Reflective Bible Study

To start off our special two-part finale for our third chronological year podcasting through events from Jesus’ life, let me wish you a Merry Christmas. While Christmas is a special time when most people spend with family and friends, let’s remember together that the most significant reason for this season isn’t the gifts we give each other, but instead it is the gift God gave to each of us when Jesus came to this earth. Without God’s gift to us through Jesus, we would have no hope, and on a significantly smaller scale, no podcasts for us to review.

Because of this and because I always have trouble deciding which podcasts to narrow our list down to, let’s jump in and review insights we learned during the first half of our third chronological year moving through the gospels.

Starting with the very first episode this year, we learned when Luke was introducing us to Zechariah and Elizabeth that while it may have felt as though God was ignoring Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayers for a son, God was waiting for the perfect time to send them an answer. Also, while we often think of Zechariah’s muteness as a punishment, this miracle also happens to be the perfect sign God could give to convince an elderly priest that God means what He says.

In our second episode this year, we learned from Joseph’s dream about Mary’s pregnancy and Jesus’ birth that the phrase “God with us” doesn’t simply describe Jesus’ mission on earth, it describes God’s desire to be with us, His love for us, and His mission to redeem us!

Jumping up to episode 4, we learned from John the Baptist’s example that we are the strongest when we live united with Jesus in the public and private areas of life.

In episode 5, during Jesus’ late night conversation with Nicodemus, we focused in on the idea that belief in Jesus is connected with living like Jesus. When we combine faith in Jesus and live a life that is surrendered to Jesus, we are living a life that avoids the judgment.

Looking a little closer at the following episode, which was episode number 6, we read about how Jesus challenged those present on the idea that “seeing is believing”. The official who wanted Jesus to come heal his son trusted Jesus’ words and he became an example for all of us that we should “believe in Jesus before seeing or experiencing miracles”. This official believed in Jesus, and only then did he receive the miracle he desired.

Episode 7 brings us to one of the biggest insights and challenges that I think was uncovered in our entire year of podcasting. Setting the stage for this challenging insight in a passage that shared how Jesus took time away from people to pray, we learned that prayer and Holy-Spirit-inspired action were two of Jesus’ foundational beliefs. This led me to state in that episode, as well as here, that if prayer was as important to us as it was to Jesus, we would be praying as much as Jesus prayed!

Jumping forward to episode 9, we learn in an event where Jesus healed a man one Sabbath at a synagogue that Jesus came to help those who needed help and He came to give us a view of God’s law that allows us to be a blessing to others.

In the next episode, which is number 10, which focused in on a challenging section of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, we come to another insight, which is that God wants us to love like He loves, care like He cares, and model generosity like He is generous. And, we should do this not only towards those in our social circle of friends, but to everyone else as well – enemies included.

I promise that we won’t cover every episode, but before skipping forward, we learned in episode 11, which also looked at a section from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, that “the safest place for our treasure, our hearts, our eyes, our light, our service, and our lives is with Jesus in heaven”. And in episode 12, which focused on a parable Jesus shared during this same sermon, we learned that “if we choose to call Jesus ‘Lord’, we should be intentionally serving and obeying Him.”

In episode 15, while talking about the parable of the wheat and the weeds, we learned that God’s people are destined to let their lives reflect and display Jesus.

Episode 16, which focused on Jesus healing a man possessed by a legion of impure spirits, taught us that Jesus was willing to cross the lake to help one individual who could not travel to see Him, and He is more than willing to do the same for us. Jesus isn’t interested in forcing Himself on anyone, but He is happy to come when invited.

Touching on episode 17, which looked at one time Jesus returned home to Nazareth, we were challenged with the idea that probably the biggest test of our faith is what we choose to do, and move forward doing, during the times when we don’t have a clear direction or answer from God.

In episode 18, while reading about Jesus feeding the 5,000, we learn that when God receives an unselfish gift, there is no limit to how He can use it and multiply it to bless others.

Episode 20 contained a big challenge for those living in the first century, and it was a challenge that just happens to be as applicable today as it was in the first century. In this episode, Jesus challenged those present, as well as all of His followers throughout history, to not look for signs in order to build a foundation for our faith and trust in God. Instead, we should build our trust and faith in Him on what He has promised us and only after placing our faith on His promises should we begin looking for evidence and signs around us.

Moving forward to episode 22, looking at the time when Peter has to go fishing for money to pay the temple tax, we learn that the nature of salvation is simple: We mess up and God provides a solution.

In episode 24, which looked at one time Jesus preached to the crowd in the temple, we learned that the state of our attitudes and hearts may keep us from finding Jesus when we seek Him and His message for our lives.

In episode 25, at the half way mark of our year in the gospels, in a passage focusing on a message Jesus preached in the temple, we discovered that only after we have begun to obey Jesus’ words will the Christian life truly be Christ-like. Only by living a life that is obedient to the Bible will a person fully learn and know why the Bible’s way is superior. Some things simply cannot be learned from looking at them from the outside.

