Acts 13

Acts 13:36

For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay;

We often wonder why some people die unexpectedly.  Why does this person get cancer, or that person get killed in a car accident?  What possible reason could God have to cutting short the lives of such loyal followers of Him?

As painful as that situation can be, I think this verse sums it up.  When a believer dies, it is because he has served his purpose for God.  God has done what He needed to do with him, and now it is time to go home to receive his reward for faithful service.  That may not make the loss easier for us, but with an eternal perspective we can learn to accept it, even when we don't understand exactly why.

Acts 12

Acts 12:19

When Herod had searched for him and had not found him, he examined the guards and ordered that they be led away to execution.  Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and was spending time there.

God let this whole situation play out, knowing that these soldiers would die.  There probably wasn't anything about those soldiers that was any worse than others.  They were just doing their job, obeying orders, but God divinely intervened in a situation and it cost them their lives.

This is a reminder that sometimes God's good work for His people can result in bad for others.  Peter lived to do His work, but these soldiers paid the price for that miracle.  However, sometimes the reverse is true, and God works that His people might die so non-believers live, and hopefully come to an understanding of why.

Acts 11

Acts 11:15

When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, "Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."

The believers still held prejudices.  They thought that Jews were still the chosen people of God, and only they could be saved.  Gentiles were still filthy sub-humans, unworthy of God's real attention.  Perhaps some could come to believe in God and find a measure of grace, but they would still be second-class citizens, unworthy of contact with Jews.

God had different ideas.  Jesus had many times spoken with Gentiles, even healed them.  God never intended for there to be a permanent division based on ancestry; instead, any separation should only be after death, and that separation is based on our decisions, not God's.

Acts 10

Acts 10:33

So I sent for you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come.  Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."

Cornelius is showing great faith here.  First, he sends for a man, sight-unseen, who he has never heard of, to come to him, something he knows would be against the Law.  He trusts that this message is from God, and that He will arrange the rest.

Second, he accepts this person, and asks him to speak on behalf of God.  He doesn't know what he's going to say (it doesn't appear Peter knows either), or how it may affect him.  All he knows is that he received a command from God, and he follows it without hesitation.

Acts 9

Acts 9:31

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

It seems that the believers have had thing as feast of famine recently.  First everything's going just fine, then suddenly they come under intense persecution and are scattered.  Then after Saul's conversion, suddenly it seems things calmed down again.

What was the cause of this new change?  Was Saul the driving force behind the persecution, and without its leader things fizzled?  Or was it a matter of his conversion and subsequent defense of Christianity such an amazing turnaround that the persecutors were spooked?

Acts 8

Acts 8:16

For He had not yet fallen upon any of them, they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

I've sometimes wondered if someone could have prayed "the prayer," but not actually be a Christian.  Obviously it's possible to say some words and not really mean them, but is it possible to sincerely pray, but not really be a believer?  Would this mean deathbed conversions and such aren't real?

So, at what point is someone really a believer?  Were these Samaritans believers before the Holy Spirit came on them, and if so how do we know when the Spirit has come upon us today?  Or is the Spirit not necessary to be a Christian, but in that case why does it come?

Acts 7

Acts 7:51

"You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.

Up until this point, Stephen's been speaking very calmly, laying out history.  Looking at it like for the first time, you have to wonder where he was going, or if he was just filibustering to bore them.  However, with this verse, he makes a sharp turn.

Today, we always hear that we are to speak the truth in love. However, I have to admit I can't see the love in this statement.  It seems like he's chosen to be directly accusatory, almost hostile, rather than presenting things in a loving manner.

Acts 6

Acts 6:8

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.

Stephen wasn't called by the church to be a great teacher or miracle worker.  Instead, he was chosen to be what today would be called by many a deacon.  He was someone to deal with the administration of the church, so that other (the Apostles, or maybe today elders) would be able to do all that "spiritual," "miraculous" stuff.

However, here we find that Stephen was, it could be said, encroaching on the Apostles "territory."  He was the one performing miracles and getting noticed by the outsiders.  It shows that even though we may be called to do something seemingly mundane for the church, God may well have other (and bigger) plans for you.

Acts 5

Acts 5:8

And Peter responded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?"  And she said, "Yes, that was the price."

I've heard some say that they died for not bringing all the proceeds from the sale to the church (in effect, not tithing 100%).  However, this does not make sense.  Peter himself later says that the money was theirs to do with as they pleased; it was not required that they give it all.

Their sin was to lie to the church and God, saying that they sold the land for less than they actually did.  For some reason, they did not feel comfortable giving only part of the profits, either due to what they perceived as peer pressure, or looking for some special recognition from the congregation.  Instead, they lied, and paid the ultimate price.

Acts 4

Acts 4:20

for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

The apostles were not preaching about the Torah, or holding discourses on some subtle meaning of a Psalm.  Instead, they were speaking about what they had personally witnessed, and what Jesus had directly taught them.  This is part of why their speaking was so influential among the people; it was them giving their eyewitness account.

Maybe that's one reason I don't feel comfortable trying to share my faith.  I don't really feel like I have a testimony that would have an impact on anybody.  Having been raised in the church and all, I feel like most of what I could speak about that would impact someone are my mistakes, and many of them I've not moved past yet to where I can truly say knowing Christ helped.  My personal testimony feels half-baked, at best.

Acts 3

Acts 3:17

"And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also.

 The Jews had had Jesus crucified, perhaps only a few months before.  Whatever they thought about Him and the crucifixion, everyone knew about it.  Now they're hearing that Jesus was actually what He claimed to be, which puts them at risk of God's punishment.

However, Peter is extending a lifeline, of sorts.  He is acknowledging that they didn't realize what they were doing.  They still have an opportunity to choose correctly, just as we do today.

Acts 2

Acts 2:42

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

I wonder if the order of actions here is important?  Is the priority first to be learning, then to be in community, and finally to be praying?  Also, does them being in two sets (learning and fellowship, food and prayer) have significance?

I like to think I'm doing okay at learning, though I don't know that I reach the level of devoted.  Fellowship is definitely a weak point for me, as most of it seems to be so shallow and pointless.  And prayer is definitely something I struggle with, between my ADD and general troubles and doubts.

Acts 1

Acts 1:6

So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

The apostles still don't get it.  I don't blame them for that, though.  They had been raised with one line of thinking regarding the Messiah:  that He would come and free them from their oppressors, and rule in God's name.

Now, they are certain that Jesus is this Messiah.  He's come back from the dead, in a way that no one could refute if He revealed Himself publicly.  But they didn't understand that the salvation would be a spiritual one, not a mere physical or political one.

John 21

John 21:22

Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me!"

Peter had made a common error among believers, and non-believers also.  He started worrying about what would happen to him compared to everyone else.  He may even have been a little jealous of another's relationship with Jesus compared to his own.

One of the sayings I've tried to base my life on is that I can't control anyone else's actions, only my own; I can't make someone else do the right thing, I can only do the right thing myself and let the rest happen however it will.  I know I don't live up to that as often as I should, especially in spiritual matters, but it's a lesson I need to constantly be reminding myself of.

John 20

John 20:28

Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

The fact that Thomas doubted the others is undisputed.  He thought they had gone mad, or were pulling a very bad joke or something.  Like them beforehand, he did not understand what Jesus had meant about rising again, and therefore demanded tangible proof.

When Jesus appears, He offers that proof to Thomas.  However, it's never recorded whether Thomas actually did touch Him to prove it was true.  Was seeing Him alone enough, or did he follow through and actually have to go all the way?

John 19

John 19:15

So they cried out, "Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him!"  Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your King?  The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."

It's very easy for people to merge religion and politics.  Both are about who leads you, whose rules you follow.  The Israelites at one time had a direct theocracy, but decided they didn't like that and went to a monarchy instead.  Now the spiritual leaders are saying they want their spiritual leader killed, and are swearing fealty to their political leaders instead.

