Reading the Gospel: Recent Episodes
Josh & Gabriel
We continue the Bible Reading 365 journey by studying the Gospel. We start with 14 introductory episodes that define the Gospel and identify it throughout the Old Testament.
Then, we dedicate one episode for each event in the four gospels, in chronological order. Currently, we publish the episodes on Tuesdays, early in the morning, before the commute time.
Join us on this amazing journey of reading the Gospel! The Gospel by which we are being saved (1 Cor 15:1-3) and judged (Rom 2:16). The Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Use a podcast app and study along with us. If you are a small group leader or pastor, you may incorporate this podcast into your biblical literacy classes or discipleship curriculum. More on our webpage BibleReading.Link
The wedding banquet in this parable was prepared in all detail, not just the food and entertainment, but multiple rounds of invitations and a wedding garment as a gift for everyone invited. If the king represents God and his son is Jesus, then we are those invited to the wedding. And the wedding garment offered as a gift is the pure, righteous life of Jesus when He lived among us, which we receive as a gift when we come before Him with a broken heart to confess our sins.
This is one of Jesus’ most direct conversations with the Jewish leaders about losing the privileges of their missional covenant established with God through Moses. The “kingdom of God” will be taken away from them and given to others who fulfill its purpose and bring fruits. However, Jesus quotes a verse from the Psalms suggesting that repentance was still available for the Jewish leaders because they hadn’t accomplished yet their plan to kill Him. All Christians are “tenants” or stewards of God’s gifts, and are expected to bring fruits.
The parable of the two sons starts with a “forced choice” question. As parents, we would rather prefer a third option. But Jesus crafted the story this way to emphasize the “changing of the mind,” the point of “turning around.” Better the end than the beginning, said the Wiseman. And our “turning around” in life may be a sign for others, in the same way the repentance of John’s listeners was a sign for those listening to Jesus.
Amazed by Jesus’ power to cleanse the Temple, the religious leaders came to Him and asked by what authority did He do that. But they were not looking for evidence to believe in Jesus, because they had already decided to kill Him, they had already cut a deal with Judas for His betrayal. For the spiritual leaders of Israel, collectively, all evidence about Jesus’ divine nature and ministry has been provided. They had crossed a red line when new evidence would be just a waste of time. By asking a counter-question about the authority of John the Baptist, Jesus showed that if we reject a smaller truth, we are more likely to reject a bigger truth, if it is revealed to us. This is a call to embrace and live the truth we know today.
The public ministry of Jesus is bookended by two cleansing of the Temple. This event is about the second one, just days before His crucifixion. The outcome is a glimpse of what could have happened if the people of Israel fulfilled their mission faithfully. The Temple would have been filled with those needing salvation and become a house of healing and prayer. There is also a personal application for us today, both at the individual and collective levels. God promises to forgive us and cleanse the fountain of sin, which is the heart.
On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus being hungry and expecting to find some figs in a tree with lots of leaves, is disappointed to find no fruit and curses the overpromising fig tree. The gospel of Luke presents this incident as a parable, with the fig tree representing the people of Israel, as well as any individual Christian today. Do we deliver what we promise? The next day the fig tree is completely withered, so even Peter, who witnessed many of Jesus’ miracles, is surprised. Jesus uses the withered tree as a teaching moment about faith and how to check if we have any. Sometimes, we feel that it’s easier to move a mountain than to forgive someone!
This episode details the Jewish leaders’ plot to assassinate Jesus and Judas’ role in it. The surprising element is that Judas was not bribed or persuaded to betray Jesus. It was his owen initiative. It was the dead end of a road of questioning Jesus’ mission and developing a competing, hidden agenda. Even if we claim to be genuine Christians and have experienced the power of God in the past, we can still grow cold and become less interested in seeking God’s presence and spending time with Him. That’s why Jesus reminds us to watch and pray!
The feeling of imminency about something great happening during the Passover Festival in Jerusalem made Mary Magdalen - a sinner in the eyes of her village - bring her expensive container of myrrh and anoint Jesus’ body just days before His death and burial. And she received the reassurance of forgiveness. Jesus’ parable teaches that he who is forgiven more loves more. This is not primarily about the number or gravity of forgiven sins. Forgiveness and love are qualitative rather than quantitative; how deep they touch the heart and impact daily life.
The parable of the ten minas tells us that we all receive at least one gift from God to help Him grow His Kingdom, gifts for which we are accountable. There is no explicit promise of reward beforehand, just the instruction to engage in business until He returns! In that day of accountability, one thing matters the most, how faithful have we been! In the Kingdom of God, success is measured differently!
The story of Zacchaeus contains the mission statement of Jesus Christ, He come to seek and save the lost. It’s a story of repentance and restoration and a gradual spiritual renewal until that amazing pledge in front of the crowd to give half of his wealth to the poor and on top of that, to restore fourfold everyone whom he wronged. A double sinner becomes an example for millions and millions of people who heard the gospel throughout the centuries!
In this story, a blind man from Jericho named Bartimaeus makes a surprisingly strong statement of faith and implores the healing power of the Lord. As soon as he was healed, he followed Jesus, as His other disciples, on His way to Jerusalem. Jesus asked him to go his way, but the blind man chose Jesus’ way! What a contrast with the two disciples from the previous event who had sight but were spiritually blind! Which kind of blindness is worse?
On their journey to Jerusalem, while “marching to Zion” and singing the Psalms of Ascent, the disciples’ minds were disconnected from the lyrics and their deep spiritual meaning. Moreover, Jesus told them multiple times about his upcoming betrayal, suffering, and death, but they didn't heed His words. They wondered who would be the greatest among them and who would sit the closest to the soon-to-be-enthroned Messiah. Two disciples and their mom even dared to talk to Jesus had a bold request. Is it possible that we repeat this story nowadays?
This is the third time Jesus foretells his death. The first time, in Cesarea Filipi, the disciples denied that reality and were ready to protect Jesus. The second time they were horrified. This time, the disciples’ senses are numbed by their dream of an earthly kingdom and desire to sit as close as possible to that political Messiah. Jesus knew that and tried to prepare them for a bitter disappointment. Are our expectations for the future based on the Word of God or just illusions?
The parable of the workers in the vineyard reveals a dimension of salvation that some may perceive as unfairness. And indeed, forgiveness which is the core of redemption, is somehow unfair. It was unfair for the thief on the cross to be forgiven and awarded heaven after doing so much evil in his life. But that is not unfair in the eyes of the whole universe, because by dying on the cross, Jesus earned the right to forgive and count us as righteous. This parable is about God’s generosity to forgive and save us.
