Day 268..."Another friend speaks...forgetting how to blush...Romans 5!!!

Zophar offers his advice to Job..."if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame;you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning." I do like the hope of Zophar...though he presumes Job is the culprit of his suffering because of sin. (Sin/suffering and goodness/blessing are not always this apparent) Job feels in the next chapter he has become a laughingstock. When humankind becomes comfortable with disobedience they forget how to blush. Is there no shame? Could this be said in anyway today..."Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." Romans, chapter five, is packed with inspiration and theology. There is a word about perseverence..."Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us" The theology is also clear that Jesus died for sinners..."Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." There is also the good news that grace and righteousness triumph over sin and death..."so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Job would have liked Romans chapter five, as he struggled to understand his suffering.

Day 267..."One hundred days to go...Trying to explain suffering...Faith"

Job is a man of questions like..."But how can a man be in the right before God?" and "How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?" He continues to try explaining his suffering and also the mystery of God. I noticed the phrase..."“My days are swifter than a runner;they flee away; they see no good." I suppose days and years do pass by quickly like a sprinting track star! There is no quess work for Jeremiah regarding the reasons the people have fallen on hard times...the prophet traces their disobedience. Here is Jeremiah's answer..."And when your people say, ‘Why has the Lord our God done all these things to us?’ you shall say to them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your land, so you shall serve foreigners in a land that is not yours.’”

Paul, in the letter to the Romans, claims faith is the key to righteousness and this can be traced all the way back to Abraham and Sarah. Obviously faith is one of the big three (faith, hope, and love) and is a common thread throughout the Bible.

Day 266..."Job wants relief...Jeremiah wants the people to return...Paul says all have sinned"

Job wants relief from his suffering. Friend number two, Bildad, wants Job to repent to find relief. Speaking of repentance...it is interesting that Romans, chapter three, reminds us all have sinned fallen short of God's Glory..."for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith." Jeremiah also seeks returning to the Lord and glorifying Him through..."“If you return, O Israel,declares the Lord,to me you should return.If you remove your detestable things from my presence,and do not waver, and if you swear, ‘As the Lord lives,’in truth, in justice, and in righteousness,then nations shall bless themselves in him,and in him shall they glory.”

Day 265..."Job, Jeremiah, and Paul profess faith in God to heal and bring righteousness"

Job is challenged in his relationship with God. He states a beautiful affirmation for his troubles..."“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up;he shatters, but his hands heal." Have we enough faith to say such things, when trouble comes...even if we are being disciplined as a Father disciplines a child? The reading from Jeremiah (likewise professes God's greatness) and also speaks of the need of repentance, healing, and restoration. Another beautiful affirmation reads..."Return, O faithless sons;I will heal your faithlessness.”“Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God." Israel is compared to a bride that is treacherous wife. In both readings, God offers reprimands but also offers healing. Make our reading unanimous! Paul also calls for righteousness. He also levels the playing field as God shows no partiality..."There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality." All three readings affirm and profess God's greatness and humankinds need of healing and righteousness.

Day 264..."I had a bad day...really! God is with us in the struggle"

Job in response to his suffering begins to curse the day that he was born. Have we ever become that downcast? Bad days, bad years, or bad lives can become our focal point. Eliphaz, known as a friend...connects suffering with evil and believes innocence brings prosperity. Rabbi Kush's question about "why bad things happen to good people?" has no "pat" answer. We will continue to wrestle with this subject of suffering in the Book of Job.
Jeremiah also teaches of suffering and the folly of worshiping other gods..."But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you,in your time of trouble." This is perhaps one strong case for Christianity, though not necessary to make a case, our God suffers with us. Is this not one possibility with Job? One of the insights about the relationship with the Creator and created is found in Romans chapter 1..."because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator." There seems to be a thread in all three readings today about God's supremacy and our struggle to understand what it means to be human.

