When is the stated story not the whole story? Almost always!

When the Bible states that Jesus healed everyone present, ever wonder how much detail we are missing in these stories? Perhaps 99% is missing, as the Gospel writers pack three years of Jesus' ministry into a relatively short portion of Scripture.

That is, 3 years x 4 Gospel writers = 12 years X 365 days/yr = 4380 days. All squeezed into just 78 chapters of the four Gospels combined.

This comes to about two-hundredths of a chapter available to cover each day in Jesus' three years of ministry. Not much time. Obviously, MOST details will have to be skipped. (Part 1 of this blog series is here.)

Now when they come to cover the 6 hours of Jesus’ crucifixion, they spend about 2 full chapters on these 6 hours (ie, one full day, if you combine all four writers). Wow! This a ton more content about these six hours of Jesus' life.

Still, none of the four Gospel writers provide ALL the details of these 6 hours, even though they spend one hundred times more space detailing the crucifixion story than they spend on any other one day of Jesus' ministry! Let's watch the story build as each Gospel writer adds additional insights.

29 details about the death of Jesus

Mark lays out 15 points (Mark 15:21-41)
1. Simon of Cyrene bore Jesus’ cross to Golgotha.
2. Jesus would not take wine mixed with myrrh.
3. Lots were cast for His garments.
4. Crucified on the third hour.
5. The inscription "THE KING OF THE JEWS."
6. Two robbers were crucified with Him, one on His right and one on His left.
7. People passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!"
8. Chief priests and scribes were mocking Him.
9. Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.
10. When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour.
11. At the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" which is translated, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"
12. Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down." And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last.
13. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
14. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, "Truly this man was the Son of God!"
15. Women looking on from a distance.

Three additional points brought out by Matthew (Matthew 27:32-52)
1. And the earth shook and the rocks were split.
2. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;
3. And coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

Five additional points brought out by Luke (Luke 23:32-49)
1. But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."
2. But the other criminal rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?” And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."
3. And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."
4. "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Having said this, He breathed His last.
5. All the crowds who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts.

Six additional points made by John (John 19:16-37)
1. Jesus went out, bearing His own cross.
2. Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews were saying to Pilate, "Do not write, 'The King of the Jews'; but that He said, 'I am King of the Jews.'" Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."
3. Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, to decide whose it shall be.
4. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!"
5. Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
6. Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

John's summary is that this is still not the FULL story
And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written" (Jn. 21:25).
So the Bible itself is declaring that a tremendous amount of detail has been left out in the Gospel stories of the miracles and healings Jesus did. So let's not assume we are reading the full story, since Scripture clearly says we aren't!

When people tell stories, the entire story is not told for many reasons
1. Lack of time
2. Not knowing all the events
3. Having events discolored through emotions (for example, fear or greed)
4. Tell only the part that you feel is important
5. Only telling the part that you feel best glorifies God
6. Outright dishonesty
7. We see through a glass darkly (lack of insight and understanding)

Journaling
Lord, what do You want to speak to me about the way I receive, handle and judge based on the stories I read and hear?

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Who Can Understand?

February 13, 2024
by Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Scriptures: Job 26:1–14
"By his power the sea grew calm. By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.

His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent.

These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:12–14)
What a thrilling thought! "Bildad, as magnificent as all of these things are, what I've mentioned represents only the fringes of His ways." Isn't "fringes" a great word? The fringes, the outer edges of His ways; only the quiet whispers of His mighty voice, the hushed tones of omnipotence. Bildad, listen to me! Who can fully understand? And to think that this Creator-God pierces through all the millions of galaxies of "the heavens" and gives His attention to this tiny green-pea planet called Earth, reaching down to folks like us, knowing even the number of hairs on our heads.

Perspective like that is needed when the sores on my body are running with pus and the fever won't go down. Job ends where Bildad should have begun. "Who can understand?"

Indeed, how unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable are His ways. Now, be careful here. That does not mean He's not in touch, out of control, and He doesn't have a plan. It just means He isn't obligated to explain Himself. And because He doesn't reveal everything, we're left with three very honest words, which are helpful coming from the lips of otherwise proud people. And what are those three words? I don't know.

In the final analysis, God knows, and He does all things well. He is in charge. I am the clay; He is the Potter. I am the disciple; He is the Lord. I am the sheep; He is the Shepherd. I am the servant; He is the Master. That means I am to submit myself. I am to humble myself under His mighty hand. I must be willing to adjust my life to His choices for me, to listen, to learn, to adapt to His leading wherever it may go whether I'm comfortable, happy, or healthy. That is obedience. Job, by now, is beginning to see it, and when he reaches the end of his brief explanation, he wisely asks, "Who can understand?"

Train yourself to think theologically. Make it your determined purpose to think God's thoughts after Him, acknowledging His lofty magnificence. Teach yourself to be at ease saying the words, "I don't know." Because Job thought correctly about God, he was able to endure, even while not understanding why. May his tribe increase. And may it include you.

