I am determined to do better with my Bible reading. Several things have brought this to mind of late.

I’m not deceived into thinking that I will suddenly feel like it more, but I am more serious about it than I have been in a long time. So I’m committing to a goal of getting into my Bible at least 3 times a week. Perhaps it doesn’t seem like much of a goal, then you need to check my pattern over the last few months. Twice a month is what I’ve managed. I invite and welcome all of you to monitor my progress here and hold me acountable to this goal. I will need help.
John 10:22-42, Luke 13:22-35
John 10:22-30 – Jesus is not afraid to offend. Here he plainly tells them, at their request, that they are not of Him, and He’s one with God, so therefore they are not with God. In our society, it is very rude to tell someone they aren’t right with God. Of course,we are not Jesus and cannot say such a thing with the kind of certainty that he can (after all, He is the judge.) We can, and should if we love each other, point out where we don’t measure up to what God expects. Jesus said that many – many – will thing they are right with God and be surprise don the last day (Luke 13:22-30). What a shame if we are too polite to tell folks around us that they are not what they think they are.
John 10:33 – They ignored the truth – that Jesus was God – because of their preconceived notion that it was impossible for a mere man to actually be God. It’s been my experience that it’s when I am absolutely confident that I am in the greatest danger of being deceived.
Luke 13:22-30 – This is perhaps one of the scariest passages in all of the Bible. Imagine the feeling of the over-confident as they watch people stream in and they are excluded. I once was one of the over-confident.

Matthew 11:20-30, 19:1-2, Mark 10:1, Luke 9:51-56, 17:11-19, 10:1-42, 11:1-13
Luke 9:51 – He resolutely set out.
Luke 9:52-56 – What gave James an John the idea that they could do this, that they has the power? These couple of sentences hide a lot more to the story that I’d love to learn.
Luke 17:11-19 – What drew them to Jesus as He approached? What made them immediately call Him master? Was it simply a term of respect, or was it like a slave speaking to his owner?
There is much debate on the 9 who did not return. Did their leprosy return? Some may say that Jesus’ words to th thankful Samaritan would imply that, but I doubt it. It would not be consistent with Jesus character to punish those others for not obeying a command He did not give them. He is not s punitive, letter of the law kind of guy. Those 9 had faith, obeyed and were cleansed as well.
Luke 10:16 – A prideful man interprets this verse to give more power and credit to himself that he deserves. He looks down on those who disagrees with him, thinking that means they reject Jesus too.
Luke 10:20 – Why don’t I rejoice more often that my name is written in heaven? I wish I could be more content with that.
Luke 10:21-24 – I wonder what to make of this verse in terms of predestination. Certainly a plain reading of the text would indicate that it is God who chooses some to understand and others not to. But in my life I seem to have made decisions to look and to see. I know that in the past year or so I have asked God to help me see what he sees. But although I felt that I had initiated it, I had the distinct feeling that God had opened my eyes. Certainly the things revealed were there all the time, but I did not see until God allowed me too. But God did not reveal it until I asked. Perhaps there’s something there for me to learn, perhaps not. Perhaps I’m hallucinating. 🙂
Luke 11:28-30 – I certainly have felt ‘weary and burdened’ lately, but I’ve felt it was because of taking on Jesus’ yoke. Hmm. Perhaps I’ve got something else to learn from Jesus. He spoke for the lost sheep and those neglected by the world, but he was not burdened by it. He did not battle the leaders nor get depressed when they didn’t listen to him. He simply went about doing God’s will, regardless of what people thought.
Luke 11:9-10 – I think that this is one of the most profound promises of God. Not to get material things, but to get understanding, wisdom and to see and find God.

John 8:12-59, 9:1-41, 10:1-21
John 8:26 – Does Jesus mean here that he wants to tell them off (so to speak), but He’s submitting to God who has other plans? In other words something like “I really want to deal with you and your pride right now, but God says not now. He’s reliable, so I’ll stick to just what he told me.”
John 9:13-17 – This story seems so ridiculous, doesn’t it? I mean, a man was blind and now can see, a miraculous healing, even by today’s medically enlightened standards. Yet they are consumed with a less important violation of the law. God’s love was shown to a man, poured out on him, and they would punish Jesus for it because, while it was a good thing, he did it in the wrong way. Certainly we would not be consumed with a legal issue of little significance in comparison with love shown to the helpless, would we? Yea, right, we do it all the time. Majoring in the trivial. Standing firm on the insignificant.
John 9:24-34 – I love how this uneducated outcast puts the elite in their place.

