Daily Reading Week 16
Sunday
Matthew 25:13-30
DISCOVER
In this story, what is a talent, and how much was it worth?
In the parable of the talents, what is represented by the Lord, by the servants, and by the talents – 25:15-30?
What can we learn from the fact that different servants received different numbers of talents?
What is represented by the master coming to settle accounts with the servants – 25:19?
How did the master describe the one-talent servant and what did he say he should have done – 25:26,27?
RESPOND
Today’s passage helps us understand what it means to anticipate Christ’s imminent return and how we should make ourselves ready for it. The parable of the wise and foolish virgins shows us that we should expect the Lord’s return and to be ready for it, but it offers little in the way of practical direction on what that kind of life looks like. The parable of the talents makes it clear that a life lived in anticipation of Christ’s return is active. We should be working and using our gifts for the glory of God by loving him with all of our heart, soul and mind and loving our neighbor as ourselves. John Calvin comments that “There will be no excuse of the indolence of those who both conceal the gifts of God, and waste their time in idleness.” If you find yourself content to benefit from church membership while not using your time, talent, and treasure for kingdom work, then repent. Work with your pastors to understand how you can invest the gifts God has given you for his glory as you look forward to Christ’s return.
monday
1 Kings 19
DISCOVER
What happened when Elijah heard God’s voice – 19:13?
What response did Elijah give to God’s question – 19:14?
What reassurance did God give to Elijah in 19:18?
How did Elijah call Elisha - 19:19?
What did Elisha do before following Elijah – 19:21?
RESPOND
The manner of Elisha’s calling is unique in scripture. It doesn’t happen with the anointing of oil but rather with the tossing of Elijah’s cloak. The cultural relevance isn’t clear to us today. It may have been a recognized symbol of apprenticeship or a common custom among prophets. In any case, Elisha seems to recognize the significance. When Elisha burns his plow and slaughters his oxen he makes a powerful statement and commitment. He has no plans on going back to his former way of life. Although Elisha may not have been aware of Elijah’s recent struggles, as readers, we know the gloom he had endured. Elisha’s eagerness to take up the vocation of the prophet's apprentice may seem a bit naive to us given what we know. The resonance with the New Testament accounts of the disciples calling is clear though. All of the Gospels record Jesus addressing his chosen disciples with the call to “follow me”. Without hesitation they set aside their old work and take up this new role. A commitment to discipleship requires an about-face, turning from our old way of life to a new life in Christ. I am sure this is what Simon Marek had in view when he wrote the hymn “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”. Verse three sums up the commitment to discipleship in uncompromising terms “The world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back.”
tuesday
Philippians 1:20-30
DISCOVER
What did Paul expect to result from his circumstances – 1:19? What did he believe would bring about this result?
Was he certain whether he would live or die – 1:20? In either case, what did he expect and hope would be the most important outcome?
What advantage did Paul believe there would be if he continued to live – 1:21-24?
What advantage did he see if he were to die?
RESPOND
Jonathan Edwards once said that too many Christians live like a distracted traveler who ends up living in a hotel along his journey rather than pressing on to his ultimate destination. Paul did not suffer any such distraction. As we see in today’s passage, he was looking forward to all that Heaven offers. We do see some tension though. Paul enjoyed the fellowship he had with other believers and he recognized that the task he had been assigned as their teacher was ultimately service to Christ. To continue in earthly life for him was to continue that service. What he really desired however was to see Jesus. He knew that what follows this life was far better than anything he would experience here. When a Christian dies it is understandable for their loved ones to grieve as they process a sense of loss. The deceased Christian experiences tremendous joy though, since they are ushered immediately into the presence of Christ. If you haven’t come to the place where you understand that death is a great victory for those who have placed faith in Jesus, reflect on Paul’s words today that to live is Christ, but to die is gain.
WEDNESDAY
Psalm 50
DISCOVER
What is the symbol for judgment used in this Psalm?
What was the problem with the covenant people the Psalm addresses?
How does God describe a wicked man in this psalm?
What is our heart attitude as we bring our tithes and worship to God? Do we come with hearts of thanksgiving, love, and faith? Or do we think that we give something to God that he did not first give to us?
