December 21, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Advent readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 21 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Popularity
Read Sections 3.45 through 3.48 (pages 59-61)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
The wheat and the weeds. We are standing among the weeds but we must keep growing, keep digging in our relationship with God, not to be overtaken with all the evil around us planted by Satan. In the end those who believe will be taken to Heaven with Him and the sad truth is that the weeds will burn up for their refusal to hear the truth and follow
God. I pray for those who hear to believe and choose to follow You instead of being taken over by the selfish pride this world would encourage and help me to be a voice to share your good news with others!
30 ¶ Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?
31 “It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
32 “but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
Not a fan of this translation in 3:45 using “understand” as the measure. It is more about hearing and receiving. I feel like it is saying, “if you are smart, you will receive more understanding, but if you are too confused, you will be more confused.”
I think this is based on the parable of the seed, and rather what kind of soil one is and how one hears and receives.
Mark 4 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
I think this also relates to the Jews and their hardness at that time and why Jesus is speaking in parables in the first place.
Day 22 – 3.45 through 3.48
Jesus doesn`t want us to hide the light that we have in Him. Even in the midst of darkness. Jesus wants us to start where we are in our walk with Him. Whether we are new born babes in Christ or have been saved for a long time. It doesn`t matter how much we know only that God can use us to share His word and tell others about Christ. We are to be His instruments to tell others about Him. When I first got saved many years ago I didn`t know a lot of scriptures. Only some Bible stories and who Jesus is. Also the order of the books of the Bible. But besides that I knew nothing. When I shared Christ with my brother his comment to me was; What do you know little brother. I told him I may not know a lot but I do know that I am saved and that he can be too. He had to see my changed life in Christ and around one year latter he came to Christ. It is Christ that brings people to Himself. We are only the instruments. So take heart fellow believers and let God use you. God bless.
How privileged we are to be part of God’s kingdom because of the work of Jesus. And here we see several analogies given to what the kingdom of heaven is like. First it grows by it’s very nature. Independent of our efforts it gets bigger because of what it is. Second it starts off small, but just needs to be planted. Faith too is like a mustard seed: not requiring a large amount but properly directed and it accomplishes great things. The kingdom of God is like that too. Third it permeates things. Although small in comparison to other things it has the power to be a transforming agent that changes the essence of what it permeates and makes that expand too. Fourth, being in the kingdom requires discernment because there will be those in the midst of us that are agents of the kingdom of darkness. God will sift it out in the end, but we know that they will also be known by their fruits. And lastly, but first in the section, if we are part of the kingdom and recognize it’s growing and empowering and true nature, then we should shine the light of it brightly and take opportunities to tell people about this great God that we know and the great kingdom He gives us the privilege to be a part of.
Advent 2023 – Day 21