This week, the Bible reading plan is as follows:
*Sunday: Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Luke 6:39-7:10; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 11:28
*Monday: Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25; Luke 7:11-35; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 11:29-31
*Tuesday: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20; Luke 7:36-8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1
*Wednesday: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22; Luke 8:4-21; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 12:2-3
*Thursday: Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32; Luke 8:22-39; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 12:4
*Friday: Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23; Luke 8:40-9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7
*Saturday: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9
Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:2,5-6
2 Remember how the LORD your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands.
5 So you should realize that just as a parent disciplines a child, the LORD your God disciplines you to help you. 6 "So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him.
Observation:
The book of Deuteronomy is an interesting book. The word Deuteronomy itself means "repetition of the law". In a sense, Moses repeats most of the law to the people of Israel, right before his death. He wants to make sure they really get it. Moses was like a father figure for these people. He loved them, guided them, but also disciplined them.
Verses 2, 5 and 6 of Deuteronomy 8 stood out to me. In verse 2, Moses says that the 40 years wandering in the desert was more than a brute punishment. Yes, the LORD was humbling them for their actions, but He was also testing them to prove their character and find out whether they would really obey Him.
I get the impression that "obeying God" is almost synonymous with "loving God". In verses 5 and 6, we see that God disciplines his people, like a Father disciplines a child only to help them. And then it says... so obey the commands... You can almost translate that as: "So love the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him."
We see that Jesus says the same thing in this week's reading in Luke 6:46-49:
46 "So why do you call me 'Lord,' when you won't obey me? 47 I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then obeys me. 48 It is like a person who builds a house on a strong foundation laid upon the underlying rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against the house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who listens and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will crumble into a heap of ruins."
He too is saying that listening to Him, coming to Him, in effect loving Him, is synonymous with obeying Him. And that obedience is the rock upon which that person's faith is built.
Application:
I can say I love God (and I do), but a very tangible way to show my love is by obeying His commandments. Practically, this means things like showing love to someone in need, being honest, observing a day of rest in my weekly schedule, honoring God's name, showing the love of Christ to people who don't know him, and so on.
At times it may seem that obeying God's commandments is a burden, something we have to do out of obligation and out of fear for punishment. If we obey God out of those motives (and I have!), we're missing the connection that obedience has with love. We obey God's commandments not because we have to, but because we want to. Because He loves us so much, like a Father his children, He gave us these simple instructions that help us. When we obey and follow them, we show deep respect and love for our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your commandments that bring life for those who live by them. I want to follow and obey them, my Lord. Not out of guilt, but because I love you deeply. Please forgive me when I fall short, which I do. And thank you for picking me up and dusting me off when I do fall. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Have a blessed week.
Dick
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Week 12: Making Connections
This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:
*Sunday: Numbers 26:52-28:15; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17
*Monday: Numbers 28:16-29:40; Luke 3:23-38; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 11:18-19
*Tuesday: Numbers 30:1-31:54; Luke 4:1-30; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 11:20-21
*Wednesday: Numbers 32:1-33:39; Luke 4:31-5:11; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 11:22
*Thursday: Numbers 33:40-35:34; Luke 5:12-28; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 11:23
*Friday: Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46; Luke 5:29-6:11; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 11:24-26
*Saturday: Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29; Luke 6:12-38; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 11:27
Scripture: Numbers 27:15-19
"Then Moses said to the LORD, 'O LORD, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.'
"The LORD replied, 'Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people.'"
Observation:
I just saw a connection that I had not observed until this morning. When God informed Moses that he would soon die, his only concern was for the community of Israel. He prayed that God would give the people someone to guide them and lead them into battle so they "will not be like sheep without a shepherd." Then God instructed Moses to take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay hands on him.
Here's the connection. The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name, Joshua, is Jesus. So when Moses prayed that God would keep them from wandering aimlessly, like sheep without a shepherd, God presented Yeshua (Hebrew), Iesus (Greek).
Of course Joshua son of Nun is not Jesus Christ, but this is nevertheless a striking connection. Both Matthew and Mark's Gospels associate the phrase, "like sheep without a shepherd," with Jesus: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). "Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things" (Mark 6:34).
Many generations after Moses, long after Israel had lost its way, the prophet Micaiah declared, "In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd" (1 Kings 22:17). Many years later Ezekiel chastised the religious leaders of his day, claiming that they had forsaken their task as God's appointed shepherds: "So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them" (Ezekiel 34:5, 6).
In Jesus Christ we come full circle, back to Moses' prayer. When Moses prayed for a leader to keep God’s people from endless wandering, he gave them Joshua. Centuries later, when we were wandering like sheep without a shepherd, God gave us Jesus.
