Chronological Bible Blog

October 1st Chronological Bible Readings

John 5:1-47; Mark 2:23-28; Matthew 12:1-8; Luke 6:1-5; Mark 3:1-6; Matthew 12:9-14; Luke 6:6-11; Matthew 12:15-21
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

John: I'm not sure if you noticed this unique thing about Jesus' healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda today - the man did not seem to have faith in Jesus or know who Jesus was!  You'll recall with many of the healings we read about in the Gospels people yell out to Jesus for healing, or reach for Jesus' garment, and show some sort of faith or recognition of who Jesus truly is.  Well, here in John chapter 5 verse 6 Jesus asks this man at the pool: "Do you want to get well?"  And then in the following verses the man still doesn't realize who Jesus is and doesn't ask Jesus for healing, but instead frets about not getting into the waters of the pool where he thinks the waters will heal him.  Well, come verse 8 Jesus says, "Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk."  I find this whole scene awesome and a great example of God's grace!  Perhaps sometimes in our lives when we miss seeing what Jesus is doing, He will still often heal us or care for us!  Even sometimes (though I don't think always...) when we seem to looking for the other "waters" that we think will heal us.  Even sometimes when we don't ask Jesus for healing, he'll still do it for us.

Bible.org's commentary on our readings in John chapter 5 today titled "Jesus Heals the man at the Pool of Bethesda" is at this link.

I am intrigued by Jesus' words in John chapter 5 verse 30 today, particularly in light of the book of Judges that we recently read, which was a dark time in Israel's history - "But I do nothing without consulting the Father. I judge as I am told. And my judgment is absolutely just, because it is according to the will of God who sent me; it is not merely my own."  I love that Jesus says his judgment is absolutely just.  And I believe this is true - 1. that Jesus will judge us and that 2. his judgment is just.  I think this is both something to be celebrated - there is no one else I would want to judge me... - and I think this can be sobering - if his judgment is absolutely just, then it is obvious that we cannot "sneak" anything by Jesus.  Everything we have ever done or will do will be judged by Jesus.  I think ultimately it is very healthy to recognize this.  Maybe initially this realization will keep us from sinning because of some fear of judgment - but ideally this realization matures into a love for Jesus that encourages us not to sin because we would not want to disappoint Jesus whom we love with all that we are.  Do you believe that Jesus is your judge?  Do you believe that Jesus will judge you absolutely justly?

Bible.org's commentary on John chapter 5's readings today titled "Like Father, Like Son" is at this link.

Matthew: Today in Matthew chapter 12 we read about Jesus' teachings surrounding his healing on the Sabbath.  Note that in verse 14 the plots to kill Jesus begin: "Then the Pharisees called a meeting and discussed plans for killing Jesus." Why do you suppose these plots started at this point?  I don't think it was this one incident per se that began the plots in and of itself - but it was probably a culmination of Jesus' teaching, preaching, and healing ministries up to this point that started murmurs and discussions and finally led to plots.  I think Jesus' wisdom and power and popularity with the people were seen as a threat.  Do you suppose that Jesus' wisdom and power and popularity with the people are seen as a threat by some in our world today?

I read an interesting commentary on verses 11 & 12 today: "And he (Jesus) answered, "If you had one sheep, and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn't you get to work and pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep!" The commentary said that in this verse Jesus contrasts the worth of an animal with that of a human being.  I think for most of us, we would agree that a human life is more valuable than an animal life.  However - interestingly, not everyone in our world today feels that way.  I recently heard a radio talk show host ask a woman if she saw both her beloved dog and a stranger drowning in a lake and she could only save one of the two, who would she save.  And the woman basically said her dog - she hemmed and hawed about saying that straightforwardly, but basically she said her dog was her family...  And so the stranger - the human - would lose out in that situation.  What about you - if you could only save your beloved pet or a stranger (human) from drowning, who would you save?  Who would God save?  Do you think God places a higher value on human life than animal life?  (since we just read the creation narrative in Genesis, this should be a slam-dunk answer! :)

I love the Isaiah prophecy in today's readings, summarizing the quiet aspects of the ministry of Jesus!  Verse 21 makes me tear up to really meditate upon: "And his name will be the hope of all the world." How does this verse strike you?  Do you believe that Jesus' name is the hope of the world?  Is Jesus' name the hope of your own personal world?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 12 titled "The Lord of the Sabbath" is at this link.

