Daily Readings - Sun Jul 05 2020
Zechariah
9Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.10I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Romans
9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
Matthew
25At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.26Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound messages of humility, peace, and the invitation to a life guided by the Spirit. The prophet Zechariah announces the arrival of a humble King, who comes not in power or splendor, but on a donkey, symbolizing meekness and peace. This King will bring an end to war and extend His dominion universally. In Romans, Paul contrasts life in the flesh with life in the Spirit, urging believers to mortify the flesh and live according to the Spirit, promising life and peace. Jesus, in Matthew, invites the weary to come to Him, offering rest and a light burden, emphasizing meekness and humility as the path to true freedom.
These readings are deeply interconnected. Zechariah's prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus, who embodies the humility and peace the prophet foretold. Paul's exhortation to