This kind of thing takes place in many parts on modern Christianity, particularly recently.  I like to think I keep the two separated, but I'm sure I blur the lines more than I should.  The important thing to remember is that our ultimate loyalty has to be to God, not any government of mortals.  Without that, we will ultimately lose our way and miss God's workings.

John 18

John 18:15

Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple.  Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest,

Apparently, John was someone of note somehow.  For one reason or another, he was known to the high priest, and not in a completely hostile way.  He was accepted enough that he was allowed to enter the court without incident, while Peter was not.

How did the son of a fisherman, who probably only had passing familiarity with Jerusalem, become known well enough that he was permitted entry into the high priest's house?  John was from Galilee, which probably isn't somewhere the high priest got often, given his responsibilities at the Temple.  So what did John do that was notable enough for the high priest's household to accept him, but not radical enough to be shunned?

John 17

John 17:2

even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.

My first read-through of this, I got a little cross-eyed.  Jesus is talking about You and Him as if they are separate from Himself.  But isn't Jesus the one who gives eternal life?

Reading this, that seems to be wrong.  Since the You is obviously God the Father, and Jesus is the one speaking, I have to assume that Him is the Holy Spirit.  Does this mean that it is actually the Spirit, when He indwells us, that is giving eternal life?

John 16

John 16:7

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

Jesus being on Earth was a wonderful thing.  But because He was human, there were limitations to Him.  In particular, He could only be in one place at one time, and that limited the number of people He could directly influence at a time.

However, the Holy Spirit does not have physical limitations.  He can be anywhere and everywhere, helping anyone who wants it simultaneously.  Jesus opened the door to the Father, but it is the Spirit who keeps pushing us along the path to be more like Him.

John 15

John 15:6

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

Once again, I question the meaning of this verse.  It almost sounds like it is possible to lose one's salvation.  My branch of the faith doesn't believe that's possible, but are they wrong?

Or are all branches to begin with, but most choose to separate themselves?  Is that the idea behind childhood innocence, that we all start connected to God and then go our own way?  Or am I misreading this verse, and it's only referring to those who claim belief but never really do?

John 14

John 14:22

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?"

Jesus doesn't seem to directly answer this question.  He goes back to almost repeating what He said before, about those who love Him will know Him.  But since the question is here, I have to assume Jesus did answer it, however indirectly.

I think the answer is that He is not disclosing Himself to the world because they have already rejected Him.  They didn't want what they thought He had, so they decided He wasn't what He claimed to be.  Therefore, publicly disclosing Himself wouldn't have done any good, because anyone who wanted to could see the truth.

John 13

John 13:17

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Jesus is in his final teaching, and wants to focus on the really important things.  He leads off with teaching by example, to get His point across.  However, He still has to explain what He means, and this verse tends to get brushed over in studying the passage.

First, you have to know the truth, for without it you are ignorant and can't change.  But it doesn't stop there, as you then have to put the truth into practice.  This is where most people fail, myself high among them, as this required changing ourselves and we're not good at that.

John 12

John 12:29

So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him."

The people weren't used to hearing directly from God.  They were apparently confused about what they heard.  I wonder how distinct the voice was, since I can't picture any intelligible voice sounding like thunder.

Today, we talk about God speaking in a still, small voice a lot.  But we tend to forget that He also can speak so loudly it would deafen us.  But even when it's heard, we often misunderstand what it is, either because we're not ready to know or we don't really want to know.

John 11

John 11:20

Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house.

The story most people remember of Martha and Mary had the two in different roles.  In that one, Mary was at Jesus' feet, while Martha was away in the kitchen.  Martha was focused on the practical, while Mary was focused on Jesus.

Here, it seems the roles are reversed.  Martha is the one focused on Jesus, and goes to Him, while Mary is focused on the facts of their brother's death and stays away.  Why the change in actions between the two?

John 10

John 10:24

The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will you keep us in suspense?  If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

People are not known for being very patient.  In fact, we're usually very impatient, and the longer we have to wait the more we get ticked.  The Jews had been waiting centuries for the Christ to come, and were on a shorter fuse than they would've preferred.

However, I can't feel too superior to them.  I'm probably even less patient, on average, and I start to get testy too when I've been waiting longer than I think I should.  This is a good lesson in both patience and discernment; be alert and watching, but also understand that God's timing is not our own.

John 9

John 9:11

He answered, "The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash'; so I went away and washed, and I received sight."

There's one word here that isn't in the other tellings of this story, even in this chapter, that made me decide to go into this verse.  Here, the man says Jesus anointed his eyes.  While this term has several definitions, it normally is used in a religious or spiritual context.  He saw this act as one of special significance by Jesus, not Him just haphazardly using a bit of mud on him.

Also, this is a case where Jesus required the blind man to act as well.  Many times, Jesus just spoke of did a healing action.  This time, He required greater faith of the man, enough to go and follow Jesus instructions.

John 8

John 8:25

So they were saying to Him, "Who are You?"  Jesus said to them, "What have I been saying to you from the beginning?

The people had all the pieces before them, but didn't put them together.  Jesus had given them all the information they needed to know who He was.  However, they didn't understand it, and therefore missed Him.

I don't want to sound like I'm casting aspersions on them, or insulting them.  I'm sure that if I'd been there, I would have missed the same signs.  No matter how clearly something is laid out, people have an enormous capacity to see what they want to see, or let a small assumption shape their focus.

John 7

John 7:23

If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?

It says elsewhere that the Sabbath was made for man, not vice versa.  This is a great illustration of that.  The Sabbath exists so that we will rest, and not keep going at full speed until we burn out.

God rested on the Sabbath because His work was done, not because He needed to.  Similarly, we are to get our work done in 6 days, so we can recharge (something God doesn't need).  However, if something happens on Sunday and we need to do important "work," there is nothing that keeps us from doing so.  We just need to make sure we get the rest we need and God instructs.

John 6

John 6:60

Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this said, "This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?"

We celebrated Communion today at church.  Any time I actually think about what Christ said too deeply, it creeps me out.  I can completely understand why they considered this difficult and hard to listen to.

However, what is important is the act it symbolizes, and the effects of that act.  Until then, your only hope was to be a perfect person, which is impossible.  Now, faith can cover the sin, as long as we allow it to; too many don't allow it to, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't uncomfortable with it most of the time.

John 5

John 5:13

But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.

Jesus could have stayed, and revealed Himself to the healed man there.  But He chose not to, instead finding Him later.  Was this because He knew the accusations that would come?

I like to think it was because Jesus wasn't looking for credit or attention.  This wasn't meant to be some public miracle to convince the masses of who He was or the power He wielded.  Instead, this was a spontaneous act of compassion on one person, and then He faded into the background.

John 4

John 4:42

and they were saying to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world."

Everyone's faith starts out with someone's testimony.  What that testimony entails is varied, but it's about what God has done for them.  Here, the woman testified of Jesus' knowledge.

However, faith can't stay there.  It has to become personal, seeing what God has done for you.  These people witnessed Christ's words and actions themselves, and therefore believed anew.

John 3

John 3:20

For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.

This feels like a bit of a contradiction to me.  Those who are evil avoid the Light, to avoid being exposed for what they have done.  But all men are evil, so how do any come to the Light?

I guess this is getting back toward the Calvinism question again, where those who become saved are that way because God chose them out of the darkness.  We didn't choose to come into the Light, God shone the Light on us.  But didn't we still have to choose to accept it?  And why did we accept it, rather than run back to the darkness where it's safe?  Maybe I was just saved too young to understand how this works for those who are really aware of their sins.

John 2

John 2:5

His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it."

Is it just me, or was Mary being very presumptive in all this?  Jesus basically just told her off, saying it wasn't His time yet.  Yet she goes ahead and gives orders to the servants, almost extorting Him.

Was there more to the conversation that wasn't included in the text?  Something that showed Jesus acquiescing to Mary's request?  Or did she simply know Him too well, and knew that He would act to fill the need once made aware of it?

