Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Understanding to grow in
To be truly great in God's eyes is to serve. That's what Jesus life and teaching brings home. Again he tells his disciples he is to be rejected and killed. He then uses this in response to James and John's request for priveledged positions in glory. The "Son of Man" is the one given all authority in Daniel 7v13-14. Yet Jesus says that as this Son of Man, even he came to serve by giving his life as a ransom, to purchase people for God. And so Jesus' disciples must be ready to do the same. And Jesus' entry into Jerusalem confirms the point. By riding a colt and receiving praise (see Ps 118v27), Jesus is showing himself the promised king who would bring deliverance, peace and joy to Israel (Zech 9v9-10), and the ruler from the tribe of Judah to receive the obedience of the nations (Gen 49v10-11), which is to be the offspring from Abraham through whom the whole world will be blessed, reversing the curse of Eden (Gen 3, 12v1-7). Yet given all this, he enters Jerusalem knowing exactly what it will mean for him. He is truly great because he is so ready to serve. As you read consider what it would have meant for Jesus to continue to Jerusalem.
Mark 10:32-11:11
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.