Reflective Bible Study

As we begin our second chronological year moving through the gospels, I thought it may be good to tackle something interesting that I found in what many people might call the “most boring part of the four gospels”. This part is not boring because it is confusing. Instead, many people think it is boring because they simply don’t see it as being all that relevant to us today.

The supposedly boring passages we will tackle as this year beings have to do with the two places in the gospels where Jesus’ genealogy is listed. Matthew opens his gospel by sharing how Jesus’ family tree traces its roots all the way back to Abraham, while Luke waits until after Jesus’ birth story to share how Jesus’ family tree traces its roots back to God. Since there are differences in each of the two genealogies, scholars have debated and discussed why this might be. The most likely consensus is that Matthew abbreviated his genealogy to get three sets of 14 names, while Luke shares every single detail and name. Another possibility is that one of the gospels covers Joseph’s family tree, while the other links to Mary, Jesus’ mother, but this is harder to see on the surface.

I might agree that this part of the gospels is the most boring if it were not for one little detail that Luke includes at the end of his gospel’s genealogy. The New American Standard Bible translations tells us that Luke ends his genealogy in chapter 3, verse 38 by saying, “the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”

This is just a snippet of how Luke shares his genealogy, and while it might be boring to some, what I find fascinating is that Luke does not end by simply saying that Jesus was “Adam’s Son”. Instead, he takes it a step further by pointing out that Adam, the first human, was God’s Son. Regardless of whether you feel the creation story in Genesis is literal or figurative, Luke shares that the first human, Adam, can be known as God’s Son.

There are two angles on this idea that I find interesting.

Firstly, since Jesus came into the world supernaturally and God the Father was Jesus’ true Father, while Joseph took more of an adoptive parent type role, it could be said that Jesus was simply God’s Son in a first generation, direct-descendant sort of way. However, while this is what most Christians believe, Luke extends this idea even further by pointing out that Adam, the first human, was also God’s Son. In this way, Jesus and Adam are like brothers, who have the same Father. This is also why sometimes people will call Jesus the “Second Adam”. This echoes what Luke describes in how he opens his genealogy. He begins in verse 23 by saying, “When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son of Eli,” and then it continues on from there sharing names all the way back to Adam, the son of God. Even if you doubt the virgin birth as evidence to Jesus being God’s Son, Luke challenges you to still look at Jesus’ life as though He was God’s Son through a genealogy that takes you back to creation, where God created Adam.

This leads us to another angle on this passage and idea that I find fascinating: If Adam was God’s son, than that makes all of us as descendants of Adam, also descendants of God – the first Father. This is why in some other places in the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as our Brother, and we are all His brothers and sisters. This can only be the case if God is our Father, since Mary is not our universal mother.

However, have you ever really thought of yourself as God’s son or daughter? Christianity uses the phrase “child of God” to describe each of us, but this is too often minimized into being a close-to-meaningless cliché. Instead, what if we grabbed a hold of the idea that we are God’s son or daughter?

If we looked to God as being our True Parent, would that change how we live and/or act?

If we believed that our actions reflect on God like they do onto our parents, would that change how we live each day?

When we look at a young child and how they act and behave, we can definitely understand that some of what we are seeing is the child making a choice. However, we also get to see the results of how the parent has raised the child. We instinctively understand that both nature and nurture go into how a child develops. If we see ourselves as being sons and daughters of God and that He is our Father, then would we think differently?

Like our human parents helped direct the nurture side of our lives, perhaps God could be thought of as directing the nature side of our development. We probably should be cautious as we follow this train of thought because just as our human parents cannot control all of our nurturing as we develop, God probably limits what He ultimately chooses to control on the nature side of our development as well. Both God and our human parents can make choices that relate to our development, but as we grow, we become more independent and make choices on our own. The choices we make can have a positive impact on both our nature, which would be one way to say our biology or our body, and our nurture, which we could describe as our environment.

There is definitely crossover between God the Parent impacting our nature, and our human parents impacting our nurture. Our parents can help or hurt us based upon what they do while we are growing in the womb, and what they feed us when we are young. This is one way that our parents impact our nature, biology side. On the other hand, God chose what parents to bring your way, and he often directs and protects in broader ways than even our human parents can, which definitely impacts the environment, nurture side of our development.

