This week’s readings continue in the early parts of Jesus’ ministry. This will involve the calling of some of the disciples and Jesus’ beginning of His public miracles. Despite the authors having varying styles, they all are pointing to Christ being the prophesied messiah. The readings also contain one of my favorite stories and accompanying sermons involving turning water into wine. It is good to ask questions like ‘Why was this story included’ or ‘How does this tell me more about God?’ A common question about the water into wine miracle is, ‘Why was that the first public miracle?’ That is the Big Picture.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Reading Plan - Week 10
Daily Prayer Plan – Week 10
Psalm 44
Psalm 45
Psalm 46
Psalm 47
Psalm 48
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2025 to see how Love Shows Up from the Old Testament and into the New Testament. How do we understand so many stories and lessons through the entire Bible while trying to stick to the "sacred timeline"? The answer is the big picture. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and Mark, what is impacting you the most? How has praying daily through the Psalms impacted you? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read Matthew 4:23-25. Read Luke 4:14-15. Where did Jesus begin His ministry? Why do you think this was important to include when recording Jesus’ life?
Read Luke 4:18-19, 43. What does Jesus say is the purpose of His ministry? What is the ‘Good News’?
Read Luke 5:21-26. What do we learn about Jesus’ authority in this passage? What was the response of the crowd?
Read John 3:3. How does a person enter Jesus’ Kingdom? Read John 3:16-18. What does this passage tell us about God, Jesus, and what belief and being born again have to do with each other?
Read Luke 4:25-27 and John 4:9-10. Who is Jesus’ Kingdom open to? What made these people different from who you would expect God to interact with in a Jew’s mind?
SHARE IT.
Read Luke 4:28. How do you handle when public opinion about you radically shifts, or someone is upset with you? How does your identification with God the Father help you in those times?
Read Luke 4:28. When was the last time that a dearly held belief was challenged by God’s Word? How did God help you align more with His Word?
What can you learn from how God approaches outsiders? Is there anyone in your life that might be difficult to approach and might be viewed as an outsider?
Read John 3:27-30. What lesson can we learn about dealing with gains and losses in our lives?
Read Luke 5:26. What has God done this week to give Him glory for?
FINAL THOUGHT
In Luke 2, Jesus’ first sign is recorded. He turns water into wine at a wedding celebration that has run out. Mary comes to Jesus and says they are out, and Jesus responds, “What has this concern of yours to do with me, woman?” (John 2:4) This seems abrupt, and then Jesus performs the miracle. Does Jesus change His mind? Tim Keller explains that “Jesus is thinking of His own wedding,” and the way His bride will receive wine. God’s people are spoken of as His bride, and the New Testament says that the Church is Jesus’ bride. In Revelation, Jesus is depicted seeing His bride coming to Him to attend forever the wedding supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:6-9) In fact, Jesus goes on to say to Mary, “My hour has not yet come.” (John 2:4) Jesus did not suddenly change His mind about doing a miracle. Jesus was seeing that the only way He could have His wedding day with a redeemed people was to go through His “hour.” Jesus’ blood would be spilled, and He would drink the cup of wrath so that His bride would drink wine, the cup of festival joy. That irresponsible groom got all the credit for Jesus’ miracle, and in the same way, His people enjoy all the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus began His public signs at a wedding, and the end of all things will be at the wedding supper of the Lamb.
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