Luke 2:1-20, the Birth of Jesus, the Shepherds and the Angels.

Luke 2:1-20, the Birth of Jesus, the Shepherds and the Angels.

March 11: Read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Matthew 20:17-34. Jesus predicted his death. After that the mother of Zebedee’s sons asked Jesus to have her sons to be seated with Jesus in the kingdom of heaven, but Jesus answer was that is only for the Father to decide. The other disciples got angry, but Jesus admonished them all that the kingdom of heaven means to be a servant. The chapter ends with Jesus, out of compassion healed two blind men.

In Deuteronomy 4 God promised the people they will enter the promised land, but if they are disobedient they will be scattered all over the earth. Obedience means no idolatry “for the LORD, your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God”. Three Cities of Refuge are mentioned.

Luke 1:57-80, the Birth of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:57-80, the Birth of John the Baptist.

March 10: Read through the Holy Bible in a year.

In Matthew 20:1-16 Jesus told the parable of the workers in the vineyard, that God is always fair even when we don’t think so.

Deuteronomy 2 tells of the first 38 years of wandering in the the Desert. The generation entering the desert had died off and with the help of God King Sihon was Defeated.

Deuteronomy 3 describes how King Og was defeated and how the Israelites conquered the land East of Jordan, but Moses was forbidden to cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land.

Luke 1:1-56, to Theophilus, Zacharias and the Angel, Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, Mary and Elizabeth, Mary’s song.

Luke 1:1-56, to Theophilus, Zacharias and the Angel, Gabriel’s announcement to Mary, Mary and Elizabeth, Mary’s song.

March 9: Read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Matthew 19:13-30 contains some of the most important aspects of life. Here is a jewel: “Let the little children come to me…” After Jesus gave that lesson, a rich young ruler asked what good thing he must do to get eternal life. Jesus answered: “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” This he could not do, so he sighed and walked away. Jesus then commented “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God,” in other words, impossible. But cheer up, “with God all things are possible.” And God’s pecking order is not economic or based on power. Instead, sometimes “the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.” There are many idioms in the English language taken from the Bible. Yet the origin of these quotations are not allowed to be mentioned in public schools. Ponder that.

Deuteronomy 1 starts with the LORD’s command telling the Israelites to leave Horeb and enter Canaan. Leaders were appointed and spies sent out, but Israel refused to enter the land. The penalty for Israel’s rebellion was that no one would enter the promised land except Caleb and Joshua.

Mark 15:21-47, the Crucifixion of the King, Jesus’ Death, Jesus’ Burial.

Mark 15:21-47, the Crucifixion of the King, Jesus’ Death, Jesus’ Burial.

This is how a tomb with a large stone looked.

March 8: Read through the Holy Bible in a year.

Matthew 19:1-12 is relatively short but contains some of the most important aspects of life, such as marriage and divorce. “What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”

Ecclesiastes 7. There is value in practical wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 8. Obey authorities for God’s Sake, and yes, this too is in Ecclesiastes: “Eat, drink and be merry.” It fits with the theme of vanity.

Psalm 19, of David. “This Psalm reflects, more than any other, the beauty and splendor of the Hebrew poetry found in the Psalter. C.S. Lewis wrote, ‘I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.’” (VanGemeren)

Psalm 20, of David. The people’s prayer for the King is heard by the LORD. The most quoted part is: “ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” The Lord saves, we pray for the King.

Psalm 21, of David. The New Testament references from Revelation 14 seems to fit. When I read the Psalm the battle hymn of the republic kept ringing in my ears.

Mark 15:1-20, Jesus Before Pilate, Barabbas, the Soldiers mock Jesus.

Mark 15:1-20, Jesus Before Pilate, Barabbas, the Soldiers mock Jesus.

Duccio interpreted the scene, between 1308-11, with this tempera on wood (entitled Christ Before Pilate Again). It is maintained at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo in Siena, Italy.