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21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. Meditation The word of God reveals God as ruler of all. Therefore, God must rule our hearts. God promised it would not rain until He spoke. (17:1) Today’s reading reveals (at least) four ways God rules through resolution of the drought. 1- God rules over earth’s rulers: King Ahab sought to kill Elijah. God had protected the prophet (and other prophets through using Obadiah). Kings of the earth have no power compared to the Lord of the earth. 2- God rules over gods of this world: The drought was a predicament for the god of Baal, the Canaanite fertility god. The prophets of Baal wailed for fire but their cries were unheard and their actions were a spectacle. The gods of this world are no gods at all. 3- God rules over all obstacles: Elijah created obstacles to highlight God’s power- water, a rare commodity in drought, and more water thrown onto the repaired altar. Elijah called on the Lord and fire fell from heaven, consuming the sacrifice and the water. Obstacles in life are opportunities for God to show His power. 4- God rules over nature: God sends fire from Heaven and then rain to the land. God used the drought to bring glory to His name by sending rain. The elements of nature obey God’s word. Will God rule over the hearts of His people? The people fell on their faces, turning their hearts back to the Lord. When we truly see God in all His “Godness” we cannot help but humble ourselves and turn our hearts back to Him. Today’s Reading After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself. 7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’12 And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth. 13 Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord's prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; and he will kill me.”15 And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah. 17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals.19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table.” The Prophets of Baal Defeated 20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” 26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them.29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” 32 and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” 34 And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. 35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. 36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 40 And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.” And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there. The Lord Sends Rain 41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. 43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times. 44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’” 45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you most in today’s reading, especially an area where God rules. Why? -Where do you see our culture identifying with Israel, looking to the gods of the culture to give them what only the true God can deliver? Where do you identify? How is that working for you? -How can you humble yourself before the Lord and turn your heart back to the Lord? What area of your life do you need to turn from idolatry and (re)turn to the living God of all the earth? Be specific. Key Verse 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.
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15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. Meditation No matter what your predicament, here is a prescription: Share the faithful deeds of the Lord to strengthen your soul and fortify your faith. King David wrote Psalm 71 in his “old age,” (9) petitioning God to pummel his enemies as he praised God for His victory. This trajectory is evidenced by the first and last verses of today’s reading, “let me not be put to shame” (1) transformed to praise: “my tongue will tell of your righteous help… for (my enemies) have been put to shame…” (24). God alone is our rock and refuge (1-3) whom we trust to rescue us (4-6). God is our strength (7-11) and hope in time of need (12-14). The pivot from petition to praise is proclamation of the Lord’s righteous acts (15-19). God has been faithful. God will be faithful. God has protected and provided. God will protect and provide. God will resurrect the soul who celebrates His covenant faithfulness (20). God will increase His greatness (21) and lead us to praise (22), joy (23), and security (24). God’s sovereign grace compels us to tell of His righteous help all day long (24)! Sharing God’s faithfulness by celebrating His wonderful works transforms struggles into singing. God has taken what the enemy intended for evil and used it for good. And God will do it again. Share the faithful deeds of the Lord to strengthen your soul and fortify your faith through seasons of struggle. Tell the great works of our faithful God to revive your heart and move from pain to praise. Today’s Reading In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! 2 In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! 3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. 4 Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel man. 5 For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. 6 Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you. 7 I have been as a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. 8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day. 9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. 10 For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together 11 and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” 12 O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! 13 May my accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt. 14 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. 15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. 16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. 17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? 20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. 21 You will increase my greatness and comfort me again. 22 I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.24 And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long, for they have been put to shame and disappointed who sought to do me hurt. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the focus on proclaiming the righteous actions of the Lord? -Do you tell of the faithfulness of the Lord to others? Why or why not? Does this lead you to focus more on your pain and problems than His personal love and care for you? -Which promises of Psalm 71 are most inviting to you, empowering you to share the faithfulness of God with others? Key Verse 15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. Key Verse
