This Bible reading plan takes you through most of the Holy Scriptures each weekday of the year. Each day has three Bible readings:
You're welcome to read one, two, or all three of the readings every weekday. And if you fall behind, don't worry! You can either use the weekends to catch up or you can simply dive in to the reading for that day, even if you've missed a few days, weeks, or even months!
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12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. 3 Mary therefore took a pound1 of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, 5 “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii2 and given to the poor?” 6 He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it3 for the day of my burial. 8 For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus4 was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.
12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,
15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
sitting on a donkey’s colt!”
16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
[1] 12:3
[2] 12:5
[3] 12:7
[4] 12:9
(ESV)
In seminary, I drove a 1995 Ford Ranger. I am most definitely a Chevy man when it comes to trucks, but, as a student, I drove what I could afford. Sure, my little Ranger wasn't the fastest or most powerful truck with its little four cylinder engine, but it got me where I needed me to go... most of the time.
One afternoon as I was driving through town, a little light suddenly illumined on my dashboard. The light's message? "Check Engine." "Oh, oh," I thought. "I better get this checked out." So, I went to my authorized Ford dealer who checked it out and told me not to worry. It was only a faulty monitoring system that would in no way affect the performance of my engine. He turned off the light and sent me on my way. Everything was fine until the light came on again and the engine started stuttering. Apparently, it wasn't just a monitoring system problem after all. And so back to the dealer I went. This time, the prognosis was more serious. "You need a tune up," the mechanic told me. "Otherwise, this truck ain't going to make it much longer." And so, after a couple of hours and $350, I had a tune up, no check engine light, and a much smoother ride.
In our reading for today from John 12, we meet some people whose faith is running with its "Check Engine" light on: "Many among the leaders believed in Jesus," verse 42 begins, "but because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue." These people had faith, but it was not a "tuned up" faith. For they were unwilling to give words to it. They were unwilling to share that which was most precious to them: Jesus. Why? Because "they loved praise from men more than praise from God" (verse 43). In other words, these silent faithful were concerned that they might offend someone or be looked down upon by someone if they shared their faith. So they simply decided to say nothing. And, sadly, they did this over and over again. In Greek, the word for "not confess" in verse 42 is in the imperfect tense, denoting a continuous, or repeated, action. Thus, these people had opportunity after opportunity to confess their faith in Jesus, but, time after time, they chose to remain silent. This, of course, is not the way that faith is supposed to be. This is faith with its "Check Engine" light on. This is faith that needs a tune up from Christ so that it will not falter and fail.
Thankfully, even in the midst of such a folly filled faith, Jesus offers this promise: "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it" (verse 47). Jesus says, "Even when you do not keep my commands and share your faith, I do not condemn you, even though I could. Rather, I still offer you my grace, mercy, and salvation." Our faith, no matter how broken and inadequate it may seem, is still adequate for salvation.
With this in mind, then, we receive both a challenge and a promise from Jesus. The challenge is this: Have you done a ruthless inventory of your faith? And have you heeded its dangerous "Check Engine" light areas? For there are all sorts of these kinds of danger areas in faith: an unwillingness to share your faith with others; an arrogant spirit toward those who are not Christian; a pet sin that drags you away from Christ rather than leading you toward him. All of these, and many others, can damage faith. So heed Jesus' warning and repent of such dangerous sin. But don't forget Christ's promise: that even imperfect faith can receive the perfect promises of God. For Christ came to save even those who falter and fall in their faith. And thank God he did. Because I falter and fall in my faith. How about you?
61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;1
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;2
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.3
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;
foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;
6 but you shall be called the priests of the LORD;
they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;
you shall eat the wealth of the nations,
and in their glory you shall boast.
7 Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;
instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;
therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;
they shall have everlasting joy.
8 For I the LORD love justice;
I hate robbery and wrong;4
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their offspring shall be known among the nations,
and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge them,
that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to sprout up before all the nations.
62:1 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,
and her salvation as a burning torch.
2 The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory,
and you shall be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will give.
3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD,
and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken,5
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,6
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,7
and your land Married;8
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.
5 For as a young man marries a young woman,
so shall your sons marry you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
so shall your God rejoice over you.
6 On your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have set watchmen;
all the day and all the night
they shall never be silent.
You who put the LORD in remembrance,
take no rest,
7 and give him no rest
until he establishes Jerusalem
and makes it a praise in the earth.
8 The LORD has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
“I will not again give your grain
to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink your wine
for which you have labored;
9 but those who garner it shall eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather it shall drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary.”9
10 Go through, go through the gates;
prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway;
clear it of stones;
lift up a signal over the peoples.
11 Behold, the LORD has proclaimed
to the end of the earth:
Say to the daughter of Zion,
“Behold, your salvation comes;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.”
12 And they shall be called The Holy People,
The Redeemed of the LORD;
and you shall be called Sought Out,
A City Not Forsaken.
[1] 61:1
[2] 61:1
[3] 61:3
[4] 61:8
[5] 62:4
[6] 62:4
[7] 62:4
[8] 62:4
[9] 62:9
(ESV)
Our Lord Jesus Christ in the synagogue in Nazareth read the first verse of Isaiah 61. When He had finished reading these words Jesus said: "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."(Luke 4:18). These words of Isaiah are a direct prophecy of the Messiah. Jesus came to preach good news to the spiritually impoverished, to heal the brokenhearted, to set free those held captive by sin, to enlighten those imprisoned by darkness, and to proclaim that through faith in Him God's favor rests on us. The Messiah gives us beauty instead of the ashes of repentance, and joy in place of mourning over sin. In Him we are made righteous so that we can display His splendor. Christ will build the Kingdom of God and we will be His "chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God" (1 Peter 2:9). Instead of shame and disgrace we will receive a double portion of the inheritance in the Kingdom. The language of verse 10 was used by Paul in speaking of marriage to describe the relationship between Christ and His church: "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:25-27) God promises that His people's righteousness will shine like a sunrise and blaze like a brightly burning torch. God promises that His chosen people will be like a bride to Him and He will be their bridegroom. All of these word pictures are used throughout the New Testament to describe what God has done for us in Christ. Although there was a time when God chastened His wayward people Israel, once the Messiah has come that time will be past, and we will never be forsaken again. "And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken."
7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house
or goats from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.
12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,1
and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
16 But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.
18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
and you keep company with adulterers.
19 “You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother;
you slander your own mother’s son.
21 These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I2 was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.
22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God,
lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!
23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”
(ESV)