Archive for July 2021

1 Chronicles 15-16, Psalm 130-131, Luke 8:40-56, Colossians 3:15-25 Luke 8:40-56: More amazing miracles, and amazing compassion on the part of Jesus too. Jesus returns and the crowd welcomes him, for they have been waiting for him. How good it is to wait with eagerness to hear from Jesus. Let us get up each morning, open our Bibles,…

1 Chronicles 12-14, Psalm 129, Luke 8:26-39, Colossians 3:1-14 Luke 8:26-39: Jesus now goes to the Gerasenes, which is “opposite Galilee” (8:26). Jesus has not just gone on a sailing trip, but has arrived to deal with the demoniac. This man was being tortured and traumatized by demon possession. Note again that the New Testament does make a…

1 Chronicles 10-11, Psalm 128, Luke 8:16-25, Colossians 2:16-23 Luke 8:16-25: Three more moments that underline the power and importance of God’s Word. First, from verses 16-18 Jesus teaches in parabolic language about the importance of using God’s Word openly and boldly. You don’t light a lamp and then cover it up; in the same we are to…

1 Chronicles 7-9, Psalm 127, Luke 8:1-15, Colossians 2:8-15 Luke 8:1-15: Jesus continues to preach and evangelize the kingdom of God. The twelve disciples are with him as are Mary, Joanna and Susanna. Mary had had “seven demons” cast out of her—a surely dramatic conversion. Joanna was from a more reputable background, indeed of high influence, the wife…

1 Chronicles 5-6, Psalm 126, Luke 7:36-50, Colossians 2:1-7  Luke 7:36-50: In many ways one of the most important stories in the Bible for clarifying the nature of the gospel today is in front of us this morning. A “woman of the city” who is a “sinner”—almost certainly together intended as euphemisms for a prostitute—comes to Jesus while…

1 Chronicles 3-4, Psalm 125, Luke 7:18-35, Colossians 1:15-29 Luke 7:18-35: John asks his disciples to ask Jesus the question of the hour: are you “the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Whether John at this moment is facing some extra doubt, or whether instead he is looking for this issue to be…

1 Chronicles 1-2, Psalm 123-124, Luke 7:11-17, Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 7:11-17: Jesus’ astonishing miracles continue, this time raising a young man from the dead. Here in human flesh is the Lord of all glory, who is the resurrection and the life. Note that the “Lord saw” the widow (7:13). Jesus is not ignorant of our difficulties, does not…