November 8 - Matthew 25: The Sheep or the Goats - Who Set Things Right?

Today’s Reading: Matthew 25

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The criteria for being a sheep or goat was not worship style, theology, or amount of times you attended worship. It was whether you set things right or not.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus spoke in parables:
"God's Kingdom is like ten virgins waiting for a wedding feast. Five left to buy oil. They were left out of the wedding feast. Stay alert, I may arrive at any time.
"A man went on a long trip and gave money for each servant to invest. Two servants doubled their money and were blessed. The third hid it and was punished for not taking chances.
"When He comes, everyone will be separated between sheep, those rewarded for setting things right for the ignored and overlooked, and goats, those punished for not setting things right."

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

The parable of the virgins reminds us to stay vigilant in preparing for His Return.

The foolish virgins ran out of oil because they did not think it would take so long for the groom to come. When it finally happened, they were unprepared and left out of the feast. We must continuously set things right until in preparation for Jesus' Return.

The "play-it-safe" servant was punished for not taking chances.

Once again I love how Eugene Peterson paraphrased this section,

That’s a terrible way to live! It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.
Take the thousand and give it to the one who risked the most. And get rid of this 'play-it-safe' who won’t go out on a limb. Throw him out into utter darkness. (vv. 26-30, The Message)

The servant wasn't punished for not doubling his money. The servant was punished for not risking anything. When we fail to risk anything to set things right, we risk losing our place in God's Kingdom.

The sheep and goats separated those who set things right and those who did not.

This concept was challenging to the Jews at the time. They were different than the "pagans" because God chose them. They worshiped God at the right place, unlike the Samaritans. When Jesus told them that the sheep and goats were separated because they gave food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, beds to the homeless, clothes to the naked, and comfort to the sick or imprisoned, the Jews would have been furious—what about sacrifices? Jesus would have challenged them to consider that God wanted mercy, not sacrifice.
Reading through the Bible this year with the new definition of the Gospel as "God is setting all things right", this parable takes on a new, deeper meaning. Yes, Jesus was religious. Yes, Jesus wanted His Disciples to worship. However, these acts were meant to help center them on setting things right among those within their sphere of influence. The sheep and the goats were not separated based on worship or theology. They were separated based on acts. We will be judged on whether we set things right with those who were ignored or overlooked.

Do you set things right with those who are ignored and overlooked or do you want to worship correctly?

November 4 - Matthew 22; Mark 12: Futile Questions on a Futile Quest to Trap the Son of Man

Today’s Reading: Matthew 22; Mark 12

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Jesus shows both the Pharisees and the Sadducees that they miss Scripture by focusing on minute details.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus continued storytelling, "A king opened his banquet to anyone. One improperly-dressed person was removed.
"Vineyard workers beat and killed their master's servants and his son. They were executed and replaced."
Pharisees sprung a trap, "Should we pay taxes to Caesar?"
Jesus responded, "Give to both Caesar and God."
Sadducees questioned marriage at the resurrection.
Jesus responded, "Marriage is not needed then."
Pharisees asked, "What is the greatest commandment?"
"Love the Lord your god with everything and your neighbor as yourself."
"Beware religious scholars who do not set things right."
A poor widow gave more than anyone by giving all.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jesus splits the middle between Caesar and God.

The question about paying taxes to Caesar was not a softball question. Caesars were considered gods after their deaths and eventually called themselves gods and demanded worship. The Jews had rebelled against Rome in the past (the history is written in the Apocrypha). The question about paying taxes was about contributing to emperor worship or rebelling against Rome. If Jesus had answered "yes" He would have approved of emperor worship. If He answered "no" He would become a revolutionary. The answer the Pharisees got was the answer the least expected, "Respect Caesar as your leader, worship God as your Creator." Respect government officials, but only worship God.

Marriage is unnecessary when we are with God.

Marriage was meant to populate the world and provide a companion. When we are with God, we neither need to populate the Earth nor need companionship. God will be our Companion for eternity.