As a parent, I would do well to see myself as a partner with God in my child’s developing, or growing up, years. If both my wife and I see ourselves as being partners with God, then this is the best way to help our children grow into being the adults God created each of them to be.

But this can really only happen if we choose to see ourselves as being parented by God, and as being children of God. This pushes us look at ourselves differently, and it helps us see God more personally than being simply a distant supernatural deity.

As we come to the close of our first podcast episode this year, here are the challenges I will leave you with:

As I always open by challenging you, intentionally seek God first in your life. Intentionally learn to see God the Father as your personal Father, who worked alongside your human parents helping you to become the person you were created to be.

Also, as I regularly challenge you to do in one way or another, continue to pray and study the Bible for yourself, and keep your mind open to finding ways God the Father reveals Himself as a parent in the passages you read.

And as I end every set of challenges by saying in one way or another, never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or give up on where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!

Last week we began our annual two-part finale by focusing on insights from the first half of this year podcasting through our first chronological year looking at Jesus’ life and ministry. In our last episode, we finished off by looking at insights from episode 25, which focused in on Jesus redeeming a woman caught in adultery. For this episode, we’ll pick up where we left off and continue forward moving up to and through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

However, before we dive into these insights, if you are a new listener, or have recently found these podcasts, let me share briefly about where we are on this journey we are on in these podcasts. A little over a year ago, as we were wrapping up a powerful year of podcasting through Jesus’ miracles, I thought it would be neat to take four years and look at Jesus’ life in a chronological way. However, instead of slowly moving through every event in His life and taking four or more years, the plan would be to pick out events in Jesus’ life and work through Jesus’ life four times, each time looking at a different set of events, and each year would conclude looking at Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Moving forward to today, we are just finishing up the first year of this four-year plan and I don’t know about you, but I have found this trip through these gospel stories fascinating. Personally, I cannot wait to dive into Jesus’ life again looking at a different set of events, a different set of teaching, and a different set of miracles.

However, if I’m not careful, we’ll dive into our first event for next year and miss reviewing and remembering some of the greatest insights from this past year. So without any further delay, let’s pick back up where we left off last week, and focus in on the last half of this year podcasting through the gospels.

Starting with episode 26, which focused us on what happened following Jesus’ followers returning from a successful missionary trip, we were reminded with the truth that for thousands of years, the devil has tried to abuse people out of heaven, but God is bigger, God is stronger, God is smarter. He won’t let Satan’s abuse separate or steal away those He loves from being connected with Him.

In the next episode, number 27, we looked at Jesus teaching His disciples how to pray, and if I’m not mistaken, this was using Jesus’ model prayer that is found in Luke’s gospel, rather than Matthews. In this episode looking at prayer, we were challenged with the detail that everything in Jesus’ example prayer is completely focused on God – even the part where Jesus tells us to be forgiving towards others. We can learn from this teaching that Jesus wants us to see God the Father as our Heavenly Father: specifically as Someone big enough to tackle any problem we face, but also personal enough for us to share life with.

Moving forward to episode 28, we spend a little bit of time looking at Jesus’ parable about the rich man building bigger barns rather than being generous with his surplus crop. This parable and episode challenged us with the truth that any time an object, a project, or a balance sheet becomes a part of our identity, greed is working its way into our lives. This parable is not about God blessing or punishing rich people; it is about showing us a different perspective about ourselves that He can then redirect us towards having a new perspective on our lives.

I promise I won’t cover every episode in this finale, even though some might find that desirable, but before jumping forward, episode 29 was extra powerful when we looked at Jesus healing a man who was born blind. In this episode, we were reminded that throughout the Bible, as well as history, God has often used people’s lives as a witness to lead people to Him. This formerly blind man is an example of this: His life before meeting Jesus was filled with blindness, and after His encounter with Jesus, He had a completely new perspective. In our world today, both the church world and the secular world, there are groups of people who claim they can see even though they are blind. Acknowledging one’s blindness allows God to work in one’s heart, while claiming sight stops God from moving.

Jumping forward to episode 32, we looked at Jesus teaching about faith and not being a stumbling block to others. In this episode, we were challenged with the realization that Just like the wind, only by seeing what faith moves can we truly know how strong it is. Jesus has called and challenged us to be humble, to place others ahead of ourselves, and to look to God for the strength to press forward with Him.

