Week of January 19, 2025
The Grand Invitation
Are you In or Out? Jesus came preaching that the Kingdom of God is at hand and available. The follow-up question is, “Who gets in and how?” Our human nature leads us to all sorts of judgments about people and circumstances, and we tend make judgements about who God accepts and who He rejects. Jesus opens his major teaching session by declaring that human wisdom tends to get it wrong. And he offers an invitation to everyone into the Kingdom of God’s grace.
Monday | Matthew 5:1-12
Which of these statements of Jesus do you find surprising or confusing? Why? Jesus does not say that people are blessed “because” of these situations, but that they are blessed in these situations. How does this influence the way you read these verses? Where do you see yourself in these statements? What comfort do they bring you?
Tuesday | Matthew 11:25-30
Jesus issues another invitation here. There are no disclaimers, and no exceptions to the invitation to come and receive the comfort of being in a relationship with Him. What aspects of His kingdom do you need to feel in your life during this season? What do you need to lay down so that you can take up the easy yoke of Jesus?
Wednesday | Matthew 19:23 - 20:16
In these parables, Jesus teaches that all who believe in him will receive eternal blessings from following Him. But He also teaches that we will learn that we might have some things backwards, when it comes to the Kingdom. What does He mean by “the last will be first and the first last”? How does our culture of earning and rewards for hard work cause us to miss the grace of the gospel?
Thursday | Romans 3:21-28
Paul teaches us that nobody deserves to be part of the Kingdom of God. Why is it important to understand this truth and apply it to ourselves? How will embracing this truth influence the way we see others, who struggle with God? On the other hand, everybody can get into the Kingdom through the love of Christ. Do you believe this to be true? How does this truth influence the way you approach others that seem far from God?
Friday | Romans 4:1-8
Spend some time today reflecting on the blessed state you are in because of what Jesus Christ has done for you. Ask God to help you trust in his blessing no matter your circumstances. Ask Him to show you who needs to feel his blessing from you this week.
