1st. Arpril. 2022. Daily Devotion.
The disciples came to him and asked, ‘Why do you speak to the people in parables?’11 He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. Matthew 13:10-13
Jesus speaks in parables because there are people who have ears to hear, but who are unlettered, poor, and not given to dealing with philosophical principles. He speaks so that those open to his message will understand, no matter what their education. Once they can understand what He is saying, they will continue to learn. They will seek, they will pray, they will listen.
We are the ones who “have”, and the more we have, the more we will be given, in our minds, in our lives, in our souls. Every Bible verse we grasp makes us hunger for another. Every temptation we conquer gives more strength to withstand the next; every temptation to which we succumb weakens us.
“Life is always a process of gaining more or losing more. Jesus laid down the truth that, the nearer men and women live to him, the nearer to the Christian ideal they will grow. And the more they drift away from Christ, the less they can aspire to goodness; for weakness, like strength, is an increasing thing.” ~ William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew.
“Christianity is called a spiritual walk. It’s not a run and it’s not a jog. It’s a walk you do from day to day and that makes you stable.”~ Orel Hershiser
Give me grace O Lord, that I may hear, see, and live your truth from day to day. Amen.
Grant us, O Lord, to pass this day in gladness and peace, without stumbling and without stain, that reaching the day’s end victorious over all temptation, we may again praise you, the eternal God, blessed over all things now and for ever. Amen. Mozarabic Sacramentary (10th century)
Gracious God, we know the theory of welcoming all, that in Christ there is “no longer Jew or Greek … there is no longer male and female” but we all have our preferences and biases. It is comfortable to be among those who are like us. Yet you call us not to be comfortable, but to comfort – to encourage and strengthen others, including those who are troubled. It is not easy, but it is possible because you are a merciful God, a forgiving God, a hope-giving God. Through Jesus you have made room for all, so may we share your hope, your forgiveness, and your mercy with those who discomfort us. Amen.
For Those Who Grieve
You are the Father of all mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction. Bless those who grieve the death of loved ones, especially those who mourn the loss of loved ones during this time of war. You have conquered death in the death of Your dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, who embraced the world in His dark death. Bring hope through the Word of Christ to all who mourn, that they may learn to hand over all their sorrows to Jesus, the Man of sorrows, who is personally acquainted with our suffering. Remind us always, especially in the time of death, that Your will is always good and gracious to save, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.