Test: Luke 1:26-45 – As we read the story of Jesus’ birth we hear of the virgin Mary being visited by the angel and told she will give birth to the Savior. Mary visits Elizabeth, a woman previously barren, who is pregnant as well, and confesses her faith in the child that is in Mary’s […]
Text: Matthew 1:1-17 – As we move from the Old Testament to the New Testament, we look at the genealogy of Jesus, going all the way back to Abraham. What we find is that there are many names that stand that Matthew mentions, as we remember stories of the Old Testament. Names like “Father” Abraham, […]
Text: Habakkuk 1:1-13; 2:2-5; 3:1-2, 17-19 – The name Habakkuk means to “embrace.” The prophet Habakkuk has a conversation with God about the sin of the people and how God will deal with it. While Habakkuk does not expect the response God gives him, he embraces who God is even amidst God’s answer. As we […]
Text: Jonah 3:1-4:11 – The story of Jonah is one that we might all be familiar with. We often picture him being swallowed by a whale. But the part of the story that is more important is what happens after he’s no longer in the belly of the fish. The people of Nineveh repent, and […]
Text: Jonah 1:1-2:10 – The story of Jonah is one that we might all be familiar with. The prophet called by God to go to Ninevah runs away from God’s calling. In the end, he’s swallowed by a whale. Is it a whale? And while he’s in the belly of the “whale” he repents. Does […]
Text: Hosea 1:1-11, 3:1-5 – In the Old Testament, sometimes God’s messages to His prophets are clear. And sometimes they make us scratch our heads. So, when God tells Hosea to go marry an adulterous woman, we might find that odd. This adulterous woman, who also indulges in prostitution, ends up leaving Hosea. Hosea is […]
Text: Daniel 6:6b-23, 25-27; John 20:1-10; Mark 16:1-8 – What does Daniel and the lions’ den have to do with the empty tomb on Easter Sunday? So much! As we walk this two-year journey of reading through the Bible, we can see many parallels to the story of Daniel and Jesus, lions, Satan, and the […]
Text: Matthew 27:11-14, 24-26, 28-31, 38-44; Luke 23:34-45a; John 19:23-37 – On Good Friday, Jesus is beaten, mocked, scourged, abused, and ultimately crucified. As He looked on at all those who were responsible for Him being on the cross, He loved them. As Jesus hung on the cross, He loved us until the end. He […]
Text: John 13:1-17, Matthew 26:17-29 – On Maundy Thursday, as we celebrate Jesus washing the disciples’ feet and instituting His Supper, we see that Jesus “loved them to the end.” Judas who would betray Jesus, Peter who would deny Jesus three times, and all the other disciples who would flee in the Garden of Gethsemane… […]
Daniel 3:8-30 – As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego remained faithful to God, ready to face death, they were cast in the fiery furnace, only to go unharmed, while a mysterious fourth person (Jesus?) appeared with them. King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges that their God is the only one who can rescue them like that. As Jesus heads into […]