9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” Meditation Sometimes God takes you to the depths so that you can see the height of His love. Our loving Heavenly Father often uses the depths of life for our discipline, spiritual development and re-direction for the work He has prepared for us to do (see Hebrews 12:4-7; Proverbs 3:11-12). In today’s reading, Jonah was in the darkness and depths of the sea. The prophet prayed “from the belly of the fish.” (1) The Lord answered from Heaven. (2) The amazing love of God restored relationship rather than removing or replacing Jonah because of his rebellion. Jonah’s song is a prayer of thanksgiving- after being swallowed! God’s servant was re-shaped by the depths in preparation to re-deployed for God’s work. “You brought me up from the pit…” proclaims the prophet in prayer and praise. (6) Jonah lifted his eyes of faith to God, seeing His covenant faithfulness, and grace brought Jonah back from the grave. (7-8) With thanksgiving the rescued rebel celebrated God’s salvation. (9) Jonah’s proclamation that “Salvation belongs to the Lord” is a repeated refrain in scripture, a song sung by redeemed saints redeployed for the service of the Lord (from Psalm 37 to Revelation 19!). The prophet’s prayer elevates God’s covenant promises and the purposes He has for His people. In Romans 10:13 we are told that whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved! In parallel with Jonah, Paul points to the purpose of singing of God’s salvation, sharing with people who have not yet heard the good news- Our God saves! (Romans 10:14-17) Today’s Reading And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. 2 Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, 2 saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. 3 For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; all your waves and your billows passed over me. 4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ 5 The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head 6 at the roots of the mountains. I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; yet you brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. 7 When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. 8 Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love. 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” 10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the context from which Jonah sings? -Is your loving Heavenly Father disciplining you in any way, taking you to the depths of life for your development and re-deployment? -Who is God sending you to in order to share the good news? - Salvation belongs to the Lord! There is no other hope. Key Verse 9 But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord!” ![]() *NOTE: On Wednesdays in 2025 we will celebrate “walking in the Word” through applying Biblical doctrine. Rightly understanding Biblical doctrine fuels doxology, delight in Jesus, and gospel centered discipleship. This week we begin a five-week series on knowing God. Key Verse: “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Recently, God has strengthened my soul with deeper revelation of Himself- His attributes healing my heart and His nature anchoring my hope. The overflow of this intimate revelation will fill the next few weeks of our “Walking in the Word” instalments. Historically, study of God’s nature, attributes, and work falls under “Theology Proper.” Personally, knowing God has taken on a whole new meaning. Beyond a theological category, knowing God is the true source of restoration and our only hope for refuge and strength. Herman Bavinck begins his epic work, The Wonderful Works of God, with this simple line: “God, and god alone, is man’s highest good.” (free pdf here) Knowing God is the greatest and best thing a person can do- our highest good. JI Packer begins his classic book, Knowing God, (free pdf here) by quoting Charles Spurgeon: “Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead’s deepest sea; be lost in His immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead.” “Devout musing on the subject of the Godhead” is the focus of this brief series, for your good and God’s glory. Knowledge and enjoyment of God is wisest investment of our time. In his Genevan Catechism, Calvin describes knowing God as “the sovereign good of humanity” because God created us and placed us in this world to be glorified in us. God is the beginning of our life, the headwaters of all life, and knowing God is the “chief end of human life.” (see questions 1-3) Calvin goes farther to say that true knowledge of ourselves comes from our knowledge of God. God’s desire to be known compels all creatures to know God, and when we begin the journey of knowing God we discover that we “will be led by the hand to find Him” (Institutes, 1.1) as we grow to become more like Him (Colossians 3:10). God desires for you to know Him, weaving general revelation of Himself into the fabric of creation. Consider (Romans 1:19-20): “For what can be known about God is plain… because God has shown it... For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse…” Special revelation of the knowledge of God comes from God Himself, through His Word (Luke 24:27, 44-45),by His work in Jesus Christ, (Hebrews 1:1-3) and from His wisdom through the Holy Spirit(1 Corinthians 2:6-13). These three things- God’s word, work, and wisdom; will guide and direct our discoveries and discipleship as we endeavor to know God. This short series will survey some of God’s immutable attributes that have deeply formed me the past few months, specifically God’s eternality, immutability, aseity, and transcendence. Through meditating on God’s foreverness, His unchanging character, self-sufficiency, and preeminence we will discover His sufficiency. God, and God alone, is all we need. Knowing Him is our highest good and enjoying Him our highest purpose. Richly Dwelling -Do you know God, specifically His attributes, nature, and work? -Do you desire to know God more intimately and personally? Take a moment to ask God the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself to you through His word, work, and wisdom. -Meditate on the verse below. What does Jesus mean, and how does this apply to you and your discipleship? Key Verse: “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Key Verse
6 “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them. 7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves. Meditation Christians are anointed by God (1 John 2:20), set apart as a priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:9). Christians are cleansed by Christ’s blood and consecrated for Christ’s purposes (Romans 12:1-2). Through Christ’s purchase of a people, Christians have the purpose of being His priests in the world (Revelation 1:5-6). Today’s reading details how the Levites were consecrated and cleansed as priests (6-7), wholly representing Israel before God to mediate the blessings of God to and through His people (14-19). Water baptism, shaving, and sacrifice were ceremonial ingredients to set the Levites apart as a gift for God’s people, a “wave offering” for divinely ordered worship so God could dwell among His people. Jesus was the ultimate priest who was set apart to represent His people before the Father and mediate God’s blessings to and through His people. The baptism of Jesus was “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:13-17)before He Himself was the substitutionary sacrifice for us. Jesus knew no sin in His life but He became sin in His death so believers might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). This great exchange makes Christians righteous before God and commissions Christians as ambassadors to represent Christ to the world. