NL-Day192 2 Kings 11-12; Psalm 128; John 13:1-17

NL-Day200 Jonah 1-2; Psalm 136; John 17

JONAH 1-2:For quite a few years when I was just reading the Bible without a set reading plan, I enjoyed a break from reading the books of history after Second Kings, moving to the prophets. And our first is Jonah, who was mentioned back in 2 Kings 14. Note that the little story of Jonah is masterfully written. Little details poke out everywhere. Jonah has a downward journey. He goes down from Jerusalem to Joppa, then down again into the hold of the boat, and then down into the underworld of the ocean. He wasn't just being disobedient. He was saying, "I'm turning in my prophet's mantle." Bob Deffinbaugh: "Let's face it, don't you find that our text has reversed the heroes and the villains? … we would have expected Jonah to be the hero, while the heathen sailors would certainly have been expected to be the villains. This was certainly the perspective of Jonah, and of the Israelites, whom he typified. Yet in our text it is the sailors who pray, while Jonah does not. The sailors sought to deal with sin on the ship, not Jonah. The sailors end up worshiping God, [Jonah grumbled against God//not Jonah]. The sailors have compassion on Jonah, while he seems to have little concern for the danger in which he has put them. Clearly this chapter turns our expectations inside-out." Even the fish comes out better than Jonah. He obeyed. The pagans of Nineveh and their king also come out looking better than Jonah. They repent. PSALM 136:This is the most famous antiphonal psalm. If it won't bother anyone around you while you are listening, I invite you to join me on the antiphonal response: His love is eternal. JOHN 17:Jesus' high priestly prayer is considered the pinnacle of the upper room discourse. NLT Translation notes:Ps. 136:6Give thanks to him who placed the earth [upon/?in between/among] the waters.His faithful love endures forever.====John 17:1 After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Glorify [Me— ]your Son[,] so [that I//he] can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given [Me/him] authority over everyone. [I give//He gives] eternal life to each one you have given [to Me//him]. 3 [Parenthesis by John:] And this is the way to have [that] eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 11 Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, [you have given me your power. Now protect them by your power and for the sake of your reputation.//you have given me your name;b [http://biblehub.com/nlt/john/17.htm#footnotesb] now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.]12 During my time here, I protected them by the power you gave me.c [http://biblehub.com/nlt/john/17.htm#footnotesc] I guarded them so that not one was lost, [0//of the name]except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are [joined together with/in] me, Father, and I am [joined with//in] you. And may they be [joined as one with/in] us so that the world will believe you sent me.23 I am [joined together with//in] them and you are [joined together with//in] me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.25 "O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I [know you//do]; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be [joined together as one with//in] them." Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NL-Day199 2 Kings 24-25; Psalm 135; John 16

2KINGS 24-25:In yesterday's reading, we heard of Josiah's reforms, leading the people to renew the covenant with God. That chapter had this telling comment about the Passover: 2Kings 23:22 There had not been a Passover celebration like that since the time when the judges ruled in Israel, nor throughout all the years of the kings of Israel and Judah. Many times I think people make the naive assumption that the people of Israel customarily performed all sorts of difficult commands in the Law— like the one about the Year of Jubilee. In my opinion, no way! PSALM 135:Olsen's book gives the title for the chapter on this psalm as, "What kind of God do you have?" That's a great question to ask to introduce this psalm! JOHN 16:At the end of chapter 14, Jesus mentioned leaving that 'place'— the upper room, but Jesus' teaching in chapters 15-16 fit so well with chapter 14 that they may have taken place in the upper room. This chapter includes more important teaching about the Holy Spirit— our Advocate, and important key concepts about prayer. NLT Translation notes:John 16:23 At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you [pray for the sake of my glory//use my name].24 You haven't done this before. [Make requests for the sake of my glory//Ask, using my name], and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.26 Then you will [make requsts/ask] [for the sake of my glory//in my name]. I'm not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf,31 Jesus [said/asked], "Do you finally believe?33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace [because of being joined with//in me]. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NL-Day198 2 Kings 23; Psalm 134; John 15:18-16:15

2KINGS 23:Hilkiah found the book of the Law in the temple while repairs were being carried out as ordered by king Josiah. When Josiah heard the book of the Law, he instituted reforms. And God again is glorified in fulfilling a prophecy we heard in 1 Kings. PSALM 134:I would like to have been one of the Levitical temple musicians who had the duty of singing praises to God at night. This is the last of the Psalms of Ascent. JOHN 15:18—16:15:We are still in the upper room. I have chosen to reread the last verses of chapter 15, in order to help us make the connection with chapter 16. NLT Translation notes:John 16:23 At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you [pray for the sake of my glory//use my name].24 You haven't done this before. [Make requests for the sake of my glory//Ask, using my name], and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.26 Then you will [make requsts/ask] [for the sake of my glory//in my name]. I'm not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf,31 Jesus [said/asked], "Do you finally believe?33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace [because of being joined with//in me]. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NL-Day197 2 Kings 21-22; Psalm 133; John 15

