A Chapter a Day w/ Connie St. John

In this chapter, Jesus shares an interesting parable about workers in a vineyard. The workers all ended up being paid the same amount, even though the last one hired only worked an hour.  James and John are the sons of Zebedee. In this chapter, their mother comes to Jesus and asks if they can sit at Jesus’ right and left side in his kingdom. The other 10 disciples were “indignant,” but Jesus calme...

Jesus talks divorce in this chapter. The Pharisees asked a ridiculous question: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” (Verse 3) NO! It’s also interesting that the disciples tried to keep people from bringing their little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. (Verse 13) Jesus told them to cut it out! Lastly, Jesus teaches about rich...

Jesus shows His great love for children in this chapter and warns against causing them to stumble. A favorite parable about the unmerciful servant is shared to illustrate how often we should forgive, and the mercy we should give when dealing with others, since we desire mercy ourselves. -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.cho...

In chapter 17, the Transfiguration occurs: “There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.” (Verses 2-3) We also read about Jesus driving out a demon from a demon-possessed boy. The disciples had been unable to cast it out. Jesus said it was because they had...

I always laugh when I read chapter 16 because the apostles are so literal. When Jesus talks about being on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, the disciples believe he’s talking about actual bread. I can only imagine Him rolling His eyes. Also in this chapter, Jesus begins to predict His death. -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music...

Jesus is confronted yet again by the Pharisees because He and His disciples aren’t washing their hands before they eat. (Which, admittedly, is kind of yucky.) Jesus makes an important point in verse 18: “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart and these defile them.” Also in th...

Three major things happen in chapter 14 – John the Baptist is beheaded, thanks to Herod, Herodias and her daughter; Jesus feeds five thousand men, plus women and children; and Jesus walks on water. (So does Peter for a minute.) -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative Commons CC BY 3.0  https:/...

Jesus shares multiple parables about sowing and reaping in this chapter. Jesus tries healing in His hometown but they just see him as a carpenter’s son and can’t receive His blessings and miracles. “A prophet in his own town is without honor.” (Verse 57) -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative...

Jesus is once again questioned about not observing the Sabbath in this chapter. There are some who think He’s doing miracles by the power of the devil (Beelzebul). Jesus tells them: “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” (Verse 25) This is also the chapter where Jesus compares Himself to Jonah, who was in the belly of the whale for three days and night. -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | htt...

In this chapter, John the Baptist is in prison but sends messengers to Jesus to ask if He’s the Messiah who was prophesied to come. Jesus sends back the message that He is. Later, Jesus starts denouncing the towns where He’s performed miracles because none of them repented. The chapter ends with a famous passage: “Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my...

Jesus sends out the 12 in chapter 10 and gives them specific instructions. Verse 16 is one of my favorites: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative Commons CC BY 3.0  https://creativecomm...

Lots more healing by Jesus in chapter nine. Of course, there were people who spoke against Him because He healed on the Sabbath. They tried to trip Him up by questioning Him about fasting, but it didn’t work. (Verses 14-17) One of my favorite healing stories is in this chapter – the woman with the issue of blood. She just needs to touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak and she will be healed. (Verses 18-26...

There are lots of miracles in chapter eight. Jesus heals a man with leprosy, heals a centurion’s servant, heals two demon-possessed men, among many others. In one of my favorite passages (verses 23-27), Jesus calms a storm. He was taking a nap and the storm didn’t wake Him. That illustration of peace in the midst of a storm is so profound. -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positiv...

Chapter seven reminds us not to judge others. Jesus also tells us about “true and false prophets” and “true and false disciples.”  Not everyone who says they know Jesus really does know Him. He’s not impressed by fakers. -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative Commons CC BY 3.0  https://creati...

Jesus continues with His teaching in chapter six. He instructs us about giving to the needy, praying the Lord’s prayer, fasting, storing up treasures in heaven, and how worrying does absolutely nothing helpful for us. -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative Commons CC BY 3.0  https://creativec...

The Sermon on the Mount (“beatitudes”) are in this important chapter. Jesus teaches about murder, adultery, taking oaths, revenge (“eye for an eye”), and having love for your enemies. It’s a foundational chapter for Christians. -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative Commons CC BY 3.0  https:/...

In chapter four, Jesus is led into the wilderness where He fasts for 40 days and 40 nights. After Jesus fasted, the enemy (“tempter”) came to tempt Him. The devil tried unsuccessfully three times to get Jesus to bow down and worship him, but Jesus wasn’t having it! The devil left and angels came and attended to Jesus. Jesus began to preach and called His first disciples – Peter, Andrew, James and...

Jesus’ cousin John (Elizabeth’s son) became known as John the Baptist. He was assigned to prepare the way for Jesus. He baptized with water. In verse 13 it says, “The Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.” John didn’t want to do it at first. He felt that Jesus should be the one baptizing him. Jesus explained why it was necessary and John consented. After Jesus was baptized,...

In this chapter, we see the magi (commonly known as the Three Wise men) making a visit to baby Jesus. King Herod was livid that there was supposedly a “new king” – a Messiah – who was going to be known as the King of the Jews. He told the magi to report back to him when they saw him. Thankfully, they ignored Herod. In reaction, he ordered all boys who were two years and under to be killed. Yet ano...

In chapter one, we learn the genealogy of Jesus. Verse 17 says there are 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the exile of Babylon, and 14 from the exile to the Messiah. Verses 18-24 tell the story of Joseph and how he chose to accept Jesus as his son. What a humbling and life-changing decision. -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music...

This chapter gives us hope in verse 4: “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.” -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative Commons CC BY 3.0  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/  Sovereign by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/  M...

Two interesting verses jumped out at me in this chapter. Verse 2: “Now they sin more and more; they make idols for themselves from their silver, cleverly fashioned images, all of them the work of craftsmen. It is said of these people, ‘They offer human sacrifices! They kiss calf-idols!’” Verse 4: “But I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but...

Chapter 12 talks about Israel’s sin, and in verse 6 tells us what we must do: “But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.” -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative Commons CC BY 3.0  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/  Sovereign by Kevin...

God is our Father. We know as humans how much it hurts when our children turn away from us. How much moreso with God? Verses 1 and 2: “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images.” -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-back...

More warnings, observations, and instructions. Verse 13: But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors.” -----  Corporate Soft by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/positive-background-music/  Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/  Creative Commons CC BY 3.0  https://c...