The story of the rich young man, one of the rulers of Israel, reveals the surprising truth that we can come to Jesus but not follow Him. We need to untie ourselves from this world to enjoy that meaningful relationship with Jesus offered by the invitation “Come to Me.” The rich young man received the same invitation as Pater, John, and the other disciples. It’s important to come to Jesus at the right time and ask the right question, but that is not enough. We must follow Him. Daily!
While heading to Jerusalem to lay down His life for our salvation, Jesus found time for children, to take them in His arms and bless them. We found the meaning of blessing in the context of the story of Cration. Moreover, Jesus uses the simple, unsophisticated faith of children as a metaphor for our relationship with God. All people, children or adults, have a special place in the arms of the Heavenly Father! And in his heart!
In this episode, Jesus surprises the teachers of the Law of Moses by explaining the reason for God’s temporary teaching on divorce, their hardened hearts. Then Jesus establishes the marriage on the solid foundation of the creation story. The first two chapters of the Bible describe God’s ideal for humanity, to which we are called back.
The parable of a pharisee and a tax collector praying in the temple is short but it cuts deep into our self-righteousness and spiritual arrogance. When we worship our holy God, like looking into a mirror, we notice our imperfections and shortcomings. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. We cringe in our hearts realizing that we hurt Someone deeply interested in our eternal wellbeing. That is genuine repentance, as experienced by the tax collector. And the tax collector went home counted as righteous, considered righteous in the eyes of God.
The parable of the persistent widow is built on the contrast between our loving Heavenly Father and the corrupt character of an unjust judge. Even that unjust judge eventually did justice to a persistent widow. We don’t have to recite our needs in prayer over and over mechanically, hoping that by repetition, our requests will be granted. Prayer is a conversation with a dear friend who knows our situation but never gets tired of listening. The context of this parable, which is bookended between two statements about the second coming, gives a proper perspective on what is essential in life and what we should be talking about in our prayers. What is critical for our salvation will be granted without delay.
Through Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God came in an invisible reality in the heart, but still in a tangible way so that anyone can enter it. However, at the end of time, the Kingdom will come visibly and surprise many. Life will go on as usual until the final destruction will be upon the wicked, as in the days of Noah or Lot. Now is the time to invite King Jesus into the heart so that He can make His dwelling place and abide forever.
Beyond being a mighty miracle, the story of the ten lepers is about the human suffering that brings us together and makes us cry with one voice. From the beginning to the end of the story, there is a noticeable line of separation between the Samaritans and the Jews. The shared pain and challenges of life often blur this line. Does God allow pain and suffering to bring us closer to each other? Join us in exploring God’s plan to heal us gradually or in stages until we are completely whole.
In this episode, Caiaphas, the high priest of the Jews, tries to kill Jesus Christ in order to save the nation. While being a corrupted leader, God uses him to utter one of the most unexpected prophecies in the Bible: “It is better that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” This raises the question, can God use anyone to accomplish His purposes? In what condition can God use a person? Is the gift of prophecy a seal of approval? Join us in searching together for these answers.
The resurrection of Lazarus is one of those miracles meant to be signs of Jesus’ divinity. The manifestation of the glory of God was beyond the miracle of resurrection; it was a revelation of who Jesus was and His close relationship with His Father. Like Martha and Mary, we may think sometimes our prayers are unanswered, and our desires are not fulfilled. But even some of God’s desires will never be fulfilled. In our journey to spiritual maturity, we learn to trust God anyway!
This event has three parts, and it is structured as a sandwich. The middle part, the filling, is the prayer to increase our faith. We need faith to avoid temptation or be a channel of temptation for others. Also, we need faith to rebuke a sinning brother and forgive him when he repents. Out of faith, naturally, we return to God our service as a labor of love, not to gain favor or points to buy eternal life. We receive salvation by faith and live it daily by faith.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a logical continuation of the previous parable in the same chapter, as an example of the mismanagement of resources entrusted to us to help others. Also, this parable follows the pattern of the first one, as a real story with a fictional twist. The second part of the story has many conflicting details that don’t align with God’s character in Scripture and Jesus’ teaching about death as sleep. The main point of this parable, as explained by Jesus Himself, is that the foundation of our salvation is the Scripture. No miracle, even a hypothetical resurrection from death, will produce repentance and transform the character. That transformation starts from the inside out and is worked by the Holy Spirit.
The parable of the dishonest manager is one of the most difficult to understand. The first part is a real story. The rich man reacts appropriately, firing the dishonest manager. In the second part, Jesus becomes more creative. The rich owner commends the dishonest manager for his dishonesty. In both sections of the parable, the manager represents the Jewish people, who received many spiritual treasures from God to share with nearby nations. The Lord Jesus is the same Lord God who brought them out of Egypt, gave them the Sanctuary, and established a missional covenant with them. Now, it was time for them to give account for their stewardship.
The third parable in the trilogy of Luke 15 continues the crescendo of the lost value and takes it to the highest point: both sons are lost. This story does not have a happy ending like the previous two parables. Jesus leaves the door open for the Jewish leaders, who are represented by the older son. God’s love for all people is very well portrayed by the father, who is happy for the return of the young and implores the older to come inside and share the joy. God seeks the lost sheep, searches for the lost coin, and works to reconcile the lost and found sons.
The parable of the lost coin is about those who don’t realize they are lost, even if they are in God’s house. A coin is lost when it is not in the place intended by the owner. In the same way, when we profess to follow Christ, He assigns a place for each of us. Do we know that place, role, or responsibility? If yes, are we happy with that assignment? Are we diligently fulfilling the purpose for which God calls us?
In the parable of the lost sheep, the first in the trilogy of Luke 15, Jesus invites us to look at each other - across the table or the aisle - and see how much God loves everyone. God sees such a great value in each one of us that He gave His only Son to die for us. Sometimes, Christians who consider themselves in the fold think that God wastes too much love for those sinners out there. But there is a great joy in heaven for every one of them! This parable invites us to share that joy and explains why we should do it.
Jesus’ teaching about the cost of discipleship includes one of the most outrageous requirements of the Gospel: to love and hate simultaneously. Jesus intended it to be this way because His disciples should have their priorities straight when they pick up the cross to follow Him. If we start a project without investing our whole hearts, we may not finish it and be ashamed. By connecting the first two stories with the salt without taste, Jesus teaches that our priorities should be aligned with the purpose.
