READING FOR MAY 14, 2026: 2 KINGS 23, MARK 1, PSALM 42
2 KINGS 23 The next step Josiah took after hearing from God’s word, confessing his sin, and consulting with the prophetess was gathering all the people together to hear God’s word. That’s what this three-year Bible reading project is about. It’s about all of us getting on the same page with God’s agenda. It served to provide a rationale for all the reforms Josiah would soon institute. If we as Yorktown Methodist Church are not reading God’s word, we won’t know what to do or why we should do it. Upon hearing this word again, King Josiah set a great example for the people by making a public promise to obey it, not grudgingly, but “with his all heart and all his soul.” Then all the people did the same. LEADERSHIP.
Then Josiah really got busy. Verses 4-20 are an itemized list of all the idols, priests, and practices Josiah eliminated. It’s amazing how much muck and sin can clutter up God’s house and people over centuries. In fact, it’s amazing how much sin can clutter up each of our lives over the decades. We all need to allow God to do a heart inspection, as David once asked God to do: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me” (Psalm 139:23-24).
The offensive items listed in this chapter include all the sins the prophets have warned about throughout the centuries. One that always astounds is the place where the people burned their sons and daughters to a false god. Let’s make sure we don’t sacrifice time with our children to any lesser object or pursuit we deem important. Also amazing is that Josiah fulfilled the prophecy made centuries earlier against the altar upon which ungodly incense was offered: “Altar, altar, this is what the Lord says: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and human bones shall burn on you’” (1 Kings 13:2).
On a happier note, King Josiah reinstituted Passover, which had fallen out of practice. Verse 22 mentions it was an unusually joyous celebration. In fact, this reading guide is being written during Passover (4/4/26), which happens during the week Jesus, the ultimate Passover lamb, was sacrificed. Then Josiah removed the spiritists and mediums. As many know, Chesterfield, Indiana is a national destination for this sort of practice. It still should be avoided: “Sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).
Unfortunately, this great king got mixed up with the Egyptian Pharoah Neco, who killed him. The people made his son Jehoahaz king. His three-month long reign is rated evil by the text. He was imprisoned by Neco, who levied a stiff tax against Judah. Neco installed Jehoiakim, another son of Josiah, in this place. He also did evil. There never was another king like Josiah.
READING FOR MAY 14, 2026 CONTINUED: MARK 1, PSALM 42 MARK 1 According to Mark, the beginning of the Gospel (good news) of Jesus starts with John the Baptist. That’s significant. First, we learn something about the nature of prophecy. We learn that Isaiah’s words were flexible enough for God to pour into it a specific fulfillment that would have been impossible for natural man to predict accurately. This should give us pause about predicting the end times in detail. As Isaiah said, God’s messenger did cry out in the wilderness and did prepare for Jesus’s arrival. However, what was this message that prepared for Jesus? REPENT. We must know we are lost before we can be saved. This might seem unloving. Yet, it is far more unloving to give a false impression that we are in good shape as we are. Let’s not fall for this trick of Satan and lead others away from eternal life.
John was a great man like Paul in that he knew his purpose in life and did not deviate from it. He understood he was speaking truth in the wilderness, never to be embraced in places of worldly power. He understood his message and ministry were only the first steps of the Gospel (good news) and did not go outside his lane. He admitted that the coming One would be far greater than he, just as the baptism of the Holy Spirit would be far more wonderful than his baptism of water. Can we be as bold, focused, and humble as John the Baptist?
Why was Jesus baptized? Only the Gospel of Matthew gives any explanation: “it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matt. 3:15). We do see in Mark, though, that after the baptism Jesus received the Holy Spirit and verbal commendation from the Father. Immediately the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan and served by angels. The boundary between the physical and spiritual world is not as solid as we think. Building on John’s message, Jesus’s began preaching the Kingdom of God, repentance, and believing the Gospel. He called His first disciples right off their jobs as fishmen, two pairs of brothers. Jesus always seems to call those who can work hard. They immediately answered Jesus’s call. Brothers and Sisters, Jesus says the time is now. Let’s follow Him immediately.
When Jesus reached Capernaum, he began a healing and teaching ministry. He healed many diseases and cast out demons. One wonders if demons use sneakier techniques today than the vivid manifestations Jesus defeated? Jesus’s teaching was considered new and authoritative. The teachers of that day taught from scripture or traditions from the Pharisees. This could be thought of as derived authority. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated, “You have heard it said...but I say to you...” Being God the Son, Jesus spoke on His own authority.
PSALM 42 The Psalmist had a thirst for God, a desire to appear before Him. Do we long for God or at least long for that kind of longing. This wonderful desire seemed to be heightened by challenges: by those who mocked faith and by memories of less troubled worship. Do our trials and memories of a more vibrant faith community stimulate greater passion for God? That might be good. The Psalmist talks with his own soul. His cognitive self asked his spiritual self, “Why are you sad?” As a believer in Jesus, we know intellectually we have no reason to be depressed, but we are. Focus on God’s goodness surrounding us by day, if we have eyes to see. His songs serenade us by night, if we have ears to hear. Yes, life is not easy, but question your soul, wait for God, and make concrete plans to praise God for His presence.
