Archive for July 2025

1 Chronicles 26-28, Psalm 136, Luke 9:37-50, 1 Thessalonians 2:1-9 Luke 9:37-50: Jesus comes down from the mountain and is immediately met by needs. We go to the mountain not to stay there but to come down again and minister to human needs all around us. But that does not prevent the shock of returning to earth with…

1 Chronicles 23-25, Psalm 135, Luke 9:28-36, 1 Thessalonians 1 Luke 9:28-36: The transfiguration was one of the most extraordinary events yet to have occurred, and it prefigured and previewed the coming glory of Christ at the cross, in the resurrection, and in his return in glory. Peter was influenced by this vision throughout his life (2 Peter…

1 Chronicles 20-22, Psalm 133-134, Luke 9:18-27, Colossians 4:10-18 Luke 9:18-27: (Luke 9:18-20). Peter’s great confession. Peter certainly had his faults—we will read of his denial of Jesus a little later in this story. He was no paragon of virtue, perfect, or without the tendency to open mouth and insert foot. But Peter did, by God’s inspiration, see…

1 Chronicles 17-19, Psalm 132, Luke 9:1-17, Colossians 4:1-9 Luke 9:1-17: (Luke 9:1-6) Jesus’ instructions to the twelve are particular and specific because they are instructions to the apostles, previous to Jesus’ death and resurrection, for a specific mission. But nonetheless they hold important principles for our witness and mission today. They are not to go with so…

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” (Luke 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…

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 Luke 8:16-18, 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…