Jumping forward again to episode 36, we began zeroing in on Jesus’ final week leading up to His crucifixion. Prior to Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, we looked in this episode at a special supper that takes place right before this grand entrance into Jerusalem. In this episode, we were reminded that having a relationship with Jesus is more important than helping those who are in need. While both are significant and important in the big picture, if we could only choose one, a relationship with Jesus would ultimately be more important. Jesus calls each of us to focus on growing closer to God and to make Him our highest priority, even higher than the noble act of helping the poor. Having a saving relationship with Jesus is that important!

Moving forward to episode 38, we looked at some religious leaders challenging Jesus about where He received His authority. The details and themes of this episode challenged us to understand that Jesus came to build God up, and that isn’t done by using God as a platform. Throughout His entire ministry, Jesus avoided drawing the attention onto Himself at the expense of God receiving glory. If Jesus erred on any side, it was that He gave too much credit to God, while not accepting any praise onto Himself. Jesus took the opposite position the chief priests and leaders took: He came to build God up, not use God to build Himself up like the other leaders at the time were doing.

Skipping forward to episode 40, we come to the episode where we looked at Jesus challenging His followers to avoid some specific labels for themselves and each other. In this episode, Jesus challenges His followers to view God as our Teacher, our Father, and our Leader, and in a skillful way, Jesus shares these three roles in a way that connects each role with a member of the Godhead. God’s model for His people is to view themselves as a group of spiritual brothers and sisters who hold God as our true Father, true Leader, and true Teacher.

Moving forward to the night Jesus was betrayed and arrested, we come to some significant insights within episode 44, that looked at Jesus promising His followers the Holy Spirit and challenging us as followers how we can show love towards God. In this episode, we discovered that the Source behind Jesus’ words and commands is God the Father. We also uncovered the theme and truth that we love who we obey. If we love the Father, then we will obey what the Father has commanded. In this case, Jesus is simply an Ambassador, speaking on behalf of the One who sent Him.

In the very next episode, which is episode number 45 and which also covered teaching Jesus shared with His disciples on the night He was betrayed and arrested, we were comforted with the truth that even though trouble, abandonment, rejection, hurt, or pain come, Jesus is bigger than these feelings because Jesus has overcome the world that includes all these symptoms of sin.

Jesus recognized that even when everyone He thought was a friend, follower, or disciple had run away, He was never truly alone, because God the Father and His Spirit would be with Him. Even while hanging on the cross, even if Jesus didn’t feel God’s presence, He still knew God was there.

As followers of Jesus, we too can claim this promise that being alone is never truly alone, because God the Father and His Spirit are with us.

Speaking of the cross, moving forward to episode 48, which looked at part of the time Jesus was hanging on the cross, we were reminded that before being nailed to the cross Jesus had the option of, and the temptation to, avoid it entirely; after being nailed to the cross, Jesus faced the temptation to come down off of it. However, in spite of this temptation Jesus chose to stay on the cross because His mission was more important than showing off His ability. Jesus fulfilled His mission on the cross because it is the way for His followers to receive salvation.

Moving forward to just a few weeks ago, we come to episode 49, which covered the guards reporting Jesus’ resurrection to the religious leaders. In this episode, we learned and were reminded that wherever lies are present, the truth will come to light eventually – and when it does, it is up to us to examine the evidence and choose the truth. In the case of Jesus’ death and resurrection, our eternity depends on it!

To wrap up this first chronological year of podcasting, our last episode before these finales, which was episode number 50, focused in on Thomas doubting then believing in Jesus’ resurrection. In this passage and episode we focused in on the promise that Jesus’ greatest blessing in this passage is for those who believe without having seen. Thomas could have been one of the first people to be gathered under this banner of “really blessed individuals”, but he stands as an example of many of us who are skeptical first, and only believe after we have been given proof.

Every blessing from God is given for our benefit. Every blessing is sent to help us learn, grow, and/or help others on life’s path.

As we come to the close of our first chronological year podcasting through the gospels and events within Jesus’ life, let’s remember just how much Jesus has blessed each of us, and look forward to His return and our eternal lives with Him forever!

