Luke’s Unique Resume If we consider that the writer of the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles was not Jewish but a Gentile and not a fisherman but a physician who never met Jesus in person (Colossians 4:14), we might expect his gospel to have a somewhat different flavor from the others.  Our expectations will not be disappointed. [Note: This blog post is based on last week’s reading: the Gospel of Luke.] Four Writers; Four Gospels Each of the gospels tells the story

Distinctive Features My reading this week was the Gospel according to Matthew, the first gospel in the New Testament.  Matthew has the distinctive feature of including five major discourses of our Lord Jesus Christ: the Sermon on the Mount (ch. 5-7); the commissioning of the disciples (ch. 10); parables (ch. 13); humility and forgiveness (ch. 18); and the Olivet discourse (ch. 24-25). Matthew emphasizes that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies of a coming messiah and that

The gospel teaches us that we can draw near to God confidently because Jesus Christ bore the punishment for our sins. That’s why the good news so good. Today’s Reading Ezekiel 4-6; Hebrews 10:1-25 Selected Verses Then lie upon your left side, and I will lay the punishment of the house of Israel upon you; for the number of the days that you lie upon it, you shall bear their punishment. Ezekiel 4:4 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the bloo

Those who find God’s forgiveness and restoration always recognize two things: their own sinful unworthiness, and God’s loving kindness. Today’s Reading Jeremiah 33-35; Titus 3 Selected Verses Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Jeremiah 33:11b For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one ano

In Jesus Christ there is sure salvation. Why? Because those of us whom He saves do not depend on our own merits. Rather, He is our righteousness. Today’s Reading Jeremiah 23-24; Second Timothy 2 Selected Verses Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And

Will the gospel win the victory? God’s word–though ignored, thwarted, ridiculed, and opposed–will always triumph.  He guarantees it. Today’s reading Isaiah 53-55; 1 Thessalonians 2 Selected Verses For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall acc

How far does salvation extend? God saves people completely and He saves them everywhere–from every tribe and tongue and nation to the ends of the earth. Today’s Reading Isaiah 50-52; 1 Thessalonians 1 Selected Verses The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Isaiah 52:10 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has g

Desperation, a sense of total helplessness and hopelessness, is essential to a minimal understanding of the love and mercy of God in Christ Jesus. Today’s Reading Isaiah 19-21; Ephesians 2 Selected Verses Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast. And the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day, “Behold, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of

We need to be watchful never to forget that the horror of our sin and the holiness of God put Christ on the cross for us who believe. It’s heart check time. Today’s Reading Isaiah 4-6; Galatians 3 Selected Verses Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness.  Isaiah 5:15-16 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a

Thoughts of life and death are never far from our mortal minds. We have death through the man of dust but life through the man of heaven. Today’s reading Proverbs 11-12; First Corinthians 15:33-58 Selected Verses In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.  Proverbs 12:28 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, s

The story of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt is amazing and inspiring, but it’s nothing compared to what God did next. Wait till you hear this! Today’s Reading Psalm 78; Romans 7 Selected Verses We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.  Psalm 78:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong

The prosperity gospel teaches “Believe in Jesus and you will have health and wealth.” But many of us find this isn’t true. What then? Today’s Reading Psalms 73-74; Romans 5 Selected Verses Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.   Psalm 73:25-26 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord J