Archive for September 2021

In keeping with the Bible reading plan we are using, the last days of each month are designated as “free days.” September 26-30 then are intended to allow you to catch up on reading you may have missed or to study passages more in depth that intrigued you during the first 25 days of the…

Isaiah 65-66, Proverbs 31, Luke 24:45-53, Hebrews 13:9-25    Luke 24:45-53: The culmination of Luke’s first part of his two-part history of Christian origins (the second part being what we call Acts), centers on the events that will bridge the gap between the ministry of Christ and the ministry of the church in Christ’s power. First of all,…

Isaiah 62-64, Proverbs 30, Luke 24:36-44, Hebrews 13:1-8  Luke 24:28-35: Again, Jesus, though as we shall see, fully physical, yet apparently suddenly appears among them. Naturally enough they are frightened by what must have seemed to be an apparition, perhaps of a ghostly kind, and Jesus immediately assures them: “Peace to you!” The presence of Jesus is the…

Isaiah 59-61, Proverbs 29:15-27, Luke 24:28-35, Hebrews 12:14-39   Luke 24:28-35: It looks as if Jesus is planning to go on further on his journey, but the two disciples persuade him to stay because it is late. They sit down together for the evening meal, and Jesus—as was his habit—took the bread, blessed it, and gave it to…

Isaiah 56-58, Proverbs 29:1-14, Luke 24:13-27, Hebrews 12:1-13 Luke 24:13-27: What a conversation this must have been! On that famous road to Emmaus, two of the disciples are wondering and worrying about what all the events surrounding Jesus’ death could possibly mean. They had had such high hopes concerning him, and yet they had only thought he was…

Isaiah 54-55, Proverbs 28:15-28, Luke 24:1-12, Hebrews 11:32-40 Luke 24:1-12: The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the capstone and cornerstone of the Christian faith, and the very central point of the salvation history of the world. Luke tells this story, though, not with breathless poetry, but with a key, medical doctor, eye for detail and facts.…

Isaiah 51-53, Proverbs 28:1-14, Luke 23:50-56, Hebrews 11:17-31   Luke 23:50-56: Joseph of Arimathea, many fables have been told about him, but here is the truth. He was a member of the council that had condemned Jesus, but he himself had not consented to the condemnation. He was a “good and righteous man,” and he was “looking for…

Isaiah 49-50, Proverbs 27:15-27, Luke 23:44-49, Hebrews 11:1-16 Luke 23:44-49: It is as if the whole universe, all of creation, all of reality in existence, is in mourning—for it is. There is darkness, perhaps an eclipse, over the whole land for three hours. This somber portent of the event taking place is recorded for us to give a…

Isaiah 46-48, Proverbs 27:1-14, Luke 23:38-43, Hebrews 10:19-39 Luke 23:38-43:  The picture of Jesus hanging between two thieves is so shocking that on occasion we miss the meaning. Here is represented two possible responses to Jesus. The one thief mocks Jesus. “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” This thief lacks faith, and can only sneer—if…

Isaiah 44-45, Proverbs 26:17-28, Luke 23:32-37, Hebrews 10:1-18   Luke 23:32-37: The two other criminals who were crucified with him will play a famed role of significance in this drama, as we will find out tomorrow from verse 38 and onwards. This section, verses 32-37, is particularly filled with deliberate irony. But first, there are the most astonishing…