Today’s reading: Gen 35:16–36:43, Matt 26:14–56, Eccles 8:10–17

Today’s theme: Lay down your will

A simple but important lesson we learn today is that we should be willing to lay our will down like Jesus did. We should give our lives sacrificially to God’s purpose and for God’s glory according to God’s will and wisdom.

Matthew 26:14–56

Communion

for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28 (ESV)

This is what we remember when we have communion. Jesus’ blood was poured out to save the “many” that would put their trust in Him, so our sin could be forgiven. The meal they were eating was the Passover which is fulfilled in Jesus as the true Passover Lamb of the New Covenant.

Don’t have false confidence

Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same. Matthew 26:35 (ESV)

We must avoid false confidence in the flesh.

Lay down your will

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 (ESV)

This is where Jesus in a sense won the battle for our souls, by laying down His own will. His deepest desire was to do the will of the Father. We should be the same.

Ecclesiastes 8:10–17

It will be well

Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. Ecclesiastes 8:12 (ESV)

This is very encouraging!

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Tabletalk on Matthew 26

DC on Matthew 26

Today’s reading: Gen 34:1–35:15, Matt 25:14–26:13, Eccles 8:1–9

Today’s theme: Faithful stewardship

We have been called to faithful stewardship with the time, resources, talents and life God has given us. We should actively use all we have in the joyful service of our king and flee the allure of selfish indifference and inaction. We can rejoice in the fact that our reward was prepared for us from the foundation of the world so let’s be encouraged to be faithful to and for God.

Genesis 34:1–35:15

The sin of rape

And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her and humiliated her. Genesis 34:2 (ESV)

In today’s language this (humiliated her) would be called rape. A man forcing himself sexually on a woman is always a sin in every possible context.

Be careful about agreements

Will not their livestock, their property and all their beasts be ours? Only let us agree with them, and they will dwell with us.” Genesis 34:23 (ESV)

Be careful who you enter into agreement with. You are tying yourself to the person and often it is to their benefit and not yours.

Terror from God

And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, Genesis 35:5–6 (ESV)

As we purify ourselves for His service and move forward in faith, God will deal with our adversaries and those around us.

God’s self disclosure

And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body. Genesis 35:11 (ESV)

God reaffirms and reminds Jacob of his promises (concerning the people and the land) on the basis of His self revelation as God Almighty / El Shaddai (the one able to bring His promises to pass because he has all might). One of the major purposes and themes of the Bible is God’s revelation or self disclosure to man.

Matthew 25:14–26:13

Faithful stewardship

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.’ Matthew 25:21 (ESV)

We are called to faithful stewardship of the opportunities and abilities given to us by God.

Scholars say one talent was so much money that an average worker would take 19 years to earn it. This possibly points to the value we should put on our time, energy, resources and abilities.

Like the song we should serve Him with everything. It is encouraging to see the account of the reward that the Lord will give to the faithful slaves (slaves were often like family, more than just a hired servant, nothing like the slavery of modern times). This is a more joyful responsibility in The Kingdom. We will not be floating around heaven playing harps, we will have joy filled work to do for the King.

Flee lazy inaction

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? Matthew 25:26 (ESV)

The climax of this parable is with the last slave, the wicked, slothful and lazy one. Although the parable has encouraged us in the positive sense to invest our lives for the sake of the King and His Kingdom, the main point is to warn us against lazy inaction, fearful human reasoning and indifference.

Let’s not be lazy, we need to wake up and be alert while actively, deliberately and violently serving the King with everything (the 1st and greatest commandment).

God’s plan for His sheep

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. Matthew 25:34 (ESV)

God’s pre-ordained plan for the sheep (his elect) is so sure that it was prepared from the creation of the world. This should encourage us to press on to obtain the sure prize laid up for us through “living out” our lives as disciples.

The least of these

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.’ Matthew 25:45 (ESV)

The way we treat fellow believers, the Jewish people, the poor etc. reveals the truth of who we are in our hearts and points to our relationship (or lack of it) with the Lord.

Extravagant worship

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. Matthew 26:10 (ESV)

This extravagant worship and sacrifice for Jesus should characterise all believers and should trump any social outreach we are a part of. The 1st command over and above the 2nd. This is one of the reasons her act is remembered in the Gospel accounts as Jesus prophesied.

Ecclesiastes 8:1–9

Wickedness will not deliver

No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. Ecclesiastes 8:8 (ESV)

A sober reminder and a good point for evangelism.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Stand (book)

Today’s reading: Gen 32:1–33:20, Matt 24:29–25:13, Eccles 7:22–29

Today’s theme: Be prepared

In our reading today, Jesus teaches us that we need to live ready for His return or call. We are called to always be prepared, and this preparedness cannot be taken from someone else. Each of us is responsible for our own state of preparedness before God. In practical terms we each need to seek God in His Word, prayer, fellowship etc

Genesis 32:1–33:20

Humble faith

But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ” Genesis 32:12 (ESV)

Jacob is afraid and so comes to God in humble prayer. He brings God’s promise to him before God in prayer showing that he had faith in the promise and Gods ability to fulfil the promise. His faith however was not perfect as he later sends gifts etc to his brother in fear.

Wrestle with God

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Genesis 32:24–25 (ESV)

Jacob wrestled with the pre-incarnate Christ. This is called a theophany, when God would appear as a man in the Old Testament. This is not just symbolic, it actually happened, but it does point us to the truth that we too need to persevere and wrestle as it were with God in prayer.

Israel: Strive and persevere

Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 (ESV)

This is the origin of the name Israel, God blessed Jacob with this new name and it becomes the name of the nation. It basically means “to strive and persevere” which has been the character of the nation throughout the ages. We should have the same nature as Israel, to fight and persevere.

