It is Week 4 of March. I trust that you are being inspired by your reading of God’s word even when it gets difficult. This week we continue, in Deuteronomy, to learn about the blessing that comes through obedience. In the New Testament, we begin the gospel of Luke with the familiar passages of the birth of Christ. I pray that the familiar will be made fresh for you as you read.

Week 4: 19 – 25 March

OT – Deuteronomy 16-32

The people are reminded of the festivals they are to celebrate to help them recall all that God has done for them. There are various rules about judges and God clearly has a concern about justice. He also prepares them for when they come to want a King. He gives some rules about that, with the key issue being that the King depends on God and not his own strength or wealth. There are also instructions about the priestly tribe of Levites. God speaks of a prophet like Moses arising in the future and warns them of false prophets. These central roles of prophet, priest and king which recur throughout the Old Testament all ultimately point to Jesus. There are numerous and various other laws and regulations, including ones which have a direct spiritual application like ones about avoiding mixture, or not muzzling the ox while it treads out the grain (see 1 Cor.9:9-12). These are all terms of the covenant and there are promises of blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The people are to understand the seriousness of breaking covenant, and be faithful to what is revealed – to obey it and to pass it on to their children.

Mar. 19: Deut 16-18; Mar. 20: Deut 19-21; Mar. 21: Deut 22-24; Mar. 22: Deut 25-27; Mar. 23: Deut 28; Mar. 24: Deut 29-30; Mar. 25 Deut 31-32.

NT – Mark 15:33-Luke 2:52

This week we come to the end of Mark’s gospel. We read of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the slowness of the disciples to believe. They are commissioned to preach the gospel everywhere and there is an emphasis on the miraculous signs that will accompany their preaching. We start a new gospel, Luke, with a placing of these events clearly within human history. But there is also a strong sense of activity in the supernatural, heavenly realms determining events – with angels visiting Zechariah, Mary and the shepherds. With the birth of both John the Baptist and Jesus there is a strong emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. There is also a sense, especially in the prophecies of the old prophets, Anna and Simeon, of God’s long-awaited promises being fulfilled and of God working his purpose out. The Saviour has arrived. With a brief insight into Jesus’ boyhood, we see him about his Father’s business and in his Father’s house.

Mar 19: Mark 15:33-16:8; Mar 20: Mark 16:9-20; Luke 1:1-25; Mar 21: Luke 1:26-38; Mar 22: Luke 1:39-56; Mar 23: Luke 1:57-80; Mar 24: Luke 2:1-20; Mar 25: Luke 2:21-52

You can find a Book Background to Luke here.

If you are enjoying the Bible Tour, why not have a look at other features of the Different Kingdom site. You may like a recent article on how our attention is being stolen.

Look out for April’s Readings coming soon.