Today’s passage: Matthew 26:17-35

Helpful thoughts:

• The terms, “Feast of Unleavened Bread” and the “Passover” were often used interchangeably though one is a part of the other.
• All of the disciples but Judas ask, “Is it I, Lord?” Then, in his exposing, Judas asks, “Is it I, Rabbi?”  The difference is noted by Matthew in stating that this was Judas’ “answer” (not a question) and Jesus’ response, “You have said so.”
• Jesus has, in this passage and at this meal, transformed the Old Covenant Passover meal into the New Covenant Lord’s Supper, or Communion.
  • The bread was without leaven (yeast) because leaven represented sin.
  • The cup that was to be drunk after eating was called the cup of redemption.  The wine was red to signify the blood of the Lamb.
• The disciples’ stumbling and scattering was prophesied in Zechariah 13:7.
• The disciples commitment to be faithful would eventually become true…but not that night.

Questions to consider:

1. In what way did Judas’ response point out his heart and allegiance?
2. How does the Passover feast point us to the Lamb of God and the New Covenant?
3. What are we remembering when we participate in Communion?

Today’s passage: Matthew 26:1-16

Helpful thoughts:

• Jesus again openly tells His disciples that he would be crucified.  This time, while others are plotting the act.
• One of the disciples who were upset at the apparent waste of money was Judas Iscariot (John 12:4-7).
• What Jesus said in verse 13 just got fulfilled again…as we were reading and thinking about this passage.
• Thirty pieces of silver was the legal price for the wrongful death of a slave (Exodus 21:32).

Questions to consider:

1. Was what this woman (Mary) did to Jesus a waste?  Why not?
2. What has Judas Iscariot shown his heart to be like at this point?  How do you think it is possible for a person to spend these last three years with Jesus and want to turn Him in for personal financial gain?
3. Is it enough to know who Jesus is?  Do you just have to believe that He is who He says He is or is there something else?  What didn’t Judas do?  Who was his lord and who wasn’t?

Today’s passage: Matthew 25:31-46

Helpful thoughts:

• Not so hidden in the content of this passage…God is omniscient.  He knows all and will judge perfectly.
• Also, as we continue to read through the Olivet Discourse, remember that Jesus did not shy away from teaching about judgment and damnation.  He wasn’t mean or rude about it, but he didn’t sugarcoat the truth.
• The nations being gathered for this judgment appear to be those who remain on the earth at the end of the Tribulation.
• The selfless works done by the sheep who have been blessed by the Father are an evidence to the grace given to them.
  • The sheep are blessed, inherit the kingdom prepared for them, and have a record of living for the King.
  • The goats are under the curse (John 3 – “Condemned already”), are sent to the punishment prepared for the devil and fallen angels, and have a record of living for themselves.

Questions to consider:

1. Even if this particular judgment is for those alive at the end of the Tribulation, are the principles applicable to us?  How so?
2. Why is it loving to be honest about what we believe will happen to people in the end?  What should the truth of the judgment compel us to do?
3. In what ways is God’s grace being manifested in your life?  In what ways are you (could you be) serving others who need help?  Praise God for His grace in your service!

Today’s passage: Matthew 25:14-30

Helpful thoughts:

• Like yesterday’s parable, all three servants are seen outwardly as servants of the Master (Followers of Jesus Christ).
• Different level of responsibility was given to each, but equal acknowledgement of “Well done…” was given to each obedient, diligent servant.
  • Regardless of what the servants were given, they were expected to use those resources to gain profit for the Master.  They were expected to produce.
  • Obedience in this life will result in greater responsibility and joy in the Kingdom.  There is a reward.
• The third servant blamed the Master and His reputation for his own failure to be obedient.
  • He was found to be faithless and wicked, and therefore punished.
  • The language in verse 30 is what Christ used to describe hell.  This servant was only one outwardly (such as the 5 virgins with no oil in the previous parable). He did not have faith in the Master.

Questions to consider:

1. Why is it so magnificent that we would be rewarded for our service?
2. Why will it be a reward to get to serve Christ in a greater capacity?
3. Why should we be thankful for the abilities and talents we have?
4. Take some time to evaluate your service.  What are you doing that can bear fruit?

