March 2, 2026
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 Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Lent 2026 – Day 1 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Growing Opposition
Read Sections 4.71 through 4.73 (pages 126-129)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told 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.
Advent 4.71-4.73
We are to serve, not to be served. In heaven, the last shall be first and the first last.
Oh to have the faith of a child that trusts without question and follows direction without suspicion or need for explanation. This is the faith required to follow God and He is beyond worthy of such faith. And the disciples thought rich people were blessed by God and were right with Him. And for this ruler who thought his obedience made him right with God, Jesus gave him a rule that was hard for him to follow. Ostensibly for him to see that he can’t be good enough to earn eternal life and must accept it by grace. And it is not those who have high position in this world that will be more accepted in heaven, but those who were low on this earth. It is those who value treasure in heaven that will be rewarded there as opposed to those who have their reward on earth. And what a great picture of grace we have with these workers. It is a further affirmation that the last will be first, but to me it is also a picture of those who have believed for a long time and have sacrificed much will receive the same salvation that someone who believes on their deathbed. Maybe more rewards in heaven, but still both going to heaven and living for an eternity with God.
Two of the biggest stumbling blocks I see when talking to unsaved people about God is first their need to understand it all, their need to have answers to ALL the questions. We want to understand things we could never understand and because they cannot see it, touch it, or explain it they decide it must not be true. Jesus was showing us that children trust, just because they are told to. They are content in the security of someone guiding and directing them out of love and concern and they don’t need to know much more than that.
Second, is the love of earthly treasure. Chasing the stuff this earth offers in particular, money, becomes so much of a focus it takes their eyes off the bigger picture of kindness, generosity, caring for others before yourself. The idea of being selfless instead of selfish is too big a pill to swallow and therefore they run from a life in Christ.
4-71 -4-73 I love the example of the little children, he wants that innocence, the purity, and the faith that they have without seeing.
He wants us to come to him but to let go of the baggage we have if we are to follow him let go and let God and our gift will be eternal life not the riches of this world but the riches of Heaven.
Psalm 81: Ezekiel 13-14; The Life of Jesus 4.71-4.73
Compare a child’s faith to the Pharisees attitude. There’s the answer. What Jesus is looking for. Will we give up all we have if that’s what God asks us.? And keep eternal life.? This so rich man states all the commandments he has kept. Looking for a magical commandment to get him into heaven. Just submit to who he was taking to. The workers in the field. God uses people their whole lives. Or half their lives. Or saves a murderer on death row. Who cares, that’s Gods business.!!
4.71-4.73
Lent day 1
4.71-4.73
Seems folks think religion is an adult thing, Jesus makes clear everyone needs a Savior.