Welcome to the Bible in a Year for 2025. Intro to this series and resource links available here, plus here’s how I’m approaching this year.
Scriptures for Today:
Reflection:
Understanding authority (8:5-13) - Each of us comes to Jesus with a background that shapes how we will think of Him. The centurion was a military man and accustomed to those with proper authority giving commands that were, of course, followed. So he has no problem believing that Jesus can speak the word and it will be carried out even at a distance. That’s simply how proper authority works. Jesus’ compliment is telling: “I have not found any in Israel with such great faith.” It seems from this that faith is a matter of understanding how authority works and believing Jesus has it. No small detail: Jesus was amazed—think about that one.
Calming the storm (8:23-27) - Separated by a just a few verses, this story is a lesson in contrast with the healing of the centurion’s servant. The disciples are frantic about the danger of the storm (the centurion was calm about his servant’s illness). The disciples are amazed at Jesus’ authority over the natural world (the centurion was matter of fact about it). Jesus is blunt about their lack of faith (Jesus was amazed at the centurion’s faith). Again, faith is portrayed as the quality of understanding how authority works and believing Jesus has it.
Freely give (10:8) - Jesus’ instructions to the disciples as He prepares to send them out in ministry are enigmatic—stern, challenging, equipping and empowering. He presses on them the sacrificial nature of discipleship, the practical realities of the task ahead, and the dependability of God the Father as they go. In the middle of these words is an exhortation: “Freely you have received, freely give.” The context for this little sentence is Jesus’ empowering commands to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” These six words are to shape in them a generous spirit for ministry. Yes, they are to be discerning—tough talk will follow. Yet, this guiding principle means that we are like a pipeline of grace and truth from Jesus to people.
Questions:
What makes it hard to remember Jesus’ authority and power in practical terms?
What else might the Holy Spirit be speaking with you about in the text today?
Prayer: Lord, pour yourself through me into the lives of others, for the sake of your Gospel. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
Amen