To start off our special two-part finale for our first year chronologically moving through the gospels looking at events from Jesus’ life, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. While the Christmas season can often times be too commercialized, as followers of Jesus, we know and remember that this is a great time of the year to remember how Jesus, the light of the world, stepped into history. As many of us in the northern hemisphere face the point in each year where we have the least amount of daylight, we can remember that when things appeared to be the darkest, Jesus stepped into history to shine God’s light and His love into the world.

With that said, we just finished an amazing year looking at events from Jesus’ life and ministry, and as is our custom, we reserve the last two episodes each year to focus in on themes and insights that we discovered throughout the past year. As is always the case, I had a difficult time narrowing down the list of insights to a manageable length, and like every year, I wish I could include more while also not extending the length of these finale-podcasts too significantly.

However, without any further delay, let’s dive into what we discovered during the first half of this year of podcasting.

Starting off in episode 1, we looked at how Luke introduces us to his gospel message and we used this as a launching point to talk about some of the best ways to read and study the Bible. In this episode, we were challenged with the truth that in order to gain the greatest benefit from reading and studying the gospels, we should humble ourselves and prayerfully ask God for the Holy Spirit to help guide our study towards His truth. Also, never let non-biblical writings, no matter how spiritual they may be, take the place of prayerfully studying the Bible for yourself. God wants a personal relationship with you, and this relationship comes from leaning into God and His Word, trusting in His promises, and looking to Jesus for our salvation!

Moving forward to the very next episode, which is episode number 2, we looked at Mary visiting Elizabeth while Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist. In this episode and the conversation between these two women, we learned that God is present whether we feel Him or His Spirit or whether we don’t. Whether or not you feel God or His Spirit, renew your trust and your confidence in God’s promises, remember that His Word never fails, and never forget that He cares about the wellbeing of all His creation. God looks at life from a different perspective than we do, and this perspective says, “I want to spend eternity with you.”

Jumping ahead to episode 5, which focused us on Jesus’ miracle at the wedding in Cana, we discovered that Jesus is okay with us believing in Him because of His miracles, but He never wants us to stop there. Jesus’ miracles were given to be signs to help us take notice, and to prompt us to move closer to Him as we see how He displays God’s love and God’s character to our world. Jesus’ miracles were God-given signs for us to take notice, but they should never form the foundation of our faith. Jesus does not want us to build the foundation of our belief in Him on His miracles. Looking at Mary’s example in this event taught us that Mary had faith in Jesus through the relationship she had with Him – a relationship that was built over having spent years with Him.

Jumping ahead a couple more episodes brings us to episode number 7, which focused us on Jesus calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be disciples. In this episode, we were challenged with the truth that while we could sit on the sidelines and watch others live lives of faith, only by living a faith-filled life ourselves will we ever truly discover for ourselves whether God’s way is best! If all of us together truly followed Jesus, modeling our lives after His, using His methods, and loving those He loved, I am positive our world would never be the same.

Moving forward to episode 9, we looked at a time when Jesus responded to some Pharisees who were challenging Him about who He was. In this passage, we learned that whenever anyone tried to give Jesus glory, He directs the glory to the Father. Jesus was 100+% focused on helping others and forwarding the glory onto God the Father. This event also challenged us that since we are disciples of Jesus, as disciples of Jesus, which is another way of saying that we model or imitate our lives after His, we are challenged to point all glory and praise upwards to God similar to how Jesus did. While we might not be able to perform miracles like Jesus did, we still are called to acknowledge God for how He has blessed us.

Jumping forward to episode 11, when looking at one of the times Jesus taught on the topic of prayer, Jesus helped us understand that our public relationship with God does not matter as much as our private relationship with Him. While a public and private relationship are important, Jesus tells us that those who only have a public relationship with God have already received their reward, because their relationship with God is not for God’s benefit, but simply for show.

In the next episode, which is episode number 12, Jesus continued teaching but shifted His topic onto avoiding judging others. In this passage, teaching, and event, we were reminded that God has given us way more than we deserve. We also learned that the truth Jesus teaches can also be extended and applied to our relationship with God: If we judge, He judges; if we condemn, He condemns; if we forgive, He forgives; and if we give generously, He gives generously. The type of relationship we have with God is fully within our choosing.