Day 263..."Job, Jeremiah, and Jail"

We begin the Book of Job today. Job is a righteous and prosperous person. Satan challenges him by taking away cherished family members, possessions, and inflicts him with sores. In the face of these challenges, Job perseveres. His friends (and later we will read more about them) Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad fast and sit quietly with Job for seven days. As we read through Job, we will be challenged to make sense of suffering. Our reading through the Bible will confront what is known theologically as theodicy. Jeremiah sees a vision of an almond branch and boiling pot. The "almond branch" represents the Lord looking out over His Word to perform His word. The "boiling pot" to the north represents trouble brewing by disobedience.

Our journey through Acts ends today. Paul reaches Rome and is under house arrest for two years. Paul survives a snake bite and much persecution. Acts implies his last two years are uneventful. We do not have a description of Paul's death in the Book of Acts.

Day 262..."Shortest Chapter in the Bible?...End of Isaiah...A real sea voyage for our "365 day voyage discovering God's Word"

The Book of Esther ends with a reversal of fortunes. Morecai is now second in command to the King. The Jews are strong as a people again. We also read about the origin of Purim. We close Esther with what has to be one of the shortest chapters in the Bible. (other than maybe one of the Psalms) Our journey through Isaiah also ends today. We have moved from despair to hope. Listen to the hopeful images..."“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth,and the former things shall not be rememberedor come into mind. But be glad and rejoice foreverin that which I create;for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy,and her people to be a gladness." In this New Jerusalem there will be no more weeping, or babies dying, and the wolf and lamb will be at peace together. WOW. Is this not the vision for the Kingdom of God? In Acts, we read an exciting story about a ship with 276 passengers waiting out a storm. Notice all the particulars about sailing in the text. I enjoyed reading the detail. Regarding the upcoming storm...Paul both warns them and assures them. Even though they ignore his warning many days later they survive the storm...and are greatly encouraged by the prisoner Paul. Today, we finished Esther, Isaiah, and tomorrow we will finish Acts. We are making great progress through the Bible!

Day 261..."Haman hanged...Preaching in chains!"

The story of Esther turns from a near tragic story to a victory for the Jews. Haman's evil plot is exposed and he is hung on his own gallows. Esther's purpose is fulfilled from chapter four..."and who knows but that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?" The words of Isaiah remind us of the Potter's image again..."But now, O Lord, you are our Father;we are the clay, and you are our potter;we are all the work of your hand." Paul recalls his conversion, in his defense with King Agrippa.
One classic line from Agrippa...“In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul not only believed this was possible but broadened the invitation...“Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” Paul was content with everything but the chains!" Nevertheless...he could still preach in chains!

Day 260..."The plot thickens more!!! Gratitude for the past and hope for the future...Unfounded charges"

Mordecai surely gets under Haman's skin. The solution presented by Haman's wife is to build gallows and hang Mordecai. We will read tomorrow about the "ultimate backfire." Isaiah speaks of the past steadfast love of the Lord and a Savior..."I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord,according to all that the Lord has granted us,and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people,children who will not deal falsely.”And he became their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them;in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old." This reading seems to read backward in gratitude and forward in hope...much like we did today in celebrating Cokesbury's 50th anniversary! Paul is brought before Caesar, Agrippa, and Bernice and, in following in the steps of the Lord, though the people call for his death...charges are unfounded. In Paul's on words..."Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” How difficult it was for those who followed Jesus in the early Church! What are our thoughts about price of discipleship today?

Day 259..."The Plot thickens...Bring forth the royal diadem...Paul pleads resurrection for Felix"

Haman turns against Mordecai and all the Jews. The plot thickens as Esther hears of what Haman plans in the King's name. One beautiful line, though this Book does not mention God (God is surely implied)..."And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” I may preach on this text soon. We will read more tomorrow. Isaiah, chapter 62, has a line that provides inspiration for the hymn "Crown Him with Many Crowns"..."You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,and a royal diadem in the hand of your God." Paul continues in prison, though he seems to be treated very civil. The main charge is Paul's teaching about resurrection. Have we takens such beiefs for granted? In this day, the resurrection of Jesus and the dead was still a point of great contention.