John 1

John 1:3

All things came into being through him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Humans like to think of ourselves as creative.  We like to look at something and be able to say, "I made that."  However, God made everything, and without Him there is nothing we can make.

I wonder if an acute awareness of this verse is why I don't consider myself to be very creative.  I don't particularly like making things, and don't particularly like the things I make.  Is it because I know I didn't make them?  Or perhaps is it a resentment that I can't truly take credit?

Luke 24

Luke 24:27

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

First, how sorry do you feel for these guys?  They've been following Jesus for some time, enough to be meeting with the apostles, and are among the first to see Jesus after his resurrection, but are kept for hours from realizing it's Him.  And not only that, but they didn't understand the prophecies, or how they connected together.  Poor guys.

On the other hand, these guys are among the most blessed in the world.  Jesus chose them to appear to very early on, and took the time to explain everything to them.  They were probably the first humans to truly understand the prophecies on Christ!

Luke 23

Luke 23:25

And he released the man they were asking for who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, but he delivered Jesus to their will.

Barabbas was possibly the first man truly saved by Christ.  He was a dead man walking, but Christ interceded and took his place, leaving him to freedom.  Yet even with an example like this, I still have constant trouble letting myself believe that I'm no worse than anyone else who's been saved, or that I actually have been.

Jesus wasn't just sent off to be killed, He was delivered to the will of jealous men.  They wanted Him dead, and Pilate lacked the will to deny them that.  So He would have done to Him all that they wanted, without resistance or struggle, and again man's desires led to destruction.  With anyone else, that would have been the end of a sad story, so we should again thank God that it wasn't the end.

Luke 22

Luke 22:3

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.

I've always wondered how Satan entered at this point, to this person.  It kind of seems to have happened out of the blue.  And how did Satan have he ability to take over one who was so close to Christ?

I have to assume Judas as chosen by Satan because he already had his defenses down.  We know from elsewhere that he was robbing their treasury for himself, so his character was already compromised.  He'd left a door open for Satan, and Satan had just been waiting outside to walk in at the right moment.

Luke 21

Luke 21:5

And while some were talking about the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts, He said,

One of my pet peeves today is how much attention goes into making church buildings pretty to look at.  It goes back centuries, to when the cathedral was sometimes the only place where real art could be found, in stained glass windows and religious paintings and sculptures.  Today it's about how much attention your church can get, or how modern the architecture is, or the whiz-bang tech it's stuffed with.

While there are certain things involving tech I look for in a church, I think far too much effort goes into appearances and making things cool.  I've disagreed with the last couple building projects my own church did, because I felt they were too ostentatious and focused on appearance to pull people in.  Maybe it's partly because of my own church upbringing in a school gym, but I feel that money could have been used so much better in ministry, rather than appearance.

Luke 20

Luke 20:35

but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage;

This is a verse I have to keep in my mind.  It's a verse you hear thrown about a lot in the single community.  Even so, it's one that's hard for me to keep focus on.

The idea of there being no marriage or romance in heaven just feels alien.  I understand it intellectually, but emotionally it just doesn't compute.  The idea that that part of our earthly psyches won't be needed in heaven just feels like you're ripping out the heart of what it is to be human.

Luke 19

Luke 19:9

And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham.

It's never too late for anyone, until they've drawn their last breath.  I've heard this saying I don't know how many times, but always have trouble believing it about myself.  I can usually accept it for others, but I feel like, because I have been saved already, there is a limit to how many times I can mess up.

We believers are also sons of Abraham, by adoption.  As such, Jesus is inviting us also to be saved, and forgiven as many times as we ask for it.  Even though I know all this mentally, emotionally it has yet to really sink in, as I know how far short I fall of God's commands of how I should be living.

Luke 18

Luke 18:24

And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!"

I've often wondered what the standard for wealth is.  Is there some hard number, where you have a certain amount or percentage above average?  Or is it a matter of having enough that you don't feel you need to rely on God for your daily necessities?

Along with that question, I often wonder if I am wealthy to where it threatens my status.  I know that the low money was a factor when I decided not to make missions my career.  Does that, along with everything I have now, further separate me from hearing God?

Luke 17

Luke 17:10

So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"

Since I was a teenager, I've always hated getting complements.  I always felt like I didn't deserve the praise being sent my way, but that it would be rude to say so.  So I now try my best to just do what needs doing, and slip away without anyone noticing or thanking me.

The odd thing is, I don't mind giving complements for things well done.  So I can understand both sides of this verse.  I do feel unworthy of being thanked for doing what I was supposed to, but at the same time, I want to reward others who do their part.  When it comes to God, I just feel inadequate, regardless of the circumstance.

Luke 16

Luke 16:8

And his master praised the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light.

I'll admit, I've never really understood this verse.  First, why is the bad manager being praised?  He's effectively stolen more money from his master.  Is he being praised for this vindictiveness?  Or is he being praised for finding a way to get a new job, but that's by scamming his present one?

Also, who's more shrewd?  The wording is confusing to me.  I am uncertain if the sons of the age are more shrewd towards each other than they are towards those of the light, or that they are just more shrewd overall than the sons of the light are.

Luke 15

Luke 15:21

And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

I can easily empathize with the younger son here.  I've been given a great inheritance, but have squandered it on things that are unimportant.  I too am unworthy of being considered a son, and deserve, at the absolute most, to be a servant in Heaven.

However, I have to constantly remind myself that that is not what God has done for me.  He didn't put a disqualification in my adoption papers.  He accepts that I am imperfect, and admits me as a son anyway, even as He encourages me to do better.

Luke 14

Luke 14:10

But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, "Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.

I think many have read this passage, and missed a key word.  They think that this is basically a sure-fire formula, that if you publicly display humility, you will be elevated by those around you.  However, this not only shows a flawed motivation, but missed the key word of the passage.

That word is "may."  None of this is a guarantee.  It could be that you truly are the lowest of those there, or the host is oblivious due to other distractions, or that he doesn't want to embarrass those who seated themselves higher.  Whatever might happen, you are not entitled to be elevated, and must accept your situation if it doesn't happen.

Luke 13

Luke 13:4

Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?

We have a tendency to look for a reason something happens.  In Christian circles today, the common blame is spiritual warfare.  "If something bad is happening, it must be because Satan is attacking you."

However, Jesus shows this lie for what it is.  Just because something bad happens, it doesn't mean that we're being attacked, or did something wrong.  Sometimes, and in my opinion most of the time, thing happen as a consequence of living in a fallen and flawed universe, and that is the only "spiritual" action that precipitated that bad event.

Luke 12

Luke 12:57

"And why do yo not even on your own initiative judge what is right?

This verse stuck with me today, but for more personal and timely reasons that what I normally talk about here.  A couple days ago, someone online said something that really stuck in my craw, and I called him out on it.  I used some terminology that was direct and unkind, but I believed warranted.

My comments blew up bigger than I ever expected, and have caused a bit of a storm in the small community online this is related to.  I've been debating since then what to do about it, and this has solidified my thinking.  Some time this weekend, I'm going to go back, re-listen to what was said to make sure I heard it correctly.  If I'm still convinced I'm correct, I'm going to write a more detailed note laying out my specific arguments, and if I'm wrong I'm going to apologize.  Either way, I'm going to invite him to discuss more, should he choose.  At least then, I've opened to door for resolving things, and that's all I can do.

Luke 11

Luke 11:13

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

First, Jesus rightly points out that we're all evil.  However, evil people can do not-evil things.  It doesn't get them any closer to being good, but being evil does not mean you don't understand love (however imperfectly).

Second, it's interesting here that Jesus doesn't make the parallel of fathers giving good gifts to children with God giving good gifts to us.  Instead, He's much more specific, and says He gave us the Holy Spirit.  The immediate implication is that the Spirit is not only a good gift but the best possible.  I just with I felt like It was here more often. (and yes, I used It intentionally)

Luke 10

Luke 10:11

'Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom o God has come near.'

The seventy were sent out with a message.  They also had the power to act in Jesus' name, but their main reason for going out was to preach.  The people may have been paying attention to the miracles, but the message was the important part.

