Category: Daily Bible Reading Blog

A blog following the daily readings from the Revised Common Lectionary.

Luke 19:41-44

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
             Soon Ash Wednesday and the six weeks of Lent will be upon us.  It is a season of understanding our mortality, eschewing our pride, and repentance through fasting and spiritual disciplines.  If we care to walk in the way of Jesus, we will be attentive to how he responded to sin and degradation around him.  When he first entered Jerusalem after his “triumphal entry” Jesus did not exult in his kingly status, but broke down and wept.
             There is not any more peace today than there was in the days Christ walked the earth.  While we take triumphal stances and proclaim biblical authority against all the perceived evils of the world (and they seem to shift with whatever particular Christian group you are in) there remains a profound lack of lament in the tradition of Jesus.  Indeed, there is so little grieving over the fact that Christians do not grieve that perhaps our doom looms larger and closer than we think.
             Until we can weep with Jesus over the things in the church and the world that divide us and bring animosity, we can expect only the judgment to come.  Until grace becomes the word and the practice that truly characterizes our identity and permeates everything we do, there will be a Christ who stands and sheds tears, grieving over our lost condition.
             Grieving God, I stand with you in your concern for the church and the world.  Open my eyes and ears to my own pride and selfishness so that I might turn from sin and move toward grace.  Create revival among your people, and may it begin with me.  Amen.

Psalm 50:1-6

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            Today’s psalm begins to anticipate the upcoming Transfiguration Sunday.  As Jesus was changed on the mountain with the on-looking disciples, we get a glimpse of Christ in all his glory.  We see that our Lord Jesus is worthy to be king of all creation.  Therefore we may throw all of our trust, commitment, and adoration onto the rightful ruler who is in control of everything.
             So, then, this psalm helps prepare us by not only seeing the sovereign God in a position of majesty but we can know that Jesus is the mighty Judge.  The implication of the psalm is that since God is high above the entire universe that we as his covenant people have the responsibility of remaining faithful to his stipulations.  
             Wherever there is an anemic or apathetic devotion to God, there you will find an inability to see God in his glory.  In other words, theology is the answer for people who either cannot or will not devote themselves fully to the God of the Bible.  We serve a big God, and even seeing a sliver of that hugeness is enough to propel us through life until King Jesus returns.  Perhaps we all need, like the disciples of old, a mountain top experience in which we have a vision of what God is really like.
             Mighty God, the One who does not keep silent but commands wind and waves, fire and storm, let me see a glimpse of your glory so that I might know you not only in my head but my heart, as well.  Amen.

Psalm 102:12-28

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            I grew up on an Iowa farm.  In the winter, after a big snow, my Dad would get out the tractor and plow the long driveway.  At the end of the snow push would always be a huge snow pile.  That was my brother’s and my cue to spend the twenty minutes bundling up to go outside and play King of the Hill.  Since I was the little brother, I rarely was king.  But when cousins were around I had my chance to be king for a day, or at least a few minutes.
 
            The theological truth and comfort of this psalm is that God is enthroned forever; the LORD is the same and his years have no end.  God is permanently ensconced as Sovereign over all creation and nothing or no one is ever going to knock him off the high hill.
 
            In a world profoundly touched by evil, to know the God who does not change is an important reality.  The preface to the psalm says, “A prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD.”  Indeed, he does this for the first eleven verses.  But then the psalm turns in verse twelve on looking up to the God who is always in control.  No matter where we go, God is there, and he forever sits on the throne of the universe. 
 
Therefore, we can put all our trust and hope in the LORD because he will never cease to be in charge.  Our perspective on the ground is puny and limited.  But God’s view from the top sees the big picture and knows all.  Rather than trying to be King of the Hill and spend the enormous energy of worry, let’s acknowledge the kingdom of God and pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
            Mighty God, you are sovereign over all your creation.  I place my faith in you completely, that your purposes and plans will be fleshed-out in my life to the glory of King Jesus.  Amen.

Matthew 12:9-13

On By Tim EhrhardtIn Daily Bible Reading Blog, Year BLeave a comment
            “Ostensible” is a word that needs our familiarity.  It means to approach a person with an issue that is not the real reason for the conversation.  That is, the outward presentation does not reflect the true inward purpose for the talk.  In today’s Gospel lesson, the Pharisees act out the classic definition of the word.  They ostensibly come to Jesus and ask him a question that would lead everyone to think that they care about the law.  But the text makes it clear that the real reason for asking the question is to try and trap Jesus and make him look as if he does not revere God’s commands.  And the wise response of Jesus turns the tables on the Pharisees.  Not only does Jesus justify the healing on the Sabbath, but unmasks their pretense and exposes the Pharisees’ truly uncaring disposition.  The result is twofold:  the man with the withered hand is restored; and, the Pharisees come away from the encounter determined to do away with Jesus, their hatred inflamed.
             Basic human nature has not changed much over the centuries.  There are people in the church and “believers” everywhere who ostensibly uphold the Bible and appear to care about the things of God, but inwardly harbor the pretense of looking godly and/or seeking to undo another person who threatens their image.  These types of people are outwardly polite, caring, and concerned; they are not obnoxious.  But behind the scenes they undermine others and form secret alliances to topple those who stand in the way of their personal agendas.
             The lectionary readings for the past few weeks have focused on the healing ministry of Jesus.  While restoring broken people, Christ exposes evil and brings the demonic realm out of the shadows.  If a person ostensibly operates one way for people to see but inwardly is another person, then that individual has more in common with the devil than with Jesus.  We must be savvy to such persons so that we are not intimidated to bind up the brokenhearted and have a genuine ministry of healing others in Jesus’ name.  Let the inspiration of Jesus, the love of God the Father and the courage of the Holy Spirit keep you vigilant and strong to truly serve others.
             Mighty God, who has broken the power of sin and brought victory through Jesus, enable me to live my life in such a way as to help others so that the kingdom of God draws near to the people around me.  Strengthen my faith so that I walk in confidence, reflecting my Lord in all things.  Amen.