Day 258..."Esther wins favor...preaching...plot to kill Paul"

We begin the Book of Esther today. She and her cousin, Mordecai, plan a way to save the Jews. In an amazing story, Esther transcends culture and becomes Queen. This incredible story with a thick plot is the only Book of the Bible that does not mention God. In Isaiah, chapter sixty-one, he speaks lofty..."The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound." Jesus will quote these words, Luke 4:18, as to His mission. In Acts, Paul is under severe threat. In today's reading, forty persons refuse to eat until Paul is dead. What a foolish gesture with someone who could break down prison walls! These guys got pretty hungry! I would call this the "Paul diet" and they would regret ever trying it!

Day 257..."Nehemiah's seeks to keep the identity clear...I saw the light"

Nehemiah again expresses outrage regarding his people's disregard for their religion. Again, these teachings in Nehemiah are about diluting religion and not race or culture. Nehemiah ends with the words..."Remember me, O my God, for good." in these words he seemed to bear the burden of a people trying to "get their act together" following exile. Isaiah, chapter sixty, reads more like an advent passage with the metaphor of light..."Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples;but the Lord will arise upon you,and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising." Later, Isaiah says..."The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory." Speaking of light...Paul recalls and retells his seeing the light. He also says a word about sanctioning the stoning of Stephen. Paul's story was a amazing life changing story!

Day 256..."More organization...Paul's courage and commitment"

Nehemiah describes with great detail of the nine leaders in surrounding regions and with one in Jerusalem. The priests are also organized. A service of dedication follows. Isaiah 59 is bleak about hope and justice while lamenting evil in the human condition..."Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood;their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;desolation and destruction are in their highways. The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths;they have made their roads crooked;no one who treads on them knows peace." Throughtout the Bible we see this contrast of good and evil. Paul demonstrates his compete dedication in facing threats in Jerusalem..."Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” Is this commitment not the foundation of the early Church? What courage was evident by Paul in the Book of Acts! Above all the early Church saught God's Will...can we do so as well?

Day 255..."Nehemiah recalls and makes a covenant...Falling out about sleeping in Church!

Nehemiah recalls Israel's shortcomings and story. As the wall is rebuilt, so is a covenant. We have read both the nostalgia and repentance of other leaders as well. Nehemiah wants to get it right this time! Isaiah speaks of the good news of the Lord's presence..."Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’" What a reassuring word! The Lord says..."Here I am!" On another note...Eutychus says "Now I lay my tired head to sleep as Paul is preaching too long! Eutychus falls asleep in Church. He falls out a window and is raised from the dead. One of the strongest signs in the Bible that God does have a sense of humor. Paul prepares for the worst in presuming he will not return to Ephesus. Paul did know Heaven was ahead but demonstrated his humanity with tearful prayers.

Day 254..."A large city with few people...Phony attempts to use God's power"

Nehemiah describes a completed wall and, in chapter seven, new gates with a thinly populated city..."The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt. Perhaps an image of New Orleans following Katrina would help us identify with the exiles returning to the city. Leadership principals are also included as they selected those who were..."faithful and God-fearing." A detailed and orderly account is also presented by Nehemiah of the exiles who returned. Isaiah speaks of the Biblical theme of humility in chapter 57..."Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way.” For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:“I dwell in the high and holy place,and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite." Many were fascinated with Paul's ability to heal (the cloths he touche even held healing power)...exorcists tried to intercept the power of God in performing miracles. The evil spirits overtook them. God's power cannot be manipulated by frauds for other purposes. A relationship with God is required to bear witness of His power.

Day 253..."Nehemiah is persistent and generos...Dog which cannot bark...Paul gets a haircut!"

