Reading the Gospel

This is the final episode of the series Reading the Gospel. It explores the meaning and power of the Gospel as the central theme of the Bible, tracing its golden thread from Genesis through Revelation. The Gospel is not just a story about Jesus; it is God’s complete story of salvation. It is a life-transforming power, offering eternal life and peace starting with this very moment. The stages of th...

After reading all the events in the Gospel, we review the four main components of the Gospel and discuss why there are four different Gospel accounts, each with a different perspective and addressed to various audiences. Reflecting on Scripture should always prompt questions such as what each passage reveals about God and how it personally speaks to the reader at this moment, immersing oneself in...

In this episode, we explore the closing verses of John’s Gospel, emphasizing that the Bible is not intended as a complete biography of Jesus but as a divine revelation leading us to faith and salvation. The eternal life is offered not “by works” or religious checklists, but through accepting the gift of Jesus Christ and growing in a relationship with Him. We should shift the central focus from sim...

This event explores the transformation from doubt and fear to great joy and worship that occurs when Jesus went back to heaven, emphasizing that the joy of God’s kingdom is accessible now, not just in the future. The Ascension is a reminder that through the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ presence remains constant and accessible in our daily lives, offering assurance, purpose, and hope. Practically, this mean...

This episode reflects on the meaning and significance of the Great Commission from Matthew 28 and Mark 16. Jesus emphasizes His authority to command us to go and make disciples, to baptize them, and teach them as He instructed His 12 and 72 disciples. Doubt, even after experiencing God, is part of the human experience, but recalling past evidences of God’s presence builds faith and confidence duri...

This episode explores Jesus’ conversation with Peter, after breakfast on the lakeshore, and His repeated question, “Do you love me?” Each question invites deeper reflection about loving Jesus more than careers or relationships that might compete for our devotion. Everyone has something to surrender when called to follow Jesus. However, God can also use old passions or skills for ministry if yielde...

Jesus appears to the disciples by the Sea of Galilee as they return to their familiar routines of fishing, waiting for Jesus. This episode explores how Jesus provides for us - even when we feel disappointed or unsuccessful - and how He invites us into relationship and service without requiring anything in return. We are invited to learn to recognize God’s presence in our daily lives, even when it...

In this episode, we reflect on Thomas’s initial skepticism and his need for tangible evidence before he could believe in the resurrection, while recognizing that Jesus graciously met Thomas’s need for proof. Faith is often a gradual journey that requires varying degrees of evidence, and God lovingly tailors His revelation to what each of us needs. We should share spiritual truth with patience, und...

In this episode, we examine how Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, offering reassurance to those who were fearful and uncertain. Even when faced with overwhelming evidence, faith often grows gradually, as the disciples needed time to recognize the risen Jesus and understand His words. The main teaching is that our understanding of God deepens through ongoing study of the Scrip...

This episode explores the story of Jesus appearing to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and how they initially failed to recognize Him despite His presence and teaching. The disciples were preoccupied with their disappointment and confusion, illustrating how our own emotions and inward focus can sometimes blind us to God’s work in our lives. This story emphasizes that Jesus met them where they w...

In this episode, we explore the story of Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb, focusing on her encounter with the risen Jesus. We see how Mary’s initial confusion and grief were transformed into hope and recognition when she heard Jesus call her by name, a reminder that sometimes we must turn our attention and hearts more than once to experience God’s presence in our lives. We also discuss the importa...

This episode examines the event of Jesus' resurrection, primarily as described in Matthew 28. We learn about the women arriving at the tomb after the Sabbath, the great earthquake, the angel descending to roll away the stone and announcing that Jesus "has risen as He said," terrifying the guards but giving the women hope. We see the chief priests and elders bribing the guards to spread a false sto...

In this episode, we examined how the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate the day after Jesus' crucifixion, remembering Jesus' prophecy that He would rise after three days. Fearing his disciples would steal the body and claim a resurrection, they asked for the tomb to be secured. Pilate told them they had a guard and instructed them to "make it as secure as you can." They meticulously follow...

