Day 41 - Leviticus 10-12 & Matthew 26:1-19
Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. (Matthew 26:14-16 ESV)
What will you give me for Jesus? What a horrid thought! What a treacherous question! Judas, what a scoundrel!
You and I would never ask that question, not for anything. But wait, that is exactly what sin is – trading loyalty to Jesus for ...
wealth
possessions
fame
power
control
hatred
fear
greed
pride
lewdness
immorality
self-centeredness
unbelief
How does Jesus respond when we sell him out? We find the answer in Paul’s second letter to Timothy.
The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.
(2 Timothy 2:11-13 EV)
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being faithful to me even when, by virtue of my sin, I have not been faithful to You. Thank You for not turning Your back on me when I have sold you out to my sinful inclinations. Please continue to shower me with Your amazing grace, forgiving my sins and promising me what I do not deserve--heaven. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 40 - Leviticus 7-9 & Matthew 25:31-46
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. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:34-40 ESV)
The Lord Jesus is teaching us one of the most important life lessons. How can we serve Jesus? By serving others. It is so simple, and yet many don’t seem to get it.
Martin Luther brought this point home in one of his Christmas sermons. “And don’t let you people in this congregation think you’d have done any better if you were there. I can just hear you say, “Oh, we would have loved to take care of the Baby Jesus. We would have washed his diapers.” No you wouldn’t! If you’d been there you wouldn’t have done a bit better, and if you think you would, why don’t you do it for your neighbor in your midst, who is Christ among you?”
Who is Christ among you?
● the hungry
● the thirsty
● the stranger
● the naked
● the sick
● the prisoner
● ANYONE IN NEED
When we serve Jesus by helping others in need, they will be more open to hearing about all that Jesus means to us today, and for our eternal future!
Heavenly Father, open my eyes to the opportunities around me every day to serve Jesus. Helping me to see Jesus in all of the needy. Yes Lord, please use me to reach others for You. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor Dave Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 39 - Leviticus 4-6 & Matthew 25:1-30
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 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.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13 ESV)
The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Be prepared.” And that is what Jesus is saying to us in chapter 25. The children of St. Paul’s are often reminded to always, always, always, always, always stay close to your Jesus. By staying close to Jesus you will be prepared for the return of Jesus, the bridegroom, when He comes to usher you into the eternal marriage feast of heaven. And how do you go about staying close to Jesus?
● Daily prayer, Bible reading and meditation.
● Daily confession and repentance.
● Weekly hearing of the words – “Your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
● Weekly fellowship in God’s house where His Word is heard.
● Weekly visits to the Communion table.
● Departing from God’s house in peace to serve the Lord.
Heavenly Father, please help me, in the midst of all of the distractions of life, to be prepared for the return of Your Son. Yes, keep me prepared as You feed my soul with Your means of grace. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
Pastor Dave Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 38 - Leviticus 1-3 & Matthew 24:23-51
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only... Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Matthew 24:36 & 42 ESV)
Some days it’s really difficult to stay awake. You’ve burned the candle at both ends, and now you’re paying the price. If you happen to be driving, that can be very dangerous. You need to do whatever you can to stay awake – roll down the car window, turn up the radio, get a cup of coffee or soda.
In today’s reading from Matthew, Jesus is encouraging us to stay awake. The reason is far more crucial than merely suffering from physical fatigue.
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."
Only God knows when our last day will be. It will either be the day we die or Judgment Day... whichever comes first. What we do know is that we must be ready. We need to stay awake!
We need to do something much more effective than drinking coffee to stay spiritually awake. Those who are awake and ready for Christ’s return are those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus as their Savior.
So stay awake by the weekly hearing of God’s Word and the receiving of Christ’s body and blood.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the warning. Please help me to stay awake and be ready for Your return by feeding me with God’s Word and with Your body and blood every week. Amen.
Pastor Dave Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 38 - Leviticus 1-3 & Matthew 24:23-51
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 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. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:4-13 ESV)
Jesus is giving us a glimpse into the future – wars, uprisings, famines, earthquakes, tribulation, hatred, betrayal, death, and the disappearance of love. In other words, things are going to get rough as we near the end of time. In fact, as Judgment Day approaches, many are going to turn their backs on Jesus.
Jesus wants us to keep our eyes on the prize and not wander away from Him. He is the only One who promises forgiveness, life and salvation to repentant sinners like you and me. So, keep your eyes on Jesus and His cross as you anticipate the finish line.
♬ And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(For All the Saints, The Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006 #677, stanza 5)
Lord Jesus, thank You for opening my eyes to how things will be before You return. Please sustain the gift of saving faith given to me on the day of my baptism. And please use me to encourage others to also endure to end so that they, too, can be saved. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 36 - Exodus 37-38 & Matthew 23:23-39
Exodus 37:17-24 (English Standard Version)
He also made the lampstand of pure gold. He made the lampstand of hammered work. Its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers were of one piece with it. And there were six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. (Exodus 37:17-19 ESV)
“The assembled lampstand gives light to the tabernacle but also symbolizes the light of God’s care and mercy. Due to sin, the eyes of our heart are bad, and the whole body is darkened (Matt 6:23). How great is our need for forgiveness! Jesus is the light of the world, and in Him we have the light of life” (John 8:12). (The Concordia Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 160)
Today’s Gospel lesson adds another enlightening dimension to the lampstand.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15 ESV)
The light we are called to shine forth in our daily lives is the light of God’s care and mercy revealed in sending Jesus to save us from our sins and guaranteeing the eternal light of heaven to all and any who believe.
Heavenly Father, thank You for shining the light of Your Gospel light into my life by granting me faith in Jesus. Please shine through me to others so that they may also spend eternity in the glorious light of heaven. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion table this morning!
Pastor Dave Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
Day 35 - Exodus 34-36 & Matthew 23:1-22
The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12 ESV)
The picture depicts an event in our current readings from the book of Exodus. God’s people got so tired of waiting for Moses (and God), that they fashioned a golden calf, thereby exalting themselves. God responded, through Moses, by throwing “the book” at them. What he threw was actually the two tablets on which were written the Ten Commandments.
In today’s New Testament reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, in effect, throws the book of God’s Law at the pharisees and all who act like they have the ability to make themselves holy. In verses 13-29, Jesus uses the word “woe” seven times. This is a declaration of deep distress and wretchedness. And it fit the Pharisees perfectly.
13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
16 Woe to you, blind guides.... 17 You blind fools!
23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.
29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
Heavenly Father, please keep me humble so that I may never hear the word “woe” directed at me. Teach me the importance of humble service that is performed out great thankfulness for You unlimited mercy and grace revealed in Christ, my Savior and Lord, In His saving name. Amen.
“See” you in church tomorrow!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf
