The Centurion
Read: Matthew 27:45-56 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (v. 54) Roman centurions were a tough bunch. In charge of a hundred Roman soldiers, they could afford to […]
The Thief
Read: Luke 23:32-43 Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. (v. 43) Our reading today opens, in part, with this simple but profound statement: “there they crucified him” (v. 33). For a first-century audience, it needed no further explanation. Anyone under the thumb of Rome would know immediately what this meant. […]
Denial
Read: Mark 14:26-31; 66-72 Jesus said to [Peter], “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” (v. 30) Not once. Not twice. But three times. Peter thought he was strong. Peter thought he was courageous. Peter thought he could take on the world, or at least […]
Betrayal
Read: Matthew 26:17-29 Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me. (v. 21) Imagine the scene: Jesus had his friends around him. They were his beloved disciples, including Peter, full of fire and impulse. Peter’s brother Andrew was present as well, along with two brothers, James and John. Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew the tax […]
July 2024 Prayer Guide
INDONESIA — Five new listener communities will soon be started in Simalungun, Indonesia. Prospective leaders are lined up for each community group. Our team is planning to visit the area to provide the necessary training for the leaders before they begin community activities. Pray that these new communities will turn into a source of support […]
Planting Wheat
Read: John 12:12-26 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (v. 24) Today’s reading took place during Passover, the Jewish festival commemorating God freeing his chosen people from slavery in Egypt. Jewish people from all […]
The Door
Read: John 10:1-18 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. (v. 1) Jesus’s listeners would have known that sheep need a shepherd. Valuable farm animals, they were vulnerable not only to predators, but […]
The Bread from Heaven
Read: John 6:22-35 Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. (v. 32) To the Jewish people, bread was life. Symbolically, spiritually, and literally. Their ancestors baked and ate unleavened bread during the Passover to commemorate God’s […]
Trust like a Child
Read: Luke 18:9-17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. (v. 17) In our Bible reading today, Jesus was teaching an audience of people “who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else” (v. 9 NIV). First, those present that […]