Bible Reading Plan

We should be ready and expecting the return of Christ. True followers of Christ will use their time, talents, and treasure to glorify Him until He returns. God will separate true followers who will receive eternal life, and the unrighteous who will receive eternal punishment. Jesus celebrated Passover with the disciples and told them He would be betrayed. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper and told Peter he would deny Jesus three times. He took the disciples with Him to pray at Gethsemane, but the disciples were not attentive to the grief Jesus bore as He prepared to be tried and killed. Jesus was betrayed by Judas and was arrested, tried by the religious Council, and was denied three times by Peter.

Jesus called the Pharisees and scribes hypocrites because they condemned the disciples for not following traditions while the Pharisees and scribes used a man-made tradition (an oath) to justify disobeying God’s command to honor father and mother. Jesus continued healing people. He fed another crowd of more than four thousand. The disciples were warned about false teachers, and Peter confessed Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God”. Jesus told of His impending death and resurrection. Jesus called followers to take up their crosses (instrument of death) and follow Him, which was a call to give one’s life to Christ for the sake of eternal life.

Jesus described the Kingdom of God through parables. The parables explained the importance of being prepared to hear the gospel and total surrender to Jesus. Believers and unbelievers will one day be separated. Believers will enjoy the kingdom of God and unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire. Herod ordered John the Baptist to be killed. Jesus fed five thousand men plus women and children by multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish. He walked on water and calmed a storm. Miracles were used in part to teach disciples the power of faith and the dangers of distractions in life.

Jesus confirmed He was the Messiah. He continued to teach and perform miracles while religious leaders attempted to discredit Him. Some misinterpreted the Law in an attempt to discredit Jesus. He offered hope to those who would follow Him and condemned those who would not. He warned those who would pretend to be followers, explaining their hearts would become homes for more unclean spirits. Beware of those who pretend to follow Christ but have evil hearts and intentions toward God and the church.

Jesus healed the sick, the blind, the deaf, the mute, and even raised one girl from the dead. He forgave a paralytic man of his sins and was accused of blasphemy, but He proved His authority by healing the man. A woman was healed when she touched the garment of Jesus as a result of her faith. Jesus called twelve men to follow Him (known as disciples). He empowered the disciples to perform miracles and sent them to minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus warned His disciples that they would be persecuted by religious leaders, government officials, and even family. God will provide for our needs, even in times of persecution.

Jesus continued teaching on various topics: Judging others will result in the same measure of judgment applied to you. God is willing and able to provide for those who humble themselves before Him. Be aware that false prophets exist. You will be able to identify them by their actions. Love God and love others. Following Jesus will require total submission to Him. Jesus left no doubt that He was more than a good teacher. He healed the sick, cleansed lepers, calmed a storm, and freed people from demons. His authority and power were evident.

Crowds followed Jesus to hear Him speak. Jesus went up on a mountain close to the Sea of Galilee and began a collection of teachings we call the sermon on the mount. Jesus began with the beatitudes. He taught followers that happiness could be found in humility toward, and trust in God. He explained His purpose to fulfill the Law, then about daily living. He taught about man’s relationship with God and with others. Jesus taught followers how to pray and fast, expressing the importance of honoring God when we pray and fast. This teaching countered the practices of many religious leaders who prayed and fasted to impress others and gain attention for themselves.

John the Baptist announce the coming of the Messiah. He claimed the time was coming when the Holy Spirit would empower believers. John encouraged people to repent (turn from sin) and follow God. Jesus went to the Jordan river and insisted that John baptize Him. He did this to show humility toward the Father and to be the example of obedience toward the will of the Father. The Father was pleased. Jesus then prepared for ministry by fasting for forty days and nights. He was tempted by the devil, but He resisted and reminded the devil of the power and truth of God’s Word. Jesus preached a message of repentance. He called His first disciples (followers) and healed the sick.

Matthew gave an account of the genealogy of Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The genealogy showed the fulfillment of a promise God gave to Abraham and to the Jews. Chapter two began with the wise men searching for Jesus almost two years after He was born. Herod was King. He wanted the wise men to find Jesus so he could have Him killed. The wise men found Jesus, but they did not tell Herod. He became angry and decided to kill all of the children who were two years and younger. Jesus was protected because an angel appeared to Joseph and warned him to take Jesus to Egypt until King Herod died.

A wife with a pure heart is a witness to her unbelieving husband. Husbands are to respect their wives knowing that believing wives are heirs of an inheritance from God. Love others and do good, even if you suffer from evil acts of others. Water was used to save Noah and his family just as water was used to symbolize the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything we do should be to the glory of God. The sins of our past should be left behind. If you suffer as a Christian, commit yourself to God who is faithful to strengthen you. Mature believers and pastors should protect the church spiritually in a loving and humble manner. The devil seeks to devour you. Resist him and hold firm to Jesus who is able to restore you.