October 31 – Matthew 19 & Mark 10

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 19 & Mark 10. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

I do not write what I am about to write in a proud and boastful way, only as a teaching element. In 2007 I graduated college with a degree in Bible and Theology. I spent four academic years of my life studying the Bible. I was given tools and knowledge to better understand the Bible. In those four years I studied nearly every book of the Bible on some intimate detail level. Sadly to say, it was not until 2012 that I actually for the first time read the Bible cover to cover. I had read it all over different parts of my life, but never in an organized attempt to do so. With all that training, with all that study, and with all the times I have read the Bible, especially many sections of the Bible, you would think it would be hard to have a new understanding, especially over familiar passages.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Well in our reading today, I found an amazing truth nestled in the words of Jesus. A rich young man comes to Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus goes over some basics and the man confirms that he has kept all of them. Jesus reminds him there is one wrong thing he has done … he has clung to his wordily wealth. When the man leaves sad and dejected, Jesus turns to his disciples and tells them … “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In facts, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:24-25 NLT) From here Jesus disciples are perplexed and they struggle with the thought that no one can enter into God’s kingdom. Here is where I had a new revelation … “Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 NLT)

I have always read the camel in the eye of the needle story independently without the follow up. At least I have never connected them. In the first part Jesus is teaching that in reality, there is nothing that anyone can do to enter into the Kingdom of God. Rich men cannot buy it. Poor man cannot be pure enough. Religious men cannot do enough. There is nothing you and I can do to inherit the Kingdom of God. But that is where God steps in on this matter … “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God.” I do not know about you, but that tells me there is something God is up to.

As Christians we know the rest of the story. We know that Jesus will go to the cross … something He alludes to latter in the chapter … where He will pay the debt for our sins. A camel goes through the eye of a needle easier because there is nothing you and I do to inherit the Kingdom of God. It is the work of God in Jesus on the Cross.

Now I did not learn anything new in our reading today. I only saw for the first time this teaching Jesus used here in Mark 10 to illustrate it yet another time in scripture. Friends, no matter how many times you have read the Bible there is always something new and something different that you can draw from God’s Word. 

October 30 – Luke 18

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Luke 18. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

If we return to our theme of grouping we come to Luke 18 and see a series of stories strung together. We see the persistent widow who comes to the unjust judge, followed by the Parable where the Pharisee brags he is not a sinner while the tax collector falls broken before God, followed by the story of the little children coming to Jesus. What theme do you see from these stories?

I see the theme of a just but loving God. God is one who serves justice to those who have sinned against him. His love for us forces Him to do so. As I write this my mind goes back to the scene that played out before sitting down to write. I just finished disciplining my daughter for throwing a fit when I told her no to using my iPad at this moment. I would not have shown her love if I did not discipline her for her choice to behave with a fit. Friends that unfortunately is justice produced by love.

But … God does not stop there. Not only does His love require justice, His love also shares forgiveness. The little children coming to Jesus in their purity is what God desires of His children. The tax collector falling broken before God is the process of returning to Jesus with the purity of the children. In that state, God’s love overwhelms in forgiveness. God is not like the unjust judge. It is not through persistence that God’s hand is forced. God is always just, both in administering justice and love. But we can learn from the widow, we must always come before God, persistently in a broken state realizing that without God we are not like the little children. 

October 29 – John 11

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from John 11. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Jesus says something rather remarkable in our reading today. Jesus has been close with three siblings from the Jerusalem suburb of Bethany. Lazarus, the brother and possible bread winner of this family has taken ill. Jesus is a considerable distance away from Bethany, but certainly close enough to come to the aid of Lazarus. However, when the news of his illness reaches Jesus ears, Jesus stays back and says … “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” (John 11:4 NLT) At first glance that statement does not seem all that remarkable but let’s break it down.