That message didn't change, no matter the seventy's circumstance.  If they were welcomed into a city, the message was the same.  If they were not welcomed and had to depart while warning of judgment, the message was the same.  They could not control how the people received the message; their job was simply to preach it, and let God do the work.

Luke 9

Luke 9:62

But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

I wonder, what does it mean to put the hand on the plow and look back?  Is this someone who regrets their decision?  Is it someone who simply yearns for the freedom of their previous life?

I once had an opportunity to become a missionary, working with my parents.  However, from the time where that possibility became an option, to when I had to decide, some changes had occurred both at the mission and myself, to where I didn't feel comfortable with the idea.  Did I mess up, and make myself unfit?

Luke 8

Luke 8:56

Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

I'm not sure the purpose of this instruction.  The girl was apparently very clearly dead, and now she wasn't.  At the very least, those who had been there mourning certainly would have figured out what had happened.

Also, note the contrast between this and his healing at the beginning of the chapter.  There, he told the man who'd been cured of demons to tell everyone what had happened; here, bringing a girl back from the dead was a private matter.  What was the difference?  Perhaps it was because the demon-possessed man was living among non-believers (they herded pigs, after all), whereas the girl and her family were Jewish?

Luke 7

Luke 7:6

Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, "Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;

I can easily identify with the centurion in this story.  I constantly feel unworthy of God's attention, and do not want to do anything to bother Him.  I feel I should not be calling upon Him for anything but to help me overcome my sin, because that should be the priority over any earthly issues.

However, I have to remind myself that that wasn't the centurion's attitude here.  He wanted Jesus to heal his servant, and sent people he respected to make the request.  But he also understood the power and authority Jesus had, and that he was unworthy, so he requested the minimal effort from Him.

Luke 6

Luke 6:46

"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

I have to admit, this is one of those areas I constantly struggle with.  I was raised in the church, and been through what I'd like to think is fairly thorough.  I know what I'm supposed to do, how I'm supposed to act, and how I'm supposed to feel about it.

However, I find that "expected Christian behavior" to be a constant struggle.  I almost resent the "good Christian" persona I'm expected to follow, because it's so inauthentic.  I don't feel that I'm being molded or shaped to be more like Christ, but instead just learning to wear the mask better while everything behind it is simmering that the requirement.

Luke 5

Luke 5:18

But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!"

Peter's initial reaction when he understood who Jesus was was immediate, and appropriate.  For all their faults, the Jewish leaders understood their inferiority to God.  They knew a separation had to be maintained, or those breaching that separation would die.

However, they did not know Jesus, or why He came.  He came to help remove that separation, to make us family instead of servants.  I'll admit, this is a change I don't do well; I still tend to see God as a (benevolent) master, not a Father.

Luke 4

Luke 4:2

for forty days, being tempted by the devil.  And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry.

So, how much of the Sunday School version of this story fits?  It appears from this that Satan didn't just come at the end of the 40 days to tempt him; he was tempted by him throughout the time.  I wonder how much time went by between the three temptations we know about?

Also, I wonder how Jesus survived this time, if he never ate anything during those 40 days?  Modern science says that a person can go roughly 3 weeks without food before dying of hunger; Jesus did twice that.  So was there some kind of "cheat" where Jesus did eat something and it's not conveyed through the text, or was there some sort of supernatural intervention involved?

Luke 3

Luke 3:15

Now while the people were in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ,

The people were not asleep at the switch.  They knew that sooner or later someone would be sent by God to save them, and that person would teach with authority.  They saw that John was teaching with authority, and put two and two together.

However, they were wrong.  John was divinely inspired in his message, but he did not have the power that Jesus would.  He was given the words of God's wisdom, and shared them with the people, but that was just the warm-up act.

Luke 2

Luke 2:35

and a sword will pierce even your own soul--to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."

Imagine having been through the most painful (and joyful) experience of your life barely a week earlier.  You then have to walk a couple hours to another city, probably wait in lines to buy required items, and as you're finally almost done with the requirements of the trip, a stranger comes up and says this to you.

How do you take it?  This bundle of joy, who you've been told will save your people, is going to bring you huge pain?  Did Mary experience any questions or hesitations from hearing this, or was she still simply submissive to God's direction?

Luke 1

Luke 1:3

It seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus;

This tells us much about the author.  First, he was a scholar.  He cares about having the correct facts, and was willing to do the hard work in that time to learn from the eyewitnesses what really happened.

Second, he cared about others.  He didn't do all this to satisfy his own curiosity, which I probably would have.  He investigated to know, but wanted others to know as well, and benefit from his work.  He wasn't in this for himself.

Mark 16

Mark 16:8

They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

I can easily understand the ladies' reaction.  They've just seen something impossible, and someone they've never met is telling them to do things that could make others think they're crazy.  They're not even sure if they're crazy.

The human mind was not made to understand what they'd just witnessed.  They had to come to understand what they'd been told.  Obviously they eventually did tell people, but not when they'd been commanded (does that count as sin?).

Mark 15

Mark 15:21

They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.

I wonder if Simon ever understood what was happening?  Here he was, just walking along minding his own business, when a squad of Roman soldiers comes up with a prisoner, and makes you carry the condemned man's cross.  The soldiers had the legal authority to make him do it, so he does, but what happens afterwards?

Did he just carry on his way after, glad to get away from them?  Did he ever realize whose cross he was carrying, and why?  Did he become a believer, or was he hounded about his place a story he never wanted?  And what of his children, did they see it happen?  Did they later believe?

Mark 14

Mark 14:27

And Jesus said to them, "You will all fall away, because it is written, 'I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED.'

There's an old saying about courage, and how no one really knows how they will react in a situation until it occurs.  The ones who seem the bravest may crack, or they may stand firm as expected.  The weak may break, or they may find reserves they never knew were possible.

In this case, I wonder how it played out.  Was their fleeing a matter of human frailty following through?  Or was this the prompting of the Spirit in some way, to maintain the prophecy?

Mark 13

Mark 13:7

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.

I wonder which gospel people like to quote when they say the end times will be shortly preceded by wars and rumors of wars?  Whichever it is (and I don't recall off the top of my head), it only got half the quote.  Unfortunately, the real signs aren't nearly so clear-cut.

Conflict has been part of the story of humanity since Cain and Abel.  Sadly, it's been going steadily ever since, with no sign of abating soon.  To think that fighting, or mere reports of it, is a sign of the end of the world is to be constantly on alert, which isn't sustainable.

Mark 12

Mark 12:25

For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

I've head several singles' writers go on about how this verse should be great comfort to singles.  It shows how marriage is a temporary condition for this world, and will mean nothing in Heaven.  There, we will all be single, because there is no other state.

I have to admit, I'm not there yet.  I still long for marriage, even though I know the odds are heavily against me.  I have yet to reach any type of contentment, where I'm OK with staying single the rest of my life, even knowing things will be different in Heaven.

Mark 11

Mark 11:14

He said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!"  And His disciples were listening.

I have to admit, this story sits a bit uneasy with me.  I have to wonder why Jesus cursed it.  He had to have known it wasn't the season for figs.

I hate to say this, but was Jesus anger justified?  He found a tree in its natural condition, and got angry because of it.  If this were not Jesus Himself, I'd be accusing Him of sin.  But if it wasn't sin, what was it?  It doesn't make sense to be only an object lesson for the disciples, not with this reaction.

Mark 10

Mark 10:11

And He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;

This verse has troubled me for a long time.  I've always felt it should be taken literally as it is directly from Jesus.  Yet the modern church doesn't seem to give it much weight.

Some say that it's hyperbole on Jesus' part, that He doesn't really mean it.  Yet that seems to be a very convenient answer.  Particularly, I've latched onto the fact that it doesn't say that divorcing is the sin; it says remarrying is the sin.  It's legal under the Law to divorce, per the previous verses, but here the sin seems to be marrying another, and that's one of my major hold-ups.

