March 3, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 14 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.74 through 4.76 (pages 129-131)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
4.74 Jesus Talks About His Death and Resurrection (Luke 18:31-34) Verse 34 “But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.” I find it interesting that Luke is able to write this. Right? I mean, can there be a more blatant pointing to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? Luke wasn’t there…he compiled his accounts from eyewitnesses to the events he reports (Luke 1:1-2). So it is very interesting that in being told this account, whoever told it to him (possibly Matthew or Mark?) had the benefit of full revelation when they gave the account, so we almost get a bit of “inside baseball” in Luke’s account here. I mean, Jesus speaks very plainly when He tells His disciples what is going to happen to Him in Jerusalem…but it was not yet time for them to understand. Yet it is provided here, perhaps as an example to us, His people…that there are times that God speaks very clearly through His Word to us, and yet, we do not understand. My life is a testimony to that. I have read the same Bible since I was a child, and yet, in so many ways, did not understand. Why is that? I think it has to do with what is said in 1 Cor 2:14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for the are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” Praise be to God for His great mercy and grace shown through His never ending love in Christ Jesus! He will leave the 99 for the 1 and He desires that all should come to salvation!
4.75 A Mother Asks a Special Favor (Matthew 20:20-28) More lessons on humility…we need so many of them. Yet, God is patient… 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Thank you Lord!
4.76 Jesus Heals a Blind Man Named Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) Don’t stop asking God for help…and know that it our faith in Christ…our faith that surrenders all to Him, and allows our selves to die…Jesus says it is our faith in Him that makes us well. Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” God does it all for us. Thanks be to God!
Lenten Day 13
The Life of Jesus 4.74-476.
Jesus clearly told the 12 what was going to happen to Him. That He as God spoke through the prophets would be handed over to be crucified and then raise on the third day. The 12 tried to understand this but it was hidden from them. They hadn`t yet received the Holy Spirit to teach them in all the ways. There is a such thing as spiritual discernment and they didn`t have that yet. Then Zebedee`s wife asks a favor from Jesus. That her two sons would sit next to Jesus in His kingdom. One on the right and the other on the left. These two sons although not mentioned here were James and John. They were of the 12. Although a mother desires the best for her children, she had no right to ask this question. Jesus directs this question to James and John. Apparently they had expressed this to their mother. This clearly shows their lack of humility thinking they were better than the other 10 in the group. For that matter any other human that ever lived. So because of their lack of understanding and lack of humility Jesus instructs them in another teaching moment. And gives Himself as the main example. It made me think of Philippians 2: 5-8 where Jesus gave Himself for us to follow His lead in putting others before ourselves. As also Pastor today was teaching about humility at the Sunday service this morning. That humility is not listed as one of the fruits of the spirit. His point was clear that it is on us. I just never thought of it like that. Then Jesus heals a blindman called Bartimaeus who believed that He would heal him. He calls out to Jesus when others were telling him to be quiet, then when Jesus calls him he immediately goes to Jesus leaving things behind him, answers the question from Jesus, and after he is healed immediately follows Jesus. He also knew who Jesus was for he called at first Son of David, please heal him. Can you imagine if he never called out to Jesus what his life would had been? Or even came to Jesus. Thank God for his sake he did. And for the rest of us that have called upon His name to be saved. We are no longer spiritually blind but our eyes have been opened. Peace to you all.
Day 14 4:74 – 4:76
Jesus tells the disciples what will happen to Him in Jerusalem but they did not understand because the knowledge was kept from them. Interesting that it was probably for their protection to not get caught up in the knowledge or be fearful of what the end would look like. And yet how useful this knowledge would be as the events were unfolding to know that Jesus was still in control because He knew what was going to happen…and it happened just the way He said. And after Jesus speaks of the greatest act of sacrifice ever, John and Jame’s mom asks Jesus for a place of honor for the sons. What a difference between God’s heart and man’s (our) heart. And yet Jesus uses it as an opportunity to show the nature of just what they were asking for as well as a teaching moment to encourage them to follow His example of service, and not seek after worldly power and authority.
And the miracles keep coming as Jesus shows His power over earthly maladies. And once again let’s the one healed know it is their faith that healed them, because it is our faith in Jesus that helps us access the power of God that Jesus possesses. It is clear Bartimaeus knew who Jesus was because he knew what to call Him and he knew that power that Jesus had to heal him.
Lenten 2024 – Day 14
”Then He took the twelve aside and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.” But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.“
Luke 18:31-34 NKJV
The prophesies given about Jesus were about his coming to judge and reign, but also about His suffering and death. These things were hidden, although Jesus tells them plainly what will happen. I wonder, how many hidden prophesies we disregard? We want to hear good news, like most human beings, but it seems we should be just as mindful of the bad.
Lenten 14 Jesus says he did not come to be served but to serve others and to give his life to save many people. As said many times in the Bible Jesus says Bartimaeus you are healed because you “believed.” Thank you Jesus!