Day 15 Bible Readings – Matthew 12: 11-12 (ESV)

Genesis 31, Matthew 12: 1-21, Psalm 11

Matthew 12: 11-12 (ESV)

“He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Verses 11 and 12 from Matthew is a lesson from Jesus on putting rules first before compassion. The religious leaders in the synagogue asked Jesus if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath, and Jesus countered by asking them if they would not help their own sheep if an accident happened on the Sabbath. Jesus knew the answer would be “yes”, so he told them that the people who worship with them are more valuable than the sheep and it was not wrong to heal during the Sabbath. I see this sometimes with myself where I don’t want to break rules to help someone out. In cases like this I know now the best thing I can do is pray to God for advice and listen for his words. If you are unsure of which direction you need to go when it comes to breaking your own rules and/or private codes, pray to God for help and he will answer you.

Day 14 Bible Readings – Matthew 11: 28-30 (ESV)

Genesis 29 & 30, Matthew 11, Psalm 10: 12-18

Matthew 11: 28-30 (ESV)

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

In verses 28 through 30 from Matthew 11, we read about Jesus inviting us to come to him and become his followers. We will learn from Jesus and find rest for our souls. Then Jesus says his “yoke is easy” and his burden is light. Jesus tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light because he will bear the burden with us. It doesn’t mean that being a follower of Jesus will be easy, but Jesus will bear it with us and we can rely on him to care for us as a shepherd cares for his sheep. I think that the best part of being a follower of Jesus is the rest for our souls that he promises. Whenever I’ve had burdens in my life, Jesus was always there to comfort me. In midst of sometimes great pain and sadness, I felt that Jesus was holding me in the palm of his hand so I wouldn’t fall apart. I felt safe and protected, and able to bear my troubles and sorrow because they had been made lighter by Jesus.

Day 13 Bible Readings – Matthew 10: 34-36 (ESV)

Genesis 27 & 28, Matthew 10: 32-42, Psalm 10: 1-11

Matthew 10: 34-36 (ESV)

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.”

Verses 34 through 36 from Matthew 10 shows Jesus talking about what it means to be his follower. If a person makes a commitment to follow Christ, they may find that they will come into conflict with their parents, other relatives, and even their friends. Loved ones and friends may not understand a believer’s commitment to Christ and may try to sabotage the relationship with God. I think that is why Jesus told his disciples he did come to earth to bring, but to bring a sword. Faith in Christ may cause division, and Jesus wanted to forewarn his followers of what was to come. Faith may become like a sword that cuts through the relationships that families have with each other, especially I think when it comes to following God’s laws. The “sword of faith in Jesus Christ” is even more relevant today when people who follow Christ and Biblical principles are mocked and ridiculed in movies and in mainstream media. But the rewards that come from being a believer in Christ are so great, that a Christ follower must stand their ground and not be ashamed to have a committed relationship to Jesus Christ. If we are faithful to Christ and Biblical laws, we are guaranteed to have a miracle filled life from now and into eternity.

Day 12 Bible Readings – Matthew 10: 29-31

Genesis 25 & 26, Matthew 10: 1-31, Psalm 9: 13-20

Matthew 10: 29-31

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

In verses 29 through 31 from Matthew 10, Jesus says to his disciples that God cares for all of his people. God created everything on earth, and nothing happens on earth that is not his will. Jesus gives them the example of sparrows, and told his disciples not to fear because they are more valuable than many sparrows. God knows us down the smallest detail down to how many hairs are on our head. These words from Jesus are what we need to remember when we have overwhelming fears about our future. God loves us so much that he knows everything about us, and he will always take care of us just as he cares for all the creatures on the earth. We might often think that God doesn’t loves us, nor does he know anything about us. But these feelings of unworthiness are wrong. God does know us and he loves us so much, we should fear anything.