March 22: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

In Matthew 26:31-75 Jesus predicted Peter’s denial. After finishing the Last Supper they all moved on to the Mount of Olives, and there was the garden of Gethsemane. In the garden Jesus prayed “Not my will, but yours be done.”  Jesus prayed this prayer three times, and every time the disciples fell asleep. After that is recorded the betrayal and arrest of Jesus as he was taken to the Sanhedrin to be interrogated. The chapter ends with Peter’s denial.

Deuteronomy 28. The LORD through Moses specified many blessings for obedience and even more curses for disobedience.

Luke 9:1-27, sending out the twelve, Herod tries to see Jesus, feeding the Five Thousand, Peter’s Confession of Christ.

Luke 9:1-27, sending out the twelve, Herod tries to see Jesus, feeding the Five Thousand, Peter’s Confession of Christ.

March 20: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Matthew 25: 31-46. Jesus will return to judge the nations, to illustrate how he told the parable of the sheep and the goats, and the sheep were defined as those who do God’s will “You did it for me.”

Deuteronomy 22 contains more instructions, protect your brother’s property, the LORD detests unisex clothing, protect nesting birds, do not yoke an ox and a donkey together. The chapter ends with various laws on sexual morality.

Deuteronomy 23 deals with shunning and exclusion from the assembly, how to deal or not to deal with certain foreigners. Make your relief stations outside the camp and do what you have to do and keep proper camping cleanliness. No harlots allowed and do not accept offerings from them. You may not charge interest to a fellow Israelite, but you can be a Shylock to a foreigner. If you make a vow to the Lord, you better fulfill it!

Deuteronomy 24 tells of divorce laws and limitations for remarriage, leprosy, lending laws, how to properly pay workmen, and after harvest please leave the gleanings.

Luke 7:24-50. The least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist, a sinful woman forgiven.

Luke 7:24-50, The least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist, a sinful woman forgiven.

 A squat cream-coloured banded alabaster jar, Late Period, afer 600 B.C.An antique alabaster jar from Egypt.

March 19: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Matthew 25:1-30 begins with the parable of the ten virgins, five with oil, five without oil. (Give me oil in my lamp, keep it burning). After that Jesus told the parable of the five, two and one talent given to three different people, the one with five made ten, the one with two doubled his talents, but the one with only one talent buried his. Jesus had his one talent taken away and be given to the one with ten talents. The moral of this parable is: Equal opportunity, not equal outcome.

Deuteronomy19. God commanded to set aside three Cities of Refuge, maybe three more as the land expands. Do not change property boundaries. There must be two or three witnesses for a conviction in court.  From this chapter also comes the saying “an eye for an eye”.

Deuteronomy 20. Rules for warfare: The Lord fights the battle for you. If you are too chicken or are building a house or are pledged to marry, you may be excused. For the rest of you, show no mercy unless they surrender, but above all, save the fruit trees.

Deuteronomy 21 deals with what to do with unsolved murders. Can you marry a female taken captive?  What are the rights of the firstborn? What to do with a rebellious Son? A man punished to death and hung on a tree, he must be buried the same day. From this we get “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree”.

March 18: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Matthew 24:36-51. Nobody knows the time or the day of Christ’s coming, not even Jesus at that time. Many have tried to predict it, and so far all have failed. This makes sense since we are supposed to watch and wait, and with this admonition the chapter ends.

Deuteronomy 16 describes in detail how to celebrate the Passover, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. Bring an offering, no one can go empty handed. Appoint Judges so justice can be properly administered. Do not worship any Asherah poles ever.

Deuteronomy 17, Anyone worshiping other Gods must have justice administered, including stoning. The Israelites will elect a King after they have entered the promised land. He must be an Israelite, not gathering riches or take many wives. He must read the scroll of the Law all the days of his life. As long as he does all these things he will reign a long time.

Deuteronomy 18. The LORD is the Inheritance for Priests and Levites. No Wicked Customs such as child sacrifice, “ or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer In other words: Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.” Then the LORD gave a promise. He will raise up a Prophet like Moses. There will also rise up many false prophets, and they are not to be listened to.

Luke 7:1-23, the Centurion’s faith, Jesus raises a widow’s son in Nain, John the Baptist has questions.

Luke 7:1-23, the Centurion’s faith, Jesus raises a widow’s son in Nain, John the Baptist has questions.

March 17: Read through the Holy Bible in a year

Matthew 24:1-35, is knocking at the door is a song popularized by Johnny  Cash and gives a description of what is coming. Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple and the events that will occur just before his return. He even quoted Daniel the prophet: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation.” Then he described his coming return to gather his people. He assured us that heaven and earth will pass away, but not his words. My words

Deuteronomy14. Do not do as the heathen do with improper mourning, eat only clean meat and do not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk. Observe tithing, and every three years give an extra tithing for the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows.

Deuteronomy 15. Debts are to be canceled after seven years, show generosity to the poor, lend freely but do not borrow, free your slaves after seven years and give them opportunity to continue on their own. Set apart every firstborn animal.