Jesus has insight into what will happen to Lazarus. Jesus knows that Lazarus is going to die. He also knows that He will bring Lazarus back to life. If you happened to be someone who was reading this for the first time you may not have picked up on that bit of information. But as someone who knows the story, who has read it multiple times, we are able to see the foreshadowing Jesus is giving. None of that is the amazing part.

What amazes me is the reason for death. Jesus is going to let Lazarus die, even though He has the ability to heal him remotely. Why? So that glory will come to Jesus and God through the resurrection. And that is exactly what happens. Many people believe and they could not keep quiet. God and Jesus were both being glorified for this event. But the glory does not stop here.

It is through this event that eventual glory will take place in Jesus own death and resurrection. Look at verse fifty-three again … “So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death.” (John 11:53 NLT) Had Jesus not returned like His disciples advised Him to, then maybe something else would have been the catalyst for the crucifixion. But Jesus foreshadowed in a powerful way. Not only do we have the glory of the here and now event, but we have the glory of the cross from this one event. I find that remarkable.

So … on a side note, maybe the events in your life; the ups and downs, the joys and pains, the tears and laughter, are part of God orchestrating and event to bring Himself glory. Approaching situations with that mindset might help you through the trying times. 

Luke 14 - 15

Hello everyone. I want to apologize for not updating in several days. To be honest we have hit a section of the reading where I have simply hit writers block. I apologize and hope to be back at this tomorrow. Thank you for understanding.

October 23 – John 7 & 8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from John 7 & 8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

I love Jesus. Our reading today may just be one of the boldest two days of Jesus life. Here He is in Jerusalem, in the Temple area, and making some of the most outlandishly true statements of His ministry. Our reading opens up with His brothers encouraging Him to go to Jerusalem. They want Him to do publicly there what he has been doing in other regions. They are beginning to believe He is the political Messiah they have been waiting on. Jesus knows that He is not, and that the heat is too much, and that a trip to Jerusalem would possibly be deadly. He stays back, but only for a short amount of time.

In Jerusalem people are looking for Jesus but He is laying low. Finally He speaks and when He does, He gives them some bold proclamations …

“For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”” (John 7:23-24 NLT)

  

“Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (John 7:37-38 NLT)

“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12 NLT)

“Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” (John 8:19 NLT)

“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!” (John 8:49-51 NLT)

“Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I Am!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.” (John 8:58-59 NLT)

Jesus does not mince words. He speaks pointedly about who He is and who it that sent Him. While not everyone understands all that He says, it is clear that Jesus is calling God His father and making deity claims about Himself.

The question that remains for us is simple … are we willing to follow Jesus example and stand boldly in our world making the same claims to an unbelieving generation?

October 22 – Mathew 18

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 18. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

In a recent post I commented on the idea that it is often best to read the gospels by their topical arrangement. You can read that post here. By doing so we are able to get a complete picture of that particular grouping of stories. It will enhance your Bible study immensely if you do so.

Today’s reading is another one where grouping helps. The conversation revolves around the Kingdom of Heaven. In it we are given different aspects of what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like. We are given a glimpse as to who will get in and the pursuit that God is on after us. We are also given a glimpse of how the people who belong to the Kingdom of Heaven are to treat one another. What strikes me about this discussion is it is alluding to the fact that Kingdom of Heaven is not a future tense object, but something currently present.

How we treat children is a here and now concept. How we pursue people who are not part of the Kingdom of Heaven is a here and now concept. How we look out for the mistakes of others is a here and now concept. How we forgive others of their debts and wrong doing’s is a here and now concept. If the Kingdom of Heaven is so great, then why on earth would we want to wait for it? Wouldn't life be much more enjoyable if we all worked to make the Kingdom of Heaven a reality in our present day lives? 

October 21 – Mathew 17 & Mark 9

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 15 & Mark 7. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: sean/mundy

Every year I spend a week at Butler Springs Christian Camp serving a week of camp with fourth and fifth graders. This is the first full week that campers come and spend an entire week, Sunday through Friday, at camp. One of the issues we always face is homesickness. For many this is their first time away from home without parents or other family members with them. For many this is their first time disconnected from technology. For many of them this is their first time really getting dirty, playing in the woods, and learning about Jesus. With all this new or different stuff going on homesickness can show up.

