Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Jeremiah 51:1-11.

[Note: With the exception of verses 28 to 30 of ch. 52, all of that chapter is duplicated in 2 Kings 24:18 to 25:21 and 25:27–30, considered on Monday of the Twelfth Week in Kingdomtide, Year B.]

Babylon takes its place along with Sodom, Gomorrah, and Nineveh as wicked cities in the ancient world. With the exception of the conclusion of chapter 51 from verse 59, almost every verse details the destruction of this ancient city.

Not only is human vengeance at work, but rather divine interventions against Babylon. Yet there is still hope that the city will repent and be saved.

What other verses do you find that rise up as respite from the poetic waves of God’s justice? These verses are themselves as a siege against the city. They pound at your own soul, lest there be anything as Babylon in you that needs to be destroyed. As the refiner’s fire, may the pure gold of who you are in Christ shine forth.

Jeremiah 51—52

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Lent this year we read Jeremiah 36-52.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Mourning for those in exile 52:1ff

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 Luke 22:39-53.

Jesus arrives at Jerusalem, carried upon a donkey—sign of royalty. The King is taking possession of the Holy City, soon to become the heavenly Jerusalem.

Palm Sunday is a day with mixed emotions. There is the clear joy of the triumphal entry, but soon the crowd’s cry will change from “Hosanna” to “Crucify Him.” How the winds of the public can change!

The contrast of feeling is present in the liturgy of Palm Sunday—the exuberant beginning, then the later sober reading of the Passion. Become present to the two apparently conflicting emotions of joy and sadness. Both are true in our lives, whenever we love greatly.

Spend time Palm Sunday afternoon and evening with the movements of the Passion of Jesus according to Luke.

Luke 22:14—23:56

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Not my will but Yours be done. 22:46

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of Luke.

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 Leviticus 8:22-29.

The Tabernacle has been constructed, ready for worship to fill it. There is drama in the reading. Everywhere you look, all that you hear, feel, taste, touch and smell, evokes a sense of the sacred, the consecrated, the holy. These are words used to translate the Hebrew qadosh, that which has been cleansed, purified, and set apart for the Lord.

In Christ, you are more than the sons of Aaron. You are set apart for the things of God. The sweet aroma of the Lamb of God who died for you takes the place of all the bulls and rams of the old sacrifices that strain to make their way heavenward.

What daily rituals can you create that would increase the inner sense that your life is sacred and set apart for God?

Leviticus 8:1–36

This is the second of three parts
of the Torah Portion Tzav (Command)
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations
read only this part this year, 
as also in this Bible plan.

Here is the entire portion in all three parts.

Leviticus 6:1—8:36

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My life as a burnt off’ring v. 21

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

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