Application:
This insight reinforces my appreciation for the living nature of God's word. I can read the Bible over and over and never exhaust its wisdom and insight. Many years ago, one of my professors said, "When you read the Bible, you meet God." I experienced that today in my reading of Moses' prayer and the appointment of Joshua son of Nun. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, has rescued me from my endless wandering and brought me into the safety of his embrace.
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for speaking to us through your word, which is living and active. Thank you for rescuing me from a life of endless wandering and for bringing me into the safety of Jesus' embrace. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
*Sunday: Numbers 26:52-28:15; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17
*Monday: Numbers 28:16-29:40; Luke 3:23-38; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 11:18-19
*Tuesday: Numbers 30:1-31:54; Luke 4:1-30; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 11:20-21
*Wednesday: Numbers 32:1-33:39; Luke 4:31-5:11; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 11:22
*Thursday: Numbers 33:40-35:34; Luke 5:12-28; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 11:23
*Friday: Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46; Luke 5:29-6:11; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 11:24-26
*Saturday: Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29; Luke 6:12-38; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 11:27
Scripture: Numbers 27:15-19
"Then Moses said to the LORD, 'O LORD, you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.'
"The LORD replied, 'Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people.'"
Observation:
I just saw a connection that I had not observed until this morning. When God informed Moses that he would soon die, his only concern was for the community of Israel. He prayed that God would give the people someone to guide them and lead them into battle so they "will not be like sheep without a shepherd." Then God instructed Moses to take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay hands on him.
Here's the connection. The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name, Joshua, is Jesus. So when Moses prayed that God would keep them from wandering aimlessly, like sheep without a shepherd, God presented Yeshua (Hebrew), Iesus (Greek).
Of course Joshua son of Nun is not Jesus Christ, but this is nevertheless a striking connection. Both Matthew and Mark's Gospels associate the phrase, "like sheep without a shepherd," with Jesus: "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). "Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things" (Mark 6:34).
Many generations after Moses, long after Israel had lost its way, the prophet Micaiah declared, "In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd" (1 Kings 22:17). Many years later Ezekiel chastised the religious leaders of his day, claiming that they had forsaken their task as God's appointed shepherds: "So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them" (Ezekiel 34:5, 6).
In Jesus Christ we come full circle, back to Moses' prayer. When Moses prayed for a leader to keep God’s people from endless wandering, he gave them Joshua. Centuries later, when we were wandering like sheep without a shepherd, God gave us Jesus.
Application:
This insight reinforces my appreciation for the living nature of God's word. I can read the Bible over and over and never exhaust its wisdom and insight. Many years ago, one of my professors said, "When you read the Bible, you meet God." I experienced that today in my reading of Moses' prayer and the appointment of Joshua son of Nun. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, has rescued me from my endless wandering and brought me into the safety of his embrace.
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for speaking to us through your word, which is living and active. Thank you for rescuing me from a life of endless wandering and for bringing me into the safety of Jesus' embrace. Amen.
Have a blessed week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Week 11: Finishing Well
This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:
*Sunday: Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6
*Monday: Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7
*Tuesday: Numbers 19:1-20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8
*Wednesday: Numbers 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11
*Thursday: Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13
*Friday: Numbers 24:1-25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14
*Saturday: Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15
Scripture: Mark 15:43-46
"Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) Pilate couldn't believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus' body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance."
Observation:
I have never stopped to ponder the depth and strength of Joseph's faith. Mark's Gospel says that he was an honored member of the high council, the Sanhedrin. To the Jewish people, Joseph was one of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court. When Joseph asked Pontius Pilate for Jesus' body, he was not only putting his reputation and career on the line, he was risking his very life. And for what? Jesus was dead. Any hope of Messianic deliverance perished on the cross – or so it seemed at the time.
Joseph was a good man. He was also a wealthy man who generously extended an extraordinary level of hospitality to a person he believed in and respected from afar. Matthew's Gospel says that Joseph had become a follower of Jesus. Luke's Gospel says that he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. According to John's Gospel, Joseph was a disciple of Jesus. However, he had up to that point kept his belief in Jesus hidden because he feared the Jewish leaders. John's account says he actually removed Jesus' body from the cross. Jesus' lifeless body was still hanging on the cross when Joseph approached Pilate!
On the face of it, Joseph was merely honoring a man on whom an injustice had been inflicted. It was an ever-so-feeble attempt to right a grievous wrong. He was in essence giving a good man a decent burial. It was the least he could do. He purchased expensive burial linens. After finalizing the burial preparations, he rolled the large stone into its place and the grave was sealed. That was that. Or was it? Was that really all Joseph was doing...giving an honorable man an honorable burial?