The greatest commands provide the foundation for every command given by God.

"Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence." This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: "Love others as well as you love yourself." These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them. (Matthew 22:37-40, The Message)

Every command falls into one of these two areas. The question we should ask when we see any command given by God is does it help love God or love my neighbor? Any command given beyond what is in Scripture should also be based on one of the two.

Jesus shows the futility of trapping Him in a theological quandary by proposing His own.

In this reading, Jesus was faced with three major questions which were futile attempts at trapping Him in theological quicksand. Jesus wanted to show how silly they were in asking these questions by posing His own. The answer is unimportant—it doesn't help people love God or love their neighbor as themselves. However, since the Pharisees cared more for the words of Scripture instead of its meaning, the question could not be answered. They did not understand that some things do not make sense because our rules are man-made, not God-given. Beware deep, theological discussions about minute details in Scripture. They may prevent you from seeing the meaning of the text.

Beware "scholars" who do not set things right.

The religious leaders complained that only "ignorant" people accepted Jesus. "Scholars" knew better than to obey Jesus, even though He did all of the things necessary for them to believe. Their issue wasn't Jesus at all. They did not care for setting things right. They wanted to keep their education posts. They did not have time to set things right. Jesus wanted everyone to beware of their teachings—they were not being followed.
As a seminary student, I had courses which I did not understand why they were important—at least in how they were taught. Religious training must walk a fine line between equipping for setting things right and setting up an elite class of "academics" who look down on others trying to obey God's Word. Although I realize most of the issues about this come from the students taking their training in the wrong way, we must keep a firm grasp on teaching students to obey God's Word along with understanding God's Word.

Giving is accepted based on mindset not amount.

Jesus was not discounting the gifts rich people brought. He was praising the widow for giving everything. She gave more than everyone else because she was willing to put more faith in God to provide for her future. By giving more we put more faith in God to provide for our needs.

Love the Lord Your god with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.

November 2 - Luke 18:15-19:48: Jesus, a Rich, Young Ruler, Zacchaeus, and Jerusalem

Today’s Reading: Luke 18:15-19:48

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

In two chapters Jesus tells a man to sell all his possessions and follow Him and gives a parable where a ruler punishes a servant for not putting his money in the bank.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus taught everyone must accept the Kingdom as children do.
Jesus challenged a young ruler, "Sell everything, donate the proceeds, and follow Me." He declined.
"We left everything," Peter stated.
"You won't regret it."
Jesus would be humiliated, crucified, and given new life.
Jesus healed a relentless, blind man.
Jesus praised Zacchaeus' decision to change his tax-collection habits.
An unpopular ruler gave more authority to servants who used his money and punished those who didn't.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey to a grand reception. Jesus cried because Jerusalem rejected Him.
Jesus threw the merchants out of the Temple.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Zacchaeus provided an example of an "unrighteous" person receiving the Kingdom.

Yesterday we read from Matthew where Jesus used three parables set in a vineyard to inform Israel that God would open enrollment into His Chosen People. Previously we read examples of Non-Chosen People who had more faith than the Israelites. Today's example is not of a Non-Chosen Person but of a detestable sinner—a traitor to the Jewish people who most likely extorted Jews for his living. Zacchaeus accepted Jesus without Jesus challenging him in any way. Instead, all Jesus needed to do was visit. Jesus constantly battled the Pharisees, the religious scholars, and the priests and they tried as hard as possible not to believe. The parable of the two sons provided a glimpse into this situation with Zacchaeus playing the role of the first son who said he would not work but did and the Jews playing the other son who said he would but did not. Many so-called "unrighteous" people will enter God's Kingdom before many Chosen People.

God's approval rating does not excuse you from setting things right.