Jumping forward a few episodes to episode number 15, we looked at Jesus teaching what may be His most famous parable, which is the one focused on a farmer sowing seed and some various types of soil that the seed fell on. In this episode, we discovered that in God’s eyes, being fruitful is more important than how fruitful you are. We also concluded this episode by pointing out that instead of worrying if we are one of the less-than-ideal types of soil, perhaps we should instead focus on being like the farmer and spreading God’s word and His message to those in our lives. If we chose to see ourselves as the farmer, not replacing Jesus but instead partnering with Him and His Holy Spirit, we might find ourselves to be more fruitful that we would realize or give ourselves credit for.

A couple of episodes later, in episode 17, we then looked at Jesus resurrecting Jairus’ daughter after being delayed. In this passage and episode, which had a bunch of insights, we were reminded that Jesus is the “Life-giver”, and when given the opportunity to give life, He does so. While we might not experience the miracle of having our lives restored in the same way this girl experienced, Jesus does promise to restore our lives at the end of history when He returns.

This passage and miracle help give us hope that death is not the end. The life Jesus gives is stronger than death. This means that if we ever face sleep-death like this girl did, we know that Jesus will be the first face we see when He wakes us up, and following Jesus waking us up, nothing resembling death will ever be able to take His life from us!

In the next episode, episode number 18, we spent some time looking at Jesus’ challenge to His disciples as He sent them out in pairs to witness in nearby towns. When bringing the themes of this teaching into our world today, we were reminded of the truth that our world today has tried to push God to the sidelines and out of focus. As followers of Jesus, this means that sometimes our faith will prompt us to be ridiculed and made fun of, while other times we may be physically hurt. Regardless of what your experience has been, trust that God is in control and that He has a plan for your life that involves you being saved for eternity. With whatever happens in this life, trust that when we stick with God and with Jesus, we will receive eternal life that will outlast this sin-filled world.

Moving forward to episode 22, we looked at an event where Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy after His disciples were not able to. In this event, we discovered that Our belief is powerful, and unbelief has the power to sabotage the belief we do have. Prayer is the key. While Jesus’ words are directly tied to this situation, I also believe that they are tied to the subject of belief: Belief without prayer is weak. Prayer without belief is futile. However, belief when combined with prayer is limitless.

To wrap up this first part of our two-part finale, let’s remember an insight we discovered in episode 25, which focused us in on Jesus redeeming the woman caught in adultery. In this episode, we were reminded that there are so many places in life where we stumble that it is virtually impossible to never sin again, but in the places where we are conscious of the choice, Jesus challenges us with the truth that choosing sin is never positive from God’s perspective.

Also, remember that God wants you to have the best life possible, and the only things that He calls sin are things that cheapen the vision that He has for you. God ultimately wants you in heaven with Him, and He was willing to go to whatever length necessary to help you see His love for you!

Jesus came to this planet to redeem you from sin, because He loves you and because He wants you with Him in heaven. As we move through this Christmas season, let’s together remember that the biggest reason we celebrate is because of what Jesus came and did for each of us!

As we come to the last episode in our first chronological year podcasting through events within Jesus’ life, we come to a relatively well-known event that, on the surface, paints one of Jesus’ remaining disciples in a less-than-positive light. While many Christians today might look down on this disciple for what he says or how he responded to learning about Jesus’ resurrection, what ultimately happened paints a powerful picture for all of Jesus’ followers about how trustworthy the gospel record is.

I’ve heard some people living today who wished they could live back in the first century so that they could have seen Jesus firsthand. At some points in my past, I have thought this too, or at the very least, thought it would be neat to take a time machine back to be able to witness firsthand what had happened. I believe that seeing a resurrected Jesus was incredibly important for those in the first century, and at times, at least in my mind, I feel at a disadvantage because I am living over 2,000 years after the events that are recorded.

We don’t have to go far in what the gospels tell us happened following Jesus’ resurrection to discover a disciple who had a similar feeling. We don’t know where He was, but when Jesus first appeared to the remaining disciples as a group, Thomas was not present. When Thomas learned he missed out, he makes a very bold statement.

Let’s read what happens. Our passage for this episode is found in John’s gospel, chapter 20, and we will read it from the Contemporary English Version. Starting in verse 24, John tells us that:

²⁴ Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn’t with the others when Jesus appeared to them. ²⁵ So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But Thomas said, “First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won’t believe unless I do this!”

²⁶ A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples ²⁷ and said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!”

