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Today's Scripture:
John 21:17–25 (NIV)Insight
Some scholars speculate that John 21 was written (under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) at a later time than the first 20 chapters and was added to clarify a misunderstanding. Apparently, some believed that Jesus had promised John he wouldn’t die until Jesus returned, and that rumor had spread widely. The so-called “second ending” (ch. 21) was intended to address that false idea by clarifying Jesus’s words (vv. 22–23).
By: Bill Crowder
2.
Today's Scripture:
Proverbs 4:5–19 (NIV)Insight
In Proverbs 4, Solomon encourages his sons to pursue wisdom and then emphasizes its benefits. Wisdom will watch over and protect (v. 6). She will exalt and honor the one who finds her (v. 8). She will adorn those who find her with “garland” and a “crown”—symbols of respect and dignity (v. 9). She will keep those who pursue her from stumbling and from stepping on the path of evildoers (vv. 12, 14). With all these benefits, it’s no wonder we’re to pursue wisdom no matter the cost. It’s worth everything we have (v. 7).
By: J.R. Hudberg
3.
Today's Scripture:
2 Corinthians 1:3–7 (NIV)Insight
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians begins in a way that is full of empathy for people like us. He refers nine times to the comfort we all need so that we can comfort and encourage one another (1:3–7). Paul goes on to describe a comfort of Christ that is given to those who suffer with Christ (1:5, 8–9). The rest of Paul’s letter shows that these words of comfort include those who join Christ in self-sacrifice without excluding those who hurt for lesser reasons. The apostle shows, as Jesus so often did, that in all our needs, anxieties, and wrongs, there’s a way to find the reassurance of a God who groans with us and for us—even before pain and trouble open our heart to Him ( Romans 8:18–39).
By: Mart DeHaan
4.
Today's Scripture:
Matthew 14:13–21 (NIV)Insight
A set of three events illustrates the fast-paced, powerful nature of Jesus’s ministry and the emotional roller coaster it must have been for the disciples. First is the recounting of John the Baptist’s death, culminating with John’s disciples reporting his death to Jesus (Matthew 14:1–12). This is followed by the miraculous feeding of 5,000 men, plus women and children (vv. 13–21). After this miracle, Jesus sends the disciples away by boat (vv. 22–33), joining them later that night by walking to them on the stormy Galilee. This appearance prompts His men to worship Him as “the Son of God” (v. 33).
By: Bill Crowder
5.
Today's Scripture:
Acts 1:15–26 (NIV)Insight
In Acts 1:15–26, Matthias is selected to replace Judas’s position in the Twelve—symbolically pointing to God’s restoration of His people into a “new Israel” ( Luke 22:30). Although the Psalms alluded to (69:25 and 109:8) originally referred to David’s enemies, Peter saw a deeper meaning—the ultimate betrayal by Judas. Still, Peter’s own betrayal and restoration couldn’t have been far from his mind. Matthias’s name (“gift of God”) points to grace even deeper than the gravest sin.
By: Monica Brands
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Today's Scripture:
Mark 10:17–31 (NIV)Insight
The Old Testament law contains no commandment to sell all our possessions, yet Jesus told the rich young man to do exactly that. Why? Would that save him? No! Jesus uncovered the man’s true love—wealth. The law is powerless to change our hearts; it can only condemn us. Jesus fulfilled the law, accomplishing what we cannot (Mark 10:27).
By: Tim Gustafson
Today's Scripture:
1 Kings 19:9–13 (NIV)Insight
Elijah’s meeting with the Lord on “Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8) was not the first time the Lord met with one of His servants in that place. Centuries earlier the Lord had met Moses there. “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God” (Exodus 3:1). At Horeb the Lord revealed Himself to Moses and commissioned him to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt (vv. 2–12). The mountain we mostly associate Moses with is Mount Sinai (19:18–20). But passages like Deuteronomy 4:10 help us to see that Horeb and Sinai are used synonymously and interchangeably in Scripture. Two of the Lord’s chosen servants met Him on that mountain and departed to do His will in His strength.
By: Arthur Jackson
8.
Today's Scripture:
Isaiah 40:10–11 (NIV)Insight
The theme of shepherds and sheep is repeated in Isaiah’s prophecies. In Isaiah 40:11, Isaiah paints a picture of God Himself as the loving, caring Shepherd of Israel. In 38:12, the prophet quotes King Hezekiah referring to his own dwelling as a “shepherd’s tent”; and in 44:28, God surprisingly refers to the conquering King Cyrus as God’s own shepherd! Finally, in 63:11 the people reflect on God’s care for their ancestors in the wilderness and long for that care afresh. Isaiah captures four different speakers (himself, Hezekiah, God, the people) using the imagery of a shepherd in very different ways, no doubt because it was a word picture that would resonate with people living in an agricultural culture where sheep and shepherds were common sights. This imagery of shepherds and their care for their flocks reminded the people of their need for that same care from their God.
By: Bill Crowder
2Insight
The book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book in the Pentateuch, is attributed to Moses. This book is a series of three sermons (chs. 1–4; 5–26; 27–34) given to the Israelites shortly before Moses’s death and the conquest of the land under Joshua’s leadership. Among the themes in Deuteronomy is the call to obedience, as we see in Deuteronomy 10:12–19. God wants His people to love and obey Him (v. 12), and one way they can do this is to treat others (including foreigners) with kindness. Why? Because God Himself does so and because they too were once foreigners (vv. 18–19). We see this theme throughout the Pentateuch (Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 23:7). Like the Israelites, all God’s people are to follow His loving example. After all, before God adopted us as His sons and daughters, we were all foreigners (Ephesians 2:12–19).
By: Alyson Kieda
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