2KINGS 21-22:The Assyrian king mocked the God of Israel at the end of chapter 18. We heard God's answer yesterday in chapter 19, and we were introduced to the prophet Isaiah. Hezekiah asked to live for a longer time, and his request was granted. I have heard that there is actually scientific proof of the long day miracle that was given to Hezekiah. What a shame that he did not ask God not to send his sons to Babylon! PSALM 133:This Psalm of Ascent comes at a very fitting time in relation to our readings yesterday and today in John. If we are _one_ with Jesus, then we are _one_ with one another. Rereading JOHN 15:Today we hear again about our vital relationship of oneness with Jesus. We didn't actually choose Him! Before we chose Him He had already chosen us. If you are one who has difficulty believing that there is anything good about you, let your identity and worth be based on this passage! Here also we find the promise repeated of answered prayers when we pray for the sake of Jesus' name— which is to say, for his cause or for his glory. Note that this is not just 'dropping or using Jesus' name'. God realizes when we are praying selfish prayers, and He is not fooled by our tacking on 'in Jesus name' at the end. NLT Translation notes:John 15:4 Remain [joined to//in] me, and I will remain [joined to//in] you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain [joined to//in] me. (Similarly in 5-7.)[When talking of the organic unity of a branch and a vine, we don't say a branch 'in' a vine, do we?! Greek says it that way. But it is much more natural it English to say a branch is 'joined' or is 'connected', and various other words. Because of this, we also tend to miss out on the meaning of 'in Him/Christ' that comes up so often in the New Testament. The meaning is NOT that we are 'inside' Him, but that we are joined as one with him.]16 You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, [for my name's sake/for the sake of my glory//using my name].[This promise is NOT about 'dropping' or 'using' Jesus' name! Ending a selfish prayer with, "in Jesus' name" does not transform it into a good prayer. We don't simply 'use' Jesus' name and cash in on this promise! God can tell the difference when people unselfishly pray for things in the cause of bringing glory to Christ.This must be one of the worst mistakes in the NLT! This translation shows that the translator has been affected by modern Christian culture and did not consider what this really means. But then, I must admit, every translator, including me, falls in this regard from time to time, and that is why it is said in the NIV introduction, "No translation is perfect."] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NL-Day196 2 Kings 19-20; Psalm 132; John 15

2KINGS 19-20:The writer of 1 & 2 Kings was very brief about the sins of the people of Israel (in both kingdoms) until what we heard yesterday. He seems to have saved the moral of the story until chapter 17. And then we have the wonderful contrast with Hezekiah in chapter 18. Then the Asyrian king mocked the God of Israel at the end of chapter 18. We hear God's answer today. PSALM 132:It would appear that Solomon wrote this Psalm of Ascent, as part of it was quoted by him at the dedication of the temple. JOHN 15:Yesterday we heard Jesus promise that He would send our Advocate/Comforter/Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the one who literally 'comes along beside' and will lead us into all truth and be with us forever. And I think it is really due to Him that we can have "a peace that the world cannot give or understand." NLT translation notes:Ps 132:2 He made a solemn promise to [You/the] LORD.He vowed to [You,] the Mighty One of Israel,====John 15:4 Remain [joined to//in] me, and I will remain [joined to//in] you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain [joined to//in] me. (Similarly in 5-7.)[When talking of the organic unity of a branch and a vine, we don't say a branch 'in' a vine, do we?! Greek says it that way. But it is much more natural it English to say a branch is 'joined' or is 'connected', and various other words. Because of this, we also tend to miss out on the meaning of 'in Him/Christ' that comes up so often in the New Testament. The meaning is NOT that we are 'inside' Him, but that we are joined as one with him.]16 You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, [for my name's sake/for the sake of my glory//using my name].[This promise is NOT about 'dropping' or 'using' Jesus' name! Ending a selfish prayer with, "in Jesus' name" does not transform it into a good prayer. We don't simply 'use' Jesus' name and cash in on this promise! God can tell the difference when people unselfishly pray for things in the cause of bringing glory to Christ.This must be one of the worst mistakes in the NLT! This translation shows that the translator has been affected by modern Christian culture and did not consider what this really means. But then, I must admit, every translator, including me, falls in this regard from time to time, and that is why it is said in the NIV introduction, "No translation is perfect."] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.