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!
27:1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast1 was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,2 we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear,3 and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”
27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.4 A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.5 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,6 for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 2767 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef,8 they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
[1] 27:9
[2] 27:16
[3] 27:17
[4] 27:28
[5] 27:28
[6] 27:34
[7] 27:37
[8] 27:41
(ESV)
The earth revolves around the sun. Or so Nicolaus Copernicus taught us. His watershed work, On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres, published just before his death, offered history's first attempt at a comprehensive heliocentric cosmology. I say a "comprehensive heliocentric cosmology" because as far back as the third century BC, Aristarchus of Samos proposed rudimentary elements of the same cosmological model. Copernicus' theory, of course, was trumpeted shortly later by Galileo Galilei who, after making detailed observations of the so-called "movements" of stars and planets in the sky through his telescope, became convinced of the theory. Galileo, however, ran into a bit of trouble with the pope at this time, Urban VIII. Although it is important to note that oft repeated stories of Galileo being charged with heresy and tortured in some dungeon are patently false and are generally peddled by those wishing to clumsily create some monstrous antagonism between science and faith, Galileo and Pope Urban VIII did enter into a tendentious relationship that was never fully reconciled. For this pope, eager to demonstrate his fidelity to Scripture in the face of Protestant reformers who accused him of not taking Scripture seriously enough, insisted on a geocentric rather than a heliocentric view of the universe, a position shared at this time by both Protestants and Catholics as "biblical."
Thankfully, now, we know better. The Bible's words concerning the sun's course (e.g., Psalm 19:4-6) are analogous to our terms "sunrise" and "sunset" and are meant to explain how things appear from our perspective, not how they work cosmologically. For cosmologically, we now know that the earth does indeed orbit around the sun.
Although many of us may say we believe the earth revolves around the sun, I'm not so sure that we act as if that's true - at least not practically. For many of us act as though the earth revolves around us. Our needs, our wants, our questions, and our concerns are to set the agenda for others' lives. It may sound audacious, but this is the way many people live, or at least want to live - with the world, and those in it, revolving around them.
In our reading for today from Acts 27, Paul, under the watchful eye of a Roman centurion, embarks on a journey from Caesarea to Rome so that he may appeal to Caesar against a group of Jews who are calling for his execution. While at port on the island of Crete, Paul warns those traveling with him, "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also" (verse 10). Sure enough, Paul's premonition proves prophetic: "Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the 'northeaster,' swept down from the island" (verse 18). While the others on the ship fear for their lives, Paul offers these words of comfort:
Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you." So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. (verses 21-25)
Paul explains to his travel companions that even though the ship will not be spared, all of them will indeed be saved. Why? Because God desires that Paul stands trial before Caesar. Thus, God will save Paul's life and, by extension, everyone else's.
What an audacious claim for Paul to make - that the lives of his shipmates would be spared because God desires that Paul make it to Rome! Martin Luther explains thusly: "For the sake of Paul alone, a ship is saved and 276 men who were with him in the ship" (AE 6:217). It almost sounds as though Paul believes the salvation of his companions from certain death on that ship is thanks to God's desire to save him from certain death on that ship. Paul is promoting a Pauline-centric view of his companions' salvation! For God, thanks to one man, is saving many.
The picture of the one man Paul being the reason for the salvation of his companions is a picture of the salvation we have in Christ. For because of the one man Christ, we receive salvation, not from a ship, but from sin, death, and the devil. Our salvation is Christocentric. It revolves around Christ.
Copernicus and Galileo were right. The sun does not revolve around the earth. Nor does the earth - even figuratively - revolve around a person. But salvation does revolve around Christ. And even though we cannot observe that with a telescope, we can trust it with our hearts. I hope you do.
20 “Then shall arise in his place one who shall send an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom. But within a few days he shall be broken, neither in anger nor in battle. 21 In his place shall arise a contemptible person to whom royal majesty has not been given. He shall come in without warning and obtain the kingdom by flatteries. 22 Armies shall be utterly swept away before him and broken, even the prince of the covenant. 23 And from the time that an alliance is made with him he shall act deceitfully, and he shall become strong with a small people. 24 Without warning he shall come into the richest parts1 of the province, and he shall do what neither his fathers nor his fathers’ fathers have done, scattering among them plunder, spoil, and goods. He shall devise plans against strongholds, but only for a time. 25 And he shall stir up his power and his heart against the king of the south with a great army. And the king of the south shall wage war with an exceedingly great and mighty army, but he shall not stand, for plots shall be devised against him. 26 Even those who eat his food shall break him. His army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. 27 And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed. 28 And he shall return to his land with great wealth, but his heart shall be set against the holy covenant. And he shall work his will and return to his own land.
29 “At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. 30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. 31 Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. 32 He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. 33 And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. 34 When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, 35 and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.
36 “And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. 37 He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. 38 He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. 39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price.2
(ESV)
Seleucus IV (successor to Antiochus III) had to pay huge sums of tribute to Rome, therefore he sent out "an exactor of tribute for the glory of the kingdom" named Heliodorus, who robbed the Temple treasury. Heliodorus authored a conspiracy that brought down Seleucus IV, "broken" by being poisoned. Antiochus IV Epiphanes snatched power from the son of Seleucus IV "by flatteries," and ruled from 175-163 BC. He deposed the "prince of the covenant," Onias III who was High Priest. Antiochus Epiphanes' power grew dramatically even though he had a relatively "small people" following him. To increase his strength he distributed "plunder, spoil and goods" among his followers. After consolidating his power, Antiochus Epiphanes attacked the "king of the south" and defeated a large Egyptian army. Attempts at peace failed because the two kings hearts were "bent on doing evil." Although Antiochus Epiphanes took "great wealth" back with him from Egypt, he was unsatisfied and turned his anger against Israel, desecrating the Temple and setting himself "against the Holy Covenant." Two years later "at the time appointed" Antiochus Epiphanes came against Egypt again (in 168 BC.) but this time he was opposed by "ships of Kittim," sent by Rome. After this humiliating defeat that caused him to "be afraid and withdraw" he once again struck against Israel. Profaning the temple, he put an end to daily sacrifices, and set up a pagan altar to Zeus, "the abomination that makes desolate." He subdued faithful Israel with the help of apostate Jews. But the people who "know their God" resisted, standing firm. Many would be persecuted and martyred by Antiochus Epiphanes. Mattathias, a priest with five sons fled from Jerusalem and began the Maccabean revolt. The suffering of these faithful Jews caused them to be "refined, purified, and made white." Daniel was then informed that the prophecy concerning the Ptolemies and Seleucids was ending, and the remaining oracles would "wait until the time of the end," or until the very end of the world to be fulfilled. "The king shall do as he wills," referred to the "man of lawlessness," that is, the antichrist, who was also predicted by the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Up to this point, the history of these two Gentile nations has been so detailed that Bible skeptics deny that Daniel could have written it before it ever happened. Since Antiochus Epiphanes was a foreshadow of the antichrist, the prophecy now skips ahead to the distant future, as prophets sometimes do. Exalting himself above every god, the antichrist will make himself god, "a god of fortresses," conquering even "the strongest fortresses," and honoring those who will "acknowledge him."
8 The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all offenses.
13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
15 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city;
the poverty of the poor is their ruin.
16 The wage of the righteous leads to life,
the gain of the wicked to sin.
17 Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life,
but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever utters slander is a fool.
19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
but fools die for lack of sense.
(ESV)