John 7:2-53, John 8:1-11
John 7:32 – I can see my self acting like these Pharisees. Thinking I was the one to lead the people, protect them for being mislead about God I would do just what they did. I’d put up with Jesus for a time, but when he started leading the people ‘astray’ – them thinking he was the Christ – then enough would be enough. It would be time to act to protect the people. Of course, just as it was for them, it would be my pride acting to protect my authority and position as much as anything. My pride in thinking I know how the Christ will be that would keep me from making a real attempt to understand Jesus. I can see how easy it would be to be deceived. And it is today. We brush off folks that don’t think or act like we do, even pouncing on them if the become ‘dangerous’. Is there a need to protect from heretics? I suppose, but all too often they aren’t heretics we just don’t understand them and haven’t taken the time to try to.
John 8:1-11 – I love this story, even if it’s not a part of ‘the most reliable manuscripts’. Lots of folks have wondered what Jesus was writing. I have a theory about that that was told to me several years ago. Well, not about what he was writing, but why he was writing. Examine the circumstances here. It was shortly after dawn (v. 2) when the teachers brought this woman in and she was ‘caught in the act’ (v. 4). Isn’t it likely that she was caught the night before, perhaps even hours before? If so, isn’t it likely that she was, lets say, sparsely clothed? If so, I would say that Jesus stooped to write on the ground for two simple reasons.
One, out of respect for this woman’s privacy. The teachers had none, they were more concerned about trapping Jesus than justice (Where was the man?) or respect for her. I think that Jesus would have felt for her being dragged out in public with little on, made a spectical of and used as a pawn in someone else’s ego trip.
Two, Jesus would want to avoid the temptation to lust and looking at a scantily clad woman would not be prudent. Nor would it set an example for those gathered around to learn from him.
Speculation? You bet, but it sounds plausible to me. 🙂

Matthew 16:13-28; Matthew 17; Matthew 18:1-35; Mark 8:27-38; Mark 9:1-50; Luke 9:18-50; Luke 17:1-10
Matthew 16:24-27 / Mark 8:34-38 / Luke 9:23-26 – I have often heard this passage used to teach that we, as disciples, ought to do something. Pick up your cross meant to evangelize or to submit or sacrifice or something. Jesus said we had to, after all. It has often troubled me because Jesus doesn’t elaborate on what the cross is that we are to take up. I’ve spent some time in mental gymnastics trying to determine what it was, this cross of mine. To Jesus the cross was many things:

• His ultimate purpose or mission, to go to the cross.
• A burden to bear.
• A submission to the Father’s will

I’ve begun to realize, however, that it is not any one thing. We cannot point to this passage and say, “See, Jesus want’s you too __________. (evangelize, sacrifice, submit to a leader, etc.)” It is that last item, submission to God’s will over my own desires, that is the theme of this passage. If we are to be free, to be saved, to be like Jesus and follow Him, we must do as He did, and submit to the Father. Though, as for Jesus in the garden, all of our will longs for something else, we must be determined to do Gods will. That will be a little different for each of us, but we will all discover it within the Bible. It is there we see God revealed, if we are willing to open our eyes and push aside our preconceived notions of what God is. to often we feel as though we have God all figured out, we know what’s expected and what he wants. So we approach the Bible and learning about Him far too casually, knowing what we will find. It is then that we can miss God, yet find what we expect. That is not self denial or submission to God but rather conforming God to our notions of Him. It is all too easy to do and it happens all around us, every day. I have seen it in others for years, and in myself as I looked back to my pre-salvation days. But in recent years I have realized that I too have put on my blinders. As a result, I haven’t seen God, only my ready made image of Him. God is so big, so amazing, so vast, there is no way we will ever have any chance of having Him figured out. I scares me how easily I can stop seeking to see God and become satisfied with the part of Him I’ve already seen. Scary how easily I get pridefull and lazy, thinking there’s nothing more for me to learn, I’ve got it nailed. But I don’t and never will. I pray that God will lead me, ever reminding me of His vastness and my small, finite nature and that in that I may always be searching for Him. In the searching, I will find Him, over and over again.
Mark 9:14-29 – I’ve always loved the comic image that this story creates. A man brings his son to Jesus’ disciples because an evil spirit that throws him into seizures. While he’s talking to Jesus, the boy is throw to the ground, rolling around and foaming at the mouth. When this happens (and those around are gasping and anxious), Jesus turns to the man and asks (calmly, in my mind) :How long has he been like this?” Then Jesus and the man have a discussion about the boy’s condition and the man’s faith, presumably while the boy continues to flail around in the dirt. It’s only when Jesus notices the gathering crowd that He heals the boy. Monty Python couldn’t have written it better.
Luke 9:48 – Lord, help this be my attitude. Help me not to need recognition, but to accept that I am only doing my duty, that which is expected of a disciple of Christ. Nothing noteworthy.
Matthew 18:10 – I love this verse. Oh, how God cares for our little ones that their angels always see His face. He watches over them personally, He does not delegate that job.
Matthew 18:21-35 / Luke 17:3-4 – Forgiveness and grace is to be our standard, not justice and punishment.

