Daily Reading Week 48
Monday Nov. 28
Matthew 27
Discover:
What did Jesus say about the ninth hour – 27:46?
What did the people think Jesus was saying and what did they do as a result?
How does 27:50 describe Jesus’ death?
Based on parallel passages, what did Jesus say when He “cried with a loud voice”?
Respond:
One of the questions of the faith that has often plagued me is, why did Jesus have to die on the cross? We know that the shedding of blood is required for the remission of sins. Under the old covenant this was accomplished through the system of animal sacrifice. In that system though the animals weren’t ravaged and tortured. Why then did Jesus have to suffer crucifixion? God’s condemnation of our sin in the flesh of Jesus was signified by the physical pain he endured on the cross. While Roman soldiers were flogging Jesus and nailing him to the cross, the Father was pouring out his wrath on Christ. The physical pain Jesus suffered was not the limit of his experience however. Jesus also suffered spiritually as he bore the sins of believers. The God-forsakenness Jesus experienced during his torture and execution compounded his suffering. For centuries God passed over the sins of his people. At the cross his unmitigated anger and wrath was satisfied as Jesus was cursed in our place. Calvin writes “nothing is more dreadful than to feel that God, whose wrath is worse than all deaths, is the Judge.” In his marvelous grace, Jesus, not us, bore the wrath of God.
Tuesday Nov. 29
Psalm 22
Discover:
What depictions of Christ’s crucifixion do you find in this psalm?
What is the turning point of the psalm?
How does the second part of this psalm (vv. 22-31) compare with the first part?
Respond:
When experiencing trials we may find it easy to think that God might have forsaken us. After much prayer and with no apparent rescue we can feel as if darkness has overtaken us and that God is not hearing our cries. These experiences are not unique to us today. As we see in today’s passage, the man after God’s own heart felt forsaken at times. Yet even while expressing these feelings in his darkest hours, he is doing it through prayer. This is an indication that he knew he was not truly forsaken. He was still able to cry out to God and know that he was being heard. The Gospels tell us that on the cross, Jesus prayed Psalm 22. He experienced true forsakenness on the cross, at least for a time. That the sinless Son of God could bear God’s curse on sin is a mystery, but it is at the heart of our faith. Jesus endured the judgment of God for the sins of believers so that we need not fear that God will ever remove his grace from us.
wednesday Nov. 30
romans 3
Discover:
Since the law could not justify, what purpose did it serve?
If the law cannot justify, then how can we be righteous?
How then are men declared to be righteous?
Respond:
Through chapter 3 of Romans Paul is highlighting man’s dilemma: Man cannot live righteously, which he must do if he is to be accepted by God. There is another dilemma that he also expresses in chapter 3 - God’s dilemma. God has set a very high standard for man. They are to be perfect. As Paul has made clear however, man is woefully sinful and therefore cannot come into God’s presence. Sin is rebellion against God and a violation of his moral code and he must punish it. How does a just God reconcile with a sinful people? Many people presume that God will merely wink at their sin, or somehow give them extra credit for trying to be good. If he were to do that he would cease to be holy. He would cease to be God. It is through the work of Christ that God resolves the dilemma. Jesus not only bore the punishment due us, but he also lived a righteous life obeying God’s law perfectly. His righteousness is assigned to us when we believe in him, allowing God to be both “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” The work of Christ provides a way for God to receive sinners without sacrificing his holiness.
Thursday Dec. 1
2 chorithians 5
Discover:
What is an ambassador, and how does man act as God’s ambassador – 5:20?
Consider the contrast in 5:21 between our sins and Jesus’ sins.
What did He do for us, and why did He have to be sinless?
Respond:
God made two main covenants with humanity. The first was the covenant of works made with Adam. Adam broke the first covenant and in his failure we are all condemned. God would have been entirely just to leave us in this state, but in his love and mercy he entered into a second covenant - the covenant of grace. By virtue of his perfect life and atoning death Christ fulfilled the covenant of works on our behalf. Our guilt for failing to keep God’s law was transferred to Christ on the cross. God “made him to be sin”. If this was all that happened we would still not stand before God as righteous. We would simply be “not guilty” as Adam was before the fall. It is the perfect life of Christ that is accounted to us when we believe that makes us righteous before God. He earned a righteousness for us that overcame death and made us worthy of heaven.
FRIDAY Dec. 2
Hebrews 9
Discover:
What provision was made for the sins of people under the first covenant?
Why was this needed?
Consider the principle of a will or testament, as stated in 9:16,17.
What does this prove regarding the New Testament?
Respond:
In this life we may suffer great loss in terms of health, financial loss, and more. These things are tragic and we should never seek to minimize the pain that results from them. We should also remember that if we are in Christ, we have an inheritance that far surpasses every other blessing we can receive. In times of loss, remembering the great inheritance that is waiting for us can help us persevere during times of trial.
Saturday Dec. 3
psalm 23
Discover:
Why do you think Davis uses the image of a shepherd?
The shepherd's staff was used for correcting the sheep when they strayed. How is David comforted by this?
Respond:
Ancient Israel would have drawn great comfort from Psalm 23. The Holy Land contains many dangerous mountain paths that have to be traveled with care but that were necessary for moving sheep from arid lands to new watering holes. When the Lord leads his people through the valley of the shadow of death to places of abundant provision he protects them along the way. Note that protection is promised, not an easy journey. God gives us a table in the midst of our enemies but the foes are present. Remember to turn to him and trust in him as you face challenges and enemies on your journey.