We cannot know exactly what Joseph was thinking at the time. Yet both Mark and Luke include a telling statement: "...he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come." And Joseph's behavior after Jesus' death suggests that his hope did not die on the cross. When Jesus spoke of his impending death and subsequent resurrection, his closest followers simply could not hear it. Could it be that Jesus' disciple from afar, the one privy to all the scheming of his fellow religious leaders, not only believed what Jesus said about his death, but also believed what Jesus said about his resurrection? Did he pick up on something the other disciples missed? In the end, would Joseph have put his life on the line for anything less than the hope of resurrection and everlasting life?
Application:
How do I apply this insight? Joseph's secret discipleship is not exactly praiseworthy. But Joseph stepped up and did what none of Jesus' other disciples could have done. What would have happened to Jesus' body if Joseph had not intervened? Joseph's secure grave actually protected Jesus' body from the wiles of his enemies.
One takeaway is that God can use our mistakes and missteps to position us to do to what we otherwise could never do. In a real sense Joseph needed to be where he was in order to do what no one else could have done. I also learn from Joseph that how I finish the race is more important than how I start it or whether I stumble along the way. I want to finish my life well, which means, in the present moment, finishing this day well.
Prayer:
O Lord, thank you for redeeming even my failures for your purposes. I want to confess my faith in Jesus Christ freely and openly, whether it brings praise or persecution. It is easy to say that I would die for my faith, but Joseph of Arimathea lives in me. I pray that you would give me the strength to be true to you when it counts the most, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Have a great week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
*Sunday: Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6
*Monday: Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7
*Tuesday: Numbers 19:1-20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8
*Wednesday: Numbers 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11
*Thursday: Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13
*Friday: Numbers 24:1-25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14
*Saturday: Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15
Scripture: Mark 15:43-46
"Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) Pilate couldn't believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus' body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance."
Observation:
I have never stopped to ponder the depth and strength of Joseph's faith. Mark's Gospel says that he was an honored member of the high council, the Sanhedrin. To the Jewish people, Joseph was one of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court. When Joseph asked Pontius Pilate for Jesus' body, he was not only putting his reputation and career on the line, he was risking his very life. And for what? Jesus was dead. Any hope of Messianic deliverance perished on the cross – or so it seemed at the time.
Joseph was a good man. He was also a wealthy man who generously extended an extraordinary level of hospitality to a person he believed in and respected from afar. Matthew's Gospel says that Joseph had become a follower of Jesus. Luke's Gospel says that he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. According to John's Gospel, Joseph was a disciple of Jesus. However, he had up to that point kept his belief in Jesus hidden because he feared the Jewish leaders. John's account says he actually removed Jesus' body from the cross. Jesus' lifeless body was still hanging on the cross when Joseph approached Pilate!
On the face of it, Joseph was merely honoring a man on whom an injustice had been inflicted. It was an ever-so-feeble attempt to right a grievous wrong. He was in essence giving a good man a decent burial. It was the least he could do. He purchased expensive burial linens. After finalizing the burial preparations, he rolled the large stone into its place and the grave was sealed. That was that. Or was it? Was that really all Joseph was doing...giving an honorable man an honorable burial?
We cannot know exactly what Joseph was thinking at the time. Yet both Mark and Luke include a telling statement: "...he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come." And Joseph's behavior after Jesus' death suggests that his hope did not die on the cross. When Jesus spoke of his impending death and subsequent resurrection, his closest followers simply could not hear it. Could it be that Jesus' disciple from afar, the one privy to all the scheming of his fellow religious leaders, not only believed what Jesus said about his death, but also believed what Jesus said about his resurrection? Did he pick up on something the other disciples missed? In the end, would Joseph have put his life on the line for anything less than the hope of resurrection and everlasting life?
Application:
How do I apply this insight? Joseph's secret discipleship is not exactly praiseworthy. But Joseph stepped up and did what none of Jesus' other disciples could have done. What would have happened to Jesus' body if Joseph had not intervened? Joseph's secure grave actually protected Jesus' body from the wiles of his enemies.
One takeaway is that God can use our mistakes and missteps to position us to do to what we otherwise could never do. In a real sense Joseph needed to be where he was in order to do what no one else could have done. I also learn from Joseph that how I finish the race is more important than how I start it or whether I stumble along the way. I want to finish my life well, which means, in the present moment, finishing this day well.
Prayer:
O Lord, thank you for redeeming even my failures for your purposes. I want to confess my faith in Jesus Christ freely and openly, whether it brings praise or persecution. It is easy to say that I would die for my faith, but Joseph of Arimathea lives in me. I pray that you would give me the strength to be true to you when it counts the most, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
Have a great week!
