Daily Bible Reading - January 31st, 2021 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 31st, 2021 | American Bible Society: John 14:1-14: Today’s reading begins a section in John’s Gospel referred to as the “Farewell Discourse,” in which Jesus gives final instructions to his disciples before he is arrested, tried, and put to death. Jesus promises to prepare a place for all his followers and says that he is the way to God the Father.

Daily Bible Reading - January 24th, 2021 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 24th, 2021 | American Bible Society: John 17:1-26: Many Christians are observing today as Ecumenical Sunday. Today’s reading is a prayer often referred to as Jesus’s “High Priestly Prayer,” and it appears only in John’s Gospel. After Jesus’s final discourse with his disciples, and prior to his betrayal and arrest, he addresses God in prayer. Jesus acknowledges that he has completed the work God sent him to do, and he intercedes on behalf of his disciples and all future believers.

Daily Bible Reading - January 17th, 2021 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 17th, 2021 | American Bible Society: Luke 9:1-17: Jesus gives his disciples power and sends them out to preach and heal. He gives them instructions, and they go through all the villages preaching the Good News. Herod hears what is happening and is confused. [The Herod mentioned here is Herod Antipas, who was governor of Galilee from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. He was one of the sons of Herod the Great, king of Judea, who died shortly after Jesus was born, as noted in Matthew 2:19.] When the apostles return, crowds gather and Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. [You may wish to compare Luke’s account of this event with the one recorded in John 6:1-15, which was part of the reading for January 8.]

Daily Bible Reading - January 10th, 2021 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - January 10th, 2021 | American Bible Society: John 6:60-71: Today’s reading concludes the discourse that began with verse 25 (see yesterday’s reading). Jesus is aware that there are those in the crowd who will choose to turn away. Jesus says that the words he speaks bring God’s life-giving Spirit, and Simon Peter affirms that Jesus is the Holy One who has come from God.

Daily Bible Reading - December 27th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 27th, 2020 | American Bible Society: John 1:19-34: Today’s reading begins with John the Baptist being questioned by the religious authorities who wish to know if he is the Messiah. John responds by saying he is not. When John sees Jesus the next day, he testifies that Jesus is the Son of God.

Daily Bible Reading - December 20th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 20th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Isaiah 8:21—9:7: King Ahaz preferred to seek an alliance with Assyria rather than rely on God (8:1-15), and today’s reading includes Isaiah’s warning of the Assyrian attack and God’s coming judgment against Judah. After a time of trouble is foretold, Isaiah speaks words of hope about the coming of a righteous king and his reign of justice and peace.

Daily Bible Reading - December 14th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - December 14th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Malachi 1:1-14: The readings for the next four days will be from the book of the prophet Malachi, which was written around 470-440 B.C. after the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. Jerusalem and the Temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Following the defeat of the Babylonians by the Persians in 538 B.C., the Temple was rebuilt and dedicated in 515 B.C. Yet the people were now under Persian control, and many began to question whether God was really concerned about them. In today’s reading, the prophet reminds the people of God’s love for them while, at the same time, delivering a reprimanding message to the priests.