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 6 - Mark 13: Jesus Forecasts the Destruction of the Temple.

Today’s Reading: Mark 13

The Message

English Standard Version

Thought to Guide Your Reading

This is not the first time God foreshadowed the destruction of the Temple.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

His Disciples praised the Temple's structure. Jesus countered, "Soon it will be rubble.
"Many people will claim to be Me. Don't panic. People fight. Earthquakes and famines happen. These are not signs.
"The signs are when everyone is at your throat—families torn apart. The Holy Spirit will help you in court. Trust and you will not be sorry.
"Be ready to run—you will need every second. These days will be unlike any.
"No one knows when the Son will come from the stars. Be good servants and always watch. It will be so obvious, no one could doubt."

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

Jesus warned that the Temple would be destroyed.

The first time God warned that the Temple would be destroyed the Jews almost killed Jeremiah. But it happened. Once again, God will relieve His Chosen People of the Temple in His Honor. This time, however, God does not need to move back in because He came as Jesus and lived among them. He will open the doors of the Temple and welcome anyone in. God does not care for physical buildings or organizations. God wants hearts.

History is filled with wars, earthquakes, and famines.

They are not signs of Jesus' coming. Wars happen because humans are sometimes unwilling to listen to each other. Earthquakes and famines are normal occurrences which should not cause Christians to expect Jesus' return. The second-coming of Jesus will be so grand that no one could refute it. Wars, earthquakes, and famines are normal parts of life.

God would not leave the Apostles empty-handed (or empty-headed) when they went into court.

Jesus knew they would be thrown into jail because the people hated Him. God wanted to help them spread His Message that He will set all things right. So He would help them in their time of defense. God does not leave His Chosen People without a guide to help us spread His Good News.

Are you looking for a sign or watching for the Coming?