August 17 / John 11:45-57

John 11:45-57 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” Now he <Caiaphas> did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also …

August 16 / John 11:38-44

John 11:38-44 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” I’ve often wondered how tightly sealed these 1st-century tombs could have been. When Martha said in verse 39, Lord, by this time there will be a stench, for he has been dead four days, I wonder that there would not already …

August 15 / John 11:28-37

John 11:28-37 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” Yes, I regularly see things in our readings that I had not seen before, but a lot of those items seem too trivial to discuss. But one item stuck out this morning to me: “…secretly…”. When she had said this, she …

August 14 / John 11:17-27

John 11:17-27 Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty. “Notice what you notice.” I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. (vv. 25-26) I’m trying to understand these statements. The phrases, “though he …

August 12 / John 10:22-42

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 …

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, …