Meditation Reader, We traditionally think of Saul as having been converted on the road to Damascus. In fact, as we see in today's passage, he doesn't actually receive the Holy Spirit until he is in Damascus. Very specifically, in Judas' house on Straight Street. This passage as a whole is startling for its detail and for the contrast with the passage that immediately precedes it. Whereas Paul is stunned by Jesus' appearance and falls to the ground, Ananias is approached softly in a vision and...
1 day ago • 2 min read
Meditation Reader, Even after Jesus ascended into heaven, he remains active, as we'll see in the remaining passages from this season. First with Paul's conversion and concluding with His words to John as recorded in Revelation. Today, we're copying out the famous text in which Jesus confronts Saul on the road to Damascus. Tomorrow, we'll copy out his commission to Ananias. Notable in today's text is Saul's description of Christians as followers of the "Way," identifying them as having not...
2 days ago • 2 min read
Meditation Reader, Today, we'll copy out the second half of Luke's recap for Theophilus of Jesus' appearances to the disciples after the resurrection. Copying out large sections of scripture over a number of days reveals new layers to familiar passages while highlighting themes that deepen our faith. For me, these passages stand out for the clarity of the mission Jesus gives his followers. His discussions with them are clear marching orders. He proves that all scripture points to him, he...
3 days ago • 2 min read
Meditation Reader, So far in this series, we have covered Matthew and John's accounts of Jesus' appearances to his disciples between his resurrection and his ascension into heaven. Before this season is over, we'll also copy out other, later appearances by Jesus in the New Testament, such as his appearance to Paul on the road to Damascus. Luke begins the opening verses of the Book of Acts by recapping the end of his Gospel. As we transition from the Gospel accounts to other appearances by...
4 days ago • 2 min read
Meditation Reader, The lines we are copying out today show the conclusion of the conversation between Jesus and Peter, as Peter is commanded to "follow me" twice. Peter has been restored but still needs to be exhorted to stay on track repeatedly...and there is only one track. Following Jesus. The words "You must follow me" are Jesus' last recorded words in John's Gospel and are a call on Peter's life...and ours. Today's text is John 21:17b–22. Jesus Reinstates Peter Jesus said, “Feed my...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Meditation Reader, Today's short passage is one of the most memorable and powerful of the stories recounted between Jesus' resurrection and his ascension. Peter is first forgiven and then (as we'll copy out tomorrow) restored. All the commentaries I've read on this passage highlight the threefold repetition of Jesus' question, "Do you love me?" as mirroring his three-time denial of Jesus. The symmetry between the offense and the forgiveness is clear. Most importantly, Peter's assurance that...
9 days ago • 2 min read
Meditation Reader, Today's passage completes the episode of the miraculous catch of fish we started yesterday. John's note of the exact number of fish caught in their net, 153, (v. 11) is a biographical note from a true fisherman. While his explanation that the net wasn't torn stresses again the size of the catch and also is a nod to the familiarity his audience would have had with the world of the fisherman. This catch was exceptionally large, possibly the largest catch he had ever...
10 days ago • 2 min read
Jesus is Risen Meditation Reader, This week we are copying out John Chapter 21. The conclusion of John's Gospel. Today's passage closely recalls the account in Luke 5:1-11 of Jesus calling his first disciples. Then as now, the group of fishermen led by Simon Peter and containing the sons of Zebedee had toiled all night and failed to catch any fish before being commanded by Jesus to try again, only to find their nets overflowing to bursting point. The earlier event marked their first call to...
11 days ago • 2 min read
Meditation Reader, Our familiarity with today's passage shouldn't obscure the fact that Thomas's unbelief is remarkable. He will have heard of Jesus' appearance from ten of the most reliable witnesses, and yet he demands special treatment to establish his own belief. It's a deliberate, obstinate form of unbelief, which Jesus handles with astonishing grace by repeating his demand back to him almost word for word before then commanding belief. "Stop doubting and believe." Thomas's unbelief is...
14 days ago • 2 min read