(Translated version, original article written in Chinese by Pastor Mickey Hsiao)
Worship
By singing praises and hymns, awake your soul, open your heart to the Lord, and prepare yourself to welcome the presence of God and receive the Word of God that will be given to you.
Thanksgiving
Petition with thanksgiving to God for a wonderful day and pray sincerely for a focused Scripture reading time! (Do not rush into reading the Bible without starting with prayers!) (e.g., you may start with a simple prayer like this: “Dear Lord, what will you be speaking to me today?)
Scripture Reading
Get the following items ready in advance: your devotional notebook, paper, pen, and/or electronic devotional articles so that you can easily write down the Bible verses, questions, and thoughts you have noticed! You are encouraged to open your Bible and vocally read out the scriptures (Try to practice this reading method daily or once a week)!
Scripture Reading: Matthew Ch. 22 (ESV)
Meditation
Take a moment to quietly reflect on today’s Scriptures. Through such exercises, let God’s Word be gradually written into our hearts and be inscribed to our mind.
Devotional
Read the devotional articles prepared by CBCLWA (*Read the Bible first before reading any devotional materials.)
(vv.1-14) In front of the religious figures, Jesus went on to say a third parable about a feast in the kingdom of heaven. In this parable, it is apparent that there were many people invited, but not everyone was willing to come to the feast. Some of the guests were not willing to come and some paid no attention and went off. Some were busy with their own affairs, one to his farm and another to his business. Some of the guests even killed the King’s servants. After that, the King sent his servants to the main roads and gathered all who they found to the already prepared feast. Yet, among all the attendants, there was a man who came to the feast without his wedding garment. This attendant was seized and cast in to the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. At the end of the parable, Jesus said, “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (v.14) Occasionally, the terms “called” and “chosen” are used interchangeably in the Bible. For examples:
(2 Timothy 1:9) “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began”
(Romans 8:30) “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
In this parable, Jesus apparently wanted to point out if those who were called knew their own identify! The Jews there were the people of God and they had received the best from God. Yet, they failed to live up to that identity and even ignored and despised God’s prophets for a long time. God’s calling then came to the Gentiles and His grace turn out to be accessible to all people. If a man is not properly dressed, not put on the Lord of Jesus Christ, nor cleansed from his sins through the blood of Jesus yet, he is not worthy of entering God’s Kingdom!
(vv.15-46) The enemies of Jesus continued to challenge him, wanting to entangle him in his words. The disciples of the Pharisees, together with the Herodians, began asking Jesus on political-related issues. Jesus said: “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (v.21) And the Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection and they asked him a religious question. Jesus answered them: “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (v.29) and he also said: “…have you not read what was said to you by God?” (v.31) After that, a teacher of the Law tested Jesus a question related to the Law. Jesus said to him: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.” (v.37-38) At the end, Jesus asked them a question, saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” (v.42) Jesus wanted them to know clearly that it was Christ who was talking to them. This group of people are Abraham’s descendants. Supposedly, they should have been familiar with the Law and looking forward to the Messiah the most. But when they saw Jesus standing among them, they were not able to identify him despite of their plot to entangle Jesus.
Brothers and sisters, do you see Jesus’ responses? These responses from the Lord Jesus are the best guidance in our daily life – that you belong to God and to God the things that are God’s; you shall understand the Bible; you shall know God’s mighty power; love the Lord your God with all your heart and your strength, and that you shall love your neighbors are yourself. As written in Romans 12:1-1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
The most important question in our lives is: “Who is Jesus?” Once our belief is confirmed, let God be in the right place (center) in our heart and his mighty power be known to us. Once we are able to hold on to the living principles of the Scripture, the firm foundation of our faith, we will be able to stay calm in the face of all kinds of trials and tackle them calmly.
Pray
Give thanks to God for His enabling us to read the Scriptures and for our response for living out the Word of God today! (e.g., You may start with a simple prayer like this: “Dear Lord, what/where are you going to lead me to today?”)