Faithfully,
Chuck
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Week 10: Love over Sacrifice
This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:
*Sunday: Numbers 2:1-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25
*Monday: Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 10:26
*Tuesday: Numbers 6:1-7:89; Mark 12:38-13:13; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 10:27-28
*Wednesday: Numbers 8:1-9:23; Mark 13:14-37; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 10:29-30
*Thursday: Numbers 10:1-11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32
*Friday: Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3
*Saturday: Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4
Our S.O.A.P. for this week is from Marc 12:32-34
Scripture: Marc 12:32-34
32 The teacher of religious law replied, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbors as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law." 34 Realizing this man's understanding, Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
Observation:
Usually, Jesus is in an argument with Pharisees or teachers of religious law. In this passage, however, we finally meet a Jewish teacher of religious law who understands the meaning of the things Jesus is saying. This man understood that the Jewish law is not all about bringing sacrifices for atonement of sin. He understood that at the core, the law is all about loving God and loving your fellow brother and sister.
Jesus tells this man: "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." Two things come to mind when I try to interpret what Jesus means with this. It could be that Jesus meant that this man is very close to understanding God's perfect intention for mankind. He is very close to understanding God's heart, and the reason He gave us his word.
A more obvious explanation is that this man has almost "entered the Kingdom of God". The one thing he still needs to do is to believe in Jesus as his Savior. Once he does accept Jesus, he will enter the Kingdom of God. Personally, I believe that after Jesus' death and resurrection, this man did become a believer and did enter into God's Kingdom.
Application:
The most important application for us is to realize that God's Kingdom does not consist of bringing (personal) sacrifices, but that it consists of loving God, and loving our neighbor like we love ourselves. Too many times, we think we need to bring sacrifices in terms of monetary giving, giving of time, volunteering, doing good deeds, and so on. Yes, these things are important, and we should continue to do them, but at the very core, they should all be about loving others and loving God. If that is our attention, we are living God's intention for mankind, and we are building up His Kingdom.
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for explaining to us the true meaning of the law, and the true meaning of God's Kingdom. Help us to live out this principle of loving you and loving others in our daily lives. In Your Name. Amen.
Have a blessed week.
In Him,
Dick
*Sunday: Numbers 2:1-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25
*Monday: Numbers 4:1-5:31; Mark 12:18-37; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 10:26
*Tuesday: Numbers 6:1-7:89; Mark 12:38-13:13; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 10:27-28
*Wednesday: Numbers 8:1-9:23; Mark 13:14-37; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 10:29-30
*Thursday: Numbers 10:1-11:23; Mark 14:1-21; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 10:31-32
*Friday: Numbers 11:24-13:33; Mark 14:22-52; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3
*Saturday: Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4
Our S.O.A.P. for this week is from Marc 12:32-34
Scripture: Marc 12:32-34
32 The teacher of religious law replied, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth by saying that there is only one God and no other. 33 And I know it is important to love him with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbors as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law." 34 Realizing this man's understanding, Jesus said to him, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
Observation:
Usually, Jesus is in an argument with Pharisees or teachers of religious law. In this passage, however, we finally meet a Jewish teacher of religious law who understands the meaning of the things Jesus is saying. This man understood that the Jewish law is not all about bringing sacrifices for atonement of sin. He understood that at the core, the law is all about loving God and loving your fellow brother and sister.
Jesus tells this man: "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." Two things come to mind when I try to interpret what Jesus means with this. It could be that Jesus meant that this man is very close to understanding God's perfect intention for mankind. He is very close to understanding God's heart, and the reason He gave us his word.
A more obvious explanation is that this man has almost "entered the Kingdom of God". The one thing he still needs to do is to believe in Jesus as his Savior. Once he does accept Jesus, he will enter the Kingdom of God. Personally, I believe that after Jesus' death and resurrection, this man did become a believer and did enter into God's Kingdom.
Application:
The most important application for us is to realize that God's Kingdom does not consist of bringing (personal) sacrifices, but that it consists of loving God, and loving our neighbor like we love ourselves. Too many times, we think we need to bring sacrifices in terms of monetary giving, giving of time, volunteering, doing good deeds, and so on. Yes, these things are important, and we should continue to do them, but at the very core, they should all be about loving others and loving God. If that is our attention, we are living God's intention for mankind, and we are building up His Kingdom.
Prayer:
Thank you, Jesus, for explaining to us the true meaning of the law, and the true meaning of God's Kingdom. Help us to live out this principle of loving you and loving others in our daily lives. In Your Name. Amen.
Have a blessed week.
In Him,
Dick
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