Day 26 Bible Readings – Matthew 18: 19-20 (ESV)

Job 1-3, Matthew 18: 10-35, Psalm 18: 16-24

Matthew 18: 19-20 (ESV)

“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

In verses 19 and 20 from Matthew 18, Jesus talked about the power of fellowship in the church. Jesus tells us that if two people of faith have agreement in prayer, then their prayer will be answered. And if two or three people of faith are gathered in the name of God, Jesus will be among them. Many Bible scholars have said that people who do not believe in God do not have the same opportunity for fellowship and community as do people of faith. I think Jesus is so right about the fellowship you find in a church. I have found great friendships in the churches I belonged to, and it was so inspiring to talk to people who believe in the same things. I saw so many prayers answered and miracles asked for whenever they were requested in group prayer. And in a good service, one can always feel the palpable presence of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Day 25 Bible Readings – Genesis 50: 19-21 (ESV

Genesis 49 & 50, Matthew 18: 1-9, Psalm 18: 7-15

Genesis 50: 19-21 (ESV

“But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

In verses 19 through 21 from Genesis 50, we read about Joseph’s answer to his brothers when they were worried about whether he would punish him for what they did to him. Joseph told them he wouldn’t take revenge on his brothers because punishing them was God’s job. But Joseph didn’t underplay what his brothers did to him and told them they meant to do evil against him. I think more importantly what Joseph understood was that God used for good what had been done to him in evil. If we look at what happened to Joseph, we can have confidence that no matter evil happens to us God will find a way to use it for good. It may not seem that way at first and it may take years sometimes for us to find our way out of difficulties, but in the end God will use everything that happens to use for the good and to fulfil his plan for humanity.

Day 24 Bible Readings – Matthew 17: 20 (ESV)

Genesis 47 & 48, Matthew 17, Psalm 18: 1-6

Matthew 17: 20 (ESV)

“He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Verse 20 from Matthew 17 is Jesus’ response to his disciples when they asked why they couldn’t cast the demon out from the boy. I believe that Jesus is saying that it is not the amount of faith or how much faith that we have to do great things. Jesus is saying that it is the kind of faith we have that is important. Jesus tells his disciples that if they had the faith of a mustard seed, we could do great things. A mustard seed is very small and in time of Jesus, the mustard plant was used to make medicines or to use in cooking. Mustard seeds also grow quickly and spread, and the mustard plant can grow very large. So all we need is a little faith and that faith with God’s help,  will grow quickly and spread and become large and beneficial to God’s plan for earth.

Day 23 Bible Readings – Matthew 16: 4 (ESV)

Genesis 45 & 46, Matthew 16, Psalm 17: 13-15

Matthew 16: 4 (ESV)

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed.”

In verse 4 in Matthew 16, we see Jesus’ response to the Pharisees and Sadducees when they asked for a sign from heaven. Jesus told them there will be no sign except the sign of Jonah. In the Bible commentaries I read, they outlined the similarities between the story of Jonah and the coming crucifixion and resurrection of Chrit. Jesus agreed to be crucified to pay in advance for the sins of humanity, just like Jonah sacrificed himself to saved others. Jesus died on the cross and after three days he was resurrected, just like Jonah who was swallowed by a great fish and was vomited out by the fish after 3 days. Jesus preached for people to repent, It makes me wonder if the Pharisees and Sadducees got the reference to Jonah and what would happen to Jesus. Did the disciples who seemed to know the Old Testament very well understand the Jonah reference as well? I don’t think anyone got the Jonah reference because the disciples never mentioned it in any of the Gospels or even the Book of Acts. But I love how Jesus mentioned it and no one seemed to have caught on as far we know.