Week of November 29 Readings

Well, well, well. You are about to complete Deuteronomy and Mark. Job well done. But, keep reading.

In the coming week you will begin reading Joshua and Luke.

Joshua is a turning point. The Israelites will no longer be landless wanderers. They will be a people with a place to be, the promised land. Joshua tells the story of this transition.

Luke is the perfect gospel to be reading as we approach Christmas. One of portions unique to Luke's gospel is the narrative of Jesus' birth. Other distinguishing marks of Luke are his lengthy travel accounts and his deep concern for the marginalized and the dispossessed.

Luke's message is salvation. Jesus has come to restore Israel as a light to the nations so that all may be saved by grace through Abraham-like faithfulness..

Peace.

Here we go . . .

Nov 30: Deut 32-34; Mark 15:26-47
Dec 1: Josh 1-3; Mark 16
Dec 2: Josh 4-6; Luke 1:1-20
Dec 3: Josh 7-9; Luke 1:21-38
Dec 4: Josh 10-12; Luke 1:39-56
Dec 5: Josh 13-15; Luke 1:57-80

Week of November 22 Readings

Here are our readings for next week:

Nov 22: Deut 10-12; Mark 12:1-27
Nov 23: Deut 13-15; Mark 12:28-44
Nov 24: Deut 16-18; Mark 13:1-20
Nov 25: Deut 19-21; Mark 13:21-37
Nov 26: Deut 22-24; Mark 14:1-26
Nov 27: Deut 25-27; Mark 14:27-53
Nov 28: Deut 28-29; Mark 14:54-72

Keep up the important work and happy reading.

Peace.

Week of November 15 Readings

Week of November 15 Readings:

Nov 15: Num 26-28; Mark 8
Nov 16: Num 29-31; Mark 9:1-29
Nov 17: Num 32-34; Mark 9:30-50
Nov 18: Num 35-36; Mark 10:1-31
Nov 19: Deut 1-3; Mark 10:32-52
Nov 20: Deut 4-6; Mark 11:1-18
Nov 21: Deut 7-9; Mark 11:19-33

You have completed Numbers. Congratulations!

In the coming week you will continue reading the gospel of Mark and begin reading Deuteronomy [deutero = second; nomos = law].

Deuteronomy means "second law". Deuteronomy lists the laws given to Israel when they had arrived at the edge of the Jordan River just prior to entering the Promised Land of Canaan. The laws are accompanied by a series of sermons by Moses explaining the origin of the laws as well as their importance for Israel.

The central themes of Deuteronomy focus on Israel's nature and unique status. Israel is to be one nation, living under one law in one land, devoted to the one and only true and living God. Israel risks its national life by neglecting its nature and status. Gross failures on Israel's part to live as God's people will result in punishment.

Moses reminds Israel of its covenant with God. There are but two choices related to the covenant: obedience or disobedience; blessing or curse. Moses admonishes obedience and blessing. He warns against disobedience and curse.

Happy reading. Peace.

Week of November 8 Readings

Here are next week's readings:

Nov 8: Num 7-8; Mark 4:21-41
Nov 9: Num 9-11; Mark 5:1-20
Nov 10: Num 12-14; Mark 5:21-43
Nov 11: Num 15-16; Mark 6:1-29
Nov 12: Num 17-19; Mark 6:30-56
Nov 13: Num 20-22; Mark 7:1-13
Nov 14: Num 23-25; Mark 7:14-37

Here is a "fun fact" about Mark's gospel. It is the only gospel that calls itself a gospel. Gospel has three possible meanings: gospel as literary genre; gospel as theological message; and gospel as authoritative canonical writing for a religious community. Mark is all three.

According to biblical scholar Lamar Williamson, the gospel of Mark is "a collection of traditions about Jesus presented in story form, a narrative constituting good news about God and his kingdom, and a writing which occupies a place of fundamental importance in the Scriptures of the church. The purpose of Mark's Gospel is to bear witness to Jesus Christ as proclaimer and embodiment of the Kingdom of God, and to challenge readers to follow him in anticipation of his final coming as Son of Man." [Mark by Lamar Williamson, John Knox Press, 1983]

Happy reading and keep up the important work.

Peace.