The Book Draws to a Close

Many of you are near the end of the Bible.  Many of you have finished the Bible. As you reach the end of the Bible, what has changed?  What did you find there that you did not expect? What did you find in yourself that you did not expect?  Where did you encounter God in its pages?
I encountered God in the strangest, unexpected places. Isaiah's sweeping words; Jesus in the synoptic gospels; Exodus was powerful.  I will always love Acts. What about you?
The Bible is God's testament or covenant with us, a living document for a living people. God's word and presence is real.

New Testament Thoughts

Some Thoughts about the New Testament read quickly
1. The similarities of synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) stand out.  People have noted this throughout the centuries, including John Calvin, who did not write a commentary on the individual gospels, but wrote Harmony of the Evangelists. Jesus is a consistent figure, who towers over history and creation, yet confronts humanity head-on.  Three accounts written in three places are remarkably and powerfully convergent, yet unique.
2. John presents a photographic negative of the other accounts. Same Jesus, some different events, most notably the teaching.  John's account is beautiful - an intimate Jesus.
3. Notice how Acts devotes much of its account to recitations of the divine history, such as Stephen's testimony. The scope of the story is the entire book, now including Jesus and the apostles themselves.

Matthew

I've noticed a refrain in Matthew that I never noticed before. Jesus quotes Hosea (6.6), "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." We find God's desire there.

Daniel - Random Thoughts

The book of Daniel is a great book.  The story of Daniel at the beginning of the book shows a man of courage and integrity.  Daniel holds firm to his beliefs in the face of persecution and difficulty.  The message of Daniel should nudge us to ask: what sets us apart as Christians today?  If we are not in a position to transform our culture through Christ, at what point do we stand against the customs and habits of our day.
The second half of the book is more curious.  A concrete story gives way to fantastic prophetic imagery.  Many have used the book of Daniel as much, if not more, than the book of Revelation to form an apocalyptic eschatology, or end of time theology. Readers should use extreme caution when comparing the events of today with the prophecy contained in Daniel; at the same time, Daniel does have an historical framework for its prophecy, anticipating the arrival and subsequent return of the Messiah in Jesus Christ - the history of the old testament is the fulfillment of the new and the anticipation of the kingdom.

Minor Prophets

As the Old Testament closes with the minor prophets or the book of the twelve (or possibly "the unpronounceables"), we approach a big gap in time between the testaments. The prophets promise the return of Moses and Elijah as well as the restoration of David's throne. Despite all the thunder and lightning, judgment and destruction, we whear a great promise of restoration. Many people waited a long time for what we have received in Christ. Plunge headlong into the fulfilled and coming promises of the New Testament.

Day 60

Congratulations, you've made it through two months of reading the Bible. And you're still in the Old Testament! Is God doing amazing things with you yet? I think I am amazed at how fresh the Bible remains, how I constantly find new things, while many of the threads persist and reappear. God's covenant remains; God's steadfast love endures!

Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31 is an oasis in the midst of destruction. This chapter shows that the Old Testament contains the heart of the New Testament. God's promises began and persist in the darkest times. Write your teachings upon our hearts, O Lord.