YouTube - Today's readings remind me of the Laura Story song "Mighty to Save:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg5bn39Fl9M

Do you know our God who is Mighty to Save?  Click here to be Saved!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

September 30th Chronological Bible Readings

Luke 5:1-11; Mark 1:40-45; Matthew 8:1-4; Luke 5:12-16; Mark 2:1-12; Matthew 9:1-8; Luke 5:17-26; Mark 2:13-17; Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 5:27-32; Mark 2:18-22; Matthew 9:14-17; Luke 5:33-39
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESV Online.org ~

Luke: In Luke chapter 5 verses 10 & 11 we read - "From now on you'll be fishing for people!" And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus."  Can you imagine being called by Jesus like this?  If you were called by Jesus to stop your "work" that you are doing now and instead work to bring people closer to God, would you do so?  Can you imagine yourself today being like these disciples and leaving everything and following Jesus?

Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 5's readings today entitled "How to Hook a Fisherman" is at this link.

In Luke chapter 5 we read one of my favorite healings' of Jesus - where he heals the paralyzed man on the mat - in very large part because of the paralyzed man's friends who carry him to Jesus!  I love that his friends did this.  I pray if I was paralyzed I would have friends like these!  Check out verses 18 through 20 - "Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to push through the crowd to Jesus, but they couldn't reach him. So they went up to the roof, took off some tiles, and lowered the sick man down into the crowd, still on his mat, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven.""   I am fascinated by this - "seeing their faith" - I don't know if this is a quirk of the New Living Translation or if indeed Jesus literally saw the faith of the paralyzed man's friends.  My hunch is that he did.  And this makes me realize that sometimes when our faith is at a low point, maybe our friends can help carry us along and bring us closer to Jesus.  And maybe we should act like these friends for someone in our life who is "paralyzed" by something....  Is there someone in your life that you can help "carry the mat for" and in doing so bring them closer to Jesus?  Wow.  I pray I have friends like this - and I pray I can be a friend like this to others...

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Luke chapter 5 titled "Stretcher Carriers and Sermon Critics" is at this link.

Today in Luke chapter 5 verses 31 & 32 we read this teaching from Jesus: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” How does this verse speak to you? Are you healthy or sick? Are you righteous or a sinner? Do you need Jesus? Are you heeding his call to repentance? Do you believe that Jesus is the one true Doctor who can heal you for eternity?   Below is a painting of Jesus at the house of Levi by the Italian painter Paolo Veronese from the year 1573: (with of course the Pharisees looking on...)

Bible.org's commentary on Luke chapter 5's readings today titled "On Eating, Drinking, and Being Merry" is at this link.

Worship God: Luke chapter 5 reminds me of Steven Curtis Chapman's great song "For the Sake of the Call:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sb4RrF9VxI

Will you abandon it all for the sake of the call? Click here for the Call!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:10-11 NIV

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

September 29th Chronological Bible Readings

Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 4:12-17; Luke 3:23; John 4:46-54; Luke 4:16-30; Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37; Mark 1:29-34; Matthew 8:14-17; Luke 4:38-41; Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44; Matthew 4:23-25
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESV Online.org ~

Apologies, short post today... Back to a full post tomorrow!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

September 28th Chronological Bible Readings

John 3:1-4:45; Luke 3:19-20
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

John: Today in John chapter 3 we will read about Jesus’ interactions with Nicodemus, a member of the Pharisees. This is obviously a powerful chapter, as Jesus’ words in this chapter include the famous John 3:16. In verse 3 we will read this from Jesus – “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” And to this Nicodemus asks in verse 4 – “How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born?” What do these verses mean to you? Do you understand Jesus’ statement in verse 3? Do you understand Nicodemus’ confusion and why he asked the question like he did in verse 4? Jesus later goes on in chapter 3 to say that he is referring to being born again in “the Spirit.” It is not a physical rebirth Jesus is referring to in verse 3, but a Spiritual rebirth. I do think this is an appropriate time in our One Year Bible readings – the gospel of John and John chapter 3 in particular – for each of us to ask ourselves if we have been born again in the Spirit? If not, do you want to be born again in the Spirit? Will you pray today to God and Jesus for this Spiritual rebirth?

Bible.org's commentary on John chapter 3 titled "The Doctrine of Salvation" is at this link and commentary on "Jesus and Nicodemus" is at this link and at this link.

An image is below for verses 14 & 15 as Jesus says this to Nicodemus - "And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so I, the Son of Man, must be lifted up on a pole, so that everyone who believes in me will have eternal life."

Wow... I love John the Baptist's words about Jesus in John chapter 3 today!  Great stuff.  Please read these verses again and meditate upon them in your life today.  The verse that really stood out to me today was verse 30 when John said this about Jesus - "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." How very true and how very applicable to our lives today.  We must let Jesus become greater and greater in our lives, hearts, and actions, and our individualism / selfishness must become less and less.  How are you doing on this?  Are you allowing Jesus to become greater and greater in your life and are "you" becoming less and less? 

