Author: Dave Dishman (Page 296 of 459)

Simon, a man visiting Jerusalem from Cyrene, a city in Libya, happened across the wrong place at the wrong time. Or maybe, the wrong place at the right time.

The Roman soldiers parading Jesus through the streets forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus. Nothing in the text makes Simon look like a volunteer—he was pressed into service. I guess he looked big and strong and available. The soldiers carried swords and so Simon carried the cross.

What happened to Simon after his chore of bearing the cross for Jesus? Evidence points to Simon becoming a dedicated disciple. The gospel spread quickly to Cyrene—did Simon carry the news of the cross home with him?

Tradition holds that both his sons, Alexander and Rufus, became missionaries. Perhaps they watched the crucifixion with their father in Jerusalem? Or maybe the news of the resurrection overtook them on their way home to Cyrene, and they realized like the centurion, surely this man was the Son of God!

No matter the details, Jesus on his way to Golgotha shook their world, and these dedicated men carried his cross the rest of their lives.

Photo: Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene in The Greatest Story Ever Told

Often in one of the genealogies of the Bible you find a hidden gem. Along with lots of odd names (why doesn’t anyone name their kid Me-Zahab anymore?), glimpses of past lives peek from the soil.

Anah shot to fame because he discovered the hot springs in the desert. Any water source in the desert creates value, and apparently the story of Anah carried down generations. The author assumes the audience knew the reference.

Also interesting is the fact that he discovered the springs while grazing his father’s donkeys. Older translations use the term “mules” instead of donkeys, but since a mule is the offspring of a donkey and a horse, and no horses were thought to be present in that part of the world at that time, it’s doubtful he grazed mules. So, later translations use “donkeys.” Who knew so much detail and argumentation existed over a minuscule character in the biblical stories?

This anecdote about Anah, along with all the other names listed in the various genealogies in the Bible, remind me of the value of each and every person. So much breadth of life! Perhaps Anah explored new regions, or actively sought a fabled source of wealth, or merely dragged along behind the donkeys until they smelled water? We don’t know anything more about him, but we do know he warranted a line in scripture.

These lists of names represent faces and hopes and tragedies and triumphs and parents and children and lives lived into old age and lives cut short.

The Lord paid attention to each one of these fascinating people, just as he pays attention to me and you today.

Genesis 36 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Juli Kosolapova

I wonder what, or who, David had in mind when he penned these words:

You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

David, a warrior from his youth, was certainly no prude. He experience challenges and hardships, multiple wives and multiple wars. He was familiar with threats and dangerous men. What despicable sights and action turned his head? Who were those wicked ones strutting about before him?

I wonder what David would think of our internet, and our massive industrial entertainment complex? What about our culture of unbridled individualism slathered with narcissism? The unadulterated pursuit of money and fame? Perhaps David might sense honor going towards the vile as well. I certainly do.

With 3,000-year old words, David sounds up to date with his prescription for such times. A different way exists. The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

In the midst of vile, David embraced the words of the Lord and the safety of his protection. The shocking, sleazy, vulgar deceptions of our times fail in the end. It’s the Lord’s world, and he remains the hope of the needy.

Psalm 12 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Albert Dera

Two separate verses shared their encouragement with me as I read this morning. I’m always impressed when I read and find unlinked passages meeting like old friends. Here’s the first, from the Psalms:

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 145:8).

I find it encouraging to remember, in a world where accusations trample graciousness, and anger rarely comes slow, that the Lord brings compassion and love.

Jesus spoke the second line my eyes lingered on today:

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Mark 13:31).

Only three things last forever—God, his words, and the souls of men and women. Jesus reinforces this point. Of all I do today, it’s nice to think I at least spent a few minutes with something that lasts forever.

Then perhaps, if the Holy Spirit reminds me and I pay attention, I might just reflect some of the Lord’s graciousness and compassion towards those other eternal beings around me today.

Psalm 145 & Mark 13 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Isaac Wendland