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I'm second guessing reading all the gospels together, because it's been too easy to think "I've read this story before there's nothing new." But each gospel writer gives us a slightly different flavor in their recording of the story. But today, I'm struggling...
I do like the fact that tin the story of the wicked farmers (vv. 9-19) the religious leaders finally "got it." Jesus was referring to them in this story.
Last year I read the Old Testament in chronological order, based on the NKJV Chronological Study Bible by Thomas Nelson. Over and over I read how Israel failed to live for God and how they turned their backs on Him and served the gods of the people around them. How it must have broken God's heart. But then the Holy Spirit reminds me, how many times have I turned my back on God and served the gods of this world. Too many times. But just like He did for His people Israel, He does for us today. All we have to do is confess and He forgives. Such a glorious God we serve, He never gives up on us.
I've been struggling with that sense of deja vu too.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love in this chapter, though, is that proof we get again that Jesus cannot be deceived, even by those who put on the appearance of righteousness--and how the Pharisees couldn't find people who were ACTUALLY righteous to pick a fight with Jesus, but only pretenders. Which of course indicates that all the really righteous men were genuinely following Him. =)
I was feeling the same way about reading all the Gospels together when we were reading Mark. But, now that we are reading Luke, I am realizing that I'm glad we did it this way. When I was younger, I was most drawn to reading Mark - maybe because I was in a different place in my life and I liked to just cut to the chase. But, I am realizing that I now resonate most with John and Luke. So, I'm glad that there are 4 different perspectives and ways to read about Jesus' life. I think they each speak to us in different ways. In retrospect, I think I would have preferred to start with Mark and get sort of a short overview and then go on to the meatier books.
ReplyDeleteBut, that is all just details. It never hurts to read about Jesus' life on earth over and over. I'm sure, even after reading 4 accounts in a row, I'll forget more than I remember.
Luke 20
ReplyDeleteThe end of the chapter stands out to me. Humility and integrity.
Matthew 20
25-28 Jesus called the apostles and said, “You know that the rulers of nations have absolute power over people and their officials have absolute authority over people. But that’s not the way it’s going to be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be most important among you will be your slave. It’s the same way with the Son of Man. He didn’t come so that others could serve him. He came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”
Matthew 23
11-12 The person who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever honors himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be honored.
The men's group at our church meet for breakfast and Bible study at 7:30 on Saturday mornings. The current study is The Resolution for Men... and for Women. We are having breakfast together, and then we ladies go to another room for our study. This Saturday the chapter is My Integrity. Priscilla Shirer is the author of The Resolution for Women.
Thank you for the song video. In these Missouri Ozark hills we pass several cattle on a thousand hills and I am always reminded of the Lord and His provision. We live in a rural community nearby the Mark Twain National Forest.