It’s been far too long since I sat down with a Bible just to read. I’ve been struggling to find the inspiration, battling between the desire to schedule and set goals and frankly just not wanting to. I got a call last night, however, from a new friend (we had met briefly when he was here in Columbus for a visit.) Jay, husband of Amy who comments here occasionally, wanted to talk to me. He just wanted us to share about our experiences in the ICOC, each of us having been members for about 18 or 19 years. We talked for about a hour and a half about everything surrounding the recent upheaval and revelations in our churches and what they’ve meant to us personally. I was struck by how easily and quickly Jay was able to cite scripture. He asked about my Bible reading and I confessed that I found it hard to get motivated read. He too confessed that he’d rather read other stuff than the Bible, but he forces himself too because “I love to hear God talk to me.” That statement struck a chord with me and helped me find new motivation to get into my Bible and look for the messages that God has for me. I too want to hear God talk to me. Thanks Jay.
Matthew 15:21-39, 16:1-12; Mark 7:24-37, 8:1-26
Mark 7:36-37, Matthew 15:29-31 – The people were amazed at what Jesus was doing but hey should have been amazed at his heart. Needy, helpless and hopeless people constantly came to Him and he never snapped at them or turned them away. I get cranky when my three kids get wound up. And the people’s response is to bring more, piling on the needs for Him to fill. And He does. And they praised God. The message? Meet people’s needs and they’ll come back for more. Keep it up and you’ll show them God.

Matthew 14:14-36, 15:1-20, Mark 6:34-56, 7:1-23, Luke 9:11-17, John 6:2-71, 7:1
Mark 6:34, Luke 9:11 – Here we see Jesus’ teaching and healing was motivated by his compassion.
Matthew 14:23-33, Mark 6:47-52, John 6:17-21 – This is one of my favorite miracles of Jesus. He seems to be having fun with the 12 and His powers, as He does in the previous story about feeding the 5,000 (In John 6:5 Jesus seems to be teasing Philip about buying food for the people.) He sends them on ahead, the wind is against them, they get three to three and a half miles out and here comes Jesus walking on the water. In fact, they’re rowing but he’s caught them and was about to pass them when they noticed. I can almost hear Jesus saying as they cry out, “Oh, I didn’t see you there. Can I get a lift?”
Mark 6:51-52 – For a long time I didn’t understand this statement. What did the loaves have to do with this walking on the water? Ironically, I guess my heart was hardened. Perhaps the point of the loaves was not to feed the people, wow them or to toy with His disciples. I was to point out that Jesus was no ordinary man, he was God in the flesh. Some of the disciples got it and were not shocked at this action by Jesus (Matthew 14:33) but the others were amazed because the loaves had gone over their heads.
John 6:25 – I get the impression that they were more annoyed at being left behind rather than being interested in following Jesus.
John 6:30-31 – Can they be serious? Didn’t he just feed them from nothing? I guess they didn’t understand about the loaves either.
John 6:44 – Did Jesus mean here that God chooses who will be able to come to Him and who will not? On the face of it that is what it would seem, but the rest of this passage (John 6:41-66) seem to indicate man’s coming to God. vs. 45 – “every one how “listens … comes to me”, vs. 47 “he who believes has everlasting life.”, vs. 51 – “If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.”, vs. 56 – “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” In John 6:64-65 He says “Yet there are some of you who do not believe. … This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” I can’t tell if it’s just my preconceived notion getting in the way of my understanding here or if it’s really this challenging. I have a feeling there’s some truth here between my traditional view of man seeking and finding God and the opposite extreme of God picking and choosing the saved based on His own discernment.
Matthew 10:13-14 – Again Jesus seems to indicate that some men are sent from God and others are not. Yet He follows that up with a call for discernment on the part of the follower. So men ‘from God’ are not necessarily sent from God but simply those who do God’s will.
Matthew 15:17-20 – This is a simple yet profound truth, and one that people continually miss. We want rules and regulations to know how we stand before God. We want assurance that we’re doing the right things, but God here points out to us that it is not the things we do that matter but who we are.

