September 21 / Matt. 23:1-12

Matthew 23:1-12 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” Jesus says in verses two and three that the scribes and Pharisees have the proper authority to speak to the people, but that they do not act on what they preach. That is, He tells His followers to listen to their …

September 20 / Luke 20:41-44

Luke 20:41-44 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” Matthew and Mark place today’s reading right after the scribe questioning Jesus about the “great commandment”. Luke, however, places these verses after the Sadducees’ questioning Jesus about the resurrection of the dead. Even with different preceding verses, both Mark and Luke …

September 19 / Mark 12:28-37

Mark 12:28-37 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” We noted yesterday (and Mark has it today) that Jesus was quoting Psalm 110:1, “The Lord said to my Lord…” (v. 36). I went back in my Study Bible to look at the notes for Psalm 110. These notes said that …

September 18 / Matt. 22:34-46

Matthew 22:34-46 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” I have always had trouble understanding this quotation in verse 44: The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I put Your enemies under Your feet”. (I have added the caps for further clarification.) Here Jesus is …

September 17 / Luke 20:27-40

Luke 20:27-40 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” When all three Synoptic gospels report on the same event, it is often difficult to find something to say on days two or three. Thankfully, Luke tends to be the most different of the three writers, so it’s easier to find …

September 16 / Mark 12:18-27

Mark 12:18-27 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the …

September 15 / Matt. 22:23-33

Matthew 22:23-33 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. Sorry for the late post – it’s been a family weekend and I wanted to devote my time to them. “Notice what you notice.” Jesus and the Sadducees… For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in …

September 14 / Luke 20:20-26

Luke 20:20-26 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” Luke is more straightforward than Matthew and Mark as to the dilemma in which the Jewish leaders were trying to trap Jesus: So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something …

September 13 / Mark 12:13-17

Mark 12:13-17 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” There’s not a whole lot different in the three Synoptics’ accounts of “Paying Tribute to Caesar”. One item of note, however, is who meets Jesus with this tribute question. Matthew reports that the Pharisees sent some of their disciples and the …

September 12 / Matt. 22:15-22

Matthew 22:15-22 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. His surgery is today…! “Notice what you notice.” Paying taxes to Caesar… The Pharisees have been watching Jesus closely, trying to trip Him up and find ways to accuse Him so the people might turn against Him. Having failed at every attempt, they now enlist …