In this episode, Jesus addresses Judaism's claim that citizenship in the Kingdom of God was built into their birth certificate. No, they need an invitation, too, and more importantly, they must accept it on an individual basis. This teaching is meaningful for us, too, because becoming Christians does not automatically entitle us to be citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven. We must clean up our lives and start preparing our characters for heaven from the very moment we accept the invitation. It's a battle of priorities, day after day, but the power to overcome comes from above.
This episode covers one miracle and two short parables, all three dealing with what is more important in God's view. The miracle is a teaching moment in which Jesus explains that manifesting love for those in need around you, including animals, is more important than keeping the cold letter of the law. Likewise, when you are invited to a dinner, you should not look for places of honor but instead manifest humility. If you prioritize those in need, “you will be blessed because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem is triggered by a plot of the Jews to drive Him to Jerusalem, where they could execute their plans to kill Him. Jesus’ response is a powerful example for those of us tempted from the inside by our fears and from the outside by multiple limiting factors. Nothing and nobody can deter Jesus from accomplishing His mission! Knowing God’s purpose for your life, understanding Bible prophecies, and loving people are three anchors for your soul in the most critical moments.
This episode covers the teaching of Jesus about the nature and scope of His Kingdom. Some in the audience were worried if the Kindom was big enough for everyone or was smaller than the world. Interestingly, Jesus' answer is not about its capacity (in other words, don’t worry about that) but about the size of the entrance door. Jesus tries to switch the focus from the quantitative growth of the Kingdom to the spiritual growth of its citizens. Through divine power, the small, humble beginnings will grow to have a gigantic, cosmic impact.
This story is fascinating not only as a healing event but also as a case study for the journey from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Jesus calls this woman “a daughter of Abraham,” but she is still under the control of the evil one. How can one be in two opposite places at the same time? Only God knows one’s battles during the dark night of the soul, and we have no business in pointing to the speck in one’s eye while neglecting the log in our own eye. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and restore in us the original image of God! (1 John 3:8)
These short stories put to rest our speculations that everything happens for a purpose: either the good of the righteous or the punishment of the wicked. Jesus doesn’t pronounce any judgment on the Galileens massacred by Pilat or those killed by the tower of Siloam. In this world, which is the battlefield of the Cosmic Conflict, events may happen for various reasons. Jesus uses some of these events as teaching moments, as calls to repentance. If we repent, we have a new start, another chance to develop a meaningful relationship with our Maker and Redeemer who loves us so much. And to change our characters for good and for eternity.
In this episode, Jesus tells us to “stay dressed for action and keep our lamps burning.” He explains this truth with two stories and three additional teachings. Jesus does not overlook or disregard reckless behavior but rewards those actively waiting for His second coming. The greatest reward is when the Master becomes a Servant, to serve His faithful reclining at the table when the Kingdom comes!
Over centuries, we have worked hard to build the Western Society and evaluate our success through the abundance of products and services available at any corner. But this materialistic abundance has a built-in trap. In this gospel reading episode, Jesus uses a story to illustrate that trap and to point to the principles of the simplicity of life, helping the needy, and contentment with what the Lord always provides. If there is one thing to worry about, it is how to seek the kingdom of God and grow it in your circle of influence.
This teaching of Christ warns us about the danger of compartmentalizing life into work, family, church, sports, social life, etc. and having different moral values for each area. Moreover, when these moral values conflict with each other, we are tempted to wear masks to suggest consistency. The profound transformation of the character that brings genuine integrity happens only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
In this episode, Jesus is dining with Pharisees and Lawyers, discussing the inconsistency between their outward behavior and inward thoughts and desires. In their hearts, they decided to kill Jesus. On the outside, they displayed a life of high moral standards and holiness. By doing this, they were replicating the history of the Jewish nation, which rejected and killed prophets and, at the same time, built their tombs and revered them as national heroes. How many similar discrepancies or inconsistencies do we have in our lives? What can God do to reveal them to us?
This teaching of Christ in Luke 11:33-36 focuses on the inner battle between darkness and light. It’s that perpetual, cosmic battle between evil and good, each side trying to move the front line and overcome the other. This inner light comes from above when Christ is born in us. It grows, as we spend more time in the presence of God and submit our will to His will, until there is no more darkness at all. Then our life will be a light for others!
The teaching on prayer is a summary of the Lord’s Prayer from the Sermon on the Mountain, plus a significant addition. The sequence is logical, starting with God’s name, which was tarnished by Lucifer when he rebelled in heaven. Then is the Kingdom that Jesus came to establish on earth as a step toward restoring His universal authority. After this, the prayer comes closer to us, touching our fundamental physical and spiritual needs, daily bread, and forgiveness. Jesus mentions that forgiveness has a prerequisite that we always forget about! And the amazing conclusion of this teaching brings the solution to all of the above!
The answer to the direct question, Are You the Christ?, was not easy even for Jesus, the Greatest Teacher ever. Because the Jews had developed a nationalist portrait of their expected Messiah, answering either Yes or No would not have helped. Therefore, Jesus decided to explain the nature of His messiahship by emphasizing His relationship with the Heavenly Father, whose character He came to reveal. Jesus and the Father are united in their will, purpose, and execution of our salvation. What portrait of God have you developed in your mind over the years based on what you were taught or how you experienced life?
The story of the Good Samaritan (from the previous episode) and the event with Martha and Mary are not just two consecutive events in the Gospel, but two sister stories that complement each other. If we read only the first story, it seems that what really matters to Jesus is not what you believe, what sacred book you read, and where you worship, but only what you do to help others. In the event with Martha and Mary, it seems that what really matters is not what you do for others, even for Jesus, but only your relationship with Him, what you learn from Him, and what you believe. However, we should establish our belief system on the whole Scripture. And we need divine wisdom to connect verse with verse, story with story, to understand that overarching story of redemption, the golden thread of the Bible.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most revolutionary stories taught by Jesus. The hero in this story is from the “other side,” from the enemy’s side. In the current Middle Eastern context, it is like telling the Israelis a story about the “Good Hamas” or the “Good Hezbollah.” Or, in the American context, it is like telling a story about the “Good KKK” to a black audience in the South. At the end of the story, as a conclusion, Jesus tells the Jewish lawyer to “go and do” what the Samaritan did. Heaven will have many surprises!
In addition to the 12 apostles, Jesus trained and sent another six groups of 12, another 72. Jesus didn’t want them to depend on money, donors, or other resources. Jesus asked them to go straight to the villages where Jesus was headed without delay. On the way, they were required to contemplate the magnitude of the harvest and pray for even more workers. Do you want to have your name written in the Book of Life? This event provides the solution.
