DAILY GUIDE 2021 MONDAY 2nd AUGUST
TOPIC: REPENTANCE – THE KEY TO GOD’S KINGDOM
Bible Reading: Matthew 21:23-32 Q.7 2
23 Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
27 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
REPENTANCE – THE KEY TO GOD’S KINGDOM
When the chief priests and the elders questioned the authority of Jesus (vs.23-27), He compared their attitude to that of the second son in the parable of the two sons (vs. 28-32). They projected themselves as the righteous ones, outwardly pretending to be obedient. Notice the reason the chief priests and elders refused to answer Jesus’ counter-question about John’s authority (v.27). They were clearly going to expose themselves to public ridicule by their double standards. Do we find similar situations in our modern society where people like to twist facts to suit their own purpose? True repentance is the key to overcoming such conduct. We see this clearly demonstrated by the first son. Even though he lived a rebellious and riotous life, when he realized his error, he made a complete turnaround. God is calling on people everywhere to repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Many religious people are rejecting the way of salvation while evil and wicked men are repenting and accepting salvation.
Prayer: Dear Lord, grant us grace to constantly lay our whole lives bare before you
Memorize:“I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went (Matt 21:33)
Missions: Qatar-Expatriates are drawn from many nations by the high earnings in Qatar, but Christians are limited by strict anti-proselytism laws Pray for the employment opportunities (from manual labor up to executive positions) to be filled by Christians who would be an intentional Kingdom presence in Qatar
Bible In One Year: Isaiah 19-21
