Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and John 19:13-16.

 I am indebted to my theology professor, Edward Mally, for showing us a point in the Passion Narrative of John that I have never seen explained elsewhere. It has to do with a point of grammar, but it will illumine for you the entire approach that John has to the death of Jesus.

We are in the court called the Praetorium with Jesus and Pilate. Jesus is clothed with the purple cloak, bearing the crown of thorns. In chapter 19, verse 13, translations have Pilate coming out with Jesus and sitting down in the judgment seat. Do you remember transitive and intransitive verbs? The transitive ones take an object; the intransitive ones do not. The verb used by John about “sitting down” is transitive. It means that Pilate came out “and sat Jesus down in the judgment seat.” When Pilate is apparently judging Jesus, Jesus is passing judgment on him and on the Jewish leaders! Jesus is completely in charge of the movement of his death, because it moves to LIFE!

John 18:1—19:42

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Breathing his last: the Spirit v. 27

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the Seasons of Lent and Easter this year we read the Gospel of John.

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and 1 Corinthians 13.

Chapter 13 is very familiar; read it as though hearing it for the first time. Sense the divine logic beyond your mind, into your spirit.

Reflect upon the spiritual gifts outlined in chapter 14. The gift of tongues is described, a spiritual language that many find the Holy Spirit continuing to give. Ordinary language tends to keep one in the mind alone. A language of the Spirit allows the Corinthians to yield their hearts to those communications from the Lord beyond the understanding. The limitations of mind are surpassed, as pure worship and praise rise forth.

Many people experience that the gifts of chapter 14 not confined to Paul’s Corinthian community. Pray that the Lord give you discernment about this in your own spiritual life.

1 Corinthians 13—14

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Love bears and endures all things. v. 7

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.

For all the Firestarters 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.

For a video meditation on today’s Psalm created three years ago, Tap here.

Some traditions call today “Spy Wednesday,” after the plot of Judas to betray Jesus. See in your minds eye the Lord praying this psalm, finding comfort in the prayer of King David. Today we are suspended between Jesus the King and his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and the King on the cross, two days from now.

Imagining the trials of David, the psalm sings of the Lord’s protection when David is overwhelmed. Can you find the four metaphors that weave through this psalm? As you jot them down, begin to relate to them in your spirit. What do you find in your life that links these images with David and Jesus?

The Spirit of Jesus prays this psalm. Greater than the impact of a spy’s eyes upon you, is the loving, knowing, and protective gaze of the Lord upon your life. God is all-powerful in your circumstances. All that is apparently death-bound in you can move toward life, if you yield to the Lord.

Psalm 61

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Lead me to the higher rock. v. 2

We continue 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