Sunday, October 30, 2016

Sunday, October 30th - Matthew 25:1-26, Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 222:1-2, 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 - Kelora

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Matthew 25:1-26, Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 222:1-2, 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

The parables in Matthew 25 are good reminders to me to always be ready for Jesus' return.  In verses 1-13 the wise virgins were prepared to wait and be ready for the bridegroom's return while the foolish virgins were not prepared and missed out on the bridegroom's arrival ultimately not being able to attend the wedding banquet.  This represents always being ready for Jesus' return at any time and if we are not prepared we will miss out on heaven.  The parable in verses 14-30 shows us the importance of using what God has given us to the best of our ability.  This made me think about what talents and gifts God has given me and question myself if I am using these gifts to God's glory.  How disappointing it must be for God to see gifts and talents not being used.  

Verses 35-36 say "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."  After reading these 2 verses I thought about whether I share what I have and help those in need.  In my Life Application Bible it describes this parable as acts of mercy that we all can do every day.  These acts do not depend on wealth, ability or intelligence, they are simple acts freely given and freely received.  We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs.  What a great reminder to myself to be aware of others around me that may need help in different ways and not necessarily monetary.  

Finally, I found reading the passages of the Last Supper interesting in each of the Gospels.  Each Gospel is very similar yet a few extra details are thrown in some of the verses that not all the Gospels have.  One example would be in Matthew 26:15 where it mentions that Judas received 30 silver coins where Mark and Luke don't mention the number of coins that Judas received for betraying Jesus but that Judas was promised money.

Finally, John 13:1-20 are the verses about Jesus washing the Disciples' Feet.  I have heard this story many many times but after reading this passage again I tried hard to envision what that would have been like to be one of the disciples and what this represented.  I learned that by Jesus washing their feet He was showing humility and servant hood as this was usually done by the lowliest of servants.  This action of servant hood was completely opposite of what the disciples had been arguing about prior to this in Luke 22:24 as to which one of them was the greatest.  This was also an example for us to serve one another in humility and love.  



Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-38, John 13:31-38, John 14-16

1 comment:

Tammy said...

I found it striking that when Jesus told the disciples that one of them would betray Him, they each wondered if it was themselves. They recognized their weakness, and their capability of betrayal. To me this was a reminder to stay humble, not to think I am unsusceptible to sin, and to stay vigilant.