In the beginning...again.
Luke went to the trouble of writing out the events of the gospel in consecutive order, and this is how we will read them. These stories are so familiar, but it is good to read them again (even it is strange to read them three times over, from three different authors).
We begin with introductions to all four gospels. John tells us, “The word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, KJV). Also, angels deliver messages to Mary, Joseph, and Zacharias (John the Baptist’s father).
Next we read about the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. (Yes, I am listening to Christmas music.) After Jesus is born, Mary and Joseph take Him to the Temple for dedication, where they meet Simeon and Anna. I wonder how Mary felt when Simeon took her tiny baby and told her that a sword would pierce her soul.
Wise men, flight to Egypt, slaughter of the innocents. And that’s just Matthew! Twelve years later, Jesus is lost in the Temple. This story cracks me up because of the way most people read it, with Mary calmly speaking to Jesus: “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you.” What the Bible doesn’t say is that Mary probably ran across the room, yanked God Incarnate to his feet, and shook him by the shoulders before crushing him in a hug. This was her son, who had been missing for three days! In Rome-occupied Jerusalem! She probably didn’t let him out of her sight for a week. Skip ahead until Jesus is 30 and He is baptized. God takes this opportunity to announce to the world that Jesus is, indeed, His beloved Son.
Jesus’ Temptations. Jesus uses Scripture to defeat each temptation, but don’t miss the fact that Satan also uses Scripture to tempt Jesus. After this, Jesus begins calling disciples--Peter, Andrew, Philip, Nathanael. Jesus performs his first miracle, turning water into wine at a wedding. He also drives money changers out of the temple (for the first time).
Nicodemus’ night visit gives us the gospel in a nutshell. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). We also meet the woman at the well. Jesus tells her story, and she shared her knowledge of Him with her world. The Samaritans, not the Jews, received Jesus with open arms. Back in his hometown, they demanded miracles. John the Baptist goes to jail.
Jesus’ preaches his first sermon. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This is Jesus’ most important message. He also spoke in the Temple, reading from the book of Isaiah, and made the locals mad. He adds James and John to his disciples. Jesus also begins traveling and healing. For the first time, we hear him declare “This is why I came,” and it is to preach salvation.
Healings made Jesus very popular. But he still went off alone to pray. At one point, four friends knocked a hole in a roof to get their paralyzed buddy in to see Jesus. He caused a scandal by daring to forgive the man’s sins as well. Matthew (Levi) the tax collector and eventual gospel author is added to Jesus’ disciples. Jesus reminds the Pharisees that God does not desire mercy, but sacrifice. (So there.) Only one week into the Gospels, and the Pharisees are already butting heads with Jesus. Great.
It will be interesting to see how the conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees escalates in the coming weeks. It’s a great story, even if we already know how it ends.
No comments:
Post a Comment