May 25 / John 12:20-50

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 …

May 24 / Matt. 25:31-46, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:34-38

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 …

May 23 / Matt. 25:1-30

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 …

May 21 / Luke 21:5-33

Luke 21:5-33 It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. So make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves; for I will provide you eloquence and wisdom which none of your adversaries will be able to oppose or refute. (vv. 13-15) The previous verse refers to Jesus’ disciples being brought before …

May 20 / Mark 13:1-31

Mark 13:1-31 My Study Bible noted some very direct warnings by Jesus to His disciples: See to it…; But be on your guard…; But take heed…; Watch out, stay alert…; Therefore, stay alert…; …be on the alert!” (NASB, vv. 5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37, all respectively) The ESV has “Stay awake…” instead of “Stay …

May 19 / Matt. 24:15-35

Matthew 24:15-35 Today’s reading is divided into two parts. For each part we can see Jesus answering the questions the disciples asked in verse 3 from yesterday. For verses 15-28 Jesus is answering the question, “…when will these things be?”, where “these things” are likely referring to Jesus’ comment in verse one about the Temple, …

May 18 / Matt. 24:1-14

I expressed frustration yesterday about the inequality of vaccination distributions worldwide. Then a number of news agencies reported yesterday that President Biden is committing another 20 million doses above the 60 million that had already been committed – that the USA would become an “arsenal of vaccines” for the world. So that’s good, but still …