Category: Bible (Page 267 of 419)

We all know people like Peter, who blurts out whatever’s on their mind. I find these friends refreshing because they say what I’m thinking but afraid to put into words.

Peter questioned Jesus about how many times he needed to forgive a brother or sister who sinned against him. Peter thought seven was generous. Jesus upped the ante with seventy-seven (some translators prefer the phrase seventy times seven). Then Jesus told a parable to press home his argument.

In the story a master grants forgiveness to his servant for a monster debt. The servant turns around and punishes a man who owes him a minor debt (Jesus tells the story much better than me, I suggest you read his words). The master punishes the wicked servant for his lack of mercy by turning him over to the jailers to be tortured.

Then Jesus caps the lesson with this line: This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.

Am I reading the correctly? Did Jesus draw the connection between torture and my lack of forgiveness? The more I consider it the more I want to avoid the thought—but there it is in black and white.

Forgiveness and mercy rank higher on the scale of attributes the Lord desires to develop in my life than I perceive. If I’m to forgive as it appears I should, I need the work of the Holy Spirit to move me forward. I cannot gut it out on my own.

Pull out the bitter root. Kill those grudges you nurse. Ask the Lord to point them out to you. He will, and it’s won’t be pretty. But in doing so you and I avoid the consequences of a lack of mercy.

Forgiveness also brings at least one wonderful benefit. As we follow through on the Holy Spirit’s promptings and forgive, our souls transform, settle, grow quieter. We develop into the type of people who bless those around us. We hear the Lord more clearly the next time we need to forgive.

Matthew 18 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Emily Wade

Two blind men heard Jesus walk by and shouted for attention. In spite of the crowd shushing them, they yelled louder, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!

Jesus stopped and called back, what do you want me to do for you?

Quite a question coming from the Lord of the Universe. A genie in a bottle looks like a hack next to Jesus. So, how would you answer if Jesus asked that of you today?

My first thought runs to solving an immediate and pressing problem. The two blind men asked for sight, their blindness overwhelming every aspect of life. That’s obvious.

On second thought I start to wonder what I’m missing. What do I really want from Jesus, something long-term that I cannot control but only hope turns out for the best? My mind goes to my family and the following generations finding their life and hope in the Lord.

Perhaps my response would be similar to these two blind men—Lord, we want our sight. I lack vision to see people around me as Jesus sees them. I need the self-centered scales covering my eyes lifted so I can understand the world from a fresh perspective.

Regardless, it’s worth a ponder. Jesus is no genie bound by our wishes, he does as he wills. But the Lord invites us to pray in light of his stunning question—what do you want me to do for you?

How will you answer?

Matthew 20 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Matt Walsh

The kings of Israel and Judah struggled to achieve ascendency in a region divided by competing kingdoms. Occasionally a king returned to the one sure way to ensure a successful reign:

Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.

A clear prescription for success for an ancient king of Judah & Israel—pity so few followed it.

Simple on paper—hard to implement.

King David understood when he prayed, increase the days of the king’s life…appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him (Psalm 61:6 & 7)

This prescription still applies. A resolute attempt to walk before the Lord slowly brings welcome results. Jesus promised abundant life. Such a life may not produce a financial windfall, but instead yields abundance in relationships, in peace of mind, in clarity of purpose and in calmness of soul.

Steadfast before the Lord. Read the Bible, get around people on the same journey, join a good church. Turn off what you need to turn off. Pray. Love your neighbor.

Still the best script for a good life.

2 Chronicles 27 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Jamie Templeton

A regular complaint about the Bible involves the perceived difference between the God depicted in the Old Testament and the God featured in the New. The former appears harsh, vindictive, and judgmental. The latter, viewed through the teachings of Jesus, presents as more gentle and caring. Jesus loves the little children, you know.

But the prophet Hosea turns the perception of the grim Old Testament God upside down. He shares with us the Lord’s own words:

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son…it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms…I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.

Like a loving parent with an adored child, for hundreds of years the Lord led his children and patiently waited for them to look up.

But those children twisted out of the Lord’s hand—Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves…it is said of these people, “They offer human sacrifices! They kiss calf-idols!”

I’m no expert on parenting, but when your children start offering human sacrifices, it’s time to intervene. Even with this depth of heinous evil, the Lord remained patient, longing for his children to return.

The Lord’s leniency overshadows his judgement.

God extends patience far beyond our imagination, but eventually the Lord disciplines those he loves. The entire story of the Bible—Old Testament and New—expresses the Lord’s immense patience and overarching love for every person who’s ever lived.

Hosea 12 & 13 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2022

Photo by Ante Hamersmit