Daily Reading Week 14
Sunday
Matthew 28
DISCOVER
What do you think the two Mary’s were thinking as they made their way to the tomb of Jesus? What emotions would you imagine you would be experiencing if you had been in their place?
The women have an encounter with Jesus after his resurrection. What is their initial response? What can we learn from their example? Why do you think Jesus told the women not to be afraid?
When the disciples get to Galilee and see Jesus, what is their response? Why do you think some worshiped and some doubted?
How does Jesus finish the gospel of Matthew with a framework of being a disciple?
RESPOND
After the darkness and agony of the previous chapter, Matthew 28 is filled with life and worship and dismay. It also sets the stage for the birth of the church and the mission to follow. Jesus had died on the cross and was buried before sundown in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. The chief priests and elders received permission from Pilate to post a guard of Roman soldiers at the tomb to keep the body from being stolen. They did not want Jesus' followers to be able to claim He had been resurrected.
Two women named Mary, faithful followers of Jesus, arrive on the scene around sunrise to find the angel present and the guards apparently unconscious on the ground. The angel shows them Jesus' empty tomb and tells them Jesus, the one who was crucified, is risen. He gives them a specific message to take back to the disciples: Tell them Jesus is raised from the dead and that He is going before them to Galilee.
When Jesus meets the apostle at Galilee, He tells them that He is using His authority, given to Him by God the Father, to send them out on their lifelong mission. In this "Great Commission," Jesus commands His disciples to make more disciples of Him. This cooperative, mentoring, personal expansion of His kingdom is the primary mission of His followers. They must baptize these new followers and teach them to obey everything He has told them to do. Matthew ends with Jesus' promise to be with His disciples always, into and through eternity.
Monday
Micah 1
DISCOVER
What do these verses teach us about God and what he is like?
How does God’s judgment on idolatry, as seen in this chapter, inform our understanding of His expectations for His people?
What specific practices in modern society could be viewed as modern parallels to the idolatrous practices of Samaria and Jerusalem?
In what ways does this chapter remind you and challenge you as it relates to the importance of obeying God’s commands?
RESPOND
There are few things more destructive in life than rebellion. We can all identify with this statement because we’ve all been rebellious at some point. Rebellion appears in our lives like an uninvited guest, but soon it takes up residence in our hearts. Left unchecked, it can grow and fester into areas that will soon impact so much of our lives and possibly others around us.
The Book of Micah was written near the time of the demise of the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. Micah, a prophet, wrote the book in order to warn the sinful nations that judgment was coming from God. He warned that this judgment was going to be enough to ruin the entire nation because the Word of God told him so.
The prophet wasted no time at getting to the heart of the problem with God’s people. From some of the first words Micah states that God is upset with His people simply for their rebellious spirit and lives. Micah can’t just prophesy in a dispassionate or detached way. He’s affected greatly by the judgment coming to the people. His sorrow is unprecedented as he wails and howls like jackals over the choices of the people that will lead to further heartache. He cared so deeply for these that he wept in brokenness for them.
As Ambassadors of Jesus Christ, our brokenness over others who have lost their way should be there. Our duty is not to just be representatives of Him in a few things but in all. And one of those is the heart being torn by others and their choices which has led to separation. God needs to break our hearts for the things that break His.
Tuesday
Micah 2
DISCOVER
Because the people devised evil (verses 1-2), what did God devise as detailed in verse 3-5?
In verse 11 Micah notes that the people he is preaching to would have listened to him if he’d been preaching to them about things they enjoyed, like “wine and alcohol,” while he is admonished in verse 6 to not speak even when he’s telling the truth. How is this reality seen in contemporary culture? How does this idea parallel what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:3-4?
How does verses 12-13 provide a word of hope and encouragement in the midst of the hardships and challenges of life?
RESPOND
In Micah 2 we see the culture has changed in Israel and Judah. The model that God laid out for His people was being ignored. As a result, God was about to judge them. In Micah 1, Micah demonstrated that the people rejected God’s covenant. In chapter 2 he will demonstrate they they rejected God’s commands. This makes perfect sense when you think about it. If we reject the first four commandments and replace God with idols, then the other six commandments, which define how we care for our neighbors, become unnecessary. In the culture of Israel and Judah, God’s commands had really become just an afterthought.
Despite the stark consequences of social injustices and false prophecies, Micah 2 offers hope for the righteous. God’s promise of restoration reminds us that His mercy is enduring and His deliverance, certain. As we walk through life, it is essential to remember the divine response to injustice, reinforcing the importance of living uprightly, and to discern true teachings from false ones.
Wednesday
Micah 3
DISCOVER
At the beginning of the chapter Micah is very clear of the expectations the Lord had for the leaders. However, they chose to do the opposite of what was expected? How does Micah say the Lord will respond to their wickedness (verse 4)?
According to Micah 3:8, how does Micah describe himself in the midst of the other leaders? How does this challenge you?
What are some practical ways we can oppose corruption and promote justice in our day to day life?
Micah 3:11 is a very intense verse. When you read this verse it challenges our motives. In addition, it calls us to examine how we think as it relates to what we do. Are there times when we “do” things with the mindset that God will take care of us and provide for us, even when our motives are wrong?
RESPOND
In Micah 2 we observed that rebellion manifests itself most often in response to commands from authority. When we dive into chapter 3, we discover yet another type of rebellion - rebellion against wise counsel.