Matthew 24:29–25:13

The whole world will know

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30–31 (ESV)

It is clear that the whole world will know and mourn at the Kings’ return. This is an answer to all Adventist movements including Rastafarianism, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses and any other cult claiming that the Lord has already returned in anyway.

God’s Word is eternal

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35 (ESV)

God’s Word, and in this case the specific prophecies of Jesus are settled and eternal. God is sovereign over history and is able to back up His Word.

The limitations of the incarnation

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. Matthew 24:36 (ESV)

This shows the gravity of the incarnation, that the Son was not all knowing in the same way as when He was in His usual state as God.

Live ready

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Matthew 24:42–43 (ESV)

As individual disciples and as a collective church we need to stay awake and alert. Jesus tells us we will not know when He is coming so we should live everyday with the understanding that hHe may come today (return or call us home).

Be prepared

but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. Matthew 25:4 (ESV)

The main point in this parable is explained by Jesus Himself in verse 13. We must be alert and prepared for the Lord’s return or call. In practical terms this would involve actively living as disciples of Jesus Christ through reading the Bible, prayer, fellowship, serving and worshiping.

Our personal responsibility

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.’ Matthew 25:9 (ESV)

Preparedness and a life lived working out its sanctification in Christ can not simply be transferred. It is the personal responsibility of every believer to eat (the Bible), breathe (Prayer) and live himself or herself. Each of us must stand individually before God, we can not live through or on behalf of others.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, Past and Future

Today’s reading: Gen 31:1–55, Matt 23:37–24:28, Eccles 7:13–21

Today’s theme: Finish the Mission

Today an important lesson is concerning the second coming of Jesus. Jesus tells us that wars and hard times are not signs of his return rather the sign will be that the gospel will be preached to all nations (people groups) before the end comes. So let’s finish the mission.

Genesis 31:1–55

God, sovereign over the enemy

yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. Genesis 31:7 (ESV)

Jacob’s faith was in God, who is sovereign over our lives. He is always in control and will not give us more than we can bear. He controls how far our enemies are able to go.

Matthew 23:37–24:28

The prophecy of Jesus

But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2 (ESV)

Jesus’ prophecy was fulfilled 40 years later in 70 AD.

Hard times are not a sign

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6 (ESV)

Jesus warns us that we will see persecution and war but encourages us that we should not be shocked or alarmed by this. This is not a sign of the end (possibly to correct any misunderstanding that difficult times indicate the end).

Finish the mission

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 (ESV)

This is the great sign (rather than wars, persecution, or bad weather) of the end when Jesus will return to rule and reign from Jerusalem. The Gospel will be proclaimed to every people group. There are currently 7,287 unreached people groups consisting of 2.91 billion people, we must finish the mission.

The elect

And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Matthew 24:22 (ESV)

God takes special care of those He has elected. This should fill us with praise, hope and faith.

Secure in Christ

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24 (ESV)

As God’s elect children we can not ultimately be led astray because we are in the Father’s hand. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and the Holy Spirit is our guide. We are secure in Christ.

The second coming

For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. Matthew 24:27–28 (ESV)

This is a good point for cults like Jehovah Witnesses and Rastafarians who say Jesus has already come back. Jesus declares that when He comes back it will not be in some hidden or secret or exclusive way but the whole world will know beyond any doubt!

Ecclesiastes 7:13–21

We all need salvation

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20 (ESV)

Every person is in need of salvation. Paul makes a great case for this in the opening chapters of Romans.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

The Joshua Project

Finish the Mission (Book)

Today’s reading: Gen 30:1–43, Matt 22:23–23:36, Eccles 7:6–12

Today’s theme: Scripture and context

Today one of the key lessons for us is that scripture must be interpreted and applied within it’s true context. It is so important in an age where relativism and personal interpretations rule the day, that we hold to the true context of scripture as intended by the original authors and the Spirit of God.

Genesis 30:1–43

Integrity in work

So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come to look into my wages with you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, shall be counted stolen.” Genesis 30:33 (ESV)

Jacob’s integrity in his work and dealings with Laban were based on his trust and faith in God. If we trust in the Lord to take care of us there is no need to be dishonest or come up with our own schemes.

Matthew 22:23–23:36

Context is important

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29 (ESV)

Jesus, in rebuking the Sadducees, makes clear that we should both know the correct context of scripture and experientially know the power and person of God.

Love God with everything

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 (ESV)

God is uppermost in His own affections, this is the ultimate purpose of our lives, to Love God with everything, using the energy He has provided to serve, honour and glorify Him.

Jesus in the Old Testament

If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” Matthew 22:45 (ESV)

Jesus points the leaders back to the Old Testament to make it clear that the Messiah is more than just a descendant of David but is the Lord God Himself, The Son of the Living God.

We are all brothers

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:8–12 (ESV)

Jesus doesn’t want us to live like the Pharisees who saw themselves as better than the “normal” believers in Israel. This is how we should live in God’s kingdom, we should be humble and serve well. We are all brothers and are all equal under Christ. We should not have priests like Roman Catholicism.

Unmixed speech

You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Matthew 23:33 (ESV)

Jesus boldly confronts sin, falsehood and hypocrisy and tells them that (without repentance) there is no escape from hell. We can learn for Jesus’ boldness and unmixed speech.

Ecclesiastes 7:6–12

Avoid relativism

Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. Ecclesiastes 7:10 (ESV)

This is why we should not get side tracked with relative moralism by looking back at older days and saying things like “what has happened to society?” etc. The fact is that evil has been in the world since the fall of man and the enemy would like us to be nostalgic.

Instead we should state the truth regardless of how today differs from yesterday. We should not appeal to relativism in any of it’s subtle forms.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014

Additional resources

Resources on Inspiration & Inerrancy of the Bible