Journal Luke 24 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: [After the Cross and before the Ascension] Then (Jesus) said to (the Disciples), “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations…” Luke 24:44-47a
Observation: “Thus it is written…”, perhaps a difficult concept to forward and positively reinforce currently: Read, young man…
Analysis: The objective of the Journaling exercise via the Daily Bible Reading Plan is to promote first reading and the discipline of reading (A Spiritual Discipline), secondarily, thinking about what has been read and, thirdly, writing as if writing in a diary: What does this mean to me? What does this mean at all? What is clear? What is a mystery or obscured? (Transparency via the pen is a plus).
The obstacles are selecting either verses or passages to address and laziness in the physical exercise of thinking and writing.
This exercise and any similar exercise are always done in faith of the Spirit’s ability: “Then (Jesus) opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…”
Candidly, I have not experienced any sort of automatic download from on high, nor have I become a sort of biblical savant upon becoming a Christian. It would be cool to go into some sort of trance state and be able to spout doctrine and scripture references without effort, just on the strength and confession of “I claim my mind is open to understand the Scriptures…”
Doesn’t work like that.
Anything good to get is worth the work that it takes. This passage comes to mind from the Psalmist:
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them is great reward.” (Ps 19:7-11)
If I were to take Ps 19 (above) as an example, there are strong indications of work required to pursue the Triune God through the Scriptures. After all, the Bible is God’s testimony about himself to us (thank you, Jessie Gill for reminding us of that Sunday 8/14/22) and is how we get to know Him.
Scariest verse in the Scriptures is perhaps Matt 7:22-23 (v 23a only, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you…’ Not trying to rewrite the Scriptures but I wonder if the translation could have been, “You never knew me…”
God, through the scriptures, says, “Seek my face.” This supports me making effort to 1) know Him, and 2) the power of His resurrection (Phil 3:10):
- “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and SEEK MY FACE and turn from their wicked ways…” 2 Chron 7:14
- “You (God) have said, ‘SEEK MY FACE.” My heart says to you (O God), ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Ps 27:8
- “I (God) will return again to my place, until they acknowledge their guilt and SEEK MY FACE, and in their distress earnestly seek me.” Hosea 5:15
Works versus Grace. Always a functional argument here. The Grace found in redemption should always lead somehow to works, but perhaps not skipping over the task of searching Jesus out (seeking his face) through the work of the Scriptures.
Take up writing/journaling through the Reading Plan. A good start is found here.
Prayer: Father, your face do I seek. How disciplined am I in that? Not as much as I would like but pressing in just the same. Help me be a good example in transparency and avoiding putting on a false front, leaning hard into your Grace and Mercy all my days.
Amen.
Ricky Two Shoes