This week’s readings are all from Matthew 18-19. Click here to see a full listing of each day’s reading and the full chapters of Matthew 18-19. Full readings of each day’s smaller segments of the readings will be posted on this site during the week.
Today's Reading
16 Now someone came up to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?” 17 He said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he asked. Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! 24 Again I say, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.” 25 The disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him, “Look, we have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” 28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth: In the age when all things are renewed, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
16 Now someone came up to him and said, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to gain eternal life?”
26 Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.”
Jesus reminded me today that on my own I can’t inherit eternal life. It is only by walking with him and following him that I can inherit “the kingdom of heaven.” My question to myself today is what am I willing to give up in my life to follow Jesus? Come Holy Spirit and guide my walk.
For me, this whole week’s readings for me were about Trust…and…this year has provided me the understanding that faith is a noun and trust is the verb that feeds one’s faith…if I want my faith to increase, I must trust in God…God the Father (creator of everything including me)…God the Son (redeemer of my soul thru the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross) …God the Holy Spirit (sustainer of my Faith thru the advocate sent by The Father and The Son to live within my heart to guide my mind’s thoughts and the actions of my mouth, feet and hands)