19 : 66

Studying the New Testament for three months has left me with a sense of a few themes that run through it. They can be found on nearly every page. The first is of course salvation through faith and not works. The other is suffering, and what it means. For the Jewish reader their Law laid out a conditional system, whereby there were punishments for disobedience and rewards for obedience (Lev. 26; Deut. 28). This mindset had remained with them for a thousand years and wasn't simply wiped clean. The Messiah was not someone they expected to suffer, because how could the Messiah be in disobedience? But He wasn't in disobedience, He was ushering in a new way. He led the example in suffering, and the scribes of the New Testament spent hundreds of pages trying to explain that. Suffering was part of the new way. There was no way around it. It was not a result of disobedience, but an instrument of change.

19 books out of 66. I feel that I have only begun to scratch the surface. They told us at the beginning of the year, "You may get some answers, but you will certainly come away with more questions."

Antakya

The first week in Antakya (biblical Antioch) has gone well. We have been warmly welcomed by the people here and are comfortably settled. I have had the privilege of befriending some girls here (about my age) and really enjoy their company.
Please pray for continued safety for our team and energy to do His will.