Without a test, there is no testimony! In this event, Jesus offers a three-part discipleship test, three questions to assess whether I follow Jesus Christ with my whole heart. Am I seeking personal benefits, and do I have ulterior motives, or is it just my natural desire to respond to His love? Am I trying to place people or things above Jesus? Am I looking for pretexts to delay what Jesus asks me to do today? Answer these questions honestly, and you will have a fresh testimony!
When a Samaritan village rejected Christ, two of the leading disciples asked Jesus' permission to bring fire from heaven and destroy those people. By rebuking them in a similar way He rebuked Satan, Jesus teaches a very relevant lesson for our times. As a divine prerogative, all judgment was given to Jesus, and He does not invite us to "substitute" for Him. Never! Not even in our minds! We should never "send" people to Hell, and even more, we should not block anyone's access to Heaven! We are called to extend Jesus' ministry of revealing God's love, inviting people into His Kingdom, and going the extra mile to demonstrate how God can transform one's life.
As a fulfillment of the beautiful Psalm 23 and many more promises in the Old Testament, Jesus presents Himself as the Good Shepherd. He knows us, and we learn to hear His voice and follow Him wherever He goes. This close bond between Jesus and us is the essence of genuine Christianity. Verse 17 raises a legitimate question. How come God the Father loved Jesus (even more) when He gave His life for us? Does God really love us that much? Join us for this episode!
Jesus' disciples, like most in their times, looked at diseases such as blindness as a direct punishment for people's sins. But how about a man born blind? Did he sin in his mother's womb before being born? Or the blindness is related to his mom's or dad's sins? Jesus' answer to this puzzling question is surprising, even shocking. It is about a God who reveals His grace even in the darkest moments of life. A God who can transform our limits and handicaps into opportunities to manifest His glory!
This long debate between Jesus and the Jewish leaders is set up as two opposite ways of living and two characters resulting from two relationships with different fathers, God and Satan. The cosmic conflict between good and evil, God and Satan, is brought from the background of the Gospel into the light of Jesus' imminent sacrifice on the Cross. The good news is that, even if we were born in sin, Jesus died to give us the chance to start over. To set us free!
During the Festival of the Booths, Jesus spoke in the Temple with such power that even the officers sent to arrest Him were touched and changed their minds. Jesus revealed leaders' disbelief and evil intentions and proved from the Scriptures that their reasoning was flawed. His close union with the Father is a powerful example for us. The secret to standing firm in difficult moments of life is to have a close communion with Jesus, to enjoy every moment of His presence, to "drink it in."
In this long and meandering chapter, Jesus teaches how we, as citizens of the kingdom of heaven, should act towards one another and relate to our fellow brothers and sisters. It focuses on the humility needed to forgive and reconcile with those who wronged us. Forgiveness is a link in God's universal circuit of grace, and we receive forgiveness from God to give it to others.
This story reveals Peter's extreme swing from his confession about Jesus' messiahship to his rebuking of Jesus for talking about His suffering and death. To what extent can we identify with Peter? The antidote to these wild swings in our spiritual lives is self-denial and taking Jesus' cross on a daily basis. In that spiritual state, the Holy Spirit reveals God's will in heaven, and His church will bound it here on earth.
The healing of a blind man in Bethsaida is the first multi-step miracle performed by Jesus Christ. Not because Jesus cannot heal a person at once but because, many times, our faith needs to be strengthened in the middle of the process. As when we pause on the landing of the stairs to catch our breath. We have to learn to wait on the Lord and to develop patience. The Lord will finish the good work that He started in us!
Having a permanent and meaningful relationship with God helps us notice and interpret the road signs on our spiritual journey. Otherwise, we demand more and more signs from heaven, like the Pharisees of the old. Formalism, pride, and hypocrisy keep us from embracing God's will. Faith is necessary to perceive the spiritual truth and discern false teachings.
A crowd of four thousand men, plus women and children, twice as many as in the previous miraculous feeding, followed Jesus Christ for days on the east of the See of Galilee, a non-Jeiwsh territory. Jesus demonstrates deep compassion for people's needs by providing food, multiplying the little His disciples had. The disciples are expressly involved in the process of multiplication, practicing the fundamental rule of the universe, that is, we receive in order to give. Are you part of this chain of blessings?
The healing of a deaf man with speech limitations reveals that some evil spirits specialize in setting limitations on human beings. Not just limitations to motion or communication but to thinking, dreaming big, setting goals, or exercising faith. Some limitations may be inherited or developed over time and triggered by fear. But Satan and his agents use our weaknesses as a back door to access the mind. Make a list of potential limitations in your life and present them before the Lord for healing and overcoming.
The healing of a Canaanite woman in Phenicia is a significant moment in Jesus' training of His disciples. He walks a thin line between not pushing them to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles before they are ready, and making clear steps in that direction. Are there prejudices in your life that limit your effectiveness in sharing the Good News with everyone? Analyzing the allocation of your time and resources in the last several weeks, was everyone worthy to hear the Gospel?
It is so easy to get caught up in traditions and lose sight of God. Traditions are not necessarily bad. The problem with traditions is when we put them above the Bible, replacing our relationship with God. To make His point, Jesus describes a scam of His time designed to avoid obeying the fifth commandment. Pause for a minute and analyze that long list of desires, attitudes, and behaviors which spring up from an unrenewed heart and pollute the soul. How thoroughly did Jesus' presence cleanse your heart?
Jesus Christ offers Himself to us in many forms and shapes according to our situation or needs. This time, as a follow-up conversation after the multiplication of the five loaves of bread, Jesus offers Himself as the living bread that comes from heaven. We receive this bread in the form of the Word of God. Also, in a visible way, we receive it as the holy symbol of Communion. The purpose of eating "His flesh" is to become partakers of the divine nature.
Jesus returns to those towns east of the Lake of Galilee which had previously rejected Him. By doing this, Jesus revealed a God who offers one more chance to those who reject Him without rubbing it on their face or holding a grudge. Acknowledging their needs, they replicated and amplified the story of that sick woman who touched His garment from behind. One person's testimony can impact a whole region or a nation! What testimony are you going to share today?
Look at this story through the eyes of a father who is ready to grant the gifts requested by his children. "Come," was Jesus' response to Peter's request. It also shows that the faith to get out of the boat, as significant as it may be, is insufficient for the next steps of our journey. Faith happens only when we face Jesus! We see winds and waves if we take our eyes off Him. What do you see today?