Bible.org's commentary on John chapter 3's readings today titled "John's Joy and his Disciples Jealousy" is at this link.

Wow.  The Jacob's Well story in John chapter 4 today is beautiful on so many levels.  I definitely recommend you check out Bible.org's commentary on this chapter at this link if you aren't familiar with all of the meanings of this story. 

I love Jesus's words in verse 34 - "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."  If this is true for Jesus - think this might be true for us too?  Do you believe that our nourishment comes from doing the will of God?

Worship God:  Our readings in John 3 today reminded me of MercyMe's song "All of Creation:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UADsz7ToO8w

Are you singing along with all of creation? Click here and sing forevermore!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

September 27th Chronological Bible Readings

Mark 1:12-13; Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-15; John 1:19-2:25
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~ // Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on ESVBible.org ~

Three days ago, we began the New Testament! I'll highlight each of the 4 Gospels overviews these first 4 days, with John today. One thing I’ll recommend to everyone, if you have a chance this next week, is to watch the movie “The Gospel of John”. Have you seen it? It is incredibly well done. It was released in theaters on a limited basis a few years ago, and I was fortunate enough to have caught it in the theater. It is a 3 hour movie that goes word-for-word through the Gospel of John, based on the Good News Bible translation. Or, perhaps you’ll want to read the Biblical text first and then watch the movie later. Either way. I definitely recommend this film. You can hopefully pick it up at a video rental store. A friend of mine was surprised to have found it at the local supermarket little video rental section recently.  And, actually, I have the first 10 minutes of the movie in the YouTube below today, and it looks like you can watch the entire movie now on YouTube. 

The Gospel of John
Author: John
Place: Ephesus
Date: A.D. 85-96
Content: The Gospel of John was written many years after Jesus’ death and resurrection by the apostle John so that those who read it might believe in Christ and thus have life through his name. John begins with a prologue unique to this Gospel where Jesus’ preexistent life with the Father is depicted to show that Jesus was not simply a great man, but God. Miracles of Jesus as well as many of Jesus’ teachings not found elsewhere are then described. A long section in John chapters 14 through 17 describes Jesus’ teaching to his apostles before his death. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, special place is given to Jesus’ appearance to his apostles.
Theme: The Gospel of John more than any other Gospel stresses the deity of Christ and provides us with an interpretation of his life. He is explained in figurative terms as light, truth, love, good shepherd, the door, the resurrection and the life, living water, true bread, and more. The beautiful material found in John chapters 14 through 17 shows the deep love of Jesus for the believer and the peace that comes from faith in Christ. (Above commentary is from “The One Year Bible Companion” pp. 22-23) Great commentary on John by Bob Deffinbaugh at bible.org is at this link: https://bible.org/page.php?page_id=2348 

John: I absolutely love John chapter 1 verse 29 - "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"  Do you believe Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world?

Verses 45 & 46 I find so truthful, along with Nathanael's reply being amusing - but mostly Nathanael's reply demonstrates how very humble of a background Jesus came from - "Philip went off to look for Nathanael and told him, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth." "Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from there?"  Are we ever like Nathanael - having preconceived notions about places or things or maybe even Jesus?  Can we leave our preconceived notions about things behind us and move forward in the spirit of truth, particularly when it comes to Jesus and who He is?

Bible.org's commentary on John chapter 1 titled "The Witness of John" is at this link and commentary titled "The First Disciples" is at this link.

John chapter 2 verse 11 is of note - "This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was Jesus' first display of his glory. And his disciples believed in him."  It is interesting that John refers to Jesus' miracles as "signs."  Signs seems to indicate the significance of Jesus' actions, rather than the marvel.  What do you think Jesus' miracles might have been "signs" of?  Below is "The Marriage of Cana" by the Florentine Italian painter Giusto de' Menabuoi from the year 1378, and this fresco is located in the baptistry of the Cathedral in Padua:

Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion has a very interesting commentary on John chapter 2 verse 14 - "In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; and he saw money changers behind their counters."  Tyndale answered the question of why there were merchants & money changers in the temple as follows:  "The temple tax had to be paid in local currency, so foreigners had to have their money changed.  But the moneychangers would often charge exorbitant exchange rates.  The people were also required to make sacrifices for sins.  Because of the long journey, many could not bring their own animals.  The price of sacrificial animals was much higher in the temple than elsewhere."  It is understandable why Jesus was upset with all of this.  Thank goodness we do not have this system still in place for us today - with moneychangers & merchants for tax & animal sacrifices...  thank you Jesus!  Below is a fresco of "The Money-Changers in the Temple" by the Italian artist Giotto from the year 1306:

Bible.org's commentary on John chapter 2 titled "The First Sign: Jesus Turns Water into Wine" is at this link and commentary titled "The Cleansing of the Temple" is at this link.

