52 Weeks in the Word - Week 44

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   It's Week 44!  Last week we finished reading Mark and began the book of Luke.  A few highlights from last week's reading:

  • Luke 6:45b: "For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."  

  • We also read the traditional Christmas reading from Luke this week.

  • In Mark 14, Peter denies Jesus 3 three times after declaring he would die for Him.  It is another reminder that these 12 men Jesus selected to be his apostles were average, ordinary men.  They were not perfect and did not fully understand everything Jesus was teaching them.  They were a work in progress.  Not only did they not stand with Him at that moment, but after the crucifixion, they forgot about the resurrection.  When others came and told them they saw Christ after His death, many did not believe until they had that personal encounter with Christ afterwards.  

  • In Mark 14:51, it talks about a "certain young man" how fled naked during the betrayal of Jesus in Gethsemane.  Many scholars believe this certain young man was actually young Mark.  

Looking ahead to Week 44:

The reading for Week 44 includes: Luke 8 - 24.

Here is a good outline of the Gospel of Luke:

I. The Son of Man Seeking the Lost (Luke 1:1-19:28)

A. The Arrival of the Son of Man (Luke 1:1-4:13)

B. The Ministry of the Son of Man (Luke 4:14-19:28)


II. The Son of Man Saving the Lost (Luke 19:29-24:53)

A. The Rejection of the Son of Man (Luke 19:29-23:25)

B. The Crucifixion & Resurrection of the Son of Man (Luke 23:26-24:53)


In the Gospel of Luke, we read about 2 men, John the Baptist and Jesus.  John the Baptist came first, preparing the way for Jesus.  Then, Jesus began His ministry of miracles and teachings.  

After identifying Himself as the prophesied One from Isaiah, He was run out of His hometown of Nazareth.  Jesus then began to move around to villages and hillsides around the Sea of Galilea.  The Gospel of Luke recorded 23 of Jesus's parables, 19 of which are unique to the book of Luke.  

We will also read about the transfiguration of Jesus with James, John, and Peter.  This event is thought to be the capstone of Jesus's public ministry.  For the other three men, this event was something that would stay with them, as the necessary strength for their faith to prepare them for the struggles and trials that waited ahead.

Why Moses and Elisha with Jesus for the transfiguration?  Here is one suggested theory.  Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the prophets.  When God's voice was heard from Heaven saying, listen to my Son, this was indicating that the Law and the Prophets must now give away to Jesus.  Jesus was the completion of the Law and the fulfilment of the Prophets.  Interesting thought.

The following is a comparison of the Passover Events and Jesus's Crusifixtion from the video series Drive Thru History:

It’s incredible to view the perfect comparison between the “Passover Events” and the “Crucifixion of Jesus”:

Passover Events

  • Date: 14th of Nisan (Jewish calendar)

  • Lamb selected: 10th of Nisan

  • Lamb to be perfect, without blemish

  • Lamb to have no broken bones at slaughter

  • Blood of the lamb saves those using it

Crucifixion of Jesus

†  Date: 14th of Nisan (Jewish calendar)

†  Jesus selected: 10th of Nisan

†  Jesus was perfect, without sin

†  Jesus had no bones broken at the cross

†  Blood of Jesus saves those accepting it   


Finally, for this week's blog I will end with a reflection of the crucifixion.  In reading all four Gospel accounts of the crucifixion, we find seven statements from the cross.  (The following is a quoted list from Drive Thru History Adventures, Bible Backroads, the Gospel of Luke.)
  1. Jesus’ first words from the cross were recorded in the Gospel of Luke:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

  1. On either side of Jesus were two thieves crucified at the same time. When one of them believed that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus told him,

“Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

  1.  About halfway through the crucifixion, the Gospel of Mark recorded that Jesus cried,

“Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34)

When Jesus said this, some onlookers realized he was quoting a 1,000-year-old prophecy about the suffering of the Messiah.

  1. John’s Gospel recorded that Jesus saw his mother crying at the foot of the cross. He asked his disciple John to take care of her.

To Mary, he said, “Behold, your son!” To John, he said, “Behold, your mother!” (John 19:26-27)

Church tradition maintains that John took care of Mary for the rest of her life.

  1.  Near death, Jesus fulfilled scripture when he said,

“I thirst.” (John 19:28)

  1.  After he was offered a sponge full of sour wine on a hyssop branch, Jesus said,

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

  1. Ending in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus – the Son of Man – died for the sins of the world, calling out with a loud voice,

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (Luke 23:46) 


We look forward to hearing your comments on this week's reading!  Many blessings to you all this week.

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