Something I had never realized until today was that the ruler in Jesus' parable about servants receiving money for investing was an all-around unpopular ruler. I knew the lazy servant had accused him of being this way but I never realized his popularity was less than that of Congress. However, the ruler (and by extension, Jesus) does not allow the servant to get away with not investing his money for that reason. In fact, he would have accepted the money back with simple interest from a bank. Because the servant did nothing with the money, he was punished. Jesus is clearly showing that when the masses have an unfavorable view of God, His Chosen People must continue to spread God's Light to the blind. His Love and His Word will return nothing less than simple interest. God would be fine with that. (NOTE: In 2011, a firm did a poll where they saw that God's approval rating was 52%. Is that good or bad?)

The story of the rich, young ruler and the parable of the vicious ruler are not about money.

The stories are not about the love of money or the importance of investment. These stories are about trusting in God to set things right. The rich, young ruler could not fathom life without his comforts. He could not imagine life where he followed Jesus without his investments. He did not have enough faith in God to let go. The unfaithful servant did not have enough courage to go into the marketplace with his ruler's money. He was punished because the ruler did not care what the opinion polls said about him. He wanted results—at least attempts at results. We could learn from these stories about the uses and abuses of money, but they are ancillary to the main story—have more faith in God than anything else.

If no one praised God, Earth's praises would be audible.

Sometimes I hear doomsday predictions that one day no one will care enough about God to praise Him. Although they may be true for humans, God doesn't need our praise. If we ceased praising God, the earth would fill the void. Jesus wasn't giving a command. He was telling the Pharisees that if His Disciples did not sing His Praises, creation would. Never fear, God's Awesome Goodness is always on display.

Do you have enough trust in God to do something rash if it meant setting things right?

October 14 - Matthew 13; Luke 8: Jesus Unearths Kingdom Truths through Parables

Today’s Reading: Matthew 13; Luke 8

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

Jesus tells parables to demonstrate the Kingdom to those who are not ready for the straight truth.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Jesus used stories to unearthed truths about the Kingdom.
The disciples asked why Jesus used parables. "They do not know how the Kingdom works. The stories prepare them to accept the truths. A well-trained student can describe them to Kingdom-seekers."
Jesus' storytelling fulfilled prophecy.
Nazareth was puzzled by Jesus—the carpenter's son who now possessed great wisdom.
Jesus calmed a storm.
At the Gerasenes, Jesus excised the demons torturing a man. Locals asked that He leave.
Jairus begged Jesus to heal his daughter. On the way a woman touched Jesus and was healed. Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

Jesus used stories to prepare people for the hard truths of the Kingdom.

Jesus understood that some people wanted to set things right but may have had something in their life blocking the truth of the Kingdom from their hearts. He used stories to soften their hearts to receive the truth. Once they could accept the truths, they would exponentially grow. In essence, what Jesus is doing, using the language from the parable of the soils, is tilling the roadside, removing the stones, and weeding the ground to help the difficult soil produce more grain. Some people need preparation for understanding the truths about setting things right.
When we try to pass on the truths about the Kingdom, we must also remember some need preparation before they can hear the straight truths. This is another reason we should model the Kingdom in our lives. They must see the Kingdom at work before they hear about the Kingdom.

God allows evil people to live among His Chosen People to protect His Chosen People.

This should answer the question of why evil people are blessed. God does not want to destroy His Chosen People as collateral.

The Kingdom is worth selling out.

God's Reign is worthy of giving up everything else to join.

Jesus brought everything into the open.

Jesus wanted His disciples to share the truth about the Kingdom to the world because doing so would encourage them to set things right. When God's Chosen People only share the Good News with few, only few will accept the Good News.

Jesus' Work is hindered only by those who fail to trust Him.

No one should blame the Apostles for being scared on the lake. Many people died there. Their fears were real. The problem was their fears outweighed their trust in Jesus. When our fears outweigh our trust in God, God's Work is hindered.

The Gerasenes were afraid of too much change.

The demon-possessed man was a scourge on their land. When he was suddenly and dramatically healed they were unprepared for the great power and great change that came. So Jesus left the man to give the message to them. When people are scared of too much change, let the Message pass through people who are insiders. They can have better success.

Are you willing to take a risk in trusting God?