The Biblical Story of Joseph

Mark 10 

This chapter fits into the greater context of the biblical story as it talks about the laws of Moses. The bible says that Jesus came to fulfill the laws of Moses not to teach against them and this is one of the ways he does this. All through the chapter Jesus continues to affirm the idea of faith in God and salvation that is taught in the Gospels. He says when he is asked who can be saved that, “through God all things are possible.” In this chapter Jesus predicts events that will occur in later chapters such as his death and resurrection. Larger biblical themes that are addressed in this chapter include on how to have faith and persistence. This is taught through the story of Bartimaeus whose faith made him well after he persisted in asking Jesus to restore his sight. Humility is another theme in this chapter. Jesus tells the disciples to let the children come to him because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who receive it as children.

In this chapter, one point of tension is Jesus’ teaching on who will enter the kingdom of heaven. It creates a doubt regarding who can be saved if salvation cannot be achieved by following the commandments. This passage reveals the power of God which Jesus uses to restore Bartimaeus’ sight and humanity’s over-reliance on worldly riches. I find it interesting that Jesus asked John and James whether they could drink from the same cup as he. This makes me wonder whether this was a prediction of the disciple’s fate to die in a gruesome way as Jesus did; persecuted for their faith. From this I learn that I am created for a larger purpose that is predetermined and meant to advance the ministry of Salvation.

Mark 14 

This passage is set in the context of the Passover, a sacred Jewish feast. This is connected to the story of the Israelites being delivered from Egypt in Exodus during the first Passover. This chapter is about the events leading up to his death and Jesus’s death is what the rest of the Bible was based on because it brought salvation to humanity. In this chapter, Jesus is betrayed, arrested, tried and sentenced to death. He predicts his death when he says that the woman is anointing his body in preparation for death. The biblical themes that are in this chapter include salvation which is depicted in the metaphor of the Passover bread representing his body and the wine his blood during the last supper meal. Prayer as a way to communicate with God is presented when Jesus prays in Gethsemane. The weakness of the human flesh even when the spirit is willing is portrayed when the disciples slept during prayer, Judas betrayed Jesus and Peter denied him. The point of tension is Jesus’ prediction of both his betrayal and denial, and although the disciples denied that it would happen, it still did. You would think that their denial would will then into following through. This passage reveals human weakness which can only be overcome through God’s grace.

I find it interesting that Jesus asks God to take away the cup of suffering. This makes me wonder whether Jesus was scared of dying even though he understood that he had to do it to save mankind. Does Jesus exhibit the weakness of the flesh he talks about in Mark 14:38? This story makes me understand that during hard trials and when I feel the temptation to give in to the weakness of my body, I should pray for strength from God.

Luke 24 

This chapter connects to the larger context of the Bible as it makes reference to the Old Testament prophecies about how Jesus would die and be raised from the dead. It also connects with previous chapters and other gospels where Jesus predicts his death and resurrection. The chapter builds a foundation for Early Church Christianity by being a reference to the miracle of resurrection. The larger biblical themes included are salvation which is demonstrated by the resurrection. Jesus’ death and resurrection are a symbol of salvation in the entire Bible. Prayer where Jesus prays before the meal with the disciples he met on the way to Emmaus. The divinity of the scripture due to the interconnectedness, which is demonstrated when Jesus explained everything in the scripture about himself to the two disciples. The point of surprise was the disciples’ lack of faith in the resurrection as they thought Jesus was a ghost even though the angles had already ministered to them that he had risen. This passage reveals the power of God as he raised Jesus from the dead and humanity’s chronic lack of faith.

I find it interesting that Jesus retained his earthly body after his resurrection and that he asked for something to eat when he appeared to his disciples. This raises the question whether Jesus intentionally used the scars of his body to prove his identity and whether asking for food was part of it or was he really hungry? This chapter teaches me the importance of having faith in God’s promises as he always keeps his word.