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20) The Levites were cleansed and consecrated as priests to minister to God’s people. Jesus is the greater priest who was cleansed and consecrated SO THAT Christians can be cleansed and consecrated to minister to the world. Jesus’ priestly work is both HOW and WHY Christians are a “priesthood of believers,” consecrated for God’s purposes in the world. Today’s Reading Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.” 3 And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses.4 And this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was hammered work; according to the pattern that the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand. Cleansing of the Levites 5 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them. 7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves. 8 Then let them take a bull from the herd and its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you shall take another bull from the herd for a sin offering. 9 And you shall bring the Levites before the tent of meeting and assemble the whole congregation of the people of Israel. 10 When you bring the Levites before the Lord, the people of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites, 11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord as a wave offering from the people of Israel, that they may do the service of the Lord. 12 Then the Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to the Lord to make atonement for the Levites. 13 And you shall set the Levites before Aaron and his sons, and shall offer them as a wave offering to the Lord. 14 “Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. 15 And after that the Levites shall go in to serve at the tent of meeting, when you have cleansed them and offered them as a wave offering. 16 For they are wholly given to me from among the people of Israel. Instead of all who open the womb, the firstborn of all the people of Israel, I have taken them for myself. 17 For all the firstborn among the people of Israel are mine, both of man and of beast. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I consecrated them for myself, 18 and I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel. 19 And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the people of Israel, to do the service for the people of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement for the people of Israel, that there may be no plague among the people of Israel when the people of Israel come near the sanctuary.” 20 Thus did Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the people of Israel to the Levites. According to all that the Lord commanded Moses concerning the Levites, the people of Israel did to them. 21 And the Levites purified themselves from sin and washed their clothes, and Aaron offered them as a wave offering before the Lord, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. 22 And after that the Levites went in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron and his sons; as the Lord had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them. Retirement of the Levites 23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “This applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall come to do duty in the service of the tent of meeting. 25 And from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. 26 They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.” Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the cleansing and consecration of the Levites? -How does God’s grace displayed in the cleansing and consecrating work of Christ empower you to live a life as a priest on behalf of Christ in the world, mediating His blessings to your neighbors and among the nations? -In response to God’s grace, where can you be more faithful in mediating His blessings to the world? Whom do you need to love and serve? What can you do in His name and for His glory? Key Verse 6 “Take the Levites from among the people of Israel and cleanse them. 7 Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of purification upon them, and let them go with a razor over all their body, and wash their clothes and cleanse themselves. Key Verse
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like … 14 “For it will be like… 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him… Meditation Every Christian has been redeemed from darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Colossians 1:12-14). Every day Christians pray for God’s Kingdom to come, on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). Every disciple must discern what it means to diligently wait for our King to return to consummate His kingdom. Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God with power (Matthew 12:28) and taught disciples details of Kingdom life (Chapter 13). Images Jesus used to explain the Kingdom include an astonishingly merciful king (18:25-35), a scandalously gracious vineyard owner (20:1-16), a fruitful tree given to a faithful people (21:43-46), and a king’s wedding feast open to all who will come in His robes or righteousness (22:1-14). Christ’s kingdom is like all of these, and today’s reading teaches disciples how to faithfully wait for the return of our King. The parable of the ten virgins (1-13) teaches disciples to wait with attentive hope, readily awaiting our Bridegroom to come. The parable of the talents (14-30) teaches disciples to work with faithful expectation, investing everything our King has entrusted to us for the furtherance of His kingdom and the glory of His name. The teaching of Jesus’ judgement after He returns (31-45) directs disciples to wait in sacrificial love, demonstrating loyalty to King Jesus through loving and serving “the least of these.” King Jesus will return in glory to consummate His kingdom prepared for His disciples “from the foundation of the world.” (36) Until that day, diligent disciples must wait wisely and work diligently by loving sacrificially. Today’s Reading “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. The Parable of the Talents 14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.[e] You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ 22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ 23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ The Final Judgment 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Richly Dwelling -What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the specific teaching of Jesus through the parables? -In honest self-assessment, are you waiting in hope, working in faithful stewardship, and sacrificially loving “the least of these”? What does this reveal about your heart? -Jesus will return in History, hopefully today. How do you need to respond to His sovereign grace by growing in diligence as his disciple in regards to waiting? Be specific. Key Verse 1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like … 14 “For it will be like… 31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him… |
AuthorPastor Mitchell celebrates twenty-five years of marriage with Lisa & together they have four adventurous children. |