Day 294 (Saturday) - Mark 6-7

What a way to go…lose your head at a birthday party. After all John the Baptist did and all he did to prepare the people for Jesus, he loses his head in a dumb power struggle between the king’s wife and the followers of John. Honestly, I think this death is unbecoming of John. I would prefer if he died standing up for something like Stephen did. This death almost comes across silly when you read it. Oh well, God has yet to consult me on how things should go so I guess I should just keep my mouth shut.

Day 293 (Friday) - Mark 4-5

You are probably noticing a lot of the same stories. You might think they should all be word for word. If they were, that would be troubling because these are supposed to be different accounts of the same events. We should see one account focus on one aspect and another account to not even mention that event and focus on a whole different angle. By far, my favorite demon casting story is here at the start of chapter 5. I love the image of these pigs running off the cliff possessed with demons. I can still remember the felt board lesson when I was just knee high to a grass hopper.

Day 292 (Thursday) - Mark 1-3

A new day and a new book. I like Mark because it’s short and to the point. I usually suggest people start with Mark when they pick up the Bible for the first time. One of the interesting facts about reliability in the text is that the shorter the book, the more reliable it is. Many ancient manuscripts have had commentary added to it to help people understand it, Over time, it becomes unclear what is original and what is commentary. Mark is short and pure. I hope you enjoy this read as much as I do.

Day 291 (Wednesday) - Matthew 26:69-28:20

No matter how many times I read this passage, it strikes a place deep within me. It could be because of the vivid images the movie Passion of the Christ impressed in my soul, but none the less, it’s hard. Jesus loves us and these pages tell the reality of that love. It’s amazing how these dates just happen to line up with Holy Week 2010.

Day 290 (Tuesday) - Matthew 25:14-26:68

Does it scare you that someone so close to Jesus, his teaching and his miracles could decide to betray Jesus for some cash? I mean if someone so close to Jesus could do that, what about me? And then to read that Peter…the Rock…denied Jesus when Jesus needed him the most. What hope do I have at being the man Jesus called me to be. It’s humbling to know that he loves us and still chooses us even though he knows we will fail him

Day 289 (Monday) - Matthew 23:1-25:13

As Jesus’ death came near, he continued to tell people about who he was through parables. He wanted people to know that he was the Messiah and that he would set up his Kingdom. No one seemed to get it. His disciple seemed to get it every once in a while, but they would say something stupid and prove that they never really had it in the first place. It must have been a frustrating time for Jesus. I wonder how much confusion about Jesus has changed over the years?

Day 288 (Sunday) - Matthew 21-22

If there is a passage about Jesus that I think gets the most attention for the strangest of reasons, it has to be the clearing of the Temple. People who have a hard time controlling their anger or lash out at others love to quote that Jesus got angry and physically turned over tables and threw the money changers out. The difference is Jesus was God and we are not. When we put ourselves in the God category, we can justify bombing abortion clinics and starting Christian militias to take back our country or cleanse the world of some race that’s different than ours. It’s ridiculous!