Acts 1 

This passage fits into the larger context and the biblical story by connecting the Gospels to the deeds of the early church and the apostles. The chapter begins by briefly recounting Jesus’ life on earth up to his ascension, the beginning of the church, and the promise of the Holy Spirit who becomes the pinnacle of Christianity and a link between God and his people. It elaborates the aftermath of Judas’ betrayal later and touches on the second coming of Christ. Larger biblical themes are Jesus’ command to spread the gospel which he gave to all his followers. Before his ascension, he tells the disciples that they will be his witnesses in Samaria, Judea and the whole earth. The theme of prayer is demonstrated by the disciple’s devotion to praying after Jesus ascended. One point of surprise in this chapter is the disciple’s quest to replace Judas which they do by holding an election. The passage reveals that God does things in his own time as Jesus says that it is not for the disciples to decide when God would save Israel. Humanity should thus trust in his wisdom even when we cannot understand his intentions

I find it interesting that there were angels overlooking the ascension of Jesus and it makes me wonder what role angels play in our lives today. Do they perhaps show up to give us God’s message and we don’t recognize them? Through this chapter, I have learned that my place in the biblical story involves fulfilling the command to spread the Gospel by bearing witness to the acts of Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1 

This chapter fits into the larger biblical context as it shows the fulfillment of Jesus’ command to spread the Gospel and bear witness to him all over the earth. Paul is writing about the acts of God to the Ephesians. The verses about creation reaffirm other passages before and after this one that mention Jesus as a co-creator. The chapter also talks about the death of Jesus which brought Salvation and Jesus as the head of the church, which are mentioned in the Gospels. Larger biblical themes include redemption, forgiveness of sins, God’s grace and purpose, faith and prayer. Paul says that by God’s grace, our sins are forgiven and we are chosen for Gods purpose to live for His glory. The passage reveals that God is forgiving, wise, and understanding of humanity’s weaknesses and it is only through his power and mercy that we can be saved.

I find it interesting that we are created for God’s purpose and it makes me wonder whether everything we do is predetermined so that it can glorify God or do we make the choice to align our actions with his Glory? My Place in the Biblical story is to do accept the salvation that God has offered and try to fulfill my God-given purpose.

Romans 8 

This chapter connects to the larger biblical story as it talks about the Holy Spirit and his role in restoring the relationship between man and God. The spirit of God left man after he sinned against God in Eden and the Holy Spirit frees believers from the law of sin and death. He restores the relationship between God and man. The chapter shows a fulfillment of Jesus’s promise to send a helper and connects with later chapters where the role of the Holy Spirit is expounded on. Themes from the larger biblical context include that of redemption, love, faith, and forgiveness of sins. The spirit gives life and there is no condemnation for those who are in union with Jesus. The point of tension in this chapter is that people have to choose between life and death as it says that focusing on the material things leads to death but focusing on the Spirit leads to life. The passage teaches the love of God because nothing on heaven or earth, the past or the future can separate us from God’s love. Humans are portrayed as flawed and in need of the Holy Spirit to overcome the weakness of the flesh.

I find it interesting that Jesus is presented as a first born among many or a prototype model of the children of God. This makes me question whether it is possible for Christians to live a life like Jesus did completely free of sin. From this passage, I have learned my role as a child of God which is a title that is achieved by accepting the Holy Spirit into my life.

Revelation 22 

This being the last chapter in the Bible, it ties down all the teachings contained in the scriptures. It tells Christians what to expect at the end of times and how to ensure that they are on God’s side when that time comes. This chapter touches on concepts talked about throughout the Bible such as, the Kingdom of God, the second coming, and judgment. The larger biblical themes addressed in this chapter include the absolute power of God as He is the alpha and omega meaning beginning and end. Points of tension in this chapter relate to the judgment of humanity where each one will be tried according to their acts and sinners will be left out of His kingdom. We learn that God is so pure that His light will illuminate His kingdom, in which his people will rule forever. The chapter teaches about the choice given to humanity to pick a side between good and evil. It says to let the holy be holy and the evil to be evil.

I find it interesting that God says that we should not add or remove from the words of His holy book. This makes me wonder whether we do this unknowingly when trying to interpret the Bible as there many different meanings derived from different passages and whether this will be punished during judgment day. My role in the biblical story according to this passage is to take the salvation given freely as a gift and live in the light as I await the Kingdom of Heaven to descend to earth.