Daily Bible Reading – February 2022: God’s Renewing Word of LoveParaugs

February 5

Introduction

Today’s reading begins with an account of Jesus blessing little children followed by Jesus’s encounter with a rich man who asks him what he must do to receive eternal life. These two accounts are set side by side, perhaps as a way of intentionally conveying status reversal. In Jesus’s day, wealth was associated with power, status, and social privilege and children were considered powerless. Welcoming the powerless would normally bring no honor; but, in welcoming children, Jesus offers a new teaching about God’s Kingdom, turning upside down the status of children and the status associated with wealth.

Scripture Reading

Luke 18:15-30

Today’s Key Verse: Luke 18:17

[Jesus said:] “Remember this! Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Reflect

What did the disciples do when people brought their children to Jesus? How did Jesus respond? Reread verse 17. What do you think it means to “receive the Kingdom of God like a child?” How does Jesus respond to the rich man who asks Jesus what he must do to receive eternal life (verse 22)? What is the rich man’s reaction (verse 23)? Reread verses 24 and 25.How do Jesus’s words in these verses compare to what he says in verse 17?

Pray

Lord Jesus, in faith I seek to receive God’s Kingdom like a child. Whenever I feel as if I don’t have as much as I need or as much as I want, remind me of your abundant blessings and to share my resources freely and lovingly as an expression of my trust and faith in you. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

John 3:1-21: A religious leader meets with Jesus at night.