Daily Readings - Wed Oct 01 2025
Nehemiah
1And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.2Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,3And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?4Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.5And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.6And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.7Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;8And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Luke
57And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.58And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.60Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.61And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.62And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our response to God's call. The first reading from Nehemiah introduces us to a man of deep faith and courage. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, is moved by the desolation of Jerusalem and seeks permission to rebuild it. His prayerful approach and the king's favorable response highlight the importance of trusting in God's providence and taking bold action for the greater good.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus challenging three potential followers, emphasizing the radical commitment required for discipleship. Each interaction underscores that following Jesus means surrendering personal comforts and priorities for the sake of the kingdom. This teaching is set against the backdrop of Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, where he continually emphasizes the cost of discipleship.
Both readings relate through their themes of call and response. Nehemiah's call to rebuild Jerusalem and Jesus' call to follow him remind us that our faith is not passive but active. They challenge us to discern God's will in our lives and to trust in His guidance, even when the path is uncertain or difficult. As we navigate our own journeys, may we embrace the courage and commitment exemplified by Nehemiah and the teachings of Jesus, prioritizing God's will above all else. Let us strive to follow with hearts fully dedicated, trusting that our sacrifices will bear fruit in His kingdom.