This event raises many questions, such as, Why Jesus has not intervened? Why has He ignored this great injustice? The focus of the story is on Herod and his decision to go against his conscience and please "those who sat" with him at his birthday party. Who is "sitting" close to us? How can we bring Christ closer?
The saying "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" was proven by Jesus' second rejection in His hometown. This time, the Nazarenes acknowledged the wisdom of Jesus, but they rejected it because they couldn't link it o any source and couldn't believe that it came from above. They could not see in Jesus more than a carpenter who grew up among them. Do we do the same, pushing people back into their "lanes" and not letting them grow beyond our past experiences with them?
During the third Galilean tour, when Jesus saw that the crowds looked like sheep without a shepherd, He decided to multiply His ministry by training the twelve disciples and sending them to do what He has been doing. Jesus taught them where to go, how to find a place to stay, what to say, and what to do. How to react in different circumstances. He also told them that this ministry should supersede all other priorities they had in life. Is Jesus at the top of your daily to-do list?
Jesus honors John the Baptist in front of the crowd as the greatest prophet ever. Jesus looks at John's whole life and ministry without referencing his moments of weakness and discouragement. Jesus sets an example for spiritual leaders today to honor those who serve God faithfully. We may not understand completely why God did not send His representatives to perform mighty miracles in the non-Jewish cities mentioned in this story, but we all are accountable to God according to the "light" we received. The Gospel should be preached in a simple way so even spiritual children can accept it and enter into God's Kingdom.
John the Baptist heard about Jesus' success in preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons. And John was in prison, alone, discouraged, and troubled by questions about Jesus and himself. He sent two trusted disciples to ask Jesus, "Are you the One?" Without pointing to the fragility of human nature and the dwindling of faith in difficult moments, Jesus' answer was surprising for John as it is for us today!
On the surface, this story looks like a routine miracle of Jesus, but it is very deep and rich. Jairus' faith differs from the centurion's, who believed Jesus could heal his servant remotely. Jesus' words that built Jairus' hope are accompanied by one of the most powerful promises, that death is temporary, like sleep, pointing to the morning of the resurrection. This story reminds us that Jesus is close to us, walking with us daily through the valley of death, carrying our burdens, and strengthing our faith.
This healing story describes a weak, shy woman suffering from an incurable chronic disease, touching Jesus' garment from behind and receiving "power" from the source of life and healing. After being healed, this unnamed woman is able to stand in the middle of the crowd and share her testimony. This story has inspired thousands of people in her time (Mark 6:56) and millions later to "touch" Jesus or one of His disciples to be healed. Your faith can shape the faith of many others!
This story, which happens after a full day of preaching in parables and a long stormy night on the sea, brings into focus the direct confrontation between the newly established kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. The evidence points to the rules of engagement between these two powers in conflict, with Christ setting the limits for time and space. It is a story that reveals a God that is in control and has a strategy to defeat evil eventually. As with these demon-possed men, you are invited to "go and tell what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has had compassion on you!"
Calming the storm on the Lake of Galilee was a surprise, even if it was an answer to prayer. The surprise comes from the fact that we want God to answer our prayers in a specific way, as we think. The twelve disciples learned that Jesus was in charge of more than disease and demons; He was in charge of everything else in life. If we start the day with the mindset that God is in control, we walk fearlessly through our day-to-day responsibilities and face life's difficulties easier.
This episode is about two applicants to be trained as disciples of Jesus. The first one, a Jewish law teacher, had ulterior motives for joining the select group of disciples. The other applicant, an already occasional follower of Jesus, was also contemplating full-fledged discipleship, but for later in life. Both applicants had their priorities not aligned with the commandment, “Seek first the kingdom…” The first looks more like an opportunist, and the second looks more like a procrastinator. And these two are just the ends of the spectrum. Where are your priorities?
The parables from the Sermon by the Sea, as recorded in Matthew 13, illustrate the nature, value, and growth of the Gospel. We receive the Gospel in four different ways. The seed of the Gospel grows in one’s heart as the planted seed grows in the soil. However, the Enemy will plant his seeds of unsanctified cares and worldly pleasures, ending in bitterness, discord, and envy. The Gospel is received and produces fruit only if it is valued!
Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35 raises many questions, the foremost of which is, Why does Jesus speak in parables? This episode is a general introduction to Christ’s parables. In the first part of the episode, we focus on five reasons Jesus speaks in parables, and in the second part, we point to seven principles of parable interpretation. According to Jesus, people fall into two categories: those who, while hearing, do not hear nor understand His parables, and those who hear, understand, and are healed. What makes the difference?
In this story, Jesus looks cold, distant, or disrespectful toward His family. But the key to unlocking this story is John 7:5. Moreover, Jesus extends His family to everyone who loves and obeys the will of God. Don’t stay outside. Come inside, and learn from Jesus!
If we want, we always find reasons for unbelief. The Jewish leaders in the time of Jesus could not deny His miracles but accused Him of using Satan's power to perform them. That is the sin against the Holy Spirit. When we continually deny the work of the Spirit or appropriate that work to Satan, there is no one else to work on our hearts to produce repentance. In this story, Jesus demonstrates their faulty thinking in four different ways, then gives them two more reasons to believe in Him. The good news is that Jesus is stronger than the "strong man" who represents Satan.
Jesus resurrects a widow's deceased son without being asked. What moves Jesus to initiate and execute every step of the process? Moreover, this miracle does not require faith or expressed desire as a prerequisite. In this story, we identify God's strategy to challenge the dominion of death and bring assurance that one day, death will be no more.
This second tour through the villages of Galilee - as the first one - focuses primarily on preaching the gospel and teaching the principles of the kingdom of God. In addition to the twelve, Jesus takes a group of women disciples, those healed of a disease or demon possession. Both men and women are created in the image of God, redeemed by the substitutionary death of Christ, called to serve, and empowered by the Spirit. By taking these women with Him, Jesus elevated their value in a society that saw them as men's disposable property. All can be Jesus' disciples; all are healed to serve!
The healing of these two blind men in Capernaum, while similar to other healing events, reveals more about Jesus' ministry and character. In this story, He is accessible to people; He can be found when they are in need. The two blind men are united in the plural "we," they do not compete for healing. Pain and suffering bring people together. Do you have spiritual friends you can count on when you are facing difficulties?
