Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
Here Jesus confronts the religious. They question his authority in order to sidestep his teaching, just as they did that of John the Baptist. And Jesus points out because of that, sinners will enter the kingdom ahead of them, because they were prepared to listen and repent. They are like tenants of a vineyard, in that they are in charge of Israel, but they reject those who come from its owner, including his son. And they are like those invited to a king's wedding reception for his son, but are too disinterested and busy to come. Both parables stress this leads to a killing of the son, alluding to Jesus' death. But they also refer to how the kingdom will be given to others: the vineyard to those who will overseee God's people in a way that brings fruit, and the banquet for any as long as they are rightly dressed in repentance. As you read consider the challenges to you.
Matthew 21:23-22:14
Matthew 21:23-22:14
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.