Nehemiah finishes rebuilding the wall in just fifty-two days. He prevails as people seek to undermine his leadership. This message of rebuilding the wall is inspiring about persistence, teamwork, unity, and overcoming adversity. I have really been moved by reading this Book in our journey through the Bible. Isaiah says poor leaders have "no bark" and gives traits bad leaders..."they are all silent dogs;they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite;they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding;they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all." These leaders sound like the opposite of the Kingdom of God..."shepherds without understanding." Paul's stories are all interesting and in today's reading he receives a haircut. He was following protocol for having just taken a vow. Apollos also proves to be an intriguing character in chapter 18. He was very knowledgeable about Scripture...but needed some basic teaching about Christ. Aguila and Priscilla tutored him in private. The NIV study notes point out this was a good way to bring a gifted and eloquent man along without public embarrassment. This model of correcting in private still works well today.

Day 252..."Teamwork...The Word...Upside down...Live, move, have our being"

The Nehemiah account of rebuilding the wall is a great story of teamwork. The participation was broad and everyone focused on one section of the greater body of work. They also endured threat and grew more unified in criticism. Isaiah again shares great teaching..."“Seek the Lord while he may be found;call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way,and the unrighteous man his thoughts;let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your waysand my thoughts than your thoughts. God's ways are beyond our comprehension. The Word of the Lord does accomplish a greater purpose...the "Discovering God's Word-a 365 day journey" is helping me understand this truth. I hope for you too. I love Acts 17! They said about the apostles.."these upside down people have come here too! What a tribute to the early Church. Actually, the Kingdom of God is "right side up." One other great verse from chapter 17 is ..."in Christ we live, move, and have our being."
A great day of reading from the teamwork on the wall, to the Word, to turning the world upside down!

Day 251..."Nehemiah's prayer...Growth in desolation...an apology in jail"

Nehemiah sees the destruction of Jerusalem following exile and weeps. This led him to a beautiful prayer..."let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” I love the words in Nehemiah chapter 2..."“Let us rise up and build.” What is so amazing is this was said at the scene of devastation! Isaiah offers hope in the face of barreness..." “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities." Lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes...what beautiful images of growth and hope! Paul and Timothy are both converting people including one who bugged Paul to death. This leads to their inprisonment. After realizing Paul has extraordinary power through God, they wanted to release him quietly...Paul says no. He demands release out the front door. Paul receives an unlikely apology. Another amazing story!

Day 250..."Concern of loss of identity...What a way to solve a problem!"

The context of Exra explains the teaching about intermarriage. I would not interpret this passage as evidence marrying other cultures is wrong. A broader perspective reminds the reader this is a time of exile... there was great concern of losing identity completely in other cultures with other other religions and gods. Israel already reduced to a remnant did not want to lose their tradition. The Bible is does speak of equality among all people as the words indicate in Galatians 3:28..."there is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free but we are all one in Christ Jesus." The Isaiah teaching is timely following Holy Week..."Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." The Jerusalem Council sought to resolve another controversial topic...circumcism. They compromised. Later, Paul and Barnabas disagreed about young homesick John Mark. Their going opposite directions was used by God to spread the Gospel both East and West! The impact...the good news of Christ would reach both Europe and East...both east and west. The Gospel would extend to reach the globe. What a way to solve a problem!

Day 249..."Beautiful prayer for travel...how beautiful...stoning and strength"

Exra is more interesting than I remember. In returning from exile, I noticed a beautiful prayer for travel..."that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods." Sounds like a winner for road trips! Isaiah writes some of the most eloquent words in the Bible..."How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation." In today's Acts reading, Paul is stoned and presumed dead but survives for greater glory. Paul...by surviving this brutal encounter... was given a forum to teach convincingly the depth of discipleship. His trial strengthed the church as we read..."strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Day 248..."What does the rebuilding of the Temple and Cokesbury have in common?...History teaches us"

Today's reading from Ezra is more hopeful as the rebuilding of the temple is resumed and completed. Haggi the prophet was the difference maker in his inspiring messages to the people. He "stirred them up." The temple was completed in time for Passover observance. Amazingly, this date of Passover is identified as April 21, 516 B.C.. This observance coincides with the history of Cokesbury. (Cokesbury also began on April 21...the year 1957) How about that! Only about 2526 years apart! Isaiah recalls a litany of historical events to inspire his people. One passage especially stood out to me..."look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug." We are like a rock shaped from the quarry of the Lord.

