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:
March 13, 2025 John 6:16–59 NIV, Ps 67 NIV
March 14, 2025 John 6:60–7:24 NIV, Ps 68:title–9 NIV
March 15, 2025 John 7:25–8:11 NIV, Ps 68:10–20 NIV
March 16, 2025 John 8:12–59 NIV, Ps 68:21–35 NIV
March 17, 2025 John 9 NIV, Ps 69:title–11 NIV
March 18, 2025 John 10 NIV, Ps 69:12–36 NIV
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:
March 6, 2025 Luke 23:26–24:12 NIV, Ps 59 NIV
March 7, 2025 Luke 24:13–53 NIV, Ps 60 NIV
March 9, 2025 John 2:1–3:21 NIV, Ps 63 NIV
March 10, 2025 John 3:22–4:26 NIV, Ps 64 NIV
March 11, 2025 John 4:27–5:15 NIV, Ps 65 NIV
March 12, 2025 John 5:16–6:15 NIV, Ps 66 NIV
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:
February 27, 2025 Luke 17 NIV, Ps 52 NIV
February 28, 2025 Luke 18 NIV, Ps 53–54 NIV
March 1, 2025 Luke 19 NIV, Ps 55:1–9 NIV
March 2, 2025 Luke 20 NIV, Ps 55:10–23 NIV
March 3, 2025 Luke 21 NIV, Ps 56 NIV
March 4, 2025 Luke 22:1–46 NIV, Ps 57 NIV
March 5, 2025 Luke 22:47–23:25 NIV, Ps 58 NIV
Let’s Begin Reading!
It all begins with an idea.
The most important thing anyone can do before reading the Bible is to pray for the Holy Spirit to help you understand, listen, and act on what He is saying to you. If you are not sure how to do that, here is a simple prayer to get you started:
Lord God, Thank you for the words that I am about to read. Holy Spirit, I trust that you are indeed my teacher and my counselor, so would you teach and counsel me as I read today? My mind and heart are open to understanding and I am ready to learn to abide. I pray in the name of Jesus, amen.
I have nothing but confidence that God will answer this prayer because there is nothing more that He wants than to abide in you and you in Him! He wants to talk to someone who is listening! Get ready to hear as you begin the first day of reading.
Reading New Testament and Psalms in Six Months in 2025
Here we are in 2025 and we are steadfast on abiding in Jesus this year! Here at Crossroads we are learning to abide better by engaging in His Word and letting it shape us as a community of people walking with Him. We want to embody John 15.1-9.
We are beginning by reading the New Testament during the first six months of the year. For those so inclined, there is an option to add the Psalms to your reading plan. This might sound like a big deal, but reading the New Testament in six months will only take about 8-10 minutes of your day! If you add the Psalms just double that amount.
The point isn’t really how much we read in six months, it’s more important that we are learning to ABIDE with Jesus. He in us and us in Him just as He is in the Father and Father is in Him. That is how we get to the point of hearing Him well and seeing Him around us so that we can follow his leading. We read the Bible because that is a primary way the Holy Spirit speaks to us. We learn who Jesus is. We begin to understand His ways, the ways of the Father, and learn the voice of the Holy Spirit. Without engaging in His Word, we are simply manufacturing our own ideas about what God is doing and saying. And that’s only abiding in ourselves . . . not Jesus.
I pray you are joining us this year as we learn to abide! Follow along each day. Share what’s happening! Take on the challenges that are posted and let us know how it’s going in the comments under each week’s reading plan. Text the word READ to 833-210-7705 and let me know how you are engaging or if you want to be a part of a small group or Zoom call. We want to help you connect with the Body of believers as you learn to abide.
I am confident God will bless you and our gatherings with His Presence, direction, and all manner of fruit of the Spirit in great abundance as we abide in Him.