Angela Benson
As you can see, we’re on Day 78 of the 88 Day Plan (or, Day 80 of the 90 Day Plan), meaning we’re about five days behind the official Bible in 90 Days Reading Plan. We’re going to gain some ground in the coming week, but it looks like we’re going to go over the 90 Days.
Since the last posting, I’ve made it through Mark, Luke and John. It was great reading them so closely behind each other. The repetition of events across the four gospels served to drive home a lot of points and aslo to highlight the differences in the presentations.
Reading through Mark, I was struck by number of healings that Jesus conducted. There seemed to be so many sick people who had no hope until Jesus. There was the man at the pool who couldn’t get in because people kept getting in front of him. I wondered why no one helped him, and then it occurred to me that people were probably trying to help themselves. Then there was the man who was dropped down from the ceiling so he could get ahead of the throng who was trying to get to Jesus. These people really needed help and Jesus was their only help.
As I read I wondered if modern medicine was a miracle in itself, thinking that we don’t have that many sick people today. Then it occurred to me that we did. We just don’t see them on the streets and out among us. They’re in hospitals, homes, other countries. Some of them could be healed with modern medicine, but many need a miracle that goes beyond medicine. Where is Jesus for those people? Something tells me He’s in us. So why aren’t we healing the sick? Something to think about.
In Luke, I was touched by chapter 18, verses 29-30:
“Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you, everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over in this life, as well as receiving eternal life in the world to come.” –Luke 18:29-30 (NLT)
I always think of the heavenly reward in store for Christians, but not much about the earthly rewards. Here Jesus suggests that his disciples will be rewarded in this life and in the life to come. Does this imply material gain to you or spiritual gain or some combination? I’m going to have to ponder on this one.
In John, I smiled when I read the conversation between Jesus and his mother at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-12 (NLT)). For me it was such a typical mother-son exchange (except for the miracle part, of course), yet this was Jesus, our Saviour. How human He was!
Finally, I think the following conversation between Jesus and Peter sums up our lives as Christians:
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you going to leave, too?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” –John 6:66-69
I’ll leave you with those words. Have a great week and don’t forget to share what you’re learning.
Just a quick comment to Luke 18: 29-30.
I’ve been thinking about the repayment in this life and what it could mean or what form it would take. I’m sure it isn’t monetary, although that may be part of it for some people. Is it the satisfaction of having done God’s will, followed His command and brought His message to souls who really needed to hear it.
I was thinking especially of some of the missionaries I know or knew. None of them amasses monetary wealth. I never asked any of them directly what they “got out of it”. I know one of the latest I’ve talked to (she died last year), was in many ways a very headstrong woman. She did not want to live under her father’s yoke. She might even have said that she was abused. She was telling me this while we were sitting at my dying mother’s bedside and I was not totally concentrating on Helen. Anyway, she became a missionary well-known for her good works and the message she spread. She was quite different from two other missionaries I knew who were much more self-effacing. Yet God was able to use both the more abrasive and the more quiet personality. I remember Helen talking about a special name that the people to whom she ministered had given her.
I have heard some Christian speakers say that feeling self-satisfied with what we do for God is a selfish thing. And I would agree. But then what does the “repayment” in this case consist of? What did Jesus feel when He did He knew that He was doing His father’s will?
Sigrun, the joy that comes with following God is reward, but I do wonder if Jesus meant something more. When I read that passage, I thought about Job who lost everything and then got it all back. This is definitely new thinking for me.
I was wondering if there is a place where you can find the 90 day bible plan w/o getting a new bible?
Jackie