²⁸ Thomas replied, “You are my Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said, “Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!”

In this passage, the detail that probably amazes me the most is Jesus’ response to Thomas when Jesus appeared to the disciples again.

In Thomas’ earlier declaration, he wanted to see and touch Jesus to believe Jesus had really returned to life. However, when we look closely at what John describes, Thomas never touches Jesus. Perhaps we can assume this happened, but it isn’t recorded in scripture. Instead, Jesus responds to Thomas’ doubt by appearing to him, speaking directly to him about what he had said, and Jesus’ message to Thomas prompts him to believe.

Thomas asked to see and touch Jesus, and Jesus responded by showing Himself to Thomas, speaking to him, and inviting him to touch the scars that the crucifixion left. However, while the invitation is present, John does not record that Thomas actually touched Jesus.

While we might think this detail is powerful in itself, what Jesus tells Thomas next is even more significant, especially to us living over 2,000 years later. After Thomas responded that he believed without actually touching Jesus, Jesus responds to Thomas in verse 29, “Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!”

While Thomas is the disciple who gets looked down on for being the one who won’t believe unless he has seen, in Thomas’ declaration and decision, we get to see and understand more about Jesus’ character.

Firstly, Jesus answers Thomas’ request by appearing the following week. While it could have happened earlier, I suspect this time gap was present to build anticipation for what might come. Ultimately, Jesus returning to appear to the group of disciples tells me that Jesus does care about our wants and our relationship with Him. Sometimes we might see evidence of Jesus’ presence in the moment, but more often, we will have to exercise faith without direct sight.

However, the greatest promise Jesus gives in this passage is not to Thomas, who ultimately got to see Jesus. Jesus’ greatest blessing in this passage is for those who believe without having seen. Thomas could have been one of the first people to be gathered under this banner of “really blessed individuals”, but he stands as an example of many of us who are skeptical first, and only believe after we have been given proof.

Instead, from Jesus’ promise in this passage, all of Jesus’ followers living since this first generation of disciples are blessed because they believe without having seen Him. This includes us living today, as well as everyone who believed from the disciples’ teaching forward through time.

Jesus’ promise in this passage prompts me to wonder what blessing God has for those who have believed without having seen Jesus. Looking at the first century spread of the Christian movement, the disciples seemed to have the full force of the Holy Spirit behind them. However, according to Jesus’ words, those who saw a resurrected Jesus are at a blessing disadvantage because they did see, while those who believed without seeing are truly blessed.

Part of me wonders if we take this blessing for granted, or if we miss out on this blessing entirely because our faith is weak. In my own journey, too often, I will first try to solve my own problems, and only if I cannot come to a good solution do I bring God in with prayer. It’s like I trust myself, but if I fail then I lean on God.

However, Jesus has called us to place God first and trust Him first. This means the first place we are challenged to look for a solution from is God. I doubt this needs to be stopping and kneeling down at every challenge we get, but perhaps it is more acknowledging God during the difficulties of our day and silently keeping the lines of communication open in our thoughts. As challenges come, we can then think or whisper a quick prayer to God and then move forward with His guidance.

Perhaps this way of thinking is connected with some of the blessing Jesus promised in this passage for those who believe who have not seen. This second- or third-hand faith gives God the opportunity to show up in amazing ways to help those who don’t have the previous experiences to be able to see God operating in a much broader way.

Or, perhaps the blessing we receive for believing without having seen Jesus directly is a special gift that God is saving for us when we reach heaven. Honestly, I don’t know what it is, but I do know that every blessing from God is given for our benefit. Every blessing is sent to help us learn, grow, and/or help others on life’s path.

As we have come to the end of this first year of podcasting chronologically through events from Jesus’ life as presented in the gospels, here are the challenges I want to leave you with:

As I always challenge you to do, intentionally seek God first in your life and lean on Him as your first resort rather than letting Him be your last resort. When God is where we turn first, we will have oriented our lives properly.

Also, as I always challenge you to do in one way or another, continue praying and studying the Bible for yourself in order to learn what Jesus and God are like personally. While most people today have ideas and opinions about what God is like, choose to shape your opinion through the lens of the big themes of the Bible, and you’ll only ever truly discover these themes for yourself if you personally study the Bible – for yourself.

And as I end every set of challenges by saying in one way or another, never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or walk away from where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!