The Book of Acts has Paul involved in a lengthy teaching about history. He also chooses to retell the history and includes events back to Abraham! Notice how Paul highlights some of the more significant events in Jewish history. Like Haggi, Paul also stirs the people up. This creates dissension to stop Paul's momentum..."But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district." We just read another story like this in Ezra about the temple. (yesterday) Amazing...human nature seems to be builders or those who "tear down." Today's reading did recall much rich history. History does teach us how to better prepare for today and tomorrow. As we prepare to celebrate fifty years at Cokesbury, I am especially mindful of the lessons of history...and what they teach us in going forward to tomorrow. God does plan for us a future with a hope!

Day 247..."A frustrated purpose...An unlikely jail break"

King Cyrus allowed the rebuilding of the temple. His blessing was not enough as the reconstruction was perceived as a threat to the establishment. Notice how they started causing disruptions among the ranks..."Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build and bribed counselors against them to frustrate their purpose." In building, then and now, one of the challenges is keeping everyone on purpose. Isaiah 50 speaks in many metaphors. A little confusing to read. On a familiar note...I noticed one phrase that sounds a bit like 40:31. The value of good teaching does sustain the weary..."The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught,that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary."

Herod kills James and has the same fate in mind for Peter. An angel rescues Peter in one of the amazing stories of Acts. Herod, as it turns out, will be struck down by an angel and dies.

Yesterday, we celebrated the victory of resurrection and today we continue to read about that amazing triumphant power!

Day 246..."Beginning Ezra...back to Acts"

The Book of Ezra begins with the rebuilding of the temple. We also read of the first wave of returning from exile. These periods of exile vary for Israel and confuse my sense of history. I will try to produce a good resource (offering the historical periods of exile) before we are done. Isaiah sounds like he is going global with his message. Is this really in the Old Testament? We think of evangelism to the nations as a New Testament message..."It is too light a thing that you should be my servantto raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel;I will make you as a light for the nations,that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

We resume the Book of Acts today after a break for the parables during Lent. Peter will have more to resolve with the controversy of circumcism. We also have a very historic event in Acts chapter 11 (not bankruptsy) ...the name Christian is first used at Antioch. The rest they say is history!

Day 245..."He Has Risen!!! Have a great Easter!

The reading today is from John's post resurrection account. The disciples, after returning to fishing and having no luck,encounter the risen Christ and suddenly have their nets about to burst with fish. Peter is reinstated, three affirmations for three denials, "feed my sheep" , "tend my lambs" and "feed my lambs." The foundation "rock" (Peter) for the Church is back in the fold! The risen Christ lives and so does the Church! Happy Easter!

Day 244..."Josiah leads to God...after Josiah things quickly fall apart...and then exile...The burial of Jesus still reveals a life changing story!"

Josiah was commended for his years as a king. He restored passover and the law of Moses. He died in battle and his successors allowed things to fall apart. The result was a disobedient people and Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had a field day...exile began. Exile is the subject at the end of II Chronicles. Speaking of Babylon and exile...Isaiah 47 brings varied teaching about Babylon's eventual fall. One of the passages that caught my eye is this one..."You are wearied with your many counsels." Have you ever been weary because of too much counsel? Isaiah 48 brings a word of hope for Judah..."The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob!” They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts;he made water flow for them from the rock;he split the rock and the water gushed out." These chapters do offer a glimmer of hope of the end of exile. Jesus' burial is reported by John. Nicodemus is present. This is evidence of another life changing story in John. The "new birth" teaching was received, as I deduce, from his unlikely presence. Even being laid in the grave leads others closer to Jesus. After a long day of reading, we will focus on the greatest news ever tomorrow!

