The Doorposts of the Heart

The Sabbath Torah Portion – Bo (Come)
The entire portion is Exodus 10:1—13:16

The Bible Through the Seasons follows those Jewish traditions that divide the portion into thirds.
This year, we read Part 2. Exodus 11:4—12:28

Nick reads the one-minute introduction.

Passover is the central festival for us as Christians and Jews, since it describes that primary move of God that resulted in our ancestors nor longer being slaves in Egypt. Passover is the paradigm for our freedom. It is during this festival that Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb was sacrificed. His is the blood of the covenant that truly sets us free.

In 12:22, the Lord prescribes that hyssop, a shrub-like plant, be dipped into the blood of the lamb, and be smeared on the doorpost of the house. It is hyssop that was dipped into vinegar and brought to the lips of Jesus on the cross (John 19:29-30). This detail of John is not without meaning. Then Jesus exclaims, “It is finished.” Jesus won complete freedom for us by shedding his blood on the cross. Smear the doorposts of your heart with the saving blood of Jesus.

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Saturdays are dedicated to the Sabbath Torah portions
read in synagogues throughout the world.

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Daily Bible Breaths

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Version for Children and Families

Pressing About Jesus

Friday of the Fourth Week in Epiphany
Mark 1:32-45

Nick reads the one-minute introduction.

This is Mark’s version of a typical day in the life of Jesus, beginning in the evening. People from all over crowd about him, longing to be healed. His fame spreads.

Let there arise a longing in your heart to press about Jesus. Remember, the victory over the world is faith. The world wants to control, bind, and have power over others. However, greater than what is pressing against you is Christ who presses about you. Think of this at evening time when you and other families come home. Come close to Jesus at that hour, bringing with you the crowds that are bound in traffic on their way home. Bring them to the Lord for healing, restoration, comfort, and rest.

Jesus finds the night for prayer. Let part of your nights be for that as well; rest itself can become prayer. If you rise in the morning to commute, remember that Jesus too, went on to other towns!

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Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we read the Gospel of St. Mark, except during Lent and a few other exceptions.

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Daily Bible Breaths

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Version for Children and Families

Faith Is the Victory

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Epiphany
1 John 5:1-12

Nick reads the one-minute introduction.

John Wesley, eighteenth century founder of the Methodist movement, said that we have a sixth sense. While today we often hear a sixth sense referred to as “intuition,” John affirmed that this is faith—the capacity to claim as true, realities that escape our five physical senses. Faith is at the heart of the reading for today: “This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”

I once had a spiritual director who was a priest and a concert violinist; his name was Cyril Schommer. Later in life, he became blind. He claimed that he could play the violin better than ever, as hearing became more sensitive to compensate for his loss of sight.

So it is with faith. When outer senses recede, the sense of faith has a chance to grow. Though it be only the size of a mustard seed, Jesus said that faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

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Thursdays are dedicated to the New Testament, except the Gospels. During the seasons of Advent to Epiphany this year, we read the three letters of John.

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Daily Bible Breaths

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Version for Children and Families