Day 153/260: Read Matthew 28

What is your reaction to the message of the resurrection?

The women who went to the tomb and found it empty were greeted by an angel, described as one whose “countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.” He said to them, “Do not be afraid.…And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.”

Matthew tells us that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary “went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” Fear mingled with joy motivated these women to urgently tell others of their Lord’s resurrection.

Why should we have a sense of fear when we are teaching others the truth? Perhaps part has to do with the fate of those who reject Him and rebel against Him. There is also the thought of our own shortcomings; if we do not find some way to tell others, we have neglected our own responsibility.

However, we should never let that fear dampen the joy of the gospel message. Jesus lived a sinless life; His blood was shed for the remission of our sins; He was raised the third day and now reigns in heaven! What hope we have because of His love!

Do we feel the same urgency about spreading the message as the women in the last chapter of Matthew? If not, why not? Is it because we lack the proper fear and joy?

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Matthew 26:28. “For this is the ______________ of the new covenant, which is ______________ for many for the remission of sins.”

Pray

Pray for a greater sense of urgency in teaching the gospel; pray for a proper dose of fear and joy in the truth.

Day 152/260: Read Matthew 27

“It’s not my fault!” Parents with young children (and sometimes not so young children) may hear this phrase quite a bit. Perhaps the child was caught misbehaving in school, and the teacher sends a note home, and the child defends himself with the irrefutable, “It’s not my fault!”

This is the same thing the chief priests and elders said to a remorseful Judas, the betrayer of Jesus. When the Lord was delivered to Pontius Pilate the governor, Judas attempted to return the thirty pieces of silver, but the Jewish leaders said, in effect, “It’s not my fault!” They refused to acknowledge their part in Judas’ sin, saying, “What is that to us? You see to it!”

Just a handful of verses later, Pontius Pilate the governor said the same thing to the multitude when they chose the release of “a notorious prisoner called Barabbas” over the innocent Jesus. In order to maintain peace and avoid a riot, “he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’”

How do we react when we are confronted with a personal indiscretion? When our sin stares us down, do we throw our hands up and say, “It’s not my fault! You see to it!”? Or do we accept our responsibility in the matter, repent of our wrongdoing, and beg for forgiveness from the Almighty?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

Matthew 26:28. “For this is the blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Pray

Pray for forgiveness for your sin, and for strength in dealing with the temptation to refuse the responsibility for your actions.

Day 151/260: Read Matthew 26

How unshakeable is your faith? The apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

When Jesus walked the earth, He chose twelve men to be His closest allies. For three years, they followed Him day and night, listened to His teachings, and were privy to more in-depth doctrine than the common man.

Near the end of His earthly ministry, He told the twelve, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” Matthew’s account of this devastating announcement is interesting. Matthew writes, “And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, ‘Lord, is it I?’”

Each was genuinely concerned that he would be the one to turn his back on the Master. Many times, we like to think our faith is invincible, but here were these men, the closest friends of Jesus, worried about their personal faith.

Much research has been done about apostasy. One 2017 poll of adults aged 23-30 showed that among teenagers who regularly attended church services, 34% stopped the habit between the ages of 18-22. Think of the young people where you attend now. Which 34% are you willing to lose?

Be an encouragement to those who are younger. Show them the benefits of faithfulness to the Savior. Teach them to be steadfast and unmovable in the Lord’s work.

Memory (Read aloud 5-10 times)

Matthew 26:28. “For this is the blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Pray

Pray for young Christians who are still finding their faith.

Day 150/260: Read Matthew 25

The principle of stewardship is found throughout God’s Word, but perhaps the point is best made by our Lord in the parable of the talents.

God has entrusted to us something of great value. What we do with it will directly impact our ultimate reward from Him. The men who received five and two talents when out and doubled their master’s wealth. The one who received one, however, hid it out of laziness and used fear as an excuse.

The master’s estimation of this man is telling. He calls him “wicked and lazy.” The servant had done nothing that was morally reprehensible by the standards we would usually use to measure wickedness, but because of his slothfulness he was called “wicked.”

The other two servants, however, were commended for their efforts. They were called “good and faithful” and each was made a “ruler over many things.” They were invited to “enter into the joy of your lord.” The Lord blesses those who are diligent in doing His will.

If the Master were to return today, how would He rate your service? Would you be called “good and faithful” because you have worked for Him? Or would you be called “wicked and lazy” because of apathy and indifference?

Memory (Recite to a friend without looking)

Matthew 22:14. For many are called, but few are chosen.

Pray

Pray for stronger faith to trust and obey the Lord and to be active about the work in His kingdom.

Day 149/260: Read Matthew 24

Everyone is looking for a sign of the Lord’s return. Natural disasters, shifting of world powers, pandemics…all of these are cited as evidence that His return is imminent. However, all of these have been happening ever since He ascended into heaven. They are not signs that He is coming soon. In fact, Jesus said there would be no sign of His return.

“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Did the people of Noah’s day have warning? Of course they did. If nothing else, they had the example of Noah, who is called “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5).

Do the people of today have warning? Yes! The words of the New Testament and the teaching of faithful members of the Lord’s church serve as a warning to all who will hear.

When will the Lord return? No one knows! We must always be ready, always be working for the Lord, always be “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Matthew 22:14. For many are _____________, but few are _____________.

Pray

Pray for those who are not prepared for the Lord’s return, and do everything in your power to prepare them.