Daily Reading Passages

Click below for access to the passages. Biblegateway.com is an excellent site with many versions of the Bible. The link below opens in NIV.  Youversion.com is a new site that allows you to annotate your own Bible, make notes, and comments once you create an account. That link opens in the TNIV version. Other versions are available at both sites.

Coaching Comments

The Old Testament reading is Numbers 6:1 - 7:89. In chapter 6 we get the specific directions for a person who wants to dedicate themselves specifically to God for a period of time. This person was called a "nazir" in the Hebrew, a "Nazirite" in English. Note that this title has nothing to do with Nazareth, or with the appellation of "Nazarene" that was given to Jesus. In the scripture only Samson was a identified as a nazir. Some people believe that John the Baptist was one, and a few think that Jesus was too, but the support for this idea is extremely weak.

Chapter 6 ends with a beautiful prayer that God gave to the priests to use in blessing the people. It's been used as the lyric in a number of songs, so you may be familiar with it already. It's a wonderful example of the kind of blessing God wants to give His people, and that we can give to each other.

Chapter 7 is a long (very long...) accounting of the special offerings that the leaders of the twelve tribes brought to the tabernacle on the day it was dedicated and put into full service.  The most interesting part to me is the last verse of the chapter. In very matter of fact terms it says that when Moses entered the tabernacle and went into the most holy place, he heard the voice of God from between the two angel figures on top of the ark of the covenant, and then five simple words: "And he spoke with him." Moses talking with God, God talking with Moses.

In our New Testament reading (Mark 12:38 - 13:13) today, Jesus turned to address the crowds who had been listening in on all these questions that the leaders were asking him. Jesus' gives a pointed warning about these leaders who have been entrusted with the responsibility of shepherding Israel, and instead are focused on what they can get and how important they are. Jesus says that they will be judged.

In contrast to them, Mark shows us one poor woman entering into the temple. Jesus used this as a teaching moment with the disciples. He affirmed this woman who gave in a way that really cost her something, while all the rich and influential people gave out of their excess. She was giving in a heart of worship and generosity. They were giving to be seen.

On the way out of the temple, the disciples commented on how amazing of a building it was (which is true. It was one of the wonders of the ancient world.) But Jesus took that as an opportunity to remind them that all of it was going to fade away. In fact, it was going to be destroyed in the not too distant future.

The disciples asked Jesus when this would happen, and that leads us into a teaching on the end times. Most of this teaching we covered already in chapters 24 & 25 of Matthew. The big point in this whole teaching is that the followers of Jesus need to be prepared for these things. They need not panic when terrible things happen, because they know that those things must happen. They need not run around after various teachers, because Jesus has warned them that false teachers will come. They don't need to fear for what they will do or say in those circumstances, for the Holy Spirit will be with them and they will be given what they need. Their preparation is to be focused on Jesus, to be familiar with His voice, to know His teaching, and to trust that God will be with them.

The Psalms reading today, Psalms 49:1-20, is almost more like the proverbs we've been reading than like the other Psalms. This is one of the rare Psalms that is not addressed to God, but instead is given as a warning or reminder to people. It's main point is that wealth, power, wisdom, and all the other things we pursue in life are fleeting. No matter how wealthy or powerful a person becomes, they end up in the grave like everyone else. So, when we see those people, we are not to be jealous or strive to be like them. Because what they have is essentially worthless. Only those whom God redeems from the grave have a life of any real value.

Our Proverbs reading, Proverbs 10:27-28, tells us that a healthy fear of the Lord will add length to life. Presumably because it motivates us to avoid the paths that would lead to death. The life of the righteous leads to joy.

2007 Cohort Comments