Archive for March 2023

Deuteronomy 33-34, Psalm 71, Matthew 28:11-20, Romans 16 Romans 16: This long list of greetings at the end of the Book of Romans can seem somewhat random and unimportant, and we wonder why it is recorded for us to read. But not only does it tell us that Paul (despite what his detractors have said down through the…

Deuteronomy 32, Psalm 70, Matthew 28:1-10, Romans 15:14-33 Romans 15:14-33: Part of this passage can feel at first glance simply like Paul describing his travel plans. But there is more to it than that. Here we can see in particular, First, why Paul is writing this letter to the Romans. In verses 15 and 16, he describes his…

Deuteronomy 29-31, Psalm 69:19-36, Matthew 27:57-66, Romans 15:1-13 Romans 15:1-13: Paul continues to give some principles of communal living—all of which are based on the gospel that he has explained in this letter, and the example of Christ himself. First, the strong should bear with the failings of the weak and not please ourselves. Of course, the question…

Deuteronomy 27-28, Psalm 69:1-18, Matthew 27:45-56, Romans 14 Romans 14: An important and much neglected category within the Christian community is that of “disputable matters.” Those who tend to be serious about the Bible and want to stand firmly on what it says can end up being serious about everything and inflexible about every matter. But Paul took…

Deuteronomy 22-26, Psalm 68, Matthew 27:27-44, Romans 13  Romans 13: How are Christians to relate to the world around them? What are the principles that should guide some of the complicated decisions that inevitably have to be made by Christians as they consider the right way to live in a society and culture that is predominantly non-Christian? Paul,…

Deuteronomy 18-21, Psalm 67, Matthew 27:11-26, Romans 12:9-21 Romans 12:9-21: The great principle of Christian life is summarized in one word: love. It is the golden rule. It is how the greatest commandment is summarized. Love for God. Love for neighbor. The greatest of all is love. But so often in church life, while we know this in…

Deuteronomy 13-17, Psalm 66, Matthew 27:1-10, Romans 12:1-8 Romans 12:1-8: When we ask ourselves how it is that we can follow God, we are really asking three interlocking questions: why should we obey God, what does God want us to obey, and then how do we obey God? In these very practical and important first eight verses of…

Deuteronomy 9-12, Psalm 65, Matthew 26:57-75, Romans 11:25-36 Romans 11:25-36: I’ve always enjoyed this part of Romans where Paul says that he doesn’t want us to be ignorant of this “mystery” and then proceeds to write words that have appeared more mysterious than maybe any others he ever wrote! Certainly, there are variations of opinions on what they…

Deuteronomy 6-8, Psalm 64, Matthew 26:36-56, Romans 11:1-24 Romans 11:1-24: Paul tells the story of Israel and its future salvation, making the point that those who are saved should in no way then be proud. Rather we should fear. For we stand by faith (11:20). What then should we learn from this part of Romans? First, that the…

Deuteronomy 4-5, Psalm 63, Matthew 26:17-35, Romans 10 Romans 10: What is our responsibility for those who are not saved? First, we are called to care. How hard is the heart of some of us that we can walk in the streets with the living dead—those who are not saved—and not think or feel anything about their plight?…