| Date | Version | Reading Plan |
|---|---|---|
| @February 12, 2024 | ESV (2016) | M’Cheyne Plan 2024 |
Genesis 45
Genesis 45:7–8 (ESV) 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
When Joseph made himself known to his brothers, he ascribed being sent to Egypt to the sovereign work of God. The disdain and jealousy with which Joseph’s brothers sold him in to slavery was redeemed by God, bringing Joseph to power in order to preserve for them a remnant.
Mark 15
Mark 15:11 (ESV) 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release for them Barabbas instead.
The chief priests who were supposed to exemplify spiritual maturity were instead inciting a riot among the people. Whatever wisdom or temperance they possessed had been eclipsed by their single-minded mission to have Jesus killed. It is a sobering example how a heart can be overcome with sin leading to destructive action.
Job 11
Job 11:5–6 (ESV) 5 But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you, 6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.
Zophar’s answer to Job insinuates that he had not yet received wisdom from God with regard to his circumstances. In Zophar’s reasoning, if Job only understood things the way God does, he would realize that his suffering was far less than he deserved. While this is true (as it is for all of us), Zophar’s delivery was cutting and unkind. In this we see a reminder that our speaking the truth must not only be to correct but intended to foster repentance and greater faith in the Lord.
Romans 15
Romans 15:20 (ESV) 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation,
Paul’s ambition to preach to the unreached is applicable on many levels but especially when considering regions and nations that currently have no access to the gospel. While it is true that we are called to be ambassadors for Christ in the context we have been placed, as Westerners, we live in a place with plentiful gospel availability. Contemplating on the millions who do not know of man’s default destination apart from salvation through Christ should compel a heaviness in our hearts to support missions and as well as a readiness to be sent ourselves.
Carson on Mark
The soldiers twist together a crown of thorns and jam it on his head. The hit him and spit on him, and then fall on their knees in mock homage, crying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” (15:18). In fact, he is more than the King of the Jews (though certainly not less). One day, each of those soldiers, and everyone else, will bow down before the resurrected man they mocked and crucified, and confess that he is Lord (Phil. 2:9–11).
The soldiers and those who mocked Jesus without every coming to repentance in their earthly life one day bowed to Him as King. The very same lips that jeered at Him confessed His Lordship. The very same hands that struck Him were on ground as they lie prostrate in full submission. The thought of it curdles my stomach and all the more as I realize that these lips and hands are my own.
Resources
- J. I. Packer et. al, The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016)
- D. A. Carson, For the Love of God: Volumes 1 & 2 (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2006; hosted on thegospelcoalition.org)
- Faithlife Study Bible (Lexham Press, 2016)
- Believer’s Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2016)
- CSB Study Bible Notes (Holman Bible Publishers, 2017)