The Preaching of St Paul at Ephesus (1649), Eustache Le Sueur

As we finish Acts, Paul really starts to take over the story. But notice how the remaining chapters fulfill the promise in Acts 1:8, “and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” It is Paul, a Pharisee convert, who is tireless in proclaiming that Jesus is Lord, our hope and salvation.

And similar to the original ending of Mark, Acts ends abruptly in chapter 28. We don’t learn what happens to Paul or his subsequent trials. But the theology of this book is clear that Gentiles are now welcome and receptive to the message of Jesus.

Our final reading for the book begins our time in the letters of Paul. We start with perhaps Paul’s most influential letter: Romans. Because of how developed the theology is in the letter, most scholars date the letter late into Paul’s life. The first three chapters read like an opening argument: Paul must reason with the reader - both Jew and Gentile - why we need Jesus.

Day One: Acts 16-17

Day Two: Acts 18-20

Day Three: Acts 21-23

Day Four: Acts 24-26

Day Five: Acts 27-28

Day Six: Romans 1-3

Untitled - Pentecost (2003), John Brokenshire

After four gospels, we begin the story of the church. Pull back for a moment and consider the astonishing fact that we worship a Jew born in Palestine under Roman occupation who would be executed by the local government, and this all took place two thousand years ago. The book of Acts begins to bridge the time between Jesus’ earthly life and the rise of the church.

Our readings take us to perhaps the most important moment of church history: the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. This was a critical moment for the church: would our faith simply be another Jewish sect or something entirely different? Remember how important the Law is to the Jewish people. This chapter is a pivot point, and we continue to live in the ramifications of the decision.

On the way to this chapter, we read about Pentecost, the first martyr Stephen, the apostles’ own miracles, and Saul/Paul’s conversion. Think about how each of these stories lead to the Jerusalem moment when the council chooses not to impose the Law on Gentile believers.

Day One: Acts 1-2

Day Two: Acts 3-5

Day Three: Acts 6-7

Day Four: Acts 8-9

Day Five: Acts 10-12

Day Six: Acts 13-15

We’ll gather for our monthly encouragement and sharing on Wednesday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Join through this link or Meeting ID: 886 7583 8454, Passcode: westbury

Washing of the Feet (1989), Jean Kotze-Louw

John is giving us a very different portrait of Jesus than the synoptics. Beyond the seven signs and seven “I am” statements, perhaps the deepest insight into John’s theology and Christology is the extended five chapter discourse from 13-17. It begins with another unique-to-John story when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. There is an argument that foot washing should be a sacrament because Christ commanded us to do the same (just like baptism and communion).

What follows are various extended teachings that reveal how Jesus wants the disciples to continue after his departure. To me, the most challenging and transformational command is when Jesus changes the love command from “love your neighbor as yourself” to “love one another as I have loved you.” The standard is now Jesus’ love and no longer our own self love.

Near the end, John tells us the purpose of the gospel: that we would believe Jesus is the Christ/Messiah and we would have life in his name. How has finishing John’s gospel (along with the other three) helped that happen?

Day : John 7-8

Day : John 9-10

Day : John 11-12

Day : John 13-15

Day : John 16-18

Day : John 19-21

The Wedding Feast at Cana (1563), Paolo Veronese

As we finish the gospel of Luke, we leave behind the synoptic gospels. But linger on the details of how Luke presents Jesus through the crucifixion. Note how different Jesus’ demeanor is here versus the gospel of Mark. In Luke, Jesus prays - “Father, forgive them…” Also here, Jesus promises paradise today to the criminal crucified at his side. But this trial is not entirely without anguish; in Luke, we read of Jesus praying until his sweat became like drops of blood before his arrest.

Among the synoptics, Luke also gives us the most extended post Resurrection stories, including the Walk to Emmaus. No doubt, these unique stories help us understand Luke’s own theology and what it means to believe in Jesus. One note: Luke has a sequel - the book of Acts picks right up from the gospel of Luke.

Now we enter the gospel of John, singular and unique from the very opening verses. This will be a considerably different portrait of Jesus. As we move through the text, pay attention to the framework of seven signs and seven “I am” statements beginning with the sign of turning water into wine and the “I am the bread of life” statement in chapter 6.

Day One: Luke 20-21

Day Two: Luke 22

Day Three: Luke 23-24

Day Four: John 1-2

Day Five: John 3-4

Day Six: John 5-6

The Good Samaritan, after Delacroix (1890), Vincent Van Gogh

Hopefully, reading the three synoptic gospels in a row - Matthew, Mark, and Luke - has not blurred together too much. Perhaps you may have even noticed the subtle differences between the gospels.

Luke is often the gospel preferred by those concerned with social justice. In Luke, Jesus says “Blessed are the poor” rather than “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” His inaugural speech from last week’s reading (4:18-19) recalls God’s promise in Isaiah to bring hope to the poor, imprisoned, blind, and oppressed.

We see this in some of the unique stories to the gospel of Luke - such as the Good Samaritan. Luke cares deeply about how our faith changes our behavior. See if this thread appears as Jesus moves relentlessly toward the cross in the gospel.

Day One: Luke 6-7

Day Two: Luke 8-9

Day Three: Luke 10-11

Day Four: Luke 12-14

Day Five: Luke 15-17

Day Six: Luke 18-19

The Annunciation (1898), Henry Ossawa Tanner

As we finish Mark’s whirlwind of a gospel, notice the portrait of Jesus upon the cross. Mark describes the agony, most clearly seen when Jesus utters the words of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mark is also the gospel that abides closely to what is called the Messianic secret, where Jesus forbades people from sharing that he is the Messiah. It is fitting then that immediately following his death, a Roman centurion proclaims, “Truly this man was God’s Son!” The secret is out and even the Gentiles know it.

How Mark ends the gospel is very controversial. The likely, original ending finishes at 16:8. There is no appearance of the risen Jesus, no encounter - only an empty tomb. The longer ending has a significantly different style, and we can all understand why a scribe or school felt that Mark’s ending was incomplete. Here we might consider why Mark felt his story could end simply at v8.

When we enter Luke, we get the other half of the Christmas story. This version tells us about Elizabeth, Zechariah, and a fuller account of Mary. We get the shepherds, the angels, and Linus’ speech from “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Luke tells us his purpose in the first few verses: to provide an orderly account for Theophilus. We don’t know who Theophilus is, but place yourselves in his/her shoes as the name means “one who loves God.”

Day One: Mark 7-9

Day Two: Mark 10-12

Day Three: Mark 13-14

Day Four: Mark 15-16

Day Five: Luke 1-2

Day Six: Luke 3-5