Matthew:Now - I think what happens just after Jesus' baptism in yesterday's readings is something each of us should take heed of - the devil comes in full force after Jesus.  I heard someone tell me just before I was baptized about 6 years ago that whenever we make a public declaration that we love God: the Father, Jesus the Son, & the Holy Spirit and that we want to follow Him, the devil and temptation very likely will appear.  The devil isn't happy when we are moving forward in our love of Jesus and loving others - and he wants to derail it.   And that's what we see here in Matthew chapter 4 - God: the Father, Jesus the Son, & the Holy Spirit have just declared "Game On!" with Jesus' public ministry via the baptism - and then who should show up coming after Jesus?  If the devil showed up to tempt Jesus, don't you think he might try to show up in our lives when we are starting something big in our faith walk?  Fortunately, Jesus gives us all the answers we need in chapter 4 to thwart the devil's attacks.

Chapter 4 verse 4 I believe is one of the most important verses for us to commit to memory in all of the Bible: "But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, `People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.'" (NLT).  Or, you might recognize this verse a bit better in NIV format: "Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”  This is such a powerful spiritual truth that Jesus is conveying - we will not live full and true lives if we live simply on bread alone.  We need spiritual nourishment - food - from every Word of God.  Where do we get this Word of God?  You got it - the Bible.  And note that Jesus says "every" word of God.  This means the whole Bible is spiritual food for us.  All of it.  Not just the parts we like the best.  :)  We can learn something and be nourished by even the long genealogies!  Seriously.   So - I want to applaud you for going through the One Year Bible - you will be getting nourishment from "every" Word of God this year!  Below is an oil painting by Juan De Flandes from 1504 - (he actually painted this piece for Queen Isabella of Spain's private altar at that time):

One other important point to make in Matthew 4:4 and the 2 other temptations in this chapter.  We see the devil tempting Jesus with things that may look enticing to Jesus or to us.  But they are lies.  And note - this is important - how Jesus fends off the devil's temptations and lies - by quoting Scripture!  Jesus knew Scripture (well, yes, technically He is Scripture...:) The point is this. I do believe that we need to do more than just read the Bible.  We need to memorize many portions of the Bible to protect us when the devil is attacking.  If we have Scripture memorized, when we are tempted, we can quickly call to mind a verse or two that will bring us back into right state of mind - focusing back on God: the Father, Jesus the Son, & the Holy Spirit and their love and strength available through the Holy Spirit.  If we don't have Scripture memorized, as Jesus clearly did in this chapter, we are at risk of falling prey to the deception and lies of the temptation.  So - I am mostly preaching this to myself!  :)  But, I really want to do more memorization of Scripture this year.  I have several verses down - but not enough.  Proverbs 3:5-6 certainly comes to mind for me often when I am worried or stressed and it transforms my state of mind immediately!  What can you apply in your life today based on how Jesus rebuked the devil's temptations?

Very important to note is what happened when Jesus rebuked the devil's temptations with Scripture, the Word of God, in verse 11: "Then the Devil went away."  Amen to that!  :)

Bible.org's commentary on our readings today in Matthew titled "The Baptism of Jesus" is at this link, "The Temptation of Jesus, Part 1" is at this link, "Satan's "Leap of Faith"" is at this link, and "The Third Temptation of Jesus" is at this link.

Luke: Today we read about the temptation of Jesus in Luke.  This is a powerful narrative for each of us to consider.  We all obviously face temptations in our life.  Jesus faced temptations as well.  The difference of course is that Jesus did not give into the temptations.  He did not sin.  I love the fact that Jesus combated the devil's temptations with the Word of God, the Bible.  We each would do well to pay attention to how powerful the Word is in thwarting the devil's temptations of us today.  Here's a very amazing image I found below, with a look at Jesus being tempted by the devil.  Check out the cloud of temptation above him... the devil.  Ever feel this cloud of temptation hovering above you?  I know I have...  And I know that faith in Jesus, calling upon Jesus' name, and bringing to mind the Word of God in times of darkness & temptation can send this cloud away from us!

Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org has 4 great commentaries on the temptation of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke at this link, and at this link, and at this link, and at this link.  And his look at verses 14 through 30 in Luke chapter 4 titled "On Prophets and Popularity" is at this link.

Worship God:  I mention the Gospel of John movie in my comments above.  Here's the trailer, below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXBJODa1Dm8

Do you know the Word? Click here for the Word made flesh!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!