John 10:22-42 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” I am amazed (and pleased) at how much better I understand our Gospel readings now that we have been working through them for 7+ months! This is especially true of the issue of Jesus being the Messiah. Carol’s guidance on that …
Monthly Archives: August 2019
August 11 / Matt. 20:1-16
Matthew 20:1-16 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” The “Laborers in the Vineyard” has always been a parable at which I have bristled, not unlike the early-morning laborers. Truly, however, I do get it. It’s about the Kingdom of Heaven (v. 1), not about life on earth. And those …
August 10 / Luke 18:18-30
Luke 18:18-30 “Notice what you notice.” Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved? ”But He said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” (v. 26-27) Although I have pondered these words for the last hour, I don’t have any great thoughts today. But these verses struck me because I know …
August 9 / Mark 10:17-31
Mark 10:17-31 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” A couple of items different in Mark’s version of the “Rich Young Ruler” than in Matthew’s. First off, the young man ran to Jesus and knelt before Him. Matthew’s account had someone simply asking the question. Running and kneeling seems odd …
August 8 / Matt.19:16-30
Matthew 19:16-30 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete (or “perfect”), go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, …
August 7 / Luke 18:15-17
Luke 18:15-17 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” …whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. (v. 17) Debbie commented on Matthew’s version of this passage two days ago and said it about as well as could be said: “I am trying …
August 6 / Mark 10:1-16
Mark 10:1-16 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” So yesterday I was cutting the Pharisees some slack, imagining that their “testing” of Jesus was consistent with their need to eliminate false messiahs. Today my Study Bible suggests otherwise, that this particular testing was meant to be hurtful. Verse 1 …
August 5 / Matt. 19:1-15
Matthew 19:1-15 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” Some time ago Carol shared what she had learned about the Pharisees “testing” Jesus just the same as they would test anyone who claimed to be the Messiah. In so doing, they were trying to weed out the false messiahs. So …
August 4 / Luke 18:1-14
Luke 18:1-14 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (v. 8b) I’m sure that throughout history people have quoted this verse and added their own comments reflecting how little faith Jesus would find in their time if …
August 3 / Luke 17:20-37
Luke 17:20-37 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” The “Kingdom of God” and the “days of the Son of Man”… Two concepts, quite distinct in time and place. Jesus told the Pharisees that the “Kingdom of God” was within their midst. He may have meant Himself, that he represented …