Day 243..."Hezekiah trusts the Lord...Falling asleep"

Hezekiah was seconded guessed to place confidence in the Lord. He prevailed in the face of the mighty Assyrians...as they were weakened by their blasphemy of God. Manasseh was another story. He turned to all kinds of evil, gods, and had a long rule- 52 years. In weakness, he did turn to the Lord. Isaiah 46 is concluded with a special fondness for Israel..."I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.” We are seeing how the glory of Israel is fulfilled through a Savior in Holy Week. The glory comes through the agony of the Cross. Jesus prays in the Garden for God's Will and we glimpse the agony of what the Cross will hold. The disciples fall asleep. Holy Week in this story is both extreme passion for Jesus and fatigue for the disciples.

Day 242..."Passover of Old, Then, and Now"

Our II Chronicles reading ties in with our New Testament reading today regarding Passover. This is Maundy Thursday and these traditions do blend together, as Jesus shares the Last Supper with His disciples in the Upper Room. Hezekiah does restore respect and observance of the Passover and the Feast of Unleaven Bread. As he remembers his loyalty to God, Hezekiah is very blessed. Isaiah places humankind in their place with the question..."“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’or ‘Your work has no handles’?" Surely God is our Maker and we do not tell the potter what to shape! We have read again Mark's account of the Passover in the Upper Room. The Seder Dinner and Maundy Thursday drama will weave together these dramatic scenes, in the last evening before the Cross. These extemely emotional times are what we know as "the passion." Almost every possible human emotion is experienced in these hours ranging from joy to complete despair.

Day 241..."Ahaz and Hezekiah two kings and two outcomes...The Lord is a Rock...What a King!"

Ahaz led the people to idol worship and to great disarray for his sixteen years. He is referred to as "faithless" in distress..."In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord—this same King Ahaz." When we go through trying times, we either become more faithful or faithless. Heszekiah was a King that reversed the downward trend. I really like the summary statement of chapter 29..."And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because God had prepared for the people, for the thing came about suddenly." In restoring order in worshiping God, the filth of the previous reign had to be cleaned and changed. What a contrast in two kings and two outcomes! Isaiah writes in eloquent language again and I noticed the reference to God as a rock...as I preached last Sunday. Would have included in the message if I had noticed this one. "Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Our reading for Holy Week recalls the washing of feet by Jesus. How could a King wash feet? Jesus' Kingdom is upside down. The Maundy Thursday service will recall this act of service and humility...What a King! What a Kingdom!

Day 240..."Uzziah 52 year reign...Inspiring Words...Putting the foot down on bad worship!"

Uzziah has a long reign of 52 years and ends with leprosy. He began "good in the sight" in the Lord but had a downfall of pride. II Chronicles makes this clear.."But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction." Jothan had a much shorter reign (16 years) but a better outcome..."So Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God."

Isaiah 43... offers some of the most inspiring words of hope in the Bible. Can we imagine how hopeful these words were to a people in exile? Even today...the words offer new hope! Are there two more compelling passages of hope than these? "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,and the flame shall not consume you." and "“Remember not the former things,nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." God is with us in the trials and, if we can remain faithful... hope is just around the corner.

On the oppposite end of hope is the need to restore order...sometimes patience runs out. Jesus condemns the "fig tree" and "cleanses the temple." I hear a message of being productive and not "killing the grass under us" with the fig tree. Is there such a thing as an unproductive disciple? Obviously, the "cleansing of the temple" is about restoring the right motives in the "heart of worship." Jesus' anger is "holy anger" and not to be confused with "out of control" anger.

Day 239..."The whole heart...a new song...Palm Sunday"

Joash implements a tax to repair the temple. (He feels the Temple is neglected) The images sound prosperous. Today's reading in II Chronicles does chronicle many events and kings. I noticed a phrase about Amaziah..."And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart." It seems that this is the case of even good kings that they could be persuaded. The 24th and 25th chapters seem to go up and down with honoring and dishonoring God. Isaiah 42 brings some realities and hope. I like the hopeful image of a new song..."Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth." Jesus enters Jerusalem in what is known as a Palm Sunday passage. The Lord does ask for a colt, and in Mark's account, offers to return the animal. The Luke account leaves this detail out. What a glorious reading..."HOSANNA...BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!"