Jesus has spent around thirty years on this earth by the time we find Him in our reading today. He takes the three disciples of His inner development circle up onto the mountainside with Him. He leaves the remaining nine at their basecamp in town. On the mountain side God shows up in a powerful way along with Elijah and Moses. God shares with all present that Jesus is His son. For a brief moment Jesus is reminded that this earth, full of all its dirt and grime, its lack of glory, is not His home; He is just temporarily visiting.

Immediately on their return home Jesus is reminded of the differences between earth and heaven … He is certainly not in heaven any more. The disciples left behind have been unsuccessful at casting out a destructive demon from the body of a young boy. The father comes to Jesus asking Him to do what the disciples could not … heal His boy. Jesus then utters these harsh words … “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” (Matthew 17:17 NLT) I wander what the tone and volume of these words was. Regardless Jesus is sharing His heart. Hours before He was reminded that this earth is not His home. He was in the presence once again of God and now He has returned to the grime of our lives. How He must have been homesick.

What caused Him to be here? It was His love for us and His desire to restore the relationship torn apart because of sin. Jesus put up with all the messed up stuff we offer so that He could do life with us again. For that I am thankful. 

October 19 – Mathew 15 & Mark 7

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 15 & Mark 7. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

A few days ago on this blog I wrote about how the gospels are not always in chronological order but sometimes grouped. Understanding the grouping today will help us understand a very difficult action of Jesus. Throughout our reading today there is a battle Jesus had with the Pharisees. They are concerned with the letter of keeping the Law and not the heart of the Law. To add burning coals to their already smoldering fire, the Laws they are concerned most with tend to be the ones they have come up with … not the ones given to Moses from God. Jesus scolds them for this.

Following this interaction both of our authors show us that Jesus was not about the status quo. Jesus leaves the Jewish regions and moves into a predominate Gentile region. Here a woman who has a daughter possessed by a demon comes to Jesus seeking for His help. But Jesus gives her this tough to understand response … “First I should feed the children-my own family, the Jews. It is not right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” (Mark 7:27 NLT) We struggle with this statement because we see Jesus as all loving and sent to love all people, but this verse does not support that, at least in a first reading.

Let’s look back at the beginning story … Jesus is scolding the Pharisees for their supposed following of God, now as Jesus is interacting with this Gentile woman, Jesus is teaching His disciples. To His disciples this woman has many things against her … she is a woman, she is all alone with a wild child, and she is a Gentile. In their minds she can be seen as a dirty dog … dogs were considered dirty and unclean, unwelcome in the home of a Jew. That is the point of Jesus response. The disciple’s actions prove their hearts. In Matthew the disciples ask Jesus to get rid of her. Do not take that too harshly, they are annoyed by her, and all they ask Jesus to do is get rid of her. This was not a request to not heal her daughter, they more than likely wanted Jesus to heal her problem and send her away. But Jesus wants to teach His disciples.

While His primary target audience was the Jewish people, His kingdom would extend to all people. So just as He challenged the minds of the Pharisees, He is now challenging the minds of His disciples. Teaching them that their thought of this woman as a dirty dog is not the way God views her. We have to remember that sometimes Jesus will work in a way that we might find offensive and rude so He can show and teach His disciples. What a wonderful and powerful way to teach. 

October 18 – John 6

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from John 6. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Jesus has just feed five thousand men plus women and children with two fish and five loaves of bread. This is the same story that we experienced yesterday in the other three gospels. After the feeding, the next morning the crowds wake up to find that Jesus and his disciples are not there. Now they know how the disciples got across, they saw them leave by boat. But Jesus went up on the hillside to pray. It was during the night that Jesus walked to them on the water. They are surprised and perplexed as to how Jesus beat them to that side of the sea.

