Melissa Rightmire Melissa Rightmire

Week Thirteen

John ends his gospel explaining that there is so much more he could have written but he just couldn’t write it all - “the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” And so many more have been written because people continued to encounter Jesus throughout history and continue to encounter Him even today! That’s because He is alive! The book of Acts makes sure we know how alive Jesus is.

The book of Acts is written by Dr. Luke. To get the full affect of this sequel to his gospel, consider going back and re-reading the end of Luke, chapter 24. As you read Acts, remember that Dr. Luke is writing an orderly account of things that he has verified have happened. However, at some point in this book, he is not only writing what he verified, but he begins to write what he experienced. I’ll let you know when we get there!

For this week, consider that Acts 1:25 is the first place the disciples are referred to as apostles. An apostle is a title for someone who is sent as a messenger with a very specific message. The message they carry was given to them directly from Jesus. If you want to know what the message is, go back and re-read Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20:19-23. And remember that all that is experienced in His name also becomes part of the message.

Be in awe as you read the accounts of the Spirit of the Living God active in the lives of ordinary people and disciples. The story begins close to home, in Jerusalem. If the disciples thought that life on the road with Jesus was incredible, I can’t imagine what they were thinking when tongues of fire showed up at a prayer meeting and languages were not a barrier to sharing the message of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

I often pray that God will do more than I can think or imagine to ask (Ephesians 3:20). It seems to me what we begin to read in Acts are the type of thing that can happen when we boldly pray for what is beyond ourselves.

As you read the book of Acts over the next couple of weeks, use this time to take the hardest thing you have in your life and ask God to do what you can’t even imagine to resolve it. Read the accounts in this book and be assured that God is alive and He is about to blow your mind!

I would love to join you in praying for the unimaginable. You can write a comment or prayer need below, or reach me, Melissa, at mrightmire@crnaz.com . Thank you for traveling with me on this journey through the New Testament.

Below are the readings for week 13:

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Melissa Rightmire Melissa Rightmire

Week Twelve

This week’s reading contains some of the most astounding words of Jesus that we should all settle into, read and read again. Contemplate them. Pray about them. Discuss them and reason them out with others. Consider that the incredible chapters of His last words (John chapters 13-17) come right after the miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead, in the midst of one of his own betraying him, and the establishment doing everything in their power to delegitimatize everything he has done. The actors are an array of people with differing perspectives, agendas, and threats.

Who are the actors in this complex scene? The wholly devoted followers that would give everything they have to serve Jesus. The crowd overcome by a magnificent yet humble entry to the holy city. High powered Greeks and Jews in positions to influence the outcome of the justice system. A Voice from heaven. The disciples. All play their own critical role.

This is what it looks like when “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” Even unsuspecting crowds play a part. But, the price for that glory was astounding. It was a price only Jesus could pay. But, ultimately everyone involved paid a price. That’s why Jesus’ words in this section of scripture are so critical. Here he sets the way forward for those who would believe.

In this hour we realize that we pay a price too. It is the price of discipleship. It is the price of following Jesus in a world that delegitimatizes miracles and faith - just as it always has. The price is engaging with Jesus to make straight the paths of people that are broken and continue to be under attack.

For what are we paying a price? “. . . glory has come to me through them. . . that they may all be one as we are one.” The glory of God through us. Not me, not you, but us, together. The reward is unity in a culture that pushes isolation, individualism, fear of relationships, and fear of missing out all at the same time.

This is why we have to answer the question, 'are we ready to be disciples?’ Are we willing to be one?

Write a comment below or reach me, Melissa, at mrightmire@crnaz.com . Thank you for traveling with me on this journey through the New Testament.

Below are the readings for week 12:

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Melissa Rightmire Melissa Rightmire

Week Eleven

Have you noticed that the gospel of John is not like the others? It’s so unique in the way it presents the gospel that it is not included in what theologians call the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). It is still a gospel, but John approaches the good news with more theology often inserted between historic moments and the weighty words of Jesus. You have probably noticed that while the story is familiar and many short stories the same, John approaches things from a completely different angle. In fact, theologians claim that 92 percent of this gospel is unique material.