Ignorance is a lack of knowledge. Of course, people have been saying for years that ignorance is bliss. Honestly, ignorance is one of our greatest enemies. God Himself says that it can become a huge obstacle in our lives. In Hosea God made this statement, “my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Soon, God’s judgment would be poured out on His people. And of all things that God could have chose to identify as the root cause of the problem, he named ignorance.
There are two types of ignorant people in the world. First of all, there are those who are ignorant because of the circumstances of their lives. They may have grown up in an environment where the pursuit of knowledge was neither valued or encouraged. This type of ignorance is more easily excused when people have not been given the proper instruction.
Secondly, the next category refers to those who have been exposed to the knowledge but have chosen to reject it. This is the case in Micah 3. God’s people had been given knowledge, it was up to them to walk it out. Unfortunately, they chose to reject it and therefore experience the impending judgment.
As followers of Jesus we have been exposed to the truth and needed knowledge (2 Peter 1:3). But we must be careful; we may place our hope in all the wrong places. Like Israel and Judah, we may embrace idols and reject God’s commands for our lives. If we do this, we will also reject God’s counsel and wisdom. Once we reach that dangerous place, we have the potential to be destroyed by our own sinful choices - choices that result from rejecting God’s counsel for out lives.
Thursday
Micah 4
DISCOVER
In this chapter Micah gives a promise of restoration (4:1-3) for the afflicted. How does this promise bring comfort in your times of personal struggle?
According to the latter part of verse 10, what would come to the Jews through the pain of their captivity? How does this truth provide comfort for you?
Do you think people are looking for fulfillment in their lives? Where are most people looking? Where should we look?
In the midst of all that the Jews were experiencing, God reminds them that he has a plan for them. God has a plan for you. Take a few minutes right now to ask God what that plan is for you.
RESPOND
Finally, a turn in the tone of the book. Up to this point (chapters 1-3) the book of Micah has been pretty discouraging. Micah told God’s people that God was preparing to come down from Heaven to judge them because they had rejected His covenant, His command, and His counsel. In spite of this, the people were willing to maintain the status quo, and unwilling to turn back to God through repentance and confession.
In the midst of all this, God provides this amazing word of hope and restoration. He tells of how Israel will be restored when the Messiah reigns on earth and finally fulfills the covenant promises made to Abraham and David. In Micah 4, the prophet provides the believing Jewish remnant with great promises that are designed to give them hope in the troubled world in which they lived.
Friday
Micah 5
DISCOVER
How does the prophecy of Micah 5:2-5a relate to the New Testament narratives of Jesus’ birth?
Micah 5:1-6 gives us help with living in the uncertain and sometimes terrifying present world. What truths did God speak to the people that helped them in their fear? How do these truths help you?
Chapter 5 ends with a description of the actions that the Lord will take to turn His people’s hearts back to worship of Him. What will He take (verses 10-14)? How is this both a punishment and an act of grace?
RESPOND
This is one of those places in the Old Testament inspired by God through a prophet centuries before Jesus came, telling us about who he is and what he would do as God in the flesh, Emmanuel (God with us). As we live daily, remember that for centuries this was anticipated in God’s word. And remember who Jesus is in your life today, the Ancient of Days, the eternal God in the flesh, who is your shepherd amidst whatever you are walking through, amidst whatever challenges you are facing, amidst the questions you have, amidst whatever will unfold in your life today or tomorrow.
Know that Jesus lives to be your shepherd and in Him you have security. In Him, you can rest and dwell secure and He is your peace. In a world where there is so much tribulation and trial and temptation to worry. Don’t worry today, Jesus is your shepherd. He is leading and guiding you as you trust in Him and in Him, you have peace and security that nothing in this world can shake.
Saturday
Micah 6-7
DISCOVER
Micah 6:1-5 is God’s case against His people. How would you summarize His complaint? What had the people done to God?
In verse 8 we see what the Lord requires from His children. Look back at verse 8. What three things does the Lord require from His followers? In what ways have you tried to live this out?
God reminds us of His mercy and lovingkindness. How have you experienced God’s mercy and kindness in your life? Where has God show not just mercy but patient, enduring, undeserved goodness to you?
In Micah 7 we learn that God doesn’t hold onto His anger, but rather He delights in steadfast love. What negative emotions or responses are you holding on to? How does God’s grace help you let go of those things?
RESPOND
The final section of the book returns to the same pattern used in the first part - warning followed by hope. Micah exposes the unjust economic practices of Israel’s leaders that are destroying both the land and the people It’s here that Micah offers his famous words summarizing what it means for Israel to follow their God: “No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Israel has not been doing any of this and so will come to ruin.
However, the book ends on another powerful note of hope. Israel is personified as an individual, sitting alone in shame and defeat. It’s clearly an image of Israel’s destruction and exile. There’s the language of the writer begging for God’s mercy. But why? For starters, God and His character. Secondly, because of God and His gracious promises. As the concluding lines of the book put it, “God delights in covenant love, so He will show compassion, He will trample our evil, He will toss our sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:18-20)
Today, be encouraged, you can lean into God’s covenant love for you. He has loved you with an everlasting love and nothing can take that away. Feel comfortable in knowing this great truth, and in bringing your rebellion to God as you seek His forgiveness.