Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

Pilate and Herod are as kings of “Babylon.” Hear Jesus’s silence in his encounters with them. While there are a few words of Jesus to Pilate expressing who Jesus is, there is not a word in the presence of Herod. As the evil kings of his ancestors from the readings from 2 Chronicles, all the pomp and noise of Herod produces nothing but Jesus’s steady silent stare into his face.

Just before today’s account in Luke of Jesus brought before Pilate, Matthew has inserted the account of the tragic end of Judas, using verses that occur in our reading on Tuesday from Zechariah. If only he, as Peter, had found a moment to behold Jesus’s look of sadness and love upon him! Being in such a presence might have changed him. Look what it did for Pilate and Herod; they became friends! Feel the silent, steady stare of Jesus and be changed.

Luke 23:1–12

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Example: Silent before the Herods. v. 9

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 2 Timothy and Revelation 12—22.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Revelation 18:21-24.

Cruel persecutions from Roman emperors cause the blood of early Christians to flow on the ground of the Coliseum. How true the saying of Tertullian is: “The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians”! Overwhelmed by the tide of evil from this Empire, John receives visions of its ultimate downfall about Babylon, image of Rome.

Arrogance and pride find vicious voice in the expressions of Babylon. However, equally horrific is the fall of the empire of evil. Such visions gave hope to the sufferings of early Christians. May the same be true for you, when evil rises as a tide against you. Believe that the victory has already been won in the blood of the Lamb.

Do you find similarities that contemporary economic and political structures have with Babylon? All systems that stand in the temple of God’s presence boasting in Pharisaic arrogance are doomed to fall. No more music from them!

Revelation 18

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: I rejoice in Your judgments. v. 20

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 2 Timothy and Revelation 12—22.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 146.

ALLELUIA: the only Hebrew home for this word is in the psalms. Alleluias are sacred bookends embracing either end of each of these last psalms, conclusions to the three-year cycle of Wednesdays.

This is the resurrection song of the soul dead and risen in Christ Jesus, the ultimate song of praise that the Spirit sings from within. Its strength and power is in proportion to the ashes of the song of repentance—a song the stronger and more sober because of the readings of this week.

Keep together the “medley” songs that the Spirit inspires within as you recall the week’s themes of goodness and evil, arrogance and humility that weave themselves throughout the week. While each day has its own reading, there is a stitch holding each one together.

Psalm 146

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: O my soul, praise the Lord God. v. 1

We continue to read the Psalms in numerical order.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information