Parable of the Wedding Feast

Today's Reading:

• Matthew 22:1 - 33
• Psalm 27:1 - 6

Matthew 22:1 - 33

In this reading Jesus tells the Parable of the Wedding Feast.  He says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like a great wedding banquet that has been prepared but that no one who is invited will attend.  He talks of the great feast and celebration that awaits, yet no one will attend.

Not only will no one attend, but some of the king's own messengers are taken and killed.  So instead the servants go outside the palace and invite anyone who wants to come inside and many people show up.  One person who shows up is not clothed as he should be and when he refuses to answer the king, so he is bound and thrown outside to despair.

When you think of the Kingdom of Heaven in this matter it is astounding that so many people refuse to attend the celebration and feast that the Lord provided to them.  It is also remarkable that the messengers who try to tell the others of this feast are killed for doing so.

Why are there people in this world who don't want to join in the Kingdom of Heaven?  It's a truly glorious place for us to be -- an end to all our troubles and suffering, where all our needs are met and where people are truly completely happy.

Furthermore, why would people want to harm those who try to invite them to the Kingdom of Heaven?  It's a glorious place and it's waiting for us!  If you don't want to go then don't go, but don't take that out on us who are trying to share the glory with you.  We love you and we only want you to share the joy with us because there is truly enough for every single person to share.

Psalm 27:1 - 6

With faith in God we will overcome all evil thrown at us.  Trust in Him to deliver you from your enemies and to provide for you and He will always do so.  And even if we lose our earthly bodies in the fight the Lord will be there to welcome us in our new heavenly bodies.  The Lord loves us and will not abandon those who keep their faith in Him.

The Least Righteous Person in Heaven

Today's Reading:
• Matthew 11:7-30
• Psalm 14:1-7

Read Bible Passages Online


Matthew 11:7-30
Here Jesus introduces us to John the Baptist and tells us that John is the one foretold of in the prophecy as Elijah.  My bible references the scriptures Jesus referred to as Malachi 3:1 and 4:5.  We are told that John the Baptist is the messenger and right after he arrives so will the Savior.  Jesus also says that out of those who lived and all who have died, none are better than John the Baptist.  But then Jesus says that John is not even as great as the least person who is in the Kingdom of Heaven.  So I guess that means that even the best man to ever have lived just cannot compare with even the least righteous person in Heaven.  I guess it just goes to show that no matter how good of a person you are, you are still nothing without the blood of Jesus.

Jesus then warns of the judgement coming to those who don't believe.  He says the judgement is even worse than judgment that awaits the people of Sodom, because these people have seen the miracles, still turned away after seeing them.  How does someone turn away once they've seen such great miracles?!

Psalm 14:1-7
David tells us that those who say there is no God are corrupt and but those who trust and obey the Lord are with God.  To those who refuse God, terror will come.  Once again, the message is reinforced that it doesn't matter how good a person is; that person is not and will not be with God without going through Jesus Christ.

Conclusion
I really am pleased that I chose this plan to follow for reading the bible in a year.  Many other plans simply cut the bible into straight slices so that you still read through it end to end.  Until now, I've never tried anything other than reading the bible straight through.  With this plan I get to sample parts from all over the bible and watch as different stories unfold.  It truly is a much better plan for newbies like myself!  The link to the plan I'm following was in the introductory post, but here is the link again in case you missed it.

Not Everyone Will Enter the Kingdom of God

Today’s Reading:

• Matthew 7:15-29
  
• Psalm 9:1-12

Matthew 7:15-29
I love verses 15-20, which talk about good and bad fruit in relation to good and bad people. Just as you can tell if a tree is bad by it’s fruit, so you can tell if a person is bad by their actions. This is very true, isn’t it?

Verses 21-23 are quite scary versus for me, because I know it speaks truth. Here we are told that not everyone will enter the Kingdom of Heaven – all those people who call on the Lord but do not obey his laws will be turned away. We are given the example of those who do things in the Lord’s name. A good example these days would be a preacher who does work in Jesus’ name, but never actually knew the Lord.

I know I lack now in following God’s laws. I try to be good, but there are still things I do over and over again that need to stop. Passages like these make me scared – will I ever truly be good enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?  What is important is my salvation in Jesus Christ, and with him I can enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but I still have to do my part and live a godly life.


Psalm 9:1-12
Here David praises the Lord, thanking him for helping him to overcome his enemies. The Lord judged fairly, with vengeance, and David came out triumphant, for the Lord “does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.” (9:12) 


Conclusion Again I am left with more reflections on my life and what I can do to improve it. It’s hard to read these passages because I see so much need for improvement, but I’m also happy that I’m forcing myself to open my eyes and take notice. Ignorance is no long an option or a refuge -- ignorance kills.