Consider what you have read so far and notice the theological sections (John 1:1-18, John 3:16-21, 3:31-35) of the letter and what surrounds them. Pay attention to how John weaves these important truths into historical moments and Jesus’ words, letting them add depth to his narrative. Don’t just casually read these sections. Maybe even go back and re-read them. Consider the context and how the surrounding text complete the meaning. Consider asking the questions: (1) What does this text say about God? (2) What does it say about humanity? (3) What does it say about me? And finally, (4) What is God asking me to do? Maybe He is calling you into a deeper level of discipleship.

In my small group we continue to come back to the question, “Do I want to be a disciple?”. It’s a question that deserves careful consideration. The way of Jesus is not easy and you may have noticed, it likely includes an amount of suffering. What will happen if you say yes? The answer as an individual is one thing and it can be very impactful you and others.

But, what if the question should really be, “Do we want to be disciples?” What if we ALL said yes? Would it change my life to be one of many disciples? Would it change my family? Would it change our community? Could it change our church? Could it even change the world?

There is probably only one way to find out. . . let’s all say “yes.”

Write a comment below or reach me, Melissa, at mrightmire@crnaz.com . Thank you for traveling with me on this journey through the New Testament.

Below are the readings for week 11:

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Melissa Rightmire Melissa Rightmire

Week Ten

Luke’s last couple of chapters will take us through the crucifixion, death, and resurrection as you might expect a first century doctor/believer to do; methodically and orderly while weaving in human aspects unique to his gospel. In chapter 37 he recognizes the disciples uncertainty in what they are seeing and who He is. “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?” Who wouldn’t be troubled and doubtful after what they have gone through in the past week? The past three years for that matter? It would take more than a minute to get over that!

Luke ends with the disciples waiting for the promised Holy Spirit and John begins with convincing poetry and imagery of who Jesus is. He doesn’t bore us with genealogy and he doesn’t jump right in to Jesus’ birth. In fact, there is very little story until verse 35. Everything up to that is the convincing narrative that Jesus already was in the very beginning. He superseded what we know as the beginning. He has no beginning. He is the Word that gave life. He was in the very beginning. He is God. From Luke 24:46 through John 1:14, we clearly see the trinity. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. If you have time on March 7th or 8th, read those sections together. Don’t stop at the end of Luke. Experience the fullness of the truth of who God is and what He is calling us to. One God. Our God. The fullness of God for us - His disciples.

And yet, Jesus, who always has been and gave life to all things, was given life through a young girl and he lived on earth. And so John’s gospel begins. This is a story about the eternal God Himself. God, who became a man so we would know how much he loves us.

As we read John’s gospel, would you join me in this daily prayer?

Holy Spirit, our teacher, open the eyes and ears of our hearts to see the Word in flesh not only in what we read, but even more as we go about our day. May we see and take advantage of every opportunity to show and declare that the kingdom of God has come near today. I walk and pray in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Write a comment below or reach me, Melissa, at mrightmire@crnaz.com . Thank you for traveling with me on this journey through the New Testament.

Below are the readings for week 10:

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Melissa Rightmire Melissa Rightmire

Week Nine

The gospel of Luke, in my opinion, more than any other gospel reveals to us that the presence of Jesus is the presence of the kingdom of God. And where do we see Jesus in this week’s chapters? Among the weak, the young, the ones who keep trying but just can’t seem to conquer their sin. He is among those who persist in seeking Him. He is among those who have even the smallest faith. He is with the one who is angry at Him. He is with the ones who mourn.

As we read this gospel the kingdom of God becomes more vivid; more real. Luke ensures we know that those who desire to be “in” the kingdom understand there is a cost and the cost is high. Not just His cost, but ours as well. The cost is the loss of personal noterietay and social stature. The cost is serving the ones at the table instead of being one at the table. The cost is working the field and coming home to continue to serve. The cost is pride. The cost is flesh and blood 🩸, not just His, but his followers too. Our flesh and blood. Our pride. Our whole life.

As you read this week, consider that you have been entrusted with the kingdom of God! There is a weightiness to it. You literally carry the kingdom of God in you! Have you been trusted with a little or a lot? How is the Spirit of Jesus mobilizing you so people you encounter know the kingdom of God has been among them? How does your flesh and blood, your whole life, hold up with the kingdom of God in you? OR have you figured out that the kingdom of God can hold you up?

Write a comment below or reach me, Melissa, at mrightmire@crnaz.com . Thank you for traveling with me on this journey through the New Testament.

Below are the readings for week 9:

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