Reading: John 1:32-34 (taken from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson) John testified further saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from heaven and remain upon him. I did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me. ‘On whomever you…

Reading: Matthew 2:1. 13-15 (taken from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson) While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John called the “Baptizer” was preaching in the desert country of Judea … His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here”……

Reading: Matthew 2:1, 9-12 (taken from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory – this was during Herod’s kingship – a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around. “Where can we find the newborn king of the…

Reading: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 (taken from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson) “After the scholars were gone, God’s angel showed up again in Joseph’s dream and commanded, ‘Get up. Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay until further notice. Herod is on the hunt for this…

Reading: Matthew 1:18-24 (taken from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson) “The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t…

Reading: Matthew 11:2-11 (taken from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson “John, meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples to ask, ‘Are you the One we’ve been expecting, or are we still waiting?’ Jesus told them,…

Reading: Matthew 3:1-12 (taken from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson) “While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called “the Baptizer,” was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: ‘Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.’ John and…

Reading: Matthew 24:37-44 (taken from “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language” by Eugene H. Peterson) “The arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah’s. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark.They knew nothing…

Reading: Luke 21: 5-19 The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,“He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God.”Even the soldiers jeered at him.As they approached to offer him wine they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.”Above him there was an inscription…

Reading: Luke 21: 5-19 While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, “All that you see here —the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Then they asked him, “Teacher, when…

Reading: Luke 20:27, 34-38 (shortened version) Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward (and gave the example of a brother who died and his seven brothers each in turn married his wife. Who will be her husband be in heaven?). Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry…

Reading: Luke 19:1-10 At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short…