Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 27

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

This psalm of thanksgiving is the only one in the psalter which is explicitly stated for use on the Sabbath. This song of praise clearly glorifies the Lord with a sacrificial heart of worship as it acknowledges the all-encompassing work of God’s majesty as the Creator, the power of his salvific grace and his role as the righteous and just judge over creation. The psalmist immediately justifies his praise to the Lord as good, for only such adoration is befitting to Him and Him alone. As someone who has experienced God’s grace, the psalmist testifies of God awakening the restful eyes of his people every morning, and in the evening they consistently recall the day’s providence. While the wicked may appear to prosper, such temporal blessing is a trap leading to their inevitable destruction. The righteous are aware of such earthly temptations and rather seek to be firmly rooted in eternal justification. God, the omniscient Creator of the heavens and the earth, orchestrates everything intricately, woven together with immense purpose and intention, specifically to display his affection for his people as they glorify Him.

(Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 19:1; Romans 5:8, 11:36; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 3:20-21; Colossians 2:6-7; 1 John 4:9)

These words of wisdom issue both warning and assurance to the righteous, those who value wisdom, concerning the apparent success of the wicked. Although evil men may appear to achieve, their temporary attainment should not be envied or desired, because such is not a blessing from God and therefore only brings calamity and judgement. However, those who cling to the insight of the Lord will understand and enjoy the lasting benefits of building a life founded upon patience, diligence, honesty and compassion.

(Jeremiah 25:14; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Peter 2:21-23)

The disciple whom Jesus loved closes out his gospel account with the third recorded occasion of Jesus revealing himself to his disciples post-resurrection. During this intimate moment of dining on a miraculously caught breakfast, which points to the obvious physical existence of the resurrected Christ, Jesus addresses Peter and John’s future. Jesus’s questioning Peter three times mirrors his denial of the Messiah from chapter 18 (vv.15-18, 25-27). However, now Peter is restored as his response reflects his profound loyalty which will eventually lead to his martyrdom. Early church tradition records Peter being crucified upside down, for the only thing he would eventually deny is the right to suffer as his Lord did. Jesus appears to hint at John being the only disciple to escape martyrdom, as he will eventually live out his time recording Revelation in exile on the Greek isle of Patmos. Church tradition records the apostle John surviving being boiled alive in oil by the Roman Emperor Domitian. In the end John gives a brief explanation to why his account is different from the synoptics, as his record is intended to be more specific in evidencing the work of Jesus as the Son of God, as opposed to detailing an endless, exhaustive account of the many “signs” that were actually performed by Jesus the Christ.

(Luke 24:39; 42-43; John 13:36-38, 20:27; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

Luke’s Gospel account actually begins with dual stories, that of John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth. Both births foretold, both births recorded, and the relationship between the two is intentionally structured. Luke, a physician, is very methodical and precise in his detailing of the good news of Jesus, which can be seen in his exhaustive list of historical governing officials and leaders (3:1-2). In the third chapter we are given a window into the ministry of John the Baptist, as he prophecies and prepares all people for the coming of the Messiah. While the apostle John used specific “signs” and “I am” statements of Jesus in his gospel to point out the divine essence of the Son of God, Luke will focus his efforts on highlighting the universal nature (2:31-32, 3:6) of Jesus as Savior to all people and a compassionate Physician/Healer as the Son of Man. Similar to Matthew, Luke here records the genealogy of Jesus; however, Luke starts with Jesus and traces the lineage all the way back to creation. Taking time to look at Jesus’s earthly family history will give clear evidence of Jesus coming from and redeeming all peoples, not just Israel. Although the Hebrew patriarchs standout in this list, Luke intentionally includes Canaanites (Tamar and Rahab), a Moabite (Ruth), and a Hittite (Bathsheba).

(Isaiah 40:3-5; Matthew 9:12-13; Luke 4:23; John 3:16, 12:32; Colossians 4:14; Revelation 5:9)

Luke records the beginning of Jesus’s earthly ministry, but not before mentioning the temptation of Satan first. Living up to his moniker, the liar and deceiver, Satan seeks to trap Jesus and disqualify him ahead of commencing his ministerial endeavours. By including the temptations of Jesus, Luke is highlighting the reality of Christ’s humanity. While fasting for forty days, Jesus resisted the Devil by quoting scripture, causing him to retreat. The news concerning the miraculous healings and exorcisms performed by the Messiah had begun to spread, bringing a multitude of the inflicted in search for restoration. Although many were amazed by the healings and teachings of Jesus, they became hostile towards him and because of his apparent human nature they doubted his claims of divinity and attempted to kill him. Interestingly enough, each demon that encountered Jesus immediately recognized him as the Holy One of God and quickly submitted under his authority. By paralleling Jesus’s humanity with his divinity, Luke is clearly pointing to what is called the hypostatic union; as the incarnate Son of God, Jesus is both fully God and fully man.

(John 1:14; Romans 1:3-4; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:14; James 4:7; 1 John 4:2)

Each miracle performed by Jesus, as he heals on demand, is absolute proof that he is God (vv.21-24). The documentation of these instances in the gospels are meant to serve as eyewitness accounts, proving both the historical and physical man Jesus, but also his power and authority over sin and death as God. Simon Peter, upon witnessing the miraculous catch, clearly identifies the divine character of Jesus and correctly responds by falling down before him and confessing his own sinful nature. Simon Peter’s response to Jesus is compared to the scribes and Pharisee’s, when they reject Jesus’s true identity and reduce him to a blasphemer. Their spiritual blindness is apparent, for they witnessed the same healings and miracles the disciples did, yet they lack the humility and ability to recognize Jesus as the Son of God.

(Psalm 77:14; John 5:36, 20:30-31; Acts 2:22; Hebrews 2:4; 2 Peter 1:16)