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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Steve Maltz and are based on Mark 12 & 13 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Matthew 23:13-39
35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David? 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.”’ 37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” The large crowd listened to him with delight. 38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out
for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with 39 respect in the marketplaces,
and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Sunday July 27 - Good thoughts
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” Mark 12:34
This week we are going to see evidence of a lot of bad thoughts and actions, followed by ugly consequences further down the line. But, before we cover the bad and the ugly, we start with the good – with a teacher who got things right by agreeing with Jesus’ declaration of loving God and one’s neighbours as the greatest commandments of all. This attitude made him a step closer to God’s kingdom.
And that’s how easy it is to attract God’s favour and to find ourselves welcome in his kingdom. Love is so central, as the teacher realised and as we also need to embrace. God asks us to give all of ourselves to him; our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength (v 33). That involves every part of us, and if we can honestly live this life then there’s no room for anything else. These words are first seen in Deuteronomy 6:1-9 and we are told that this (the Shema) is the most sacred prayer for Jews – so important that it is on the lips of martyrs as they are killed for their faith in God. We realise that these are imperatives to take very seriously, to be impressed on our children and to be declared to all whom we meet, at home or elsewhere (Deuteronomy 6:7).
Father in heaven, help me to love you with every ounce of my being. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY