MARCH 28 READINGS…17
In our reading today Jesus gives a very difficult teaching for His disciples, and if we are completely honest, for us also. Jesus warns that we not be guilty of bringing intentional offense (being a stumbling block) for others. He begins by warning about the severity of causing harm to a “little one”. He said it would be better to have a millstone tied around your neck and be thrown into the depth of the sea. I hope people see how the Lord feels about the children. This should be a huge warning to those who promote or condone abortion, as well as those who abuse children once they are here…but it should also be a warning that what we teach children ought to be the things of God. First, parents are responsible for teaching their children the things of God, then the church is called to support the parents and be faithful to teach and love the children. Then Jesus teaches about making things right with one another when offense happens…it is our responsibility to do all we can to be right with each other. Finally, Jesus tells us that if someone sins against us, then asks for forgiveness…we are to forgive them. Personally, when I have trouble forgiving others for their offenses against me, I remember what I was like when the Lord found me and forgave me. These teaching were so hard that Jesus’ disciples asked Him to increase their faith. We might ask the same thing, but Jesus told them that is not the quantity of faith we have, but the quality of faith we use. We have all the faith we need given to us by the Holy Spirit, the only question that remains is if we are willing to use the faith we have been given.
Jesus then teaches on the Second Coming. He tells us that the day will come when our deepest desire is to see the coming of the Lord. I am not sure about you…but I am at the place. We are warned by the Lord that it is in this day that many would proclaim that the Lord has come, and tell us to go here and there to see Him…we are told not to believe them. Jesus tells us that when He returns there will be no question about it…and no one will have to tell us, all we see His return. The Lord tells us these last days will be like the days of Noah. What were those days like? The whole world had rejected God, His righteousness, His truth, and His way. Are we not in days like those? He said the last days would be like the days of Lot…what were those days like? Sexual immorality running rampant, and seen as the ordinary way of living. As a matter of fact, in Sodom and Gomorrah it was the normal biblical relations between men and women that was seen as abnormal. Does this sound familiar? Jesus is coming! He is coming soon, and we are called to be ready, we are to be caught unaware. Sadly, most will be surprised and terrified by the Lord’s return, for they have rejected Him, His truth, and His promised return.
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW’S READING…LUKE 18
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