March 7, 2024
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:
Day 18 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.6 through 5.8 (pages 138-140)
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.
5.6 The Story About the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32) “I will not.” Pride. Defiance. Disobedience. Left to my own devices, this is my natural response to my Lord’s commands. Robert Murray M’Cheyne made the observation “I have discovered that the seed of every sin known to man is in my heart.” That is reality…even in Christ, until we are brought home to be with God, our sin nature remains…the world, the (our) flesh, and the devil wage a three-front war against us.
BUT GOD.
Jesus says that this first son changed his mind, and decided to obey the Father. It makes me think of Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWAL of your MIND, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect.” We see here that when the son changed his mind…actions followed. In many ways, we are what we think. Which is why Paul exhorts us again in Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – PRACTICE these things, and the God of Peace will be with you.
God, in His grace, shows us that there is peace in obedience…not just peace as the world might define it, but indeed, “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding”. He calls us to obedience out of Love for us, because He made us, and He knows what is best for us.
5.7 The Story About the Wicked Farmers (Matthew 21:33-46) These parables that are directly aimed at the Jewish people must have tremendously hurt the heart of Christ. And He knew that in telling them, it was moving Him closer to fulfilling the Father’s will in complete obedience. What absolute devotion to the Father is shown here, in all that Jesus said and did.
5.8 The Story About the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) “For many are called, but few are chosen.” John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 1 John 2:2, Romans chapter 1…it is clear that God has offered His Son to the entire world, indeed, called the entire world to repentance so that we all would be saved. But it is also clear, that not all will come to Him. God’s sovereignty is absolute, and His knowledge is without end…past, present, future, He is eternal and in all moments at all times. Such is the mystery of man’s responsibility to respond to God’s offer of salvation. God knows who will respond, how could He not? But, we do not know. We only touch the timeline of eternity in the present. Therefore, His command to proclaim the Gospel is not pointless. God uses people in His work…it is in Christ that we truly find our purpose…to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever!
Just realized my Philippians 4:8-9 quote missed a couple phrases! It also includes “whatever is pure, and whatever is lovely…” If we spend time thinking on these things…the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus! It’s like a circle of blessing that God designed for us…think on the things of God, and He will bless us with His peace, which in turn will encourage us to do more thinking on the things of God…which brings more peace…God is good.
The Life of Jesus 5.6-5.8 and Romans 13.
”The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.“
Romans 13:12 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/rom.13.12.NIV
A common thread in these parables is believing and obeying God. First we believe and then we follow and we do the work He has called us to do. It takes transformation, like the son that at first refused but ultimately made the right choice to obey his father. It takes humility, like the Pharisees too often it is about ourselves and not about God as was represented in the parable of the wicked farmers worried about their portion instead of respecting the one who gave everything to them. And there should be repentance, Jesus has done the work we could never do and for that reason we come to God recognizing that we are sinners and strive to live a life pleasing to Him, following Jesus’ example for us, and help bring others to hear and come to the banquet table.
Lenten day 18
Thanks, Sean!
Day 18 5:6-5:8
The Jews were invited to the wedding and were found unworthy. So servants were sent to the highways to bring people (Gentiles?). The wedding hall was filled. The king came to see the guests and found one without wedding garments and cast them out.
Be sure to wear your white robe.
”Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.“
Revelation 7:13-14 NKJV
Thank you Lord Jesus for coming to save us for we cannot do this on our own. Amen.
The Life of Jesus 5.6-5.8; Luke 12
Jesus tells the story of the two sons and then tells the story of the wicked farmers. In both stories He is giving a contrast between the Pharisees and the tax collectors and prostitutes. Or to put it another way; Between those that are self righteous like the Pharisees and don`t see a need for a Saviour or sinners who actually know they are sinners and see their need for a Saviour. Yet we are all sinners and one day all will come before a Holy God. What we do with Jesus will depend on where we will spend eternity. If someone hasn`t called upon Jesus and acknowledged their sin to Him he cannot be saved. Acts 4:12 { Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven giving among men, whereby we must be saved.} The Pharisees actually knew that Jesus was talking about them so instead of falling on their knees and getting right with God; they instead tried to think of ways to arrest Him. The wedding feast is also about those who reject the offer and don`t turn to Christ there by not going to the feast. But Jesus who He is invites all to come to the wedding feast. They only need to come wearing the right clothes. Which is coming to Jesus wearing the clothes of righteous which we can only get through Him when we come to Him in faith. 2 Corinthians 5:21 { For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.} May the Lord bless us.
The chief priest were listening to these parables as Jesus was hitting them right between the eyes. A perfect explanation of the nation of Israel in that day
Lenten 2024 – Day 18
Three parables about the things of God intended for one group but given to others. The first one also speaks to the reality that it is not what we commit to in our words that matter but our actions are more important. And what an apt description for these Jewish leaders who say they want what God wants but they then reject the very ones that God sends. Yet the sinners got it. And the second parable might be the clearest representation yet of what the Jews have done with God’s work amongst them. They were supposed to be the most blessed of what God had, and yet His covenants called for them to do things too. When God sent His prophets to remind them of that, they rejected and killed them. Now they have His son before them…and guess what they will do. And the parable of the wedding feast is similar with an additional lesson. God makes the gospel available to everyone, and that circle was expanded (on some level) by the rejection of Christ by the Jews. But it is not enough just to be invited, you have to have the right clothes on as well. Naturally we know, as others have said, those clothes are only made possible by the righteousness of Christ, provided in the great exchange that happens when we believe on Him. (2Corinthians 5:21).
Caught up to 5.8.
‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits. Thank God that the Gentiles were given the gift that God’s chosen people were promised. It is indeed marvelous! Let us be the ones producing fruit for the kingdom of God.