Matthew 9:35-38, 10:1-42, 11:1, 14:1-13, Mark 6:6-33, Luke 9:1-11, John 6:1
Matthew 10:16-18 – After all the good things they would be doing (Matthew 10:7); Jesus still needed to warn them. You would think that by spreading all this love they would be loved and would be safe. Not so, we humans can look love and compassion right in the eye and not recognize it and even despise it.
Jesus knows that these things may happen, so he informs them, cautions them, but then he encourages them to get some perspective in Matthew 10:26-31.
Matthew 10:34-39 – If Jesus’ message was so controversial, causing division among family members, why shouldn’t my message be controversial at times? I hate to have people upset with me, but for the gospel I should not be ashamed of such a thing. But I have seen in my own life how easy it is to use this as an excuse when people don’t like me. “Well, they hated Jesus too.” They hated Jesus because of his righteousness, is that why folks are angry with me? Os is it because of my sin against them?
Mark 6:17-19 – Is this the kind of man that I am, willing to confront sin? Or am I too afraid of men? It cost john his life (and Jesus too, ultimately) and it will likely will cost me too, but am afraid of men, especially men who have some power over me. It takes wisdom and discernment to tell when to challenge an when not too. I too often, however, err on the side of caution.
Mark 6:24-28 – What kind of woman’s heart is so hard that she would send her own daughter to request someone’s death? Not only that, but literally ask for his head! And what kind of man would indulge such a request? What kind of guests could they be if the peer pressure to not go back on his word forced him into such an act?

Matthew 8:18-34, 9:18-34, 13:53-58, Mark 4:35-41, 5:1-43, 6:1-6, Luke 8:22-56, 9:57-62
Matthew 8:18-20, Luke 9:57-62 – These passages always troubled me. I know the traditional explanations of what Jesus likely meant and the explanations of what these men likely meant but it seems a little presumptuous. There’s just not much to go on here as to why Jesus would deny someone saying goodbye or burying a relative. There obviously must be more to the story and I long to know what it really is, not speculation of what it is.
Mark 4:36 – ‘just as he was’ What does this mean?
Matthew 9:30-31 – Why did Jesus tell some not to talk about their healing while others (Mark 5:19) he tells to go and tell what God has done for you?

Mathew 13:1-52, Mark 4:1-34, Luke 8:4-18, Luke 13:18-21
Matthew 13:13-15 – For a long time this did not make sense to me. Recently, I’ve become aware of how easy it is to think that you know what’s going on and what’s true and can be completely deceived. What my church went through in the last two years really opened my eyes. I had men around me talking of the grave sins they saw, and it sounded like utter nonsense. What world were they living in? But I knew these men and I knew they were not the type to make things up. I prayed that God would open my eyes, let me see what He saw. I began to see how we pursue correctness over love, correction over understanding, being right over treating people right. I was overwhelmed at the sin right in my midst, and in my self, so much so that for an instant I longed for the days of ignorance. I wondered if asking for God’s eyes was such a good idea. But I do not want to go back, I want to see as God sees and hopefully make a difference for His sake.