Jesus knows what’s on their minds when they show up … “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.” (John 6:26-27 NLT). They come wanting what Jesus can give them. They do not necessarily want a relationship with Him. They are focused on here and now not the eternal life He has come to provide.

How much are we like them? Examine your prayer life; is it full of request for the here and now or does it encompass a broader spectrum of your relationship with Christ? We live in the here and now. We have aches and pains, broken hearts, and real physical needs. There is an element to our relationship with God that we trust He will provide and care for us. But our relationship with Christ should be much deeper and broader than just the physical needs of our life. We have been promised eternal life with God through Jesus. Cherish that each and every day! 

October 17 – Matthew 14, Mark 6, and Luke 9

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 14, Mark 6, and Luke 9. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

Jesus heart is breaking. His cousin, friend, and colleague has just been beheaded by Herod. His disciples have just returned from their first preaching journey. On top of all that the crowds are swelling. They do not want to comfort Jesus in this time of mourning; they want to take from Jesus; His teaching, His time, His heart, and His healing abilities. The Bible tells us that Jesus has compassion on them and He turns His attention to them. This is where we find the familiar story of the feeding of the five-thousand. When their bellies are full Jesus turns to His own personal needs.

He puts the disciples into a boat and sends them across the sea. Jesus goes up on a hillside by Himself where He prays. “Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves.” (Mark 6:47-48 NLT). I love this. Here Jesus is alone, off mourning His heartbreak and connecting with His father. While He may be alone, He has positioned Himself so His disciples would always be in sight.

Friends … never forget that. You are a child of God. You are His disciple. No matter what you are going through, no matter what waves come tossing your life back and forth, you are always in the sight of God. When things seem too much, when the oars just do not seem to be touching the water, God sees you, and loves you and cares about you. In your own life, it is in these moments that God will come walking on the rough seas of your life, just as Jesus did that night. React like Peter, walk out to Him, but do not loose faith when the wind blows. Continue in faith, because no matter what has come your way, God has always kept you in His sights. 

October 16 – Matthew 10

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 10. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

In our reading today Jesus sends His disciples out on a preaching journey. He gives them very specific instructions on what they are to carry out on this journey. They are to travel without many possession or resources. They are not to worry about their needs, but to trust that God will provide throughout their tour. This entire exercise is a training tool Jesus employed with His disciples while He was still with them.

This was their training time. A time would come when the training would be over and they would be unleashed to bring salvation to the world. Jesus reminds them that this is a training time … “What I tell you now in darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!” (Matthew 10:27 NLT) We might read into these instructions that Jesus is teaching them and preparing them for a greater public ministry some time in the future. We can understand this to indicate that in some ways the time was not yet right.

Sometimes timing is important. There are times when we want to do something, but God says not right now. There are times when we want to see changes in people, but we are not willing to invest the necessary love, teaching, and direction into their lives. The disciples would have to wait a little while longer before they would get to shout from the housetops. That day will come. And so will ours. I don’t know what God is planning for your life, but give Him time to work and move, and when the day is right, we can boldly proclaim what is He has for us to proclaim. 

October 15 – Mark 4-5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Mark 4-5. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

In our reading today Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by demons. His case is severe. They have caused the man to live in a cemetery because of his wild behavior. He could no longer be restrained because he broke the chains and shackles. There was no one strong enough subdue the man and he spent his days wandering the hills and caves howling and hurting himself. When Jesus arrives on the scene he comes out to great Jesus. To a normal person we might have run at the sight of this man, but Jesus did not.

Why? Because the man came before Jesus paying the utmost respect and honor due to the creator of all things. Does that response startle you? It should. People do not just run up to someone and bow before them. It happens here because the demons possessing this man know who Jesus is, “With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, do not torture me!” (Mark 5:7 NLT) When this demon saw Jesus he knew immediately who he was.

