, only John tells us of the Jesus resurrection appearance to seven of the disciples along the shores of Galilee. There Jesus reinstated Peter in the most creative and powerful way.
Like Peter, we can hear Jesus ask us: “Do you love me more than these?” As we say, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you,” he quickly adds, “Then feed my sheep!”
Tomorrow is All Saints Day (and today is All Hallow’s Eve!), the day we celebrate the lives of Jesus’ sheep!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Thursday, October 30, 2014
OCTOBER 30 JOHN 13-17
October 30, 2014
John 13-17
This is a big chunk of material, but it makes sense to read these five chapters in one sitting. Why? Because they give us the most detailed description of Jesus’ teaching on one particular night: Maundy Thursday. He does not, however, mention the institution of the Lord’s Supper, but this was well documented in the other gospels. What he does describe unveils the fullness of God’s love for us (13:1).
First, he gives them an object lesson, involving water, a basin, a towel and the disciples’ feet. Jesus performs a common servant’s task for each of them, including the reluctant Peter, to show them how they must serve one another. After identifying his betrayer and his denier, he reveals his “new” command: Love one another (13:34).
Then John records an extensive account of Jesus’ follow up teaching that evening, some of which was taught in the upper room, the rest of which may have been shared “along the way” to the garden of Gethsemane. Note, “Come now, let us leave,” at the end of chapter 14.
The major themes of this eleventh hour teaching include the promise of Jesus’ eternal presence with them, first through the Holy Spirit (Whom John names: the Comforter or Counselor, reflecting the Greek word: Paraclete—One called alongside us!), and finally through the “place” that Jesus will prepare for them (and us). Jesus speaks extensively about the marriage of love and obedience, how the two go hand in hand. He warns them of persecution, promises not to leave them as orphans and to give them ultimate joy.
These five chapters conclude with Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer.” In this great intercession, Jesus prays to the Father for himself, for the disciples, and finally, for all who will believe in His Name. These words, at the end of the prayer allow us to hear all of Jesus’ Maundy Thursday words as though he were speaking to us, as well as to the Twelve. His specific prayer for us, however, is that we might be one, even as He is One with the Father.
What if you read these five chapters one more time, as if you were there to receive Jesus’ words for yourself?
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
John 13-17
This is a big chunk of material, but it makes sense to read these five chapters in one sitting. Why? Because they give us the most detailed description of Jesus’ teaching on one particular night: Maundy Thursday. He does not, however, mention the institution of the Lord’s Supper, but this was well documented in the other gospels. What he does describe unveils the fullness of God’s love for us (13:1).
First, he gives them an object lesson, involving water, a basin, a towel and the disciples’ feet. Jesus performs a common servant’s task for each of them, including the reluctant Peter, to show them how they must serve one another. After identifying his betrayer and his denier, he reveals his “new” command: Love one another (13:34).
Then John records an extensive account of Jesus’ follow up teaching that evening, some of which was taught in the upper room, the rest of which may have been shared “along the way” to the garden of Gethsemane. Note, “Come now, let us leave,” at the end of chapter 14.
The major themes of this eleventh hour teaching include the promise of Jesus’ eternal presence with them, first through the Holy Spirit (Whom John names: the Comforter or Counselor, reflecting the Greek word: Paraclete—One called alongside us!), and finally through the “place” that Jesus will prepare for them (and us). Jesus speaks extensively about the marriage of love and obedience, how the two go hand in hand. He warns them of persecution, promises not to leave them as orphans and to give them ultimate joy.
These five chapters conclude with Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer.” In this great intercession, Jesus prays to the Father for himself, for the disciples, and finally, for all who will believe in His Name. These words, at the end of the prayer allow us to hear all of Jesus’ Maundy Thursday words as though he were speaking to us, as well as to the Twelve. His specific prayer for us, however, is that we might be one, even as He is One with the Father.
What if you read these five chapters one more time, as if you were there to receive Jesus’ words for yourself?
