Exploring the Scriptures Together
Matthew 26:30-35, Mark 14:26-31, and Luke 22:31-38 With today’s readings about Jesus foretelling Peter’s denial, the Synoptic writers end the Last Supper. The next readings in these three Gospels have Jesus and the disciples at Gethsemane. John also covers Peter’s denial at the end of his chapter 13. I commented on that yesterday. Although the …
Continue reading “May 31 / Matt. 26:30-35, Mark 14:26-31, Luke 22:31-38”
John 13:18-38 In verse 33b Jesus says, “Where I am going you cannot come.” Then He says those two verses on “a new commandment” and “love one another”. But in verse 36 Peter comes right back to “Lord, where are you going?” One wonders if Peter even heard Jesus speaking of “a new commandment” and …
John 13:1-17 Archbishop Beach today (slightly edited): …self-help, self-image, self-actualization … self-denial! Abp. Beach’s words ring true with today’s reading. Jesus doesn’t talk about self-denial in washing His disciples’ feet, but He clearly demonstrates it! If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (v. …
Luke 22:1-30 I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you… (v. 15) Yes, there is an ending to this verse that I left off: …before I suffer. But I did that intentionally; it struck me personally that Jesus also desires to eat this Passover meal with US, with each of us, at the …
Matthew 14:1-25 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me, one who is eating with Me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to Him one after another, “Is it I?” (vv. 18-19) I find it strange, but (surprisingly) altogether …
Matthew 26:1-29 In the second link below I wrote two years ago that we had almost two months to go through Jesus’ last day, from Thursday evening to Friday late afternoon. This year we are reading twice as much per day, but it will still be almost a full month from today until His resurrection. …
John 12:20-50 Yesterday’s three readings from the Synoptic Gospels and today’s reading from John all end at the end of a chapter. The next chapter in each of the four Gospels is Maundy Thursday, the Last Supper – with a couple of other incidents reported in Matthew and Mark before the actual Passover meal. So …
Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 13:32-37, and Luke 21:34-38 Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. … Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Mt. 25:34b, 41b) What a dramatic contrast in destinations Jesus has …
Continue reading “May 24 / Matt. 25:31-46, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:34-38”
Matthew 25:1-30 Matthew’s parable of servants receiving 5, 2, and 1 talent in today’s reading can be compared to Luke’s parable of ten servants receiving ten minas each (Luke 19:12-26). In Matthew the three servants are given talents of various levels; in Luke all ten are given the same level. In Matthew the 5-talent servant …
Matthew 24:36-51 The rapture: Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. (vv. 40-41) So here’s another argument for evangelism. If all your friends and all the people you hang out with are …