Saturday, October 29, 2016

Saturday, October 29th: Matthew 22:41-46, Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20: 41-44, Matthew 23:1-12, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47, Matthew 23:13-36, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4, Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-38 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Matthew 22:41-46, Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20: 41-44, Matthew 23:1-12, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47, Matthew 23:13-36, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4, Matthew 24:1-51, Mark 13:1-37, Luke 21:5-38

In the beginning of our passage we see that the Pharisees had missed an important detail about the Messiah - they knew He would be a descendant of David, but they seemed to have missed the fact that He would not simply be a political or military saviour, but God in the flesh!  The fact that Jesus is God is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions.  Our belief about who Jesus is, is crucial!

We are next reminded of the fact that holiness is not simply a matter of rules and laws, do's and don'ts.  The law shows us how much we fall short of the mark and shows us our need for a Saviour.  And obedience to God IS a marker of genuine faith.  But actions alone are meaningless if we are rebellious on the inside.  We need a new heart!

Finally, it can be scary to contemplate the negative aspects of the end times (which is really everything between Jesus's ascension and when He returns again, ie now).  We have the assurance that no matter what trials may come, He will never leave us, and eventually He will bring an end to the suffering and bring justice, as well as life everlasting.  We need to rest in that hope!

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year PassageMatthew 25:1-46, Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2, Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6, Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13, John 13:1-20, Matthew 26:20-30, Mark 14:17-26, Luke 22:14-30, John 13:21-30

2 comments:

Nathan said...

Mark 13:11
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

A verse that gives a good description, to me, of how I need to trust in God and not be scared of the world's problems.

Conrad said...

You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. - Matthew 23:26

I like this analogy because it is true, when I grab a cup to drink with, the first thing I do is check the inside. Not the outside. The same is for us. God looks at our heart. Like you said Tammy, we need a new heart.