Author: Dave Dishman (Page 350 of 459)

King Herod wished to make good with the religious leaders, so he began arresting and persecuting Christians. He seized Peter and handed him to the jailers, planning to keep him in prison until he proved useful. At the same time he beheaded James, the brother of John.

James was the first martyr of the original disciples of Jesus.

But not the last.

The other James, the brother of Jesus, was stoned to death. Thomas was killed by spears while carrying the gospel to India. Peter himself was crucified in Rome, upside down, because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.

And so it went for the original members of Jesus’s posse. Only John survived into old age. Each of these disciples went willingly to their deaths proclaiming their faith in the resurrection and the need for everyone, everywhere, to follow Jesus. Strong evidence for the truth of the Bible’s claims.

Today, people still die for the faith. Nothing has changed in that arena. Then again, nothing has changed with Jesus, either. Join me in praying for the brave men and women around the world who, this very morning, follow Jesus in the face of severe persecution.

Acts 12 in week seventeen of reading the Bible cover to cover

After David whopped Goliath in the forehead with that rock, he ran to the giant and killed him with his own sword. Then David chopped off Goliath’s head and held it aloft. The emboldened army of Israel routed the Philistines and won a great victory.

David, in the meantime, never let go of that bloody head. When King Saul welcomed the victor to his tent, David appeared, still holding Goliath by the hair. Later David carried the head to Jerusalem for display.

What kind of guy lugs a head around for several days?

A teenager. In this case one who just won the greatest one-on-one duel in the history of his nation, and maybe in the history of the world. David enjoyed the moment. He raised the head to great cheers and applause and adulation everywhere he turned.

Nothing like pulling a bloody head from behind your back to impress the ladies.

However, perhaps in this first taste of glory David glimpsed his destiny. Anointed as the future king, and trusting in the certainty of the Lord’s promise, he envisioned a better future. David anticipated serving the Lord wholeheartedly as he led his people to victory over their enemies and achieving peace.

Perhaps his grisly trophy reminded David of the Lord’s faithfulness and a better future for all.

Of course, the attention didn’t hurt either.

1 Samuel 17 in week seventeen of reading the Bible cover to cover

David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio (1607)

Hoping to anoint the next king, Samuel watched several strong, handsome men walk into the room. None were the Lord’s chosen. The Lord explained, Do not look at his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Few passages in the Bible express more about the Lord and how he interacts with us than this explanation given to Samuel. It’s encouraging to me, and more than a little sobering, to glimpse the Lord’s perspective.

Do we still need to “dress for success?” I’m afraid so. Most of the world looks on our outward appearance, at least initially. Despite the glory of wearing sweats when working from home, convention requires we dress appropriately and bathe regularly. Even wearing fashionable sweats helps if you get caught on a video call.

Samuel finally sent for the youngest boy, out tending sheep and overlooked in the dinner invitations. Samuel spotted him as he rushed in, and then felt the Lord’s nudge – this is the one.

David, the sheep-tender, proved to be a man after God’s own heart, and grew into a king like no other.

1 Samuel 16 in week seventeen of reading the Bible cover to cover

An elite leader in the Roman armed forces, Cornelius surprised most everyone with his generosity and devout faith in God. Not the Roman pantheon of gods, but the one true God.

How Cornelius arrived at such faith we do not know. But he followed the Lord and influenced those around him in the same direction. A visit from an angel led to an invitation for a visit from Peter.

Cornelius, along with his friends and family, eagerly accepted the good news from Peter. The Holy Spirit fell on all those present, confirming their faith. Then Peter baptized each in the name of Jesus Christ.

Up to this point, the newly forming Christian faith existed as a sect of Judaism. Boundaries held the faith in check. Hard for me to picture today, but this interaction with Cornelius exploded the theological perceptions of many of the early Jesus followers.

In Cornelius the faith jumped the fire line and spread to the Gentiles. Jesus came for everyone, and when he said go to all the world, he meant Roman centurions, Jewish merchants, and you and me.

The gospel continues to jump barriers, showing up in unexpected places. Why should I be surprised? God’s actions astonished Peter (Acts 10:45). I should expect no less today.

Acts 10 in week seventeen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Landon Parenteau