Mark 9

Mark 9:1

And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."

I'll admit it, this verse has always driven me nuts.  Who and what is He talking about here?  All those who were there are long-since dead, so where's the kingdom?

Is the kingdom referred to more of a spiritual existence, where Heaven is available because of Christ's sacrifice, and they can go there without dying in spirit?  But if so, what sort of death are they not tasting?  Or is it because John saw Heaven in as depicted in Revelation, and that counts?  Or something else entirely?

Mark 8

Mark 8:32

And He was stating the matter plainly.  And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

I always wondered what the rest of the disciples' reaction to this was.  Did they understand that Jesus was talking about Himself, even though He was speaking plainly?  Or did they think it was still a parable or metaphor, or perhaps that He was referring to someone else?

Also, I always wondered what exactly Peter was saying?  I imagine that he wasn't just telling Him to shut up.  So, was he saying Jesus was lying to them?  Or maybe that He shouldn't be talking about this?

Mark 7

Mark 7:23

All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."

I guess it's a little weird to me that it was declared that no external item can make one unclean.  In this time, the Jews had many laws for cleanliness.  Many of them Jesus told people to follow, including those for purification after being ill.

However, I guess here he's talking about spiritual cleanliness, rather than physical for presentation at the Temple.  After all, Jesus was pointing us to the future, where the Temple would not be needed or available.  In spiritual matters, it is the heart that determines cleanliness, and we've all sullied ourselves quite a bit.

Mark 6

Mark 6:2

When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things, and what is this wisdom given to Him, and such miracles as these performed by His hands?

It's interesting that the people wondered where Jesus got his wisdom from.  I've wondered at times what Jesus was like as a child.  We know He impressed the teachers at the Temple, but what was the rest of His childhood like?

It appears from this that He wasn't nearly so outgoing in the rest of His youth.  He always had this information, but it seems He didn't flaunt it.  He only revealed Himself now, rather than being the local golden boy at home.  It's a good reminder to always keep an open mind, because you never know when someone has learned something new.

Mark 5

Mark 5:17

And they began to implore him to leave their region.

These people have just seen a great miracle, a man released from the hold of demons.  Yet the first thing they do upon learning about this is ask the miracle-worker to leave. Why turn away such a wonderful person?

I can think of three possible reasons.  First, that miracle cost some locals their livelihood, when the demons went into the pigs and they ran into the sea and drowned.  Second, they were afraid of someone so powerful, especially since He was from a different religion as them.  Third, they considered themselves unworthy to be in his presence, realizing their sinful state.

I don't know which of the three might be true, or maybe some combination of them, or some other reason I haven't thought of; but whichever it is, it's sad for them that they didn't let Him stay.  Who knows what else the might have seen Him do?

Mark 4

Mark 4:17

and they have no firm root in themselves, but are only temporary; then, when affliction or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they fall away.

I've for a long time wondered whether it's possible to "lose your faith."  The modern Christian answer is no, but I've never been so sure.  It seems to me that one can believe, but then something happens and they no longer believe, and then their "fire insurance" no longer applies.

This verse from the parable of the seed is one that always comes to mind in that argument.  The seed in rocky soil was on-fire, sprouting early, yet didn't last through the trouble.  It would make sense that some start out on-fire for God, and this may last for years, but sooner or later something pops up that shakes them to their core, and they turn away and are lost forever.  Maybe it's more a matter of never truly having been saved to begin with, but how can we tell?

Mark 3

Mark 3:25

If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

I worry about the church (as a whole, not my specific church) sometimes.  We seem to be very strongly divided, and the things that separate us appear to be much more potent than those that unite us.  I've heard of multiple attempts at having some kind of unified services or gatherings being rebuffed.

I really wish we remembered more, me included, that we are supposed to be one body.  There may be slight differences in our style preferences, but there must be stronger unity in our agreement of common doctrine.  The issues that split us into so many denominations must be reconcilable, at least to the point of working together for the larger goal of saving the lost.

Mark 2

Mark 2:17

And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

I often worry about being mis-categorized in this verse.  I think most see me as one of the healthy ones, when I don't feel I am.  Like this crud I'm fighting right now, everything seems fine on the outside, but I know I'm not all right.

Similarly, I know I probably mis-categorize others.  I know I have a tendency to look down on those who I see a lazy or whiny.  They need a doctor, but all I want to give is a tissue or band-aid.

Mark 1

Mark 1:10

Immediately coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opening, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him;

My mental antenna twanged when I read this verse.  In the past, and it may be this way in other gospels, I've always heard that this was something everyone around saw. They all saw the Spirit like a dove, and in the next verse the voice from Heaven.

However, here it appears that only Jesus saw and heard this.  So which is true?  Was this something God revealed to all present, or was this something private between the Father and Son?

Matthew 28

Matthew 28:17

When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some were doubtful.

I hate to admit it, but I'd probably be among those who doubted.  I would have seen this man die, and knew there was no way He could be alive.  This is long before resuscitation techniques existed, so if He died, there was no bringing Him back.

However, that thinking precludes miracles, and disavows who Jesus was.  As the Son of God, normal rules of life may not have applied to Him.  In addition, I'd have seen Him bring others back to life, so I would be wrong to doubt that God could do the same for Him.  Unfortunately for me, that doesn't mean I would've been able to overcome my doubts...

Matthew 27

Matthew 27:53

and coming our of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

This is such an important point, yet it only gets a very minor mention.  I always wondered who these saints were.  Were they good people who'd recently died, or were they older saints who everyone would have known?

Also, what happened to them?  It seems from this verse that they weren't around for very long.  Did they die again, like Lazarus would some day?  Or were they taken to heaven also, as Jesus soon would be?

Matthew 26

Matthew 26:11

For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have Me.

I have to admit, I've probably mis-used this verse in my head and heart quite a bit.  I'm not the only one, but that doesn't excuse it.  It's a very easy verse to mis-use, and it doesn't help that that mis-use can align with my political leanings.

The fact that the poor will always be here is too often used as an excuse not to try to improve their situation.  It's easy to see them as lazy, or stupid, or otherwise "less."  But that is pride talking, and I have to remind myself that there was a time I wasn't too many steps from that situation.  While we shouldn't make things so comfortable for the poor that it damage their motivation to improve, we can't be dismissing their state as something that shouldn't be worked on because it's a hopeless endeavor.

Matthew 25

Matthew 25:46

These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

 It just popped into my head that there's a potential problem with this verse.  It seems to be implying that our actions will determine whether or not we get into Heaven.  But isn't Christ's blood supposed to save us, no matter our actions here?

I realize that we're supposed to be becoming more Christ-like, but what about those who come to faith at the last moment?  They have no opportunity to improve upon their past misdeeds, so how will they be allowed if this is the standard?  Or does this only apply to those before Christ's death, and it's based on the old Mosaic Law?

Matthew 24

Matthew 24:44

For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Growing up, this verse always sat a bit uneasy with me.  It felt kind of like it was making Jesus' return into the boogie man, where you always had to be perfect, or if He came back and you weren't being good, He might leave you behind.

Today, I have a better understanding, but it still make me feel inadequate.  I'm painfully aware of my sins, and how I've fallen short.  I fight constantly living in something like fear, and how much I must disappoint Him.

Matthew 23

Matthew 23:3

therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them.

The Pharisees were double-dealing hypocrites, saying to do one thing then finding loopholes so they didn't have to do the same.  They set the rules, and therefore knew how to avoid them.  It was a textbook case of "do as I say, not as I do."

However, it appears that the root of the rules they gave out must have been good.  If they were making things up or taking the real rules to extremes, you would think Jesus would have called them out more forcefully.  Instead, He instructed that those rules be followed, even though the rule-makers weren't following them.

Matthew 22

Matthew 22:30

For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

Being single, this verse sometimes makes me feel a little better.  It gives me hope that one day, these emotional pains of being alone will no longer exist.  The concept of not having a spouse won't be a factor, and we'll finally all be seen as equal.

