This week I'll reference passages from Matthew 8-10, 13-18, Mark 6-9, Luke 9, and John 6-8. In Matthew 16:13-23 we find an interesting conversation between Jesus and his disciples. Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they [...]
Chronological Bible 40: Jesus’ Ministry Begins
This week's passages are John 5, Mark 2-5, Matthew 5-8, 11-13, and Luke 6-8. Jesus began his ministry when he was about 30 years old (Luke 3:23) in the region of Galilee. His basic message was "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark [...]
Chronological Bible 39: Repent, for the Kingdom of God is Near
This week we started reading chronologically through the New Testament with Matthew 1-4, 8-9, Mark 1-2, Luke 1-5, and John 1-4. The New Testament begins with the four biographical eyewitness accounts about Jesus. Each of these accounts is written from the perspective of one of Jesus' apostles and have very specific structures and goals. Matthew [...]
Road Trip #1 Summary
We've been settled at our semi-permanent location in Florida now since mid-August. Fall has arrived (according to the calendar), but daytime highs are still in the low 90s. Darlene is still recovering from her leg cellulitis wound and we're grappling with medical bills now. While we stay put until at least mid-December, I thought I'd [...]
Chronological Bible 38: Looking for the Messiah
This is our final week (in this series) in the Old Testament. Our passages for consideration are Ezra 9-10, Nehemiah, Malachi, and Joel. The book of Nehemiah tells the story of Nehemiah, who was a slave cupbearer in the courts of King Artaxerxes, who gained the favor and blessing of the king to return to [...]
Chronological Bible 37: Returning from Exile (or not)
This week's passages are Daniel 10-12, Ezra 4-8, Haggai, Zechariah, and Esther. The passages this week essentially tell two parallel stories. Ezra tells about some of the exiles who are released from Persia (which conquered Assyria) to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Haggai and Zechariah prophesy words of encouragement to the Israelites to [...]
Chronological Bible 36: Looking toward the future
This week's passages were 1 Chronicles 3, 8, Daniel 4-9, Ezekiel 29-30, 40-48, 2 Kings 25, Jeremiah 52, 2 Chronicles 36, and Ezra 1-4. I want to discuss two sets of passages from this week's readings. They are typically considered eschatological, or prophecies concerning end times, when God issues His final judgments on humankind and [...]