While the people traveling with Jesus were still not sure who he was … remember the scene before in Mark 4 when Jesus calmed the storm they were left questioning who Jesus was that the wind and the waves obey him … this demon knows Jesus! There was no doubt in their minds who He was and why He was here on this earth. He was here to end the reign of Satan. He was here to end their reign of terror and ultimately crush evil and death.

Do you believe with the same conviction in Jesus that the demons did? While they rejected obedience to God, they believed in God, they believed in Jesus, and they knew that their days were numbered. This may sound odd, but we should develop the level of faith the demons possessed … just do not follow their example of obedience to God. 

October 14 – Matthew 13 & Luke 8

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 13 & Luke 8. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

One of the tricks to reading the Bible is getting past the chapter and verse markings. They are valuable tools. They allow for us to easily locate any section of Scripture. It would be incredibly difficult to navigate the Bible without them. However, they are not God ordained markings. They were added by the hands of humans needing a referencing system. Sometimes they even hinder our reading. When doing a Bible reading plan we typically break the Bible down by reading through select chapters. We have done so in our reading plan. That is why we have had days with multiple chapters and days with very few. There are places in Scripture that the chapter ends, but the thought of the author does not. These issues present some minor problems to our reading.

Now that we are in the New Testament, and reading the Gospels, let me share with you a writing technique of the Gospel authors. Remember the writers did not put the chapter and verse notations in their works. They also at times wrote in chronological order. But at other times they left chronological order to highlight the teachings of Jesus. We know this as grouping. Sometimes the authors will take a topic of Jesus and group it together regardless of the chronological timeframe.

Each chapter we read has a general topic to it. Matthew 13 is heavily concerned with the coming Kingdom of heaven and its growth. That is the heart of the Parable of the Sower, or the Wheat and Weeds, or the Mustard Seed, or the Yeast. They all point to the coming kingdom and its growth. If we want to understand the growth of God’s kingdom one of the best places to turn in our Bible’s is to Matthew 13 because it is one grouping of Jesus teaching on it.

When we look at Luke 8 can we tell what the major thought from Luke is? This is a trickier one in my opinion. The reason we read Matthew 13 and Luke 8 today is because they both start with the Parable of the Sower. However, this is where the man added chapter and verses throw us off. Luke offers two themes in this chapter. The first is the Kingdom concept of Matthew 13. But the chapter continues with a few more stories … Jesus calms the storm, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man, Jesus heals a sick woman, and Jesus raises a dead girl back to life. What do you think Luke’s theme is here? It suggests to me and understanding of Jesus power over the natural laws. Jesus has power over nature in calming the storm, Jesus has power over the spiritual world in casting out a demon, Jesus has power over the sicknesses of this life in healing the woman, and finally Jesus has power over death.

Understanding this grouping concept allows us to get a fuller understanding of the individual stories. When one puzzles us we can look to those in front and behind, regardless of their chapter and verse markings, to gain a full picture of the authors intent. 

October 10 – Matthew 5-7

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 5-7. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

It’s interesting how God works sometimes. In the last week I have had several interactions with people in need. One Sunday night we had a man who as hitch hiking back to New York state stop by the church. The following Thursday night I was in Cleveland attending a Browns football game. On my way into the stadium I passed by several people who I assume are homeless or in desperate need of work and help. This passed Tuesday I visited a member in our church in the hospital in Cincinnati. When I got off the interstate I sat at a light next to a man who was holding a sign and in need.

I share all that to say that I did not help any of the people I encountered in any real significant way. Several of them I walked and drove right by. But when I read the teachings of Jesus I am convicted at how much I fail in this particular area. Jesus talks here in Matthew 6:1-4 about giving in such a way as to not boast. I get that, and try to live by that. But the true heart here is that Jesus has an expectation that we are going to give to the needy.