A Roman army commander asked Jesus to come and heal his sick servant, whom he valued highly. This story builds on the tension between the elders' statement, "he is worthy," and the centurion's assessment, "I am not worthy." We have the same inner struggle when we pray to God, especially when we ask for forgiveness. Am I worthy? In those moments, we should remember that Jesus considered us worthy to die for us, reveal His plans to us, and dwell in our hearts!
After focusing on the nature of His Kingdom and its citizens' privileges, in Matthew 7 Jesus enumerates our responsibilities. To build our lives on the solid rock of the Word of God, to beware of false prophets, to judge no one because having a log in our eyes we cannot see others clearly, to treat others the way we would like them to treat us, and to ask God for whatever we lack in regard to all of the above. However, to know God and be known by God is the quintessence of God's Kingdom and the basis on which heaven will be awarded.
The second part of the Sermon on the Mount focuses on the personal relationship with God, which should not be performed in public, but rather manifested "in secret." Prayer, fasting, helping the needy, laying up treasures in heaven, having a positive outlook on life, and trusting God as provider, are among the privileges of the citizens of the Kingdom. The Pharisees considered all these to be responsibilities, something you "have to do" and then prove that have done them. A true relationship with God comes from the heart and is manifested when nobody's looking.
After appointing the twelve disciples, Jesus proclaimed the constitution of His Kingdom, including the bill of privileges and responsibilities for its citizens. Matthew 5 defines the nature of the Kingdom and proclaims its core principles in the form of eight beatitudes. This chapter is built on the tension between mingling with the world we are called to transform - as the salt mingles with the food - and staying away from sin by allowing God's love to be perfected in us.
When He became popular, Jesus chose twelve disciples to train and send to other towns and villages. Jesus was growing His ministry, and His method was people. Among the twelve there were old and new followers, coming from different places and walks of life. Some were inclined to doubt, others to fight. Others were just looking for an opportunity. But if they had one thing in coming, it was a deep desire to learn from their Master. The fact that Jesus calls sinners and not perfect saints is reassuring!
Before this event, Jesus was accused of breaking the Sabbath after He healed someone. This time, the Pharisees are looking to accuse Jesus before He performs a miracle. Evil has grown in their hearts. Jesus uses this man with a withered hand as an open lesson to teach people about God's intended purpose for keeping the Sabbath, which is to save and do good. What a contrast with those Jews' intention to do evil and destroy! Is there any "withered" area of your life that needs to be touched by Jesus?
When confronted by the Pharisees for breaking the rabbinic rules in regard to keeping the Sabbath, Jesus pointed to the story of Creation and reminded them that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. Human beings are so important to Him, that He set aside one-seventh of His time to spend with Adam and Eve. He designed the Sabbath to be a channel of delivering His spiritual blessings, to connect us with Him as the source of life, one full day each week. Knowing the mind and heart of God keeps us away from many man-made rules which have no eternal value.
Talking to John's disciples, Jesus encourages them to cut ties with the Jewish traditions, such as fasting, and have a fresh start in His kingdom. Jesus is not against fasting, but there is a time for everything: a time for celebrating and a time for fasting. We need to pray for the wisdom to understand each time. What is Jesus calling you to do now?
The calling of a tax collector named Levi Matthew surprises us. In fact, God always surprises us! In those times, tax collectors were considered double sinners, because they sold their souls to the Roman Empire to collect the tax and then extort their Jewish brothers. But Jesus justified this action by saying: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners!" Are you called by God?
The healing of the paralytic lowered through the roof is a miracle performed by Jesus as a sign or proof of His divinity. Sometimes, Jesus addresses the root cause of the problem after the healing (go and sin no more), and other times, before the healing (your sins are forgiven). The connection between sin and sickness is central to Jesus' ministry. One more miracle is evident in this story: having four close friends who do everything possible to help you! Has someone in your life been healed because of your faith?
While touring Galilea, an "untouchable" leper implored Jesus to make him clean. Moved by pity, Jesus touched and cleansed him, commanding him to go straight to the priest - who was the public health official - and talk to no one else. The leper's failure to be silent about his healing created a false reputation for Jesus, hindering his mission. Jesus cut short His first Galilean tour, ceasing His work for a while. Disobeying God's expressed commandments may impact His work for other people.
Sometimes, even good things can become a hindrance to fulfilling your mission. In this story, the healing of multitudes in Capernaum became a limiting factor for Jesus' mission of preaching the gospel, for which He came out. Therefore, Jesus left Capernaum and started His first tour of Galilean villages, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.
This event contrasts individual healing of a minor health condition with public healing of severe diseases and demon possessions. Each one of us is important to God. Each situation in our lives, big and small, matters to Him. However, it should be a balance between the little things we bring to God in prayer and our requests for major things in life. The healing of Peter's mother-in-law reminds us that we are healed to serve!
This is the first encounter with an evil spirit. This story brings the backdrop of the Gospel, the cosmic conflict between good and evil, to the forefront. We review different types of demon possession and levels of demonic influence in the times of Jesus and in our lives. By casting our this demon, Jesus teaches us that when we trust Him, we are stronger than the enemy.
Some seasonal disciples, Peter, Andrew, James, and John, are called to leave everything behind and follow Jesus full-time. The sequence of events is interesting: a sermon, a miracle, and the invitation. All these after an unproductive whole night shift! What would help us to give up everything and follow Jesus?
After being rejected in Nazareth, his hometown, Jesus relocated His Galilean ministry to Capernaum. From here, He started preaching with urgency, inviting people to believe the gospel, repent, and enter the kingdom of heaven. For two thousand years, we have been praying, "Your kingdom come." Do we really mean it?
When Jesus was given the Book of Isaiah to read in the synagogue, He said that those verses describe His mission:
To proclaim good news to the poor. To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovering of sight to the blind. To set at liberty those who are oppressed. To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
When people realized that they were expecting a different Messiah with a different mission, as much as they loved Him before, they planned to kill Him, to silence the voice that was revealing their unbelief. Do we also swing so quickly from love to hate?
Before closing His year-long ministry in Judea, Jesus offered five layers of evidence about His divine nature and ministry. The Bible tells us to make significant decisions based on the testimonies of two or three witnesses. Jesus provided twice as many reasons to believe, but the Jewish leaders still rejected Him. How much evidence do we need to trust Jesus?
The story of the invalid at Bethesda presents two contrasting views of God. In the popular view, as expressed by the invalid, God sends an angel to stir up the water once in a while, and only the person who gets down first into the pool is healed. In this view, only the strongest, the closest, the one with friends or money, is healed. In the other view, portrayed by Jesus, God's grace is available to everyone, even the sickest, loneliest, and most desperate, who has nothing else but simple faith. Which view of God is evident in your attitudes and actions?