Matthew 21

Matthew 21:21

And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen.

This is probably one of the hardest verses for me to deal with in the Bible.  I'm an engineer, and deal in math and science.  My head says it's impossible that a mountain could be flung into the sea by any force man wields.  Therefore I always doubt such a thing is possible.

However, there is a note in the next verse (though I try not to reference other verses) that help me explain this.  It says such power comes through prayer.  If one is praying, one is trying to line oneself up with God's will.  And God's will would not be for His power to be used like that, because it's not needed.  If God wants to get someone's attention, He will, but it doesn't need to be by such means.

Matthew 20

Matthew 20:21

And He said to her, "What do you wish?"  She said to him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left."

I'm reminded of when someone pleased Herod, he made a foolish promise.  He told her that he would give her whatever she wanted, up to half his kingdom.  He regretted that promise when she asked for John the Baptist's head.

Here, Jesus shows he is much smarter.  He first asked what she wanted, without making promises to give it to her.  He knew that despite his great power, there were things he couldn't promise.  As it turns out, what she asked for was one of them.  Don't think you can push God into making a deal with you.  He works according to His own will, and isn't bound to us.

Matthew 19

Matthew 19:12

For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.  He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."

It sounds like, if a man is supposed to be single, he should be a eunuch.  One by birth is an automatic choice.  One made so by man is also a choice, though I don't know what circumstances that might occur in, and shudder to think about the ones that come to mind.

But what about the third category, those who make themselves eunuchs for God?  Does this mean that anyone who has the gift of singleness (as it's sometimes called) should castrate himself, and hopefully that removes his sexual drive?  It seems like a rather extreme solution, but I can't see how Jesus might using hyperbole here; the text seems very straightforward.

Matthew 18

Matthew 18:17

If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector

There is a process when you think a fellow believer is wrong.  You try to settle the matter privately, but if that doesn't work, you aren't supposed to just let if fester.  You take it to the congregation, and deal with it as a body.  Problems which are kept secret only grow worse, as the Catholic church has been having to deal with recently.

I find it interesting the final instructions here.  In this passage, Jesus uses tax collectors and Gentiles as illustrations of how to treat the unrepentant.  Is he saying that these people are bad, and unworthy of respect and friendship?  If so, how are you supposed to win them over?  Or is he saying the unrepentant are to be treated as they are already treating the Gentiles and tax collectors, which was worse than they should be?

Matthew 17

Matthew 17:6

When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.

The disciples seem to have increased their reverence for God.  When Jesus was baptized, there's no record of anyone who heard it falling to the ground.  From other context, it appears at least some of His future disciples were present, but they didn't react that we know of.

Now, they hear the voice of God, and they drop.  They know that this is the same voice that spoke to Moses, and that they are not worthy to hear it.  They make immediate obeisance, and hope that this is sufficient to prevent their deaths.  If only today we had the same respect for God's power, and need for submission; I sometimes think that respect has been lost in the modern Christian message of being a friend, rather than the Supreme's adopted child.

Matthew 16

Matthew 16:22

Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord!  This shall never happen to You."

Today, we read this, or hear it in a sermon, and cluck our tongues as Peter's lack of faith.  We say he was arrogant, or emotional, or we point to other times he failed.  We say we would never have done that sort of thing.

However, we do that sort of thing all the time.  Every time we tell someone who's sick that God will heal them, or warn a missionary not to go back to a dangerous location, we're doing the exact same thing.  We, myself included, forget in most of our prayers to add at the end, as Christ did in the garden, "not my will, but Yours be done."

Matthew 15

Matthew 15:14

Let the alone; they are blind guides of the blind.  And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit."

There's an old Southern saying, "you can't fix stupid."  A kinder way of putting it would be that trying to change someone set in their ways is an exercise in futility.  Unless someone is open to considering new evidence, you're not going to accomplish anything.

In this case, the Pharisees had set the rules, and to their advantage.  They'd taken the original Law and built extra rules around it, with the occasional little tweak to help them out.  Now they'd fallen in love with their own power, and were unwilling to consider the possibility that they had been wrong.

Matthew 14

Matthew 14:28

Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

I always wonder what Peter was thinking in making this request.  At first glance, it appears he's asking for proof of who Jesus is.  But what would have stopped a demon or imposter or whatever could do that from telling him to come out, then he steps over the side and sinks like a stone.

So, what is he asking about, if not for confirmation of Jesus' identity?  Was there some kind of power transferred to Peter that he could sense, and therefore knew it would be safe?  But if that's the case, why did he start to doubt if he could still feel the power?

Matthew 13

Mathew 13:13

Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

I feel very sorry for those who were not allowed to understand.  I'm sure there were many learned men there, people who had spent their entire lives earnestly trying to understand what God's will was for them and their lives.  Yet despite all that yearning and effort, they were denied the opportunity to comprehend His words.

I know I'm probably not supposed to ask questions like that, but do those sort of things happen today, even in the church? Are there some who, despite all their knowledge, are blocked by God from understanding the truth?  Worse yet, could I be among them, given my restrained emotional state?

Matthew 12

Matthew 12:31

"Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall no be forgiven.

People always ask if there's an unforgivable sin, something so bad that God can't forgive it.  The answer you always hear is "no."  However, it appears that answer may be wrong.

I wonder, what does it take to cross this line?  Where does something said become blasphemy?  Mind you, I never want to find out, but I worry sometimes that the line is closer than I think, and what is one to do then?

Matthew 11

Matthew 11:11

Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!  Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

This is one of those verses that has gotten more complicated for me the older I got.  The basic premise makes sense:  those who server quietly will receive greater reward than those who are rewarded for their work here.  In some ways, I've patterned my life around this verse, often serving in the background where (hopefully) no one notices.

But what does this say about John?  Will his position in heaven be diminished somehow due to his prominence among the Jews during his life?  Or is this comparing heavenly status to earthly, and saying any heavenly position is greater than the highest earthly one?

Matthew 10

Matthew 10:17

But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues;

This warning does confuse me a little.  There are no descriptors or qualifiers on what men the disciples are supposed to beware of.  Does that mean they should be suspicious of everyone?

This doesn't make sense, because you can't be truly effective if you're suspicious of the people you're ministering to.  Perhaps He's telling them that these punishments may happen, but they are to continue on anyway?  But if they are to be accepting, what are they to beware of?  I feel like some term has been slightly mis-translated or lost.

Matthew 9

Matthew 9:6

But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, pick up your bed and go home."

I have to admit, I'm confused in a way I don't recall being before.  Jesus has just been criticized for forgiving the man's sins rather than healing him.  So now, to prove He can forgive sins, he...heals him?  I feel like there's a disconnect in this somewhere.

I guess there are two possibilities that come to mind.  The first is that by healing him, Jesus proves He has power, and that would extend to forgiveness of sins.  That doesn't quite make sense to me, though; it seems like a logical leap.  The second, and more disturbing possibility, is that the man sinned somehow, and that sin resulted in his paralysis.  But that sort of thinking is rejected elsewhere in the Gospels, so I have a hard time believing it fits here.  In the end, I just don't know.

Matthew 8

Matthew 8:10

Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.

The centurion knew the power Jesus wielded.  He knew that touch was not necessary, or even proximity.  He didn't try to reason it out, or explain away why it couldn't be possible; he just believed Jesus had the power to heal at a distance, and was right.

When we get to heaven, we'll certainly be surprised by some of the people we find there, and who we won't.  Jesus can be accepted by any, and does not discriminate from among men like we do.  If one truly believes, we will meet them one day.  If only my faith were as great as this centurion's.

Matthew 7

Matthew 7:14

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

As much as some hate to hear it, not all ways lead to God.  In fact, most don't; most people will go merrily on their way to destruction, confident that they're headed somewhere else.  Too many today, even in the church, have a false sense of their destination, thinking they're just on different roads to the same place.

I like the term used for those on the narrow path.  It says that few find it; not take it, not brought to it, not happen upon it.  Salvation has to be found, through effort and discernment.  Just because one says they're on the narrow path, doesn't mean they actually are, or that they know how narrow it is.