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
OCTOBER 29 JOHN 9 - 12
October 29, 2014
John 9-12
I have a half-written musical somewhere in my files based on the John 9: the story of the Man Born Blind. I started and never finished it. Someday, I’d like to get it done and present it. I imagine the drama of a man receiving such a miraculous healing, then being threatened, questioned by the authorities and eventually kicked out of the synagogue. As awesome as his healing was, it is even more awesome when Jesus finds the young man and asks if he believes in the Son of Man (a code phrase for Messiah). The young man says, “Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him!” Jesus responds like this: “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking to you!” Isn’t that wonderful?
In chapter 10, Jesus speaks to his disciples in the mode of a Good Shepherd caring for his sheep. We find two more “I am’s” here: “I am the gate (or door) for the sheep” and “I am the good shepherd.” By the end of the chapter, the Jews are trying to kill Jesus, once again.
John 11, found nowhere else in the gospels, is the account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. During the course of this story, Jesus says very clearly to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. He, who believes in me, though he dies, yet will he live.” (v. 25). One might wonder why Jesus weeps at Lazarus’ tomb; surely he knows what he is about to do. But let’s not forget that we weep, too, even though we know our loved ones live with Christ. Jesus was entering into our grief. This miracle only worsens Jesus’ rift with the Jewish leaders.
John 12 introduces us to the week of the passion. Jesus is anointed by a grateful Mary, Lazarus’ sister, then rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (John is the only gospel writer to mention “palms”), and then Jesus is introduced to some Greeks! This flips a switch in our Savior. He says, “The hour has come...”, meaning, the hour of his suffering. It’s almost as though, the Gentiles’ interest in him was a sign: It’s time to give my life as a ransom for many!
Tomorrow, we enter Jesus’ final 24 hours.
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
John 9-12
I have a half-written musical somewhere in my files based on the John 9: the story of the Man Born Blind. I started and never finished it. Someday, I’d like to get it done and present it. I imagine the drama of a man receiving such a miraculous healing, then being threatened, questioned by the authorities and eventually kicked out of the synagogue. As awesome as his healing was, it is even more awesome when Jesus finds the young man and asks if he believes in the Son of Man (a code phrase for Messiah). The young man says, “Who is he, sir? Tell me so that I may believe in him!” Jesus responds like this: “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking to you!” Isn’t that wonderful?
In chapter 10, Jesus speaks to his disciples in the mode of a Good Shepherd caring for his sheep. We find two more “I am’s” here: “I am the gate (or door) for the sheep” and “I am the good shepherd.” By the end of the chapter, the Jews are trying to kill Jesus, once again.
John 11, found nowhere else in the gospels, is the account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead. During the course of this story, Jesus says very clearly to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. He, who believes in me, though he dies, yet will he live.” (v. 25). One might wonder why Jesus weeps at Lazarus’ tomb; surely he knows what he is about to do. But let’s not forget that we weep, too, even though we know our loved ones live with Christ. Jesus was entering into our grief. This miracle only worsens Jesus’ rift with the Jewish leaders.
John 12 introduces us to the week of the passion. Jesus is anointed by a grateful Mary, Lazarus’ sister, then rides into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (John is the only gospel writer to mention “palms”), and then Jesus is introduced to some Greeks! This flips a switch in our Savior. He says, “The hour has come...”, meaning, the hour of his suffering. It’s almost as though, the Gentiles’ interest in him was a sign: It’s time to give my life as a ransom for many!
Tomorrow, we enter Jesus’ final 24 hours.
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
OCTOBER 28 JOHN 6-8
October 28, 2014
John 6-8
The powerful testimony to the authority and identity of Jesus Christ of these three chapters for today is nearly unmatched in the Bible.
In John 6, Jesus first feeds the 5000 (more like 12,000—for they had only counted the men!), then walks on water, then announces to the crowd that had followed them, in so many words, “You want more bread? I am the bread of life (v. 35).
In John 7, Jesus’ brothers needle him to go up to feast, but Jesus says, “Not yet.” Have way through the seven day Feast of Booths, he shows up. On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink!” (v. 37).