King Herod silenced the voice of John the Baptist because the king was unwilling to align his life with God's will. How do we react when someone tells us that we are out of sync with God's will? John the Baptist was called to this kind of ministry and was prepared by God since he was born. Some Christians, trying to mimic the ministry of Elijah or John the Baptist, assume responsibilities that were not entrusted to them. How can we know when God calls us to read the Bible just for ourselves and when to call others to repentance?
The healing of the government official's son was a powerful lesson for the people in Capernaum and for us today. How much evidence is needed to believe? This father believed the words of Jesus and went back home with the assurance that his son would not die. His son was healed at that very hour. God will give us enough evidence to believe and provide enough room to exercise our faith. God wants to heal us, too!
Today's gospel reading is an interesting play of multiple stories, which are both interwoven and contrasting. First, it is the story of the woman vs. the story of Jesus. Then, it is the story of the disciples, still unconverted to the harvest, vs. the story of someone whose spiritual thirst was just quenched by the living water. The story of the Samaritan woman is not just a case study for the transforming power of the gospel, it is an example for us to follow day by day.
Jesus started His Judean ministry in Jerusalem by cleansing the Temple. But soon after that, Jesus and His disciples toured the countryside, preaching the gospel, baptizing, and making disciples. He had a clear evangelistic strategy, each aspect becoming more evident as His public ministry advanced. When some Jews tried to bring discord between John and Jesus, John displayed genuine humility and mission clarity by saying, "He who comes from above is above all." There is greatness in genuine humility! That's why Jesus considers John the greatest prophet ever born!
A Jewish religious leader called Nicodemus went to talk to Jesus under cover of the night. He called cleansing the temple "these signs that you do." Jesus talked to Nicodemus more directly than He talked to those simple people He healed or cast out demons from. He was a leader and was supposed to have a higher level of understanding. However, Nicodemus did not lack understanding but needed a total makeup of his spiritual life, a complete renewal of the heart. It's interesting to follow Jesus' train of thought for trying to convince Nicodemus to receive Jesus into his heart as Saviour and as Light.
Jesus' holy indignation for His Father's house was triggered - as in two other instances - by the religious leaders who replaced the simple way of salvation by faith with the sophistication of a man-made, works-oriented, profit-making salvation. Instead of reflecting on the meaning, people were required to focus on the object. By cleansing the temple during the most important holiday, Jesus announced to the world that One greater than the temple had arrived. He drove out the animal dealers and money changers to make room for the poor who were seeking salvation with broken hearts.
The first miracle of Jesus Christ was turning water into wine at a wedding in Galilee. When we analyze the outcome of this event, we understand its intended purpose. "This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him." This miracle was a "sign" of Jesus' divinity for His disciples. The assurance that they follow the right teacher. They got it and believed in Him. Do we?
Some disciples invited themselves. Others were invited by their friends or personally by Jesus. There are multiple ways to grow the kingdom of God. Jesus is the ladder from Jacob's dream, connecting heaven with humanity. He understands both worlds and can be a trusted link between our extreme needs and heaven's supreme opportunities.
John the Baptist knew exactly who he was and was happy with that! He testified that he was not the Messiah, the Prophet, or a reincarnation of Elijah. He said he was just the "voice" in the wilderness, preparing the way for Jesus' ministry. He did not covet someone else's ministry or title. John reached the pinnacle of his mission when he publicly proclaimed, "This is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!" Your life has a purpose when you know who Jesus is and who you are.
The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for fasting, prayer, and meditation. In solitude, Jesus dedicated Himself to the public ministry He was about to start. Satan used this opportunity to test Jesus with very well-crafted proposals, trying to separate Him from the revealed will of the Father and make Him act on His own. Jesus overcame in the same human nature as ours and with the same tools available to us. "It is written" is the foundation of what we believe and who we are.
John the Baptist was quite surprised to see Jesus waiting in line to be baptized by him. "I need to be baptized by you," he said. The baptism of Jesus was a sign of approval for the ministry of John and an example for us to follow. Moreover, His baptism anticipated that He who had no sin and needed no repentance would take our sins upon Himself and die for us.
John the Baptist was God's voice preparing the way for the ministry of Jesus Christ. He was trained in the wilderness to start a preaching ministry of not many words, but few and very direct, to call the people of Israel to practical repentance. Being filled with the Holy Spirit and living a life of simplicity, away from the sophisticated life in Jerusalem, gave power to his words. God is calling us to be His voice today, and prepare the way for the second coming of Jesus Christ.
At the age of 12, when He visited the temple for the Passover celebration, Jesus reflected on the meaning of the sanctuary service and understood His messianic mission as the Lambo of God. Jesus learned as any human being learns, even when learning about Himself. His dialogue with His parents in the temple is full of meaning, on both sides.
Luke the Evangelist, being a physician, focuses on the human nature of Jesus Christ, His developmental years, and His respectful relationship with his parents. The gospel says that the favor of God was upon Jesus. Was that an advantage He had that we don't have? Was it easier for Him to overcome sin and temptation?
Jesus was born outside in a manger and, very soon after that, experienced the life of a refugee. A foreign country welcomes the family and protects them from the fury of a crazy king who kills the babies of his subjects. Why did God not strike King Herod with a lightning bolt from heaven and prevent him from murdering many innocent babies?
The angels announce the birth of Jesus to a group of wisemen from the East in a different way than to the shepherds in Bethlehem. God meets people where they are, taking into account their education and experience. As students of natural wonders, the wisemen, who may have heard of Balaam's messianic prophecy, were guided by angels all the way to Bethlehem, via Jerusalem.
Forty days after birth, Jesus was presented at the Temple in Jerusalem as a ceremony of purification, dedication, and firstborn redemption. In His providence, God brought to the Temple those actively waiting for the Consolation of Israel, that is, for Messiah. God will bring into your life those who have similar values and hopes. Be ready for those moments.
Even if He is called "Everlasting Father," Jesus stepped down from the throne of the universe to be born in a humble condition, outside the house, in the animal stable. He started His human existance from a low point. By doing this, most of us can identify with Him and be convinced that He is able to understand us and save us from any situation. No place is out of reach when He searches for us.
The angel Gabriel came to Zechariah and Mary in person, probably in the form of a vision. He came to Joseph in a night dream, as an aswer to Josph's inner struggle to remain righteous before God. He was planning to divorce Mary quietly because she was pregnant, without putting her to shame. The angel commanded Joseph to take Mary as his wife and to call the son "Jesus."
