bible tour

Weekly Support Reading (7th - 13th May)

trevor — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:17:55 +0000

We come to the end of the gospel of Luke this week, and begin the gospel of John. Note:

Once again we read of the event that is central to our salvation – the death of Christ on the cross.
We see how fickle the crowds are as the same people who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem now cry out ‘crucify him.’
Luke’s account includes the promise of paradise for the repentant thief on the cross.
There is also reference to Joseph of Arimathea who is said to be waiting for the Kingdom of God
After the resurrection, Jesus’ conversation with two of his disciples shows him opening the Scriptures to them and opening their eyes so that they can understand how he is the fulfilment of all that is spoken of in those Scriptures.
He stresses the importance of them staying in the city until the Holy Spirit clothes them with power.
The gospel of John begins and Jesus is introduced as the eternal Word of God; he is one with God, who has been made flesh and come into the world.
He is the light of the world and there is life in him. He brings spiritual new birth.
John the Baptist is the witness to the light. He is clear that he himself is not the Messiah but that Christ is coming.
He points to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He also says that he will be the one who will baptise in the Holy Spirit.
Jesus calls his first disciples and prepares them for the amazing calling of seeing heaven come to earth.

Weekly Support Reading (23rd - 29th April)

trevor — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:01:01 +0000

As you are reading Luke this week, note the following:

Jesus heals the lepers and once again reveals how faith has been the key to receiving the healing.
He then speaks of the coming of the Kingdom - it is already within and among them and is still to come ultimately and powerfully.
In the ultimate and demonstrable coming of the Kingdom, it will come unexpectedly and in judgement to separate the righteous and the wicked.
Once again, Jesus challenges their ideas of who qualifies for this Kingdom – it is the widow and the sinner, rather than the self-righteous religious leader. It is those who have the faith of little children rather than the rich young ruler.
The faith of a blind man cause him to call out to Jesus and receive his healing.
We see the transforming power of the grace of God in the conversion of Zacchaeus, showing how it affects our core attitudes to material wealth.
Despite Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the parable of the hostility of the servants to their King, his weeping over Jerusalem and his clearing of temple all indicate that the rejection of the old covenant people is now coming upon them.
The parable of the evil farmers confirms it and the religious leaders realise it. They continue to challenge Jesus – over clearing the temple and taxes to Caesar - but he shows his spiritual understanding is fare beyond them.

Support Reading: 16th - 22nd April

trevor — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:53:46 +0000

As you continue to read through Luke’s gospel, note the following:

Jesus announces that his coming will result in division between people and not peace. He challenges his hearers to understand the times that they live in.
He warns them that tragedies should serve as a warning to get themselves right as they could also perish
He confronts the religious leaders again over healing on the Sabbath and he exposes their hypocrisy.
Jesus continues to challenge their ways of thinking and again speaks in parables about the Kingdom, particularly about its secret but unstoppable and all-pervasive growth, like seed and yeast.
He also introduces the idea of surprise as to who will ultimately get through the door/gate into his Kingdom and who won’t.
Brushing off Herod’s threats he prepares for his death in Jerusalem. He laments over Jerusalem which, in representing the old covenant people, Israel, is to be rejected and its house left desolate.
The religious leaders who represent this rejected nation continue to try to catch him out. Jesus is a clear contrast to them as he speaks of true humility and again of the surprise as to who will get invited to the feast of the Kingdom.
He also speaks again of the cost of discipleship, using the familiar motifs of building and battling, and the less familiar idea of loving God more than family members.
Though criticised for mixing with sinners he shows his heart for the lost in three parables – the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son.
He then tells a startling parable about worldly steward, challenging us to handle spiritual wealth as keenly as man does his worldly wealth.
In the story of the rich man and Lazarus he warns about the danger of trusting in worldly wealth, and gives some insights into the final judgement.
Jesus also teaches of the dangers of leading others into temptation and the need to forgive others

Apologies

trevor — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:18:03 +0000

My apologies for lack of support readings this week.

Weekly Support Reading - 2nd - 8th April

trevor — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:04:21 +0000

As you continue tp read the gospel of Luke this week, give some thought to the following:

Jesus indicates that his teaching must be received inwardly and applied practically if we are to bear fruit and build a life with foundations that withstands the storms.
The centurion shows his faith by his clear understanding of the power and authority of command. Jesus’ response to him shows him again reaching out to people people from all nations.
Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead and causes news about him to spread everywhere. But at the same time John the Baptist seems to doubt. Jesus points to the amazing miracles as a testimony and witness to himself.
Once again Jesus responds to the criticism of the religious leaders.
In contrast to the sniping of the religious, a sinful woman forgiven by Jesus lavishes her grateful love on him by anointing him, and washing his feet with her hair. It is a beautiful picture of extravagant worship.
Jesus continues to teach – about the seed of the Word and how it is received, for example, - and to perform miracles – like the calming of the storm. He challenges the disciples for lack of faith.
Jesus demonstrates his power by casting out demons, healing a woman with bleeding and raising a girl from the dead. In the last two Jesus clearly shows that it is the faith of those seeking a miracle that is the decisive factor.
Jesus sends out his apostles to heal the sick and preach the kingdom; but continues to perform miracles like the feeding of the 5,000 and driving the demon out of the boy. Once again he questioned the disciples’ lack of faith.
He spends time teaching and discipling the apostles on the journey to Jerusalem - on authority, servanthood, what it means to follow him, etc.
Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ and sees him in his glory at the transfiguration. This also expresses the glory of his coming kingdom.

Support Reading 26th March - 1st April

trevor — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 09:58:14 +0000

This week you should note:

Once again we see John the Baptist challenging the religious leaders to show fruit in keeping with their apparent repentance.
Jesus’ genealogy is shown to go right back to Adam – significant because it shows his humanity, but also because Jesus is the new Adam who is going to put right all that the original Adam had ruined.
Jesus is tempted by and resists the devil, setting us an example to follow when tested and tempted. It is significant that Eve was tempted in a garden and as a result the world turned into a spiritual wilderness. Jesus won a victory over the tempter in a wilderness, the results of which will culminate in the emergence of God’s garden throughout the earth!
As he begins his public ministry, we see the importance of the fact that Jesus ministers as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit
He offends the Jews by contrasting the stubbornness of Israel with God’s heart for the Gentiles. Once again we see an indication of the heart of God for all nations.
Jesus goes around casting out demons and healing people, demonstrating the power of the Kingdom. He calls his first disciples.
His choice of disciples, his claim to forgive sins as he heals the paralytic, and his healing on the Sabbath all offend the religious leaders.
In a shorter version of the teaching of the Sermon on Mount, he challenges people’s ways of thinking by speaking of love for our enemies and of turning the other cheek.