Today’s passage: Matthew 25:1-13

Helpful thoughts:

• Traditionally, when it was time for the wedding celebration to start, the wedding party would go through the main street in the town with the bride and bridegroom in the evening with their torches/lanterns lit.  They did this to alert the town when the week-long party was about to begin.
  • The ten virgins are the bridesmaids.
  • They all give the outward appearance of supporting the marriage and the bridegroom.
  • Only half of them are actually prepared for his arrival.  The oil represents salvation.
• When he arrives, they realize their error and seek to rectify it…but it’s too late.
  • These are professing believers who are not truly saved.
  • They may acknowledge the truths of the Gospel, but have not repented and submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Questions to consider:

1. How can a person say they are a Christian but not truly be one?  In what way(s) is that possible?
2. What does it mean to be saved?  What does a person believe?  What part does repentance have in our salvation?
3. Are you ready?

Today’s passage: Matthew 24:32-51

Helpful thoughts:

• There are/will be signs of the times…but those who reject Jesus Christ will not heed them.  The world will continue to move forward as if nothing is wrong.
• “This generation” is not the generation of the disciples in Matthew 24.  It is the generation that sees these end times.  The events of the end leading up to Christ’s return will not take very long.
• This world will pass away. (See Revelation 21:1) But, Jesus’ words will never pass away.
• The wise servant, the true follower of Jesus Christ, will be found to be serving when Christ returns because that servant is serving continually, not waiting for the master to arrive in order to look good.

Questions to consider:

1. How does the truth that Jesus’ words will never pass away help you to properly measure the value of anything this world has to offer?
2. After reading the illustration of the Master’s servants, what do you think it means to be ready for His return?  What do Christians do, how do they live, regardless of the time of Jesus’ second coming?

Today’s passage: Matthew 24:15-31

Helpful thoughts:

• The abomination of desolation is recorded in Daniel 9:27.  This is the work of the Anti-Christ at the mid-point of the Tribulation, bringing on what is called the Great Tribulation.
• When Jesus truly returns at the end of the Tribulation, it will not be mysterious.  The world will know.
• This passage speaks of the elect being on the earth during the Tribulation, which calls into question the idea of the rapture occurring BEFORE the Tribulation begins.  However, we know from other scripture that others will put their faith in Christ DURING the Tribulation.  So, this passage does not necessarily speak to the timing of the rapture at all.

Questions to consider:

1. How can the fact that Jesus knows exactly what is going to happen in the end give you confidence?
2. Why are signs and wonders not to be taken automatically as indicators of God’s blessing?
3. How are we to remain confident in the truth when others would want to show us alternative information (False doctrine)?

Today’s passage: Matthew 24:1-14

Helpful thoughts:

• Matthew 24 and 25 are commonly referred to as the Olivet Discourse.
• The disciples were admiring the awe-inspiring Temple.  Jesus promise of its destruction came to be less than forty years later in 70 A.D. when Rome destroyed it.
• The disciples still were uncertain about the timing of Jesus’ rule and reign as King.  They were about to learn of an end times that they previously thought they were already taking part in.
• Notice two times in this passage, we are told that these events are not the signs of the end.
  • Verse 6, “But the end is not yet.”
  • Verse 14, “Then the end will come.”
    • So, all of these things written in verses 4-14 should be expected throughout the church age and into the tribulation, until Christ comes again.

Questions to consider:

1. What is the hope of Christians for enduring these difficulties that can arise?
2. What is the message that goes around the world that keeps people from going astray, stumbling, believing false teachers and betraying one another?  What message must we continue to hold dear and proclaim?
3. How does the Gospel message accomplish this?  How does it give us hope and help?

Today’s passage: Matthew 23:1-39

Helpful thoughts:

• This chapter contains Jesus’ final public sermon.
• Phylacteries are boxes that are worn on the head of Jewish men for prayer.  They contain parchments with verses from the Law.  They are a literal way to apply Deuteronomy 6:8.  The Pharisees wore large ones solely to impress people.
• A proselyte is a convert.  Jesus questions to what these new believers are being converted.
• Even after all of these “woes”, Jesus shares His desire to care for these people.

Questions to consider:

1. What are the marks of great leadership shared in this passage?
2. What are the marks and the goals of hypocritical and poor leadership?
3. What was the consequence for those who chose to follow in the way of these leaders in Matthew 23?
4. Who was all included in Jesus’ call at the end of the chapter?  Who had the opportunity to repent?