There are many generation lists in these two chapters, eight or nine depending on how one counts them. Lists of generations separate various sections of the book of Genesis, each one telling us a shift is taking place in the story. These lists in chapters 10 and 11 surround the story of the tower of … Continue reading Genesis 10-11, Psalm 4.
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Genesis 6-9, Psalm 3.
The first four verses of chapter six present interesting challenges to our understanding. But it appears that these sons of God (are they the Nephilim?) and their actions may have contributed to the thorough wickedness described in verse five. Whatever the cause, God choose to reboot his creation. And after the flood, the commission for … Continue reading Genesis 6-9, Psalm 3.
Genesis 3-5, Psalm 2
By the end of chapter three, the entire course of humanity and its relationship to God and to the earth and to each other is established. If we lose sight of this, we lose sight of the reason for Jesus' birth, death, and resurrection. And why that is the good news. The consequences of choosing … Continue reading Genesis 3-5, Psalm 2
Genesis 1-2, Psalm 1.
Origin. The first book of our bible. This is the account of "God" bringing order to chaos. Making a world that is like a garden -- hospitable for humanity and a place where God can dwell with humanity. In the second telling of creation, we learn of God's purpose for humanity, to manage his created … Continue reading Genesis 1-2, Psalm 1.
Completion.
If you made it to the end of the year, congratulations. You completed your read through of the New Testament. As you no doubt observed, I didn't with the comments. And then, I didn't with the readings. Well, it just didn't work out for me. I'm hopeful that many of you were successful. I did … Continue reading Completion.
Luke 10.
Many have taught about the undercurrent in the story of the "Good Samaritan". The legal expert and any others of similar rank, including Pharisees, would get hooked by the story as the priest and the Levite cross the road to avoid anything to do with the injured traveler. It may well be that they are … Continue reading Luke 10.
Luke 9.
Two comments. First, as is readily apparent to most, in the transfiguration Moses represents the law and Elijah represents the prophets. Jesus is more than both of them. Second, Jesus' call to follow him is the biggest commitment we can be asked and supersedes everything in our life. But it can also be folded into … Continue reading Luke 9.
Luke 8.
The story of the healing of Jairus daughter and the "woman of issue" is a great combination of events. It's easy to put yourself into the role of the various characters -- Jairus, crowd, disciples, woman who is healed -- and consider what was the perspective of that character. Imagine Jairus who must have been … Continue reading Luke 8.
Luke 7.
Each of the scenes/events that take place in this chapter lift my spirit. The centurion's faith, the grateful woman's anointing, the widow of Nain who is unexpectedly blessed by Jesus in an unbelievable way, and John's disciples who are shown Jesus at work -- they are each pictures of blessing and lessons for disciples. Such … Continue reading Luke 7.
Luke 6.
The ethic Jesus calls his disciples to is so radically different from the ethic of the world of his time and the world of our time. Not only are we to love our enemies but we are to continue to do so even when rejected, mistreated, or otherwise treated negatively. 27 “But I say to you … Continue reading Luke 6.