02/23 – Matthew 27:24-29 – Red Letter Challenge: Introduction

Old Testament: Psalm 1

Blessed is the person who does not follow the advice of wicked people, take the path of sinners, or join the company of mockers. Rather, he delights in the teachings of the Lord and reflects on his teachings day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams, a tree that produces fruit in season and whose leaves do not wither. He succeeds in everything he does.

Wicked people are not like that. Instead, they are like husks that the wind blows away. That is why wicked people will not be able to stand in the judgment and sinners will not be able to stand where righteous people gather.

The Lord knows the way of righteous people, but the way of wicked people will end.

Epistle Reading: James 1:22-25

Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it or you will fool yourselves. If someone listens to God’s Word but does not do what it says he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, studies his features, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free, and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget, they actually do what God’s laws say.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 7:24-29

Everyone who hears what I say and obeys it will be like a wise person who built a house on rock. Rain poured and floods came. Winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not collapse because its foundation was on rock.

Everyone who hears what I say but does not obey it will be like a foolish person who built a house on sand. Rain poured and floods came. Winds blew and struck that house. It collapsed, and the result was it fell with a great crash.”

When Jesus finished saying these things the crowds were amazed at his teachings. Unlike their experts in Moses’ Teachings, he taught them with authority.