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Bible Resources
The King in God's Kingdom Epiphany - Lenten Studies 2011
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The King in God's Kingdom Epiphany - Lenten Studies 2011
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These studies are meant to help us read and understand Mark’s gospel during the period leading up to Easter.
Our aim is to read Mark’s gospel right through (in company with the middle part of Isaiah); to discover Mark’s proclamation of the gospel about Jesus Christ the Son of God and to understand how Jesus explains and demonstrates the arrival of the kingdom of God. And to see what all that has to do with how we live.
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Notes on Luke 19.1-10 November 3
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Notes on Luke 19.1-10 November 3
Last week we looked at a story about a rich man. Jesus said that it was very difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (18.25). This week we meet another rich man. This man finds salvation (19.9). What is the difference?
Zacchaeus is a tax-collector, in fact a chief tax-collector. This means he is probably an experienced contractor who has been collecting taxes on behalf of the Roman authorities for some time. But he is not very tall, and he wouldn’t be very popular. So he cannot get to the front of the crowd to see Jesus. But he is resourceful. He climbs a tree because he wants to see who Jesus is.
Who is Jesus? Zacchaeus finds out over lunch. Jesus invites himself to Zacchaeus’ house. And Zacchaeus is very happy to have Jesus visit. Others in the crowd are not happy. They don’t think Jesus should visit “sinners”. But we know already that tax-collectors and sinners are just the people Jesus does want to meet (15.1).
Zacchaeus says he will give half his possessions to the poor, and repay anyone whom he has cheated. The rich man in the previous story was told to sell all his possessions. What is the difference? That man loved his wealth more than he loved God. This man is different. He is just rich and selfish. Now he says he will change his attitude and be both honest and generous.
Jesus says he has found salvation. Although some others think he is a “sinner” he is also a son of Abraham. God’s blessings are meant for him too.
The difference is that the Son of Man (Jesus) has come to look for the lost and to save them. The rich man in the other story came to the one who could save him but refused the salvation. This man accepts it, and shows it by his repentance.
He is no longer lost.
Dale
Notes on Matthew 11.2-11 Advent 3 15 December 13
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Notes on Matthew 11.2-11 Advent 3 15 December 13
This passage tells us about three people.
The first is Jesus. John the Baptist has been preparing the way for the Messiah. But is Jesus the Messiah? John is now in prison. Perhaps he is not sure about Jesus. His messengers ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” This reminds us that Jesus didn’t act in the way that many expected the Messiah to act.
Jesus’ answer is to remind the messengers about some prophecies from the Old Testament (11.5). Isaiah 35.4-6 and Isaiah 61.1 are two places to look. Jesus says he is doing what the Old Testament said would happen when the Lord came to save his people. John is to understand that Jesus is the Messiah they were expecting.
The second person is John the Baptist. Jesus explains who John is. The crowds went out into the wilderness to see someone who was different. A prophet. But more than a prophet. This was the special messenger sent to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. Malachi 3 tells about this messenger. At the end of Malachi, he is named as Elijah. Elijah has been dead a long time by the time Malachi writes. The prophecy means that someone like Elijah will come to prepare for the Lord’s coming. John is that one, says Jesus (11.14).
Together Jesus and John the Baptist are very important signs that God is doing what he said he would. He is about to redeem his people.
Ephesians Reading Guide
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Reading Guide to Ephesians
You might like to use this sheet to help you read the letter to the Ephesians.
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First read the letter right through in one sitting.
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Read the background in Acts 18 – 20.
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Then read Ephesians again looking for:
1. Structure
Can you identify the main parts of the letter?
2. Themes:
1. What are the main theme or themes (i.e. what dominates the letter?)
2. What does it say about Jesus Christ?
3. What does it say about the church?
4. What is the definition of the “mystery” in this letter?
3. Jewish and Gentile Christians:
1. Why are these two groups distinguished in the letter?
2. Is he writing more to one group than the other?
3. Why is he writing about this?
4. Paul
1. What does Paul get worked up about?
2. What are the main things that Paul prays for them?
5. Us:
What does the letter have to say to modern Christians and churches?
Psalm 93
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Thoughts on Psalm 93
Psalm 93
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Yahweh rules! The LORD is King! These themes tie together this and the last half of the Psalms of the nineties (95-99). One can agree that Yahweh is the ruler because he has been there a very long time (from everlasting) and what he has made is very solid and secure. Except for the seas and rivers. I am writing this during the rainy season in Indonesia where once again huge floods and massive landslides have wiped out villages and killed many people. It is a year since the tsunami, that began in North Sumatra, caused so much death and destruction. Anyone who has been at sea in a storm, or even stood on the beach, knows that the ocean is a terrifying and uncontrollable force. Is God that powerful? Did he make the seas and is he able to control them? The Psalm says Yahweh is much mightier than the most menacing waters. But if so why does he allow the waters to be so frightening and dangerous? I suppose that many things Yahweh has made are frightening, just because he is such a powerful creator. Like its Maker, the creation is full of strength. But he is a Creator you can trust. What he has established, he has put in place by his own will and Word. It is entirely the result of his own decision and depends completely on him. So it is not the creation or the ocean we need to worry about, but whether God is reliable. Can we trust him to remain in charge of this powerful world? In the time of Moses and in the time of Jesus, we know that God showed his power over the seas. This Psalm perhaps looks back to the time of Moses, but it looks forward also to the time of Jesus. It brings to mind the disciples' question, "Who is this that even the winds and the waves obey him?" (Lk 8.25). Is this Yahweh, now robed in majesty, whom we should trust? Dale |