Daily Reading

Matthew 22:1-32; Psalm 27:1-7; Proverbs 6:20-26 Jesus continues to speak about the religious leaders and the Kingdom of Heaven. Basically He is saying that the religious leaders & Israelites were given the privilege of being God's chosen people. But, they turned away from God and made up their own religion. Remember, God doesn't care about outward appearance, vain speech, or selfish obedience. God cares about true relationship. Since the religious leaders broke relationship with God and refused to repent and turn back to Him, He is taking the Kingdom of Heaven from them and offering it to anyone, Jew or Gentile, who will enter into a relationship with Him. The religious leaders don't like these implications, so they continue to undermine Him with their religious questions. First, they ask about money. Shouldn't the people's money go to God instead of the government. Jesus replies that money is a man-made item, forged and provided by the government; therefore, it should be paid back to the government. God asks for your first fruits - the first portion of your crops or earnings because it is God who has given you life and the blessings you enjoy. The first fruits, or tithe as we now call it, helps to provide an income for the church and the ministers of the church since they have sacrificed their own livelihood to minister to the people. Second they ask a silly question about heaven. If a women marries several men over her lifetime, who will her husband be in heaven? Jesus answers that relationships in heaven will be different than relationships on earth (& I am assuming that when we arrive in heaven, we'll be happy with the arrangements.) He then addresses the real issue - these men don't even believe in resurrection (& therefore life in heaven.) But Jesus assures them that heaven and resurrection are real. They should know this from the scriptures they claim to understand. Now what I like about this portion of Scripture is that some of my own questions are answered. But there is a very important point to understand here. It is OK to question God, to inquire that we might understand and live a better life according to His Scriptures. The questions of an open & honest heart are not only accepted, they are encouraged. Solomon asked for wisdom in order to better serve the people of God. For his open-hearted request, he was greatly blessed by God. But watch out, those that question with an evil intent will get answers that cut to the heart of their wickedness. So, ask away, question, search - but do so with a heart that is open to receiving what the Lord has to say. I love the first 6 verses of the psalm - what a wonder pray of praise and joy!