Now I have no problem with giving to those in need. I really do not. I do believe that we have a responsibility to help people get back on their feet; I love to help those who truly need help. But I also want to be a good steward of what God has blessed me with. I want to see the resources I have be used to truly help someone. Maybe that should not be my concern. I do not know the answer. All I know is it is an area that I am convicted of right now and an area that I am seeking more guidance from God in. Where are you growing right now?

October 9 – Matthew 12, Mark 3, & Luke 6

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 12, Mark 3, & Luke 6. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art

What are you concerned with, the details or the overall project? I have a friend who was a jet engine engineer. Because of confidentiality agreements, she was not allowed to discuss the parts she designed. Regardless of her agreement, she did not know much about the other parts. She only really knew about the part she was responsible for and how it affected the other parts around her. This was done on purpose in part so one person could specialize on one part. Because of this she was oblivious to the other parts of the engine. When we focus too much on one aspect of something, we loose sight of the bigger picture.

That is exactly where the Pharisees where. They were focused on the letter of the Law and not the heart of the Law. The permission for priest to work on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:5), or David getting food for his men (Matthew 12:3-4), or saving a sheep from a well (Matthew 12:11) all point to the fact that God left room for heart in the Law over strict observance to the Law.

Are we guilty of this today? Do we look at what the life of a Christian is supposed to look like and demand it forgetting our freedom and salvation in Christ? Do we forget that we are saved by grace that nothing we can do will save us, and rely and trust on God for it? I am not advocating a life filled with sin because of that freedom, just a life that has assurance regardless of the mistakes we make. 

October 8 – John 5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from John 5. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

Too often we look at the Pharisees in negative light. Their actions give us many valid reasons to do so. In our reading today they looked at the man Jesus healed and gave this condemnation, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” (John 5:10b NLT) Too often they were more concerned about the letter of the Law than the heart of the Law. We give them a bad reputation for their hatred toward Jesus. In our minds, we think of them in completely negative terms.

However, as an honest man, I do have to give them credit where it is deserved. When they come to Jesus to harass Him for breaking Sabbath rules, they fully understand His claims. Jesus responds to their harassment by saying, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” (John 5:17 NLT) They were furious and wanted Jesus killed. In their reaction, they understood the claims Jesus was making.

We praise the Apostles for their ministries, and rightly so. But we often forget how much they struggled to understand Jesus and His claims. From very early in Jesus ministry the Pharisees understood the claims he was making. While they understood them, they certainly did not accept them. However, what it does show is that their education and study of scripture brought them to a point where they understood the rich claims Jesus was making.

How are you in your Bible reading and knowledge? Is it preparing you to be ready to see the evidence of God all around you? While they did not accept it, the Pharisees where prepared intellectually to understand the claims that Jesus was making. That is a valid lesson for us to learn and apply to our lives. 

October 5 – Matthew 4 & Luke 4-5

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 4 & Luke 4-5. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

The introductory material about Jesus birth is now behind us. Today he begins His public ministry. He does so by going into the Wilderness following His baptism to spend time in prayer, fasting, worship, and simply connecting with God. As He begins His public ministry He does so in unusual ways.

He starts with calling disciples. He also begins to perform miracles. He does things that are far from the normal pattern of new Rabbi’s on the scene. He even does things that anger the religious officials of the day. They are upset that he forgives sins. They are confused as to why he eats with scum (the NIV calls them sinners). Jesus does not do things the way He was supposed to do things.

To conclude this section Luke shares with us Jesus’ words about all this …

Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.” Luke 5:36-39 NLT

Jesus has basically come and said the old system is about to be finished. I am bringing something new. There will be people who do not accept it, because they are fine with the old way. But we know new against old does not always work. New wine in old wine skins will break the wine skins. A new patch on old clothes will tear the old clothes as the new patch begins to shrink while washing. New sometimes has to go with new … and that is ok. 

