Monday 20

Passage: Mt. 13:31-58

Lesson: Verses 45-46 contain the parable of the Pearl of Great Price – “Men can know when they find the truth, and know they know it.” (Wayne Jackson).  God will reward those who truly seek him.

Tuesday 21

Passage: Mt. 14:1-21

Lesson: We must appreciate the fearlessness of John Baptist.   His bold stand for the truth in rebuking Herod for taking his brother’s wife cost him his life.  However, it was the right thing to do (Eph. 5:11).

Wednesday 22

Passage: Mt. 14:22-36

Lesson: Jesus’ words to Peter, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid”, bring comfort and assurance to the Christian.   As Frank L. Cox wrote, we should be “Resolved to fear nothing but sin and the danger of displeasing my (Our) Father.”

Thursday 23

Passage: Mt. 15:1-20

Lesson: According to verse 8 our service to God must be more than mere lip service.  Our heart must be in our worship and service to God – let us not be guilty of just ‘going through the motions’.

Friday 24

Passage: Mt. 15:21-39

Lesson: The woman of Canaan (Gentile) called Jesus the “son of David”.  Although a Gentile, she had knowledge about the Jewish idea of the Messiah.

Her request was ever so tender, “Have mercy of me”, as she pleaded on behalf of her daughter.

Saturday 25

Passage: Mt. 16

Lesson: “I will build my church”! Christ is the only one with the authority to do so! It is his church – He paid the purchase price (Acts 20:28) – He has all authority in the church (Mt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22ff; Col. 1:18).

Sunday 26

Passage: Mt. 17

Lesson: On the mount Jesus “was transfigured before them”.   What a wonderful sight the three apostles beheld on that mountain. (cf. 2 Pet. 1:16-19; also read 1 Jn. 3:2)!

Lessons from the Daily Bible Reading

Dates – Jan. 20-26, 2014