In John 8, Jesus shows divine wisdom in the handling of the “woman caught in the act of adultery.” He declares: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (v. 12). The Pharisees bristle at this, and enter into a chapter long argument that ends in their attempt to stone Jesus then and there. What begins with Jesus saying, “I am the light of the world,” ends with Jesus saying, “Before Abraham was, I am” (v. 58). What does Jesus mean?
GREEK GRAMMAR LESSON: In many of the ancient languages, pronouns are not necessary, because they are built-in to the verb. Maybe you remember Julius Caesar’s famous Latin phrase: “Veni, Vidi, Vici; I came, I saw, I conquered.” Caesar didn’t need the pronouns. The same would have been true for Jesus. He didn’t need the pronoun, “I” for any of his “I am” statements. Nevertheless, every time, he uses it. Why? For emphasis! When Jesus said “I am...” he was identifying himself as the LORD, Yahweh, who told Moses at the burning bush, “I AM WHO I AM.”
Jesus is our all in all!
Your fellow traveler through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
Monday, October 27, 2014
OCTOBER 27 JOHN 3-5
October 27, 2014
John 3-5
As you read through John, remember that he is not worried about chronology. Rather, he is piling up testimony after testimony to the truth of Who Jesus is! You can see this if you begin today’s reading at the end. Read John 5:30-47 for a picture of what John is doing. Some of the “witnesses to Jesus” include: Jesus own words, John the Baptist’s words, Jesus’ “works” (which could include his teaching, his miracles and his loving acts!), the Father’s words, and, finally, the words of the Scriptures (especially those of Moses).
Now, as you return to John 3, we read Jesus’ words of witness to Nicodemus concerning himself, including a reference to the bronze snake God told Moses to put on a stick for those who had been poisoned to look to for healing. Jesus is saying that Moses’ healing snake is a picture of himself!
Then John the gospel writer records more words from John the Baptist concerning Jesus. “He [Jesus] must increase!”
In John 4 we hear Jesus’ incredible self-revelation to the Samaritan woman at the well. When she says, “I know that Messiah is coming...”, Jesus says, “I who speak to you am he.” She, in turn, tells the whole town!
At the end of John 4, we read of a “second sign,” the healing of an official’s son. Even Jesus’ works bear witness to who he is!
John 5 begins with yet another sign, the healing of a man who had been an invalid for 38 years.
Then, in John 5:19-29, Jesus says more about himself: “The Son gives life to whom he wills!”
This brings us back to the end of John 5, where Jesus lists out all the witnesses concerning Who He is!
Your fellow pilgrim through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
John 3-5
As you read through John, remember that he is not worried about chronology. Rather, he is piling up testimony after testimony to the truth of Who Jesus is! You can see this if you begin today’s reading at the end. Read John 5:30-47 for a picture of what John is doing. Some of the “witnesses to Jesus” include: Jesus own words, John the Baptist’s words, Jesus’ “works” (which could include his teaching, his miracles and his loving acts!), the Father’s words, and, finally, the words of the Scriptures (especially those of Moses).
Now, as you return to John 3, we read Jesus’ words of witness to Nicodemus concerning himself, including a reference to the bronze snake God told Moses to put on a stick for those who had been poisoned to look to for healing. Jesus is saying that Moses’ healing snake is a picture of himself!
Then John the gospel writer records more words from John the Baptist concerning Jesus. “He [Jesus] must increase!”
In John 4 we hear Jesus’ incredible self-revelation to the Samaritan woman at the well. When she says, “I know that Messiah is coming...”, Jesus says, “I who speak to you am he.” She, in turn, tells the whole town!
At the end of John 4, we read of a “second sign,” the healing of an official’s son. Even Jesus’ works bear witness to who he is!
John 5 begins with yet another sign, the healing of a man who had been an invalid for 38 years.
Then, in John 5:19-29, Jesus says more about himself: “The Son gives life to whom he wills!”
This brings us back to the end of John 5, where Jesus lists out all the witnesses concerning Who He is!
Your fellow pilgrim through the New Testament,
Pastor Gary
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