When the baby was born, they named him John, as the angel said. His father Zachariah regined his voice and received the gift of prophecy. Looking at this baby, Zachariah said: "You, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High!" Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, his parents raised John in a different way and in a different place, preparing him to become the greatest prophet ever.
This event brings face to face two women who, under the influence of the Holy Spirity, prophecy for the first time in the New Testament. God has individual people who worship Him in spirit and truth, whom He will bring together as a remnant of believers to accomplish His plans at specific moment in history.
Angel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus in a similar way he announced the birth of John the Baptist, with much joy and anticipation. However, Mary's answer was different from Zachariah's. She didn't ask for proof and didn't express doubt. Just wanted to understand how. This is a typical story of God's willingness to cooperate with human beings in fulfilling his plans. By accepting Gabriel's proposal, Mary became an example for those who are willing to partner with heaven for the salvation of many.
This is the first episode about John the Baptist. Gabriel, the angel, came to Zachariah, the priest, to answer his prayers and announce the birth of John the Baptist. The most intriguing part of the story is the contrast between one Zachariah, who was righteous and blameless when he did not see God, and another Zachariah, who doubted when he saw divine power and glory. Do we believe or doubt when God answers our prayers?
Matthew and Luke present different genealogies of Jesus from different perspectives. Each evangelist speaks to his audience and provides support for his purpose. This long and boring list of hard-to-pronounce names, including specific women, teaches that each person has a place in God's memory and heart. Knowing that our names are written in the books of heaven, especially in the Lamb's Book of Life, is the greatest joy in life.
Luke's prologue is different than John's. Luke is a second-generation believer and missionary, who listened to the preaching of the apostles, then went to the original sources of each story to personally talk with those people. His gospel, which was addressed to a government official or to a generic lover of God, was intended to be a follow-up to preaching and was written to build a solid spiritual foundation and strong faith.
John's prologue is the most profound of all. Jesus is called God twice, He's identified as the Creator from the Book of Genesis and the Word of God that came to the prophets of the old. That Word became flesh to be able to dwell among us and interact with us. Isn't that amazing? How is John's prologue to the Gospel speak to you?
When reading the gospel, ask yourself four questions. These questions help you be focused and get the most out of a story or event.
1. What did I learn about Jesus?
2. What is Jesus telling me?
3. What am I going to do about it?
4. Who can I share this with?
There are 170 - 250 unique events in the four gospels, according to different Bible scholars. An attempt to organize these events in chronological order is called "harmony of the gospels." The most chronological gospel is Luke. There are seven sections of this timeline of events: Childhood to Manhood, Early Ministry, Judean Ministry, Galilean Ministry, Retreat & Perean Ministry, Last Week, and Ressurection to Ascension.
Why do we have four gospels in the Bible? Well, important decisions in life should be based on solid evidence, such as two or three witnesses. There are four authors with different life experiences, having different perspectives or angles to see the life of Jesus, and addressing different audiences. However, there is one more gospel. The gospel according to ... you! Your life may be the first gospel many would see before reading any of the four in the Bible!
Receiving the Gospel is receiving Jesus. Rejecting the Gospel is rejecting Jesus. Jesus and the Gospel are synonymous. The parable of the four soils teaches about four different ways to receive the Gospel. The Gospel produces fruit in our lives. Our lives should be “in step with the truth of the Gospel.”
In Daniel, the Gospel is presented in many ways and to many people, far beyond the borders of Israel. The good news is not just a promise of deliverance but a Person who is present in the darkest moments of life. That Person will come as the promised Messiah. When Jesus started preaching the Gospel, His first sermon pointed to Daniel's prophecy about the time of the Messiah. Jesus said that the fulfillment of that time was a call to repentance, to believe the Gospel.
Isaiah is the "evangelist of the Old Testament." Isaiah prophesies what the Gospel of John declares as fulfilled: a Son was given to us! The Son took our nature, with its limitations and weaknesses. Multiple chapters in Isiah describe in detail the character and ministry of the coming Messiah. And this Messiah will establish an everlasting covenant with the Father that He will forgive our sins and will plant in our hearts the desire to live in harmony with the law of God, the law of love.
The Psalms - written in a dialogue format - are the most helpful resource for conversations with God about things that matter most in life. On one side is the cry of a troubled heart in distress. On the other side, God’s response is like the voice of the Gospel. The good news of deliverance, God’s intervention in moments of silence (selah), and the promise of Messiah are ways to weave the Gospel into the poetry and prayers of Psalms.
In this episode, Josh and Gabriel continue to focus on the Gospel in the Old Testament. Heb 4:2, speaking of the Old Testament Israel, says that “the gospel was preached to us just as to them." The Gospel was promised to Adam, demonstrated to Abraham, and experienced daily by the Israelites. It is called the sanctuary service, a step-by-step illustration of God's salvation. The concept of "Goel," the redeemer of the next kin's property, was part of the Israelites' civic responsibilities. "Goel" foretold the way Jesus will redeem us, by paying the price to buy us back from the slavery of sin.
In this episode, Josh and Gabriel continue to focus on preaching the Gospel in the Old Testament. Gal 3:8 says that God “preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham." As in Adam's case, the Gospel becomes "good news" when one looks for a way out of a desperate situation. The “good news” may start with one's temporary needs, but God uses life experience to teach eternal truth. Because he believed "the good news," Abraham became the father of all believers.
In this episode, Josh and Gabriel take us to the first time in the Bible when the Gospel was preached right in the Garden of Eden. The Gospel becomes "good news" when one looks for a way out of a desperate situation. Sometimes, the good news may be shrouded and choked by bad news. The "first promise" was clouded by curses, but the "first gospel" shines throughout history as the cornerstone of God's plan of salvation.
In this episode, Josh and Gabriel will present the gospel as being more than the story of Jesus narrated in four books of the Bible. The gospel brings immortality, we are saved by the gospel, stand in the gospel, are judged according to the gospel, and are called to live in step with the truth of the gospel. The word gospel may refer to the revealed will of God or to God's plan of salvation.
In this episode, Josh and Gabriel discuss why the gospel is "good news" and then analyze the four components of the gospel.
In this episode, Gosh and Gabriel introduce themselves and share a brief history of the Bible Reading 365 program, then they introduce this new podcast about Reading the Gospel
This is the trailer for the upcoming podcast series Reading the Gospel, as part of the Bible Reading 365 program.