Daily Readings - Sun Dec 01 2019

¹This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:²In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.³Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.⁴He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.⁵Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Romans

Chapter 13

¹¹And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.¹²The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.¹³Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.¹⁴Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Matthew

Chapter 24

³⁷As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.³⁸For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;³⁹and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.⁴⁰Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.⁴¹Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.⁴²"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.⁴³But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.⁴⁴So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of readiness, peace, and living in accordance with God's will. In Isaiah, we are presented with a vision of a harmonious future where all nations gather at the mountain of the Lord, and warfare is transformed into agriculture, symbolizing peace. This vision is set against the backdrop of Judah and Jerusalem, offering hope for a messianic era. In Romans, Paul urges believers to awaken from spiritual slumber, emphasizing the nearness of salvation and the importance of living honorably, free from sin, and clothed in Christ. The Gospel from Matthew, part of the Olivet Discourse, highlights the unexpected nature of Christ's Second Coming, drawing parallels to the days of Noah and stressing the need for vigilance. These readings are interconnected by the common thread of preparation and righteous living. Isaiah's vision inspires us to strive for a world where God's law prevails, bringing peace. Romans provides practical advice on moral living, encouraging us to shed sinful behaviors and embrace Christ. Matthew's passage underscores the urgency of being prepared for Christ's return, much like being vigilant against a thief. Together, they remind us that our spiritual readiness is paramount. In our daily lives, this means embracing a life of purpose and virtue, avoiding complacency and sin. We are called to live with the awareness that Christ could return at any moment, prompting us to stay spiritually alert and committed to His teachings. The moral lesson here is clear: live righteously, remain vigilant, and trust in God's plan. By doing so, we not only prepare for the future but also contribute to a more peaceful and just world today.