BIBLE READING PLANNER

STEP 4: WEEK 7

Roman domination of the land and people of Israel in the days of Jesus was almost total. Many patriotic Jews therefore would eagerly have followed anyone who could promise them hope of freedom from the Romans.

Jesus of Nazareth obviously had the power to overcome Roman rule, the miracles that the Jews had seen showed that. However contrary to their hopes and expectations Jesus was not to establish the Kingdom at this time. Jesus had already rejected the temptation to grasp human glory and take power for himself. His Kingdom was to be a future one and would be given to him by his father. First Jesus must conquer sin in order to free men from its bondage and from death. Then he would be fit to be to be the future King of the Earth.

All who desired to follow Jesus must also learn to rule themselves, before they could become rulers of others. And their concern must be for the Kingdom of God, not for the politics of this world

DAILY NOTES

SUNDAY - Matthew 15 - Jesus knew that sin arises from the heart (or mind) of man. It is that which needs cleansing (verses 18-19).

MONDAY - Matthew 16 - Jesus is the Christ (the Jewish Messiah) and he is the Son of God (verse 16). He foretold his death (verse 21). Would-be disciples must follow the path of self-denial (verses 24-26).

TUESDAY - Matthew 17 - The transfiguration of Jesus was a foretaste of Jesus in glory as future King. See Matthew 15:28 and 2 Peter 1:16-17.

WEDNESDAY - Matthew 18 - To be ‘as little children’ (verse 3) means to be trusting (not childish), taking God at His word.

THURSDAY - Matthew 19 - Everlasting life and joy in the coming Kingdom will be given to those who follow Christ (verses 27-29).

FRIDAY - Matthew 20 - Jesus knew what was going to happen to him (verses 18-19). The Old Testament had foretold it. He believed he would be raised from the dead (verse 19).

SATURDAY - Matthew 21 - Verses 1-11 only partly fulfilled Zechariah 9:9. The rest will happen when Jesus comes again as King of the world.