Episode 26, which focused us on the Good Samaritan, taught us that being a neighbor in God’s eyes is based on how we act towards someone else, and not simply on who we happen to live next to.

This is a good breaking point because the illustration of the Good Samaritan is one that is always a good one for us to remember as we challenge ourselves to live like Jesus. As we conclude part one of this year-end finale, let’s finish off with some challenges and things we can learn from Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan as we enter and move through this Christmas season:

As we take time to spend with family during this Christmas holiday season, remember to always seek God first and foremost, and through the parable of the Good Samaritan, we learn and are challenged to include our neighbors who are less fortunate than we are. Some of our neighbors might need serious help, while others may simply need a friend during this holiday. Let’s remember our neighbors during our Christmas festivities.

Also, while it seems easy to think of Jesus entering the world during this time of year when celebrating His birth, remember that the reason He came was to give the greatest gift ever. This gift was Himself, and without it, there would be no reason to celebrate at this time – or really at any time – of the year. Be sure you are keeping up with your regular personal prayer and Bible study time, because intentional growth only is able to happen with regular, intentional focus and intentional steps forward.

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!

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!

At the end of John’s gospel, we find an amazing event that echoes one of the first events that many of the disciples’ experience with Jesus. Following the resurrection, perhaps days or even a week or two later, John shares about an event that a little over half of Jesus’ remaining disciples were included in, and it happened back where Jesus found many of His first disciples.

From looking at the details John describes, both what is said and what is implied, following the crucifixion and resurrection weekend, the disciples all may have stayed in Jerusalem for a week or so. But then after an entire week had passed, we get the impression that some, if not all, of them may have slowly drifted back towards their previous lives and occupations. The previous three years they had spent with Jesus was amazing, but with their hopes of power and fame in an overthrown Roman empire gone with Jesus’ crucifixion, they weren’t sure really what to do. So it appears, according to John, that many of them return home to Galilee, with no clear mission for moving forward.

John’s last chapter, number 21, is entirely devoted to Jesus appearing again to these disciples and renewing their mission and faith in Him. Reading from the New International Version and starting in verse 1, John tells us that:

¹ Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ³ “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

⁵ He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

⁶ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. ⁹ When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Let’s stop reading here because I want to draw out an interesting statement John includes in his description of this event. In verse 12, John says that “None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord.”

It would seem odd for John to include this phrase because everything up to this point had already suggested, both subtly and obviously, that the stranger in front of them was Jesus. I wonder if Jesus’ physical appearance was noticeably different, but still similar enough with certain defining characteristics, like scars where He was nailed to the cross, and perhaps a similar impression when looking into His eyes. Part of me wonders if all the disciples who missed recognizing Jesus up to this point had simply failed to catch the small hints at who He was, and only after looking Jesus in the eye do they recognize that it is really Him.

This event echoes how Luke’s gospel describes Jesus inviting several of His first disciples after a unique daytime fishing trip that was surprisingly successful. In a similar, but different way, John ends His gospel describing another fishing miracle, but this time, it set the stage for a second invitation to follow Jesus.

On the night Jesus was arrested, all of His followers abandoned Him, and this was likely weighing on each of their minds. Each of Jesus’ disciples had failed Jesus when He would have needed them the most. When the fishermen disciples decide it is time to go fishing again, Jesus sees the opportunity to repeat His earlier miracle to get their attention. While it wasn’t done in exactly the same way, it was similar enough that none of the disciples missed the connection or significance.

Jesus’ repeat miracle is important for us to pay attention to as well. While I am not a fisherman, and most likely you aren’t either, what we see take place in this event is Jesus visibly forgiving many of His closest followers who feel as though they had failed Him. It is like Jesus says through the entire event in John chapter 21 that it is time for a fresh “restart” with Jesus. This restart is significant because it is built on the foundation that had been laid from the disciples earlier time with Jesus, but also it included the history of their failures.

This restart invitation told each of these fishermen that Jesus was willing to have them back if they were willing to come back, and it tells each of us living today that even though we mess up and make mistakes, God is always willing to take us back if/when we are willing to return to Him.

As we come to the end of another year of podcasting through the gospels, here are the challenges I will leave you with:

Be sure to continue seeking God first, and treat each day as a new day with God. Know that days in our past have included mistakes and failures, but also know that God is happy to work with us to build a new relationship even when we have failures checkered throughout our past. Past failures do not disqualify us from living for God moving forward. Jesus’ second fishing miracle helps show this truth to each of us.

As we treat each day as a new day with God, be sure to prayerfully study the Bible for yourself to intentionally grow your relationship with Him each day. If each day is treated as a new day, then each day should include time spent with God, and the best way to do this is in prayer and reading from the Bible. God desires a relationship with each of us and while a pastor or podcaster can inspire you with insights from his or her own experience, only by personally having a relationship with God can you grow into the life He created you to live.

And that brings us to the challenge that I always include in one way or another at the end of every set of challenges: Be sure to never stop short of, back away from, chicken out of, or deviate away from where God wants to lead you to in your life with Him!

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!