Who Can Understand?

February 13, 2024
by Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Scriptures: Job 26:1–14
"By his power the sea grew calm. By his skill he crushed the great sea monster.

His Spirit made the heavens beautiful, and his power pierced the gliding serpent.

These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:12–14)
What a thrilling thought! "Bildad, as magnificent as all of these things are, what I've mentioned represents only the fringes of His ways." Isn't "fringes" a great word? The fringes, the outer edges of His ways; only the quiet whispers of His mighty voice, the hushed tones of omnipotence. Bildad, listen to me! Who can fully understand? And to think that this Creator-God pierces through all the millions of galaxies of "the heavens" and gives His attention to this tiny green-pea planet called Earth, reaching down to folks like us, knowing even the number of hairs on our heads.

Perspective like that is needed when the sores on my body are running with pus and the fever won't go down. Job ends where Bildad should have begun. "Who can understand?"

Indeed, how unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable are His ways. Now, be careful here. That does not mean He's not in touch, out of control, and He doesn't have a plan. It just means He isn't obligated to explain Himself. And because He doesn't reveal everything, we're left with three very honest words, which are helpful coming from the lips of otherwise proud people. And what are those three words? I don't know.

In the final analysis, God knows, and He does all things well. He is in charge. I am the clay; He is the Potter. I am the disciple; He is the Lord. I am the sheep; He is the Shepherd. I am the servant; He is the Master. That means I am to submit myself. I am to humble myself under His mighty hand. I must be willing to adjust my life to His choices for me, to listen, to learn, to adapt to His leading wherever it may go whether I'm comfortable, happy, or healthy. That is obedience. Job, by now, is beginning to see it, and when he reaches the end of his brief explanation, he wisely asks, "Who can understand?"

Train yourself to think theologically. Make it your determined purpose to think God's thoughts after Him, acknowledging His lofty magnificence. Teach yourself to be at ease saying the words, "I don't know." Because Job thought correctly about God, he was able to endure, even while not understanding why. May his tribe increase. And may it include you.

January 31

Fully Surrendered to Christ
Bible in a Year :
Exodus 25–26
Matthew 20:17–34
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Today's Scripture & Insight :

Mark 8:34–38
In 1920, John Sung, the sixth child of a Chinese pastor, received a scholarship to study at a university in the United States. He graduated with the highest honors, completed a master’s program, and earned a PhD. But while pursuing his studies, he had walked away from God. Then, one night in 1927, he surrendered his life to Christ and felt called to be a preacher.

Many high-paying opportunities awaited him back in China, but on the ship home, he was convicted by the Holy Spirit to lay aside his ambitions. As a symbol of his commitment, he threw all his awards into the sea, keeping only his PhD certificate to give to his parents out of respect for them.

John Sung understood what Jesus said about becoming His disciple: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36). As we deny ourselves and leave our old life behind to follow Christ and His leading (vv. 34–35), it may mean sacrificing personal desires and material gain that distract us from following Him.

For the next twelve years, John carried out his God-given mission wholeheartedly, preaching the gospel to thousands throughout China and Southeast Asia. How about us? We may not be called to be preachers or missionaries, but wherever God calls us to serve, by His Spirit working in us, may we fully surrender to Him.

By: Jasmine Goh

Reflect & Pray
What do you need to surrender in order to truly follow Jesus? What are some personal ambitions you may be holding on to?

Father, help me to set aside whatever hinders me from fully surrendering to You. Amen.

January 11

A Simple Request
Bible in a Year :
Genesis 27–28
Matthew 8:18–34
If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.

Today's Scripture & Insight :

John 21:17–24
“Please clean the front room before you go to bed,” I said to one of my daughters. Instantly came the reply, “Why doesn’t she have to do it?”

Such mild resistance was frequent in our home when our girls were young. My response was always the same: “Don’t worry about your sisters; I asked you.”

In John 21, we see this human tendency illustrated among the disciples. Jesus had just restored Peter after he’d denied Him three times (see John 18:15–18, 25–27). Now Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me!” (21:19)—a simple but painful command. Jesus explained that Peter would follow Him to the death (vv. 18–19).

Peter barely had time to comprehend Jesus’ words before he asked about the disciple behind them: “What about him?” (v. 21). Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” Then He said, “You must follow me” (v. 22).

How often we’re like Peter! We wonder about the faith journeys of others and not what God is doing with us. Late in his life, when the death Jesus foretold in John 21 was much closer, Peter elaborated on Christ’s simple command: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:14–15). That’s enough to keep each of us focused on Jesus and not on those around us.

By: Matt Lucas

Reflect & Pray
How are you tempted to compare your faith walk with others? How will you keep your focus on Jesus today?

Heavenly Father, please continue to conform me into the image of Your Son. Amen.