Matthew 6

Matthew 6:7

"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.

I often feel like I've taken this verse too much to heart, because I tend to make my prayers extremely short to avoid repeating myself.  I sometimes think my small prayer life is in part because I've taken this verse to the extreme.  Rather than risk getting into repetition, I tend not to pray at all.

However, there's one thing I don't remember noticing before.  In the previous instructions, Jesus said not to do things like the hypocrites; here he says not to be like the Gentiles.  I guess the Gentiles were seen like the false prophets on Mt. Carmel, where they kept crying out to Baal to hopefully get his attention eventually.  We don't need to do that, because we know (intellectually, if not emotionally) that God is always listening, even when we don't see a response.

Matthew 5

Matthew 5:48

Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

This verse sums up the entire chapter quite well.  God has exacting standards, which He calls us to meet.  Since we can't do that, a sacrifice as substitution is necessary.

However, I'll admit this verse always leaves me a bit discouraged.  Even with the Spirit guiding us, we aren't perfect.  Our human nature always gets in the way.  So despite everything, we're still commanded to strive for an impossible standard.  The blood of Christ may cover our sins, but it can't completely change us in this life.

Matthew 4

Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

I don't recall remembering this verse before.  It's interesting now, because it says Jesus started preaching the same message that John had been.  There was no shifting of the message, even though the one John had been heralding was now the one preaching it.

Today, you still hear this message a lot.  Is the content changed any because the one bringing the kingdom has already come and gone?  I guess that depends on how you define the kingdom, but I think it's still the same; the end is coming, and you must repent to prepare.

Matthew 3

Matthew 3:7

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Usually I read this verse, and jump to John's admonition.  However, this time, my thoughts stuck on the first part of the verse.  The leaders were coming to be baptized!

If they were coming to be baptized, that would seem to indicate that they understood that they needed more to be free of their sins.  They didn't think their current works were enough, and were willing to make the trip from Jerusalem to do more.  But given John's admonition, did they understand what they were getting into?  Or were they just trying to buy a bit of extra fire insurance, just in case they didn't have sufficient coverage?

Matthew 2

Matthew 2:12

And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.

It always interests me when God speaks to non-believers.  These magi were pantheists and astrologers, at least.  They had some knowledge of Jewish prophecy, but it was doubtless intermixed with other religions and gods.

Despite that, they seemed to have some knowledge of God as being special.  They came all this way, based on a star no one had left prophecies behind about.  Either there was something that hasn't survived until now, or they simply understood the star was of importance, and because it led to Israel it must be a new Jewish king.  However, when God gave them a dream, they understood enough to believe its instructions.  I wonder if we might meet them in Heaven one day, to learn the rest of their story.

Matthew 1

Matthew 1:19

And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

I always admired Joseph's decision-making process in this verse.  However, as I've thought about it more recently, there's one thing that confuses me a little.  How is Joseph being righteous connected to keeping Mary's honor?

It seems obvious that either he didn't know the source of her pregnancy, or didn't believe her story.  Therefore, if he were righteous, wouldn't disclosing her sin have been considered the righteous thing to do?  How would keeping the secret of an adulterer, who I believe the Law said should be stoned, not taint him in the eyes of the Law?

Malachi 4

Malachi 4:4

"Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel.

I'll admit, this messes me up in the timeline again.  The rest of the chapter seems to be talking about end times, either the Tribulation or end of the Millennium.  Yet this appears to be referring to a time much sooner.

Is it meant for sooner, where the Law was still in force; or later, when Christ has replaced the Law's ordinances?  Or is it a pointer to both, where they should look upon the Law, and see how Christ has substituted for it?  I guess with this being the end of the Old Testament, it's something to ponder in the New as I start reading it.

Malachi 3

Malachi 3:7

"From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them.  Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts.  "But you say,' 'How shall we return?'

God always is willing to have us back, even after we've strayed or outright turned out backs on Him.  He wants us to come to Him, and has done all He can to make it possible for us to do so.  But there are steps we have to take, without which we are still separated forever.

Recently, I've come to realize there is a growing gap between me and both God and other people.  I don't like it, I don't want it, but I'm stuck.  I'm asking myself the same question the people here are:  how do I go back?  All I've been able to find are the trite, Christianese answers that are lacking depth, and it really hurts.

Malachi 2

Malachi 2:7

For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Verses like this always make me a bit nervous.  As the leader of an adult Sunday School class, I feel this would at least kind of cover me.  Leaders are held to a higher standard than the rest of the "flock."

That make me wonder, am I doing what's right?  Have I given false instruction, or led people astray, however unplanned?  I don't normally hide the places where I am uncertain or disagreeing with conventional wisdom, so does that mean I am failing them?

Malachi 1

Malachi 1:8

But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil?  And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil?  Why not offer it to your governor?  Would he be pleased with you?  Or would he receive you kindly?" says the LORD of hosts.

One of the problems of people dealing with an intangible God is the awareness factor.  It's really easy to decide He isn't paying that close of attention to little old me, and cheat a bit.  After all, we know from long experience with our parents that what isn't seen is usually not punished.

However, God doesn't work like that.  If our governor isn't happy with blemished product, why would we expect God, who can even see the flaws we can't, to be accepting of sub-par?  Where we should be putting in the extra effort, we often only slide by, myself included.

Zechariah 14

Zechariah 14:2

For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city.

I'm not certain if this is jumping around in the timeline or not.  If it's not jumping around, then it suggests that Jerusalem will be sacked in the prelude to Armageddon.  This isn't mentioned anywhere else I can recall in the descriptions of the end times, so that is new information.

However, this sounds a lot more like it's out of the rest of the timeline, and is describing the Babylonian conquest and exile.  But if that's the case, why put the very next thing in as Christ's apparent return?  If the Mount of Olives gets split and used as an escape route right after this verse, isn't that jumping several millennia?

Zechariah 13

Zechariah 13:4

Also it will come about in that day that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not put on a hairy robe in order to deceive;

I have to admit, I'm a bit unclear on this passage.  I can't tell if it's saying true prophets will be ashamed of their prophecies, or if false prophets will be ashamed of their lies.  If it's the latter, than this is a very good thing, for they recognize their wrongdoing.

However, if it's the former, then this is a very bad thing.  The people God has entrusted with His message aren't telling it to the people who need to hear it more than anything.  I believe that elsewhere in the Bible, it says those who have news and do not speak it are under a special level of curse.

Zechariah 12

Zechariah 12:10

"I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.

Again, I'm amazed I don't know this verse exists.  This seems to point straight towards what will happen to Christ.  How is it this isn't referenced more in anything I can recall reading?

Maybe part of the reason is because this is really referring to a still-future event.  This is about the end times, probably Armageddon.  It will be a time when Christ returns, and no one can doubt Him or what He did or what happened to Him anymore.

Zechariah 11

Zechariah 11:13

Then the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them."  So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

Is it just me, or is this prophesying the way that Christ would die?  He was sold out for 30 shekels of silver, but then that silver was cast back to the priests in the Temple.  And wasn't the field he bought called the Potter's Field?

So, why haven't I heard about this verse before in studying the Bible?  People are always crawling over themselves looking for prophecies in the Old Testament, and how nobody would have identified them before.  I can't believe that I found something new, so am I just radially misinterpreting this, or is there some other reason it's not come up?

Zechariah 10

Zechariah 10:1

Ask rain from the LORD at the time of the spring rain--
The LORD who makes the storm clouds;
And He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field to each man.

Two things jump out at me here.  First, God will provide.  He will give the people what they need to continue on, if asked.

Second, they need to ask in the right time.  Don't ask for rain in the summer, or the winter when the crops are not there.  Instead, ask for rain in the spring, when it's needed to water the new crops, and God will give you that rain and the crops that they feed.

