Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:41-52 OBSERVATION: The Passover was a yearly feast commemorating the rescue of Israel as slaves from Egypt (Exodus 12:1-16). Jesus was raised “under law” (Galatians 4:4-5), that is, the Law of Moses, to observe its laws and traditions, but in time He would introduce the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 8:6-13), a covenant based on forgiveness through the…

SCRIPTURE: John 2:12-25 OBSERVATION: Jesus reserves His harshest response for the religious leaders. How does this picture of Jesus fit with ”Jesus meek and mild”? Does Jesus’ use of violence here justify our use of violence if the cause is just? Jesus does not speak clearly (re. destroying the temple), as if He is intentionally provoking…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 69:19-36 OBSERVATION: David was guilty of some serious sin (v.5) but when he looked for mercy, his family and friends (v.8) were harsh and judgmental. He looked for sympathy but received none (v.20). He is angry at them for not being merciful and prays that God would treat them as they treated him (vv.22-28)….

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 69:1-18 OBSERVATION: It seems that David is guilty of shameful sin (v.5) and he is now experiencing the humiliation and despair that go with that. He is personally, emotionally, spiritually drowning, and his enemies are delighting in his shame, forcing him to endure even more shame than he deserves (v.4). He is concerned that…

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 OBSERVATION: Paul is being honest when he admits that the Christian message sounds foolish to most people – a crucified God-in-flesh? He argues that God’s “folly” is actually true wisdom, deeper wisdom, so deep that those who consider themselves wise can’t see or understand it. If God were capable of a stupid thought,…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 19:1-14 OBSERVATION: As I read this Psalm, I imagine David out in the fields with his sheep, looking up into the vast skies surrounding him, watching the sun run its course from its rising to its seeting (vv.4-6), and marvelling at how great God is. I also imagine him reflecting on his “tabernacle lessons”,…

SCRIPTURE: Exodus 20:1-21 OBSERVATION: In v.2, the NIV translates the special name of God given in Exodus 3:14, in Hebrew it is YHWH, as LORD, in capitol letters. In other words, v.2 reads “I am the “‘I am what I am’, your God!” God is not being mysterious in this name, we can understand it best through…

SCRIPTURE: Romans 4:1-25 OBSERVATION: Paul is explaining that God’s blessing is not received because of what we do (law, works, as payment for our efforts) but simply because we trust God. Abraham received the promise of the nations BEFORE he was circumcised, not BECAUSE he was circumcised. God’s blessing is first, separate from our performance or…