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
Throughout the Old Testament God had spoken of how he would come to his people looking for the fruit of righteousness. By cursing the fig tree then, Jesus was showing what the Jews would face for not producing the fruit God wanted. It is no surprise then that Jesus immediately drives the money changers out of the temple. The people were concerned with wealth rather than worship. And Jesus' actions were a foretaste of the destructive judgment on the city and temple in AD70 that God would bring about at the hands of the Romans (predicted in Mark 13v1-19). This people's unrighteousness was especially apparent in their leaders. Rather than recognizing Jesus, they just sought to catch him out. The parable of the tenants was framed to show this was quite consistent with how they had always treated God's spokesmen. The vineyard is the nation, the tenants are the leaders and the servants are the prophets. Jesus is the son who the owner is now sending to gather in the fruit, and he is clear that the leaders will kill him in order to maintain their control over the nation. What 12v9 promises, is judgment on those leaders and a transferral of the people of God to new leaders - the apostles. As you read consider whether you could be said to be bearing good fruit.
Mark 11:12-12:12
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.