February 17th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
THE MAN BORN BLIND – None so Blind …
They said, “You’re nothing but dirt! How dare you take that tone with us!”
Then they threw him out in the street.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and went and found him.
John 9:34-35, The Message...
February 16th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
THE ADULTEROUS WOMAN – Not Condemned
Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you,"
Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:10-11, NIV...
February 15th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
RICH YOUNG RULER – Self-Centred
Let me say it again: ‘it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle
than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.’
Matthew 19:24, New Testament for Everyone
Profile: This unnamed rich official knelt and...
February 14th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
THE SYROPHOENICIAN WOMAN – Persistent
‘Woman what faith you have! Be it as you wish!’
And from that moment her daughter was restored to health.
Matthew 15:28, New English Bible
Profile: Jesus had gone to this region 50 miles over Israel's borders...
February 13th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
THE DEMONIAC – Delivered
After Jesus had crossed the lake, he came to shore near the town of Gadara and started down the road. Two men with demons in them came to him from the tombs.
They were so fierce that no one could travel that way.
Matthew 8:28...
February 12th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
THE CENTURION – Faith-full
When Jesus heard that, he marvelled; "I tell you truly," he said to his followers, "I have never met faith like this anywhere in Israel.”
Matthew 8:10, James Moffatt New Testament
Profile: This is the only instance that the...
February 11th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
MATTHEW – Using His Gifts
Then, moving on, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" So he got up and followed Him.
Mark 2:14, HCSB
Profile: Matthew’s original name Levi suggests he was a Hebrew of the...
February 10th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
THE LEPER – Living Death
Having stretched out His hand He touched him saying, “I am desiring it from all my heart. Be cleansed at once.” And immediately his leprosy was cured by being cleansed away.
Matthew 8:3, An Expanded Translation (Wuest)...
February 9th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
THE SAMARITAN WOMAN – Satisfied in Jesus
All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more.
John 4:13, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
Profile...
February 8th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
NICODEMUS – Religious but Lost
Most assuredly, I am saying to you, unless a person is born again, that second birth having the same source as the first one, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3, An Expanded Translation (Wuest)
Profile: A...
February 7th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
NATHANAEL – Without Deceit
He continued, “I tell all of you the solemn truth – you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
John 1:51, The NET Bible
Profile: It is fairly certain that Nathanael (John's...
February 6th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
PHILIP – the Unimpressive
There he found Philip and said to him, “Come and follow me.” Then Philip went to look for his friend, Nathanael, and told him, “We’ve found him! We’ve found the One we’ve been waiting for! It’s Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth...
February 5th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
PETER – the ‘Rocky’ Follower
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16, NASB
Profile: Impulsiveness characterised this fisherman, yet Jesus saw him as the “rock” who would often become the spokesman...
February 4th
PEOPLE JESUS MET
ANDREW – Bringing Others to Jesus
The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon,
telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”).
He immediately led him to Jesus.
John 1:41, The Message
Profile: Andrew...
February 3rd
PEOPLE JESUS MET
JOHN – Loved by Jesus
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:23, NKJV
Profile: John and his brother James were fishermen. Their mother was Salome - sister of Jesus’ mother - making them Jesus’ cousins...
February 2nd
PEOPLE JESUS MET
JOHN THE BAPTIST – Courageous Announcer
“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”
Luke 7:19, NRSV
Profile: John’s life was predicted 400 years earlier in Malachi 4:5, a prophet like Elijah would come to prepare the way for...
February 1st
PEOPLE JESUS MET
MARY – His Mother
The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace (free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God.
Luke 1:30, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
Profile: Gabriel appeared to teenage Mary in the...
January 31st
THE PSALMS
Psalm 145-150
Psalm 147
He who heals men broken at the heart and bandages their aches, who counts off the stars, names them all.
Psalm 147:3-4, Byington Translation
Theme: Praise God for his Providence.
Background: This anonymous poem was likely written following...
January 30th
THE PSALMS
Psalm 139-144
Psalm 139
I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there too - your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful - I can’t take it all in!
Psalm 139:5-6, The Message
Theme: The Wonder of God’s Presence...
January 29th
THE PSALMS
Psalm 122-138
Psalm 127
Unless Yahweh builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.
Unless Yahweh watches over the city, the watchman guards it in vain.
Psalm 127:1, World English Bible
Theme: Raising a Family.
Background: One of only two psalms...