RESPOND
In my study this week I came across a devotional by JD Greer. In it he recounts how early in his ministry he struggled with how much work there was to be done and how insignificant his efforts were in comparison. No matter how much he did there was always more to be done: another unreached people group to target, another person that needed the gospel, another hungry child that needed to be fed. The burden, he said, nearly crushed him. He read that Jesus said the yoke was easy and the burden light, but it didn’t seem so to him. Today’s passage helped to free him because he began to understand that God didn’t need him. He was overestimating what he had to contribute. God isn’t looking for “helpers” to assist him in his work. He doesn’t command us to save the world for him; he calls us to follow him as he works through us. God is fully self-sufficient and is the owner of all that the Universe encompasses. It is our privilege to participate in God’s work, but ultimately the work is God’s and God will see it through.
Thursday
John 12
DISCOVER
What illustration did Jesus use in 12:24, and what did He mean by it?
What must we do to serve Jesus? What will we receive for serving faithfully – 12:26?
How did Jesus describe the manner of His death, and what would He do for people if He died – 12:32,33?
RESPOND
To this point in John’s Gospel Jesus has consistently commented that “his hour has not yet come.” In Chapter 12 “the hour for the Son of Man to be glorified” arrives. What is this hour? It is the hour of Jesus’ death. Jesus’ reference to the kernel of wheat is a clear reference to his death. John’s choice of terms in today’s chapter reveals a distinctive theological perspective. Unlike the Synoptic gospel writers (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), who accentuate more keenly the shame endured and the pain suffered by Jesus on the cross, John presents the cross as the place of Jesus’ glorification. John collapses the two perspectives. He allows Jesus’ suffering to be swallowed up in glory. According to John, Jesus is not glorified despite the cross, but through it and in it. It is at the cross that Jesus is revealed as the fully obedient Son of the Father who faithfully accomplished his mission. Disciples are not above their master. If Jesus had to die to be glorified, so must we. Jesus goes on to say that we cannot love our lives if we are to follow him. We have to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Christ wherever he takes us.
Friday
Matthew 16
DISCOVER
What did Jesus predict to the disciples – 16:20,21?
How did Peter respond to Jesus’ prediction – 16:22?
How did Jesus respond to Peter in 16:23-24?
RESPOND
In today’s chapter Jesus calls each person who wants to be a disciple to “deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me”. This is a call to participate in the afflictions that Christ suffered. Sharing in the afflictions of Christ, while in no way redemptive, shows our commitment to live as Christ lived. A disciple is not above his teacher. We cannot partake in the benefits of Christ unless we are willing to walk the difficult road of obedience that Jesus lays before us. The cross was a means of execution so Jesus is calling us to die to ourselves; to deny our own wants and desires and instead to seek the kingdom of God. John Calvin comments that self-denial is extensive. It is a calling “to give up our natural inclinations, and part with all the affections of the flesh, and thus give our consent to be reduced to nothing, provided that God lives and reigns in us.” What does self-denial look like in your life? What are you giving up in order to follow Christ more closely?
Saturday
Luke 14
DISCOVER
What must one do to be Jesus’ disciple – 14:26?
What is the meaning of “hate” here?
What two examples does Jesus use to illustrate counting the cost?
Why does Jesus use the illustration of salt in v34?
RESPOND
Jesus addresses the importance of intentionality in Luke 14:25-33. To have a true grasp of what it means to be a disciple Jesus uses the analogies of tower building and fighting a war. If builders and kings need to know what is demanded of them to achieve an objective, how much more should we understand what following the God of all creation entails. To construct a tower a builder has to know what they will pay for materials and what labor will cost. Wise kings weigh the capabilities of their own forces against their rivals before committing to battle. As believers we are commissioned to fight the world and our flesh, and we need to understand what is required for success. Of course, all that we need to fight is provided to us by our sovereign Creator. By participating in the life of our local church in regular worship, preaching, the reading of scripture, and prayer God prepares us for battle and empowers us to persevere through the trials we face. Do not neglect these provisions, they are essential for our success.