October 3 – Matthew 2

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 2. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

We can again see Matthew’s purpose in writing was to give an account of Jesus’ life that was targeted at the Jewish community. They were familiar with the Old Testament. They knew the stories of their ancestors. They studied it like we study American history. They could tell about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They knew about Ehud and Eglon. They were familiar with the life of David. Not only did they know the stories, they also were waiting on hope. God throughout the period of the Old Testament slipped in glimmers of hope through his prophets and through his writers. We often call these Messianic Prophecies.

We are given a glimpse of Matthew’s purpose by the abundance of Messianic Prophecies Matthew uses in chapter two, … “And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.”  (Matthew 2:6 NLT) This prophecy is taken directly from Micah 5:2. Jesus was born in Bethlehem because that was where is ancestral roots came from. Now believing this prophecy is not hard, because it is where David was from and this is what was supposed to happen. Matthew is simply reminding and showing his audience that in fact this did happen.

God certainly knows what He is doing. He knows that there are people waiting on the Messiah, so he speaks through Matthew and reminds the people that what He set in motion through the prophets has now come to fruition. God gives solid evidence from the very birth of Jesus to point to His Messianic work. 

October 2 – Matthew 1 & Luke 2

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Matthew 1 & Luke 2. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

The story of Jesus birth and all that happened are simply wonderful and amazing. Matthew starts his Gospel with what some might consider a boring genealogy. This genealogy however establishes Jesus as first being a Jew and second being from the right family tree as predicted by God. This was an incredibly foundation for Matthew to build upon.

What I also love about our reading is the awesome events that play out.

•   Joseph is visited by an angel in a dream – Matthew 1:18-25
•  Shepherds are sent to Bethlehem to see the child because angels visited them – Luke 2:8-20
• When Jesus is presented at the temple two people offer amazing prophecies, first by Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 and second by Anna – Luke 2:26-40.

 This birth is special. There is now way around it. Joseph and Mary had to know that what was happening was all because of God. How would you have felt to be chosen by God to do something so great? Would it have been hard or easy to accept knowing your life was going to drastically change? These are tough questions to answer. 

October 1 – Luke 1 & John 1

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Luke 1 & John 1. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

We have finally arrived and started the New Testament. Our first encounter of the New Testament is the book of Luke. Each gospel writer wrote to a specific audience and for a specific purpose. Their audience and purpose dictate the way their gospel is arranged. We will examine Luke’s purpose and writing as we start the New Testament.

Luke’s gospel was written for a Gentile audience. We know that Luke is the author of both Luke and Acts. We believe Acts is simple a continuation of his first book Luke. There is speculation that these two works were written to present to the Roman Emperor of the day as a defense for the Apostle Paul. Paul was on trial because he had appealed to Caesar when he was arrested in Jerusalem (Acts 21-28). To bring the Emperor up to speed on what Christianity is he needed the whole story. So Luke wrote his Gospel as well as a history of the church. Now we do not fully know this was the case for sure, however it is evident the audience of Luke was not Jewish.

The first chapter of Luke is very interesting. Two angels appear to two Jews. Each Jew is told they are going to have a child. One is an old man named Zechariah, and the other was a teenage girl from Nazareth named Mary.

Zechariah was a priest and as a priest he knew the Old Testament very well. He knew that a coming Messiah was promised. Many in his day thought the time was just right. To convey this understanding to a Gentile audience Luke includes a prophecy of Zechariah into his Gospel that outlines the History of Israel and the promise past down from God. With this Luke has established the tradition which the Jews had been waiting for the one to come.

Luke does this again with Mary. When the angel comes and shares that God is with her and that she will give birth to His Son, she sings a song of praise. This song of praise highlights the tradition and the promise that God had made through Abraham. The small town teenage girl knew her scripture very well.

What Luke has done is given the back story needed. In fact he had done what we at West Side did with The Story. We unveiled the problem that sin created and we showed by walking through the Old Testament how God worked to restore mankind. This is an important step for Luke to make, because this is all the foundation for everything Jesus will do and start with His time on earth.