This episode discusses the burial of Jesus. We focus on Joseph of Arimathea's role in securing and providing a new tomb for Jesus' body, highlighting Joseph's courage and faith. We also reflect on the significance of giving one's "best" to Jesus, the surprise of Pilate at Jesus's death, and how God's actions may differ from our human expectations. We emphasize the importance of understanding the B...

This episode begins with Jesus' cry of abandonment and the subsequent events, including the tearing of the temple curtain, the earthquake, and the resurrection of saints. Jesus' death was not caused by the crucifixion itself but by the weight of sin and separation from God. Jesus' experience of the second death which is complete disconnection from God. The darkness that covered the land during Jes...

This event about the crucifixion starts with Jesus being led away and Simon of Sirene being seized to carry the cross behind him. As Jesus is crucified alongside two criminals, he prays for forgiveness for those who do not know what they are doing. The passage highlights the significance of Jesus laying down his life, emphasizing that without his sacrifice, humanity would have no substitute to pay...

In this episode, the second trial before Pilate is being examined. Despite Pilate's attempts to release Jesus, he succumbs to the crowd's demands. Pilate offers to release Jesus, but the crowd demands Barabbas instead. Pilate's wife warns him through a dream, adding to his internal conflict. Pilate finds no guilt in Jesus, yet he is pressured by the crowd and his own fears, ultimately allowing Jes...

This episode is about the trial of Jesus before Herod. On one side, Herod is excited to meet Jesus, hoping to witness a miracle, but ultimately mocked and treated Jesus with contempt when He remained silent. This reveals the duality of Herod's character, contrasting his desire to see Jesus with his previous actions, such as the execution of John the Baptist. We reflect on the broader implications...

The episode focuses on the trial of Jesus before Pilate, as described in all four gospels. Pilate questions Jesus about being the king of the Jews, and Jesus responds by emphasizing that His kingdom is not of this world. Jesus' answer also emphasizes the significance of His mission to bear witness to the truth and the implications of his statement that His kingdom is not of this world, contrasting...

In this episode, we read about the story of Judas' death as described in Matthew 27. We analyze Judas' change of mind after betraying Jesus and the concept of repentance, with genuine repentance involving a heartfelt realization of wrongdoing and a desire to turn back to God. We explore the difference between regret and genuine repentance, noting that Judas' actions were outside of God's will. We...

In this episode, we focus on the event when Jesus is brought before the assembly of elders, chief priests, and scribes called the Council or Sanhedrin. They question Him about being the Christ or Messiah. He says that from "now on," the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. Jesus' titles, the Son of God and the Son of Man, refer to His divine and human natures. We learn...

In this episode, we discuss how Peter denies knowing Jesus three times despite being warned by Him hours before. Peter's denial is a profound moment that highlights the weakness of human nature and the intense emotions that can lead us to act impulsively. We reflect on the significance of the rooster crowing, which serves as a reminder to Peter of his actions and previous conversation with Jesus....

In this episode, the Jewish Council seeks false testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they find none. Jesus remains silent until Caiaphas adjures him by the living God to declare if he is the Christ, the Son of God. His response leads Caiaphas to accuse Jesus of blasphemy, and the Council condemns him to death. The episode highlights the injustice of the trial, the false accusations, an...

In this episode we read about Jesus' arrest, which is documented in all four gospels. Despite the betrayal and the subsequent chaos, Jesus remains composed and instructs his disciples to put away their swords. We discuss the different responses Jesus had towards Judas and the crowd, attributing this to His connection with the Father and His understanding of human nature. We also explore the potent...

In this episode, we look at Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus, feeling sorrowful and troubled, took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him to pray for him, expressing his deep anguish and seeking support from his closest disciples. Despite his distress, Jesus submitted to God's will, praying three times for the cup of death to pass from him, yet ultimately accepting God's plan....