March 12, 2024
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Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 23 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.17 through 5.18 (pages 150-152)
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.
5.17 The Story of the Ten Girls (Matthew 25:1-13) Christ is the Bridegroom of the His Church. We must be ready.
5.18 The Story About the Three Servants (Matthew 25:14-30) Very similar to the story Jesus told in section 4.78 (Luke19-11-28). Jesus stresses the importance and expectation that we will use what He has given us for the kingdom. But unlike His parable from Luke’s account, this one ends more ominously with Jesus saying that the worthless servant is to be thrown into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Life of Jesus 5.17-5.18
The Life of Jesus 5.17-5.18
Lenten day 22
”“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.“
Matthew 25:13 NKJV
The Life of Jesus 5.9-5.18; Luke 13-14
We do not know when the day that Jesus will come back down from heaven will occur. We need to be ready. Use all of the tools that God has given us for His glory and He will greatly exalt you because he loves you. Though don’t let your pride get in the way of you and Jesus. Do not say, “I’m doing pretty good aren’t I God.”
“Pride goes destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”(Proverbs 16:18).
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom”(Proverbs 11:2).
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”(James 4:6).
God doesn’t need us, He loves us and wants to have fellowship with us, but He doesn’t need us.
“He must increase, but I must decrease”(John 3:30).
The Bible is one of the great tools that God has given to us for the purpose that we may grow closer to Him. We must use it to the best of our ability, praying that we understand it, to guard your heart so that you may not sin(Though we know that we will inevitably sin)(Psalm 119:11). When we face standstills in our faith, that means that we are almost always in some sort of habitual sin, whether it be short term or long term. We feel distant when we are sinning because God cannot not be near sin(This is why he turned his face from Jesus on the cross). Practicing understanding the Bible is how we guard our heart from sinning. The Bible, is as Ephesians says, “…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”(Ephesians 6:17). The Bible is not only for defense but for offense. We have got to use it.
Praise the Lord!
Lenten 2024 – Day 23
Yet another reminder to be ready, to be prepared at all times because He is coming back but we do not know when.
We are simply stewards of all He gives us, money, talents, abilities. We are to use all He gives us for His glory. We are to make decisions with Him in mind. Decisions for our family, life, work all these things are opportunities to glorify Him and advanvce His kingdom.
We believe that when Christ returns in Second Coming, He will be coming with the church {His bride} along with the angels as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. to pass judgement and set up His 1,000 year reign on earth. The church already would had been taken up to meet the Lord in the air. Various interpretations have been given to this parable such as the church or individuals being ready for His Coming. Rember 5 virgins were ready and made it in while the other 5 weren`t allowed in. He didn`t know the last five virgins. Five were saved and five weren`t saved. It is not based on their works but only being ready. They needed to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps this is the oil in the lamps? Anyways here is what a source said: { —it seems best to understand it as a judgement on living Jews soon after the Lord`s return in glory. The context clearly points to that event 24:3, 14, 27, 30, 39, 44, 51. The judgement of the Gentiles { sheep and goats} will occur when the Lord returns 25:31-46. Also at His glorious return, Israel will be judged as a nation. { Ezek. 20:33-44; Zech. 13:1. Israel is therefore pictured as 10 virgins who are awaiting the return of the bridegroom. —-He as King will return from Heaven with His bride, the church, in order to enter into the Millennium.—–Israel in the Tribulation will know that Jesus coming is near, but not all will be spiritually prepared for it. His coming will be sudden, when it is not expected 24:27, 39, 50. —-Those who will merely profess to be saved, and do not actually possess the Spirit, will be excluded from the feast, that is the kingdom.] [The Bible Knowledge Commentary] They also bring up the possibility of the oil lamps perhaps being the Holy Spirit. But however this parable is interpreted we all should be ready for His return. Even though we are saved; are we ready and are we faithful as is the parable of the three servants. Have a blessed day with Jesus.
A couple of parables here that emphasize people being ready for the expected yet unknown return of a desired person. Being prepared in the first parable is pictured as having oil in your lamp and back up as well just in case the bridegroom is late (wait, maybe I am in good company…..). The main point is that you cannot borrow the resources of others to be ready/right with the bridegroom, and if you wait too long to be prepared, you will find yourself unwelcome. We all stand on our own before God and should have ample provision (spiritually) to make it to the end. Being prepared in the second parable has to do with how we used the resources given by God to multiply/increase the investment He has made in us. The main point here is we are all different, with different abilities to do the work God has given us and we will only be accountable to produce in a way consistent with how we have been equipped. But there is also no excuse for anyone not to increase what God has given them. Even though God may be able to produce things without working very hard, He calls all of us to strive with His power and presence to maximize the impact we have for His kingdom. And how great that He shares in the blessing. Whatever we produce, He blesses two fold.
Blessed is the person who hears these words when he comes face to face with the Lord. “You did right. You are a good servant who can be trusted. You did well with the small amount I gave you. So I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my happiness with me.”