Zechariah 9

Zechariah 9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and endowed with salvation,
Humble, and mounted on a donkey,
Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

 I believe that this verse is quoted as confirmation at Christ's triumphal entry.  Seeing it in context, I think I understand it better.  I always wondered a bit why they expected Him to come and kick out the Romans, when His entire ministry had been peaceful and non-violent.

This verse is in the middle of a chapter talking about how God is going to destroy all their enemies.  They put two and two together, and expected a warrior king, one who would make good on all those ancient promises again.  They didn't realize that the defeats had already happened, and Christ was coming to bring peace within, not struggle outside.

Zechariah 8

Zechariah 8:6

Thus says the LORD of hosts, "if it is too difficult in the sight of the remnant of this people in those days, will it also be too difficult in My sight?' declares the LORD of hosts.

I'm not quite sure how to answer this question.  My first instinct is that there is nothing too difficult for God.  Therefore, even if the people can't believe it's possible, that doesn't stop Him from being able to do it.

On the other hand, God often did not do things the people thought were impossible.  Could the people's lack of faith cause Him to stay His hand?  Might He hold off remaking Jerusalem, because the people think things are so bad that He can't do it?

Zechariah 7

Zechariah 7:9

"Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;

God gave the people a very simple command.  They were to be just, but compassionate.  If everyone agrees on what constitutes justice, it's actually a pretty straightforward direction to follow and obey.

However, we are very good at disagreeing about what should constitute justice, and how one should be compassionate.  Even in the church today, there's widespread disagreement on what these can mean.  Just because something is simple, doesn't make it easy.

Zechariah 6

Zechariah 6:8

Then He cried out to me and spoke to me saying, "See, those who are going to the land of the north have appeased My wrath in the land of the north."

What were the horsemen doing, that appeased God's wrath?  The text doesn't say anything one way or the other.  I find this kind of worrisome, because other passages point to a bad answer.

The only other reference to horsemen I can recall is in Revelation, where they brought war, and plague upon the places they visited.  In that case, it's possible God's wrath is appeased because there have been many deaths, enough to balance the scales.  But in order to balance those scales, almost all of those people would already be dead.

Zechariah 5

Zechariah 5:4

I will make it go forth," declares the LORD of hosts, "and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who wears falsely by My name; and it will spend the night within that house and consume it with its timber and stones."

I wonder why these particular sins were singled out for special punishment in this prophecy.  Was it because God sees them as particularly bad?  I can understand that for swearing falsely against Him, but what makes theft especially bad?  I'm not saying it isn't bad, but why does it rank above, say, violence?

Maybe instead, these two were singled out because they were a particular problem at the time?  If God had become so unimportant that people swore on Him falsely, that would both damage His importance and degrade trust overall.  And if people were stealing constantly, maybe a shock to the system was needed to bring people to see the error of their ways.

Zechariah 4

Zechariah 4:5

So the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?"  And I said, "No, my lord."

This is one of those moments where tone of voice would be very helpful in interpreting the passage.  Was the angel's question in a testing tone, where he may have been able to figure it out himself?  Or was it in a teasing or mocking tone, where he should have known the answer already?

Either way, Zechariah didn't try to guess, or figure it out, which was probably wise.  This deep into metaphor and vision, any guess would have been just that, and logic doesn't always apply.  Asking was probably the correct move; I just wish the answer had been equally straightforward.

Zechariah 3

Zechariah 3:4

He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying,"Remove the filthy garments from him."  Again he said to him, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes."

God has the ability to make something holy.  I will admit to not quite understanding how that works, given that the material world is entirely fallen.  By my logic, it can't be purified to God's standard, without contaminating God.

But if God says something is clean, it's clean; that's why He's sovereign and perfect and I'm not.  And should God declare someone righteous, he is righteous.  I still have a lot of trouble remembering that in my head, for my sense of justice conflicts with God's declaration of mercy through Christ.

Zechariah 2

Zechariah 2:11

"Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people.  Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that the LORD of host has sent Me to you.

I wonder, is this talking about Christians?  Is that how many nations become His people?  Or os the meaning more literal, and several nations will merge with Israel somehow?

Either way, God coming to dwell again in Jerusalem is a big deal.  The idea that He would again come personally among the people would give the Jews enormous hope.  However, the question again arises of when this is, because it could very well be referring to the Millennium, or even the New Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1

Zechariah 1:6

But did not My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, overtake your fathers?  Then they repented and said, 'As the LORD of hosts purposed to do to us in accordance with our ways and our deeds, so He has dealt with us.'"'"

God does not issue empty promises.  He may not be as quick to come down on sinners as some think He should, but He does fulfill His promises to them.  And for those Israelites, they were feeling the wrath of His promises for their misbehavior.

However, they realized what they'd done.  Maybe they had to be prompted, but they did accept that they had brought it on themselves.  So they cried out to God, and presumably changed their ways going forward.

Haggai 2

Haggai 2:4

But now take courage, Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD, 'take courage also, all you people of the land take courage,' declares the LORD, 'and work; for I am with you,' declares the LORD of hosts.

God gives two instructions in this verse.  First, he tells the people to have courage.  Things have been tough for them recently, but they need to persevere because that's almost over.

Second, He tells them to do the work.  Just because times are bad, doesn't mean one can shirk the things that need to be done.  They've been given a task by God, and He is with them to complete it.

Haggai 1

Haggai 1:10

Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld its produce.

The people had been getting by, but life had been tough.  However, they were making it, and they were satisfied with that.  However, God wasn't.

He was unhappy that the people had left the Temple to rot, while they had built themselves decent houses.  Therefore, He had decided to get their attention by the best way they would understand:  deprivation.  He decided to cause a drought to motivate them to complete the work He had told them to do.

Zephaniah 3

Zephaniah 3:5

The LORD is righteous within her;
He will do no injustice.
Every morning He brings His justice to light;
He does not fail.
But the unjust knows no shame.

This is a very good description of God, and of man.  God is perfect, and the standard of everything.  He is able to judge us all because He sets the standard; He is that standard.  And while He is also merciful and therefore doesn't always instantly punish those who fail, He does judge in time.

However, we people are nowhere near as consistent or upright as Him.  We fail to uphold His standards, many times.  What's worse, too often we don't feel bad when we do wrong, and instead even flout our transgressions.  However, that never goes well in the long run.

Zephaniah 2

Zephaniah 2:3

Seek the LORD,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the LORD's anger.

A bit apocalyptic, but not inaccurate.  We are called to seek God, to be humble and righteous.  We are supposed to obey His commands and do the things He has told us to.

However, the reason here is insufficient.  Were this all we had, we'd think that all our good work may not be enough.  It's right, without Christ, but we also should remember that bad things can happen to good people.  Just because we obey God, it doesn't mean that we will be spared from all that happens in a fallen world.  We have to trust that no matter what happens, God will take care of us regardless, even if that means calling us home.

Zephaniah 1

Zephaniah 1:12

"It will come about at that time
That I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
And I will punish the men
Who are stagnant in spirit,
Who say in their hearts,
'The LORD will not do good or evil!'

It's funny, just this morning I was telling the class I teach that I was having trouble finding relevant passages in the Minor Prophets.  Then this comes up and smacks me this evening.  In a way, this could describe me.

In my view, God is much less...shall we say, supernaturally active, than most Christians think.  I tend not to think of God taking a direct hand in day-to-day affairs, and mostly letting events play out as they would naturally.  I feel He normally only interjects at very specific points to direct events when necessary, not to "muddle" in our everyday events or decisions.  I've never been able to nail down exactly where the "line" is between the two, but I always felt there is a rough one, at least.  I don't think God particularly cares what I eat for breakfast, or which shirt I wore to church this morning.  He probably doesn't even care which route I take to church.  But when I fell asleep behind the wheel and almost hit a road work crew, I can absolutely accept he may have intervened there.

But now I read this, and I wonder if that belief puts me in this category, where I believe in an inactive God and would've been punished at that time?  Where does my belief in a non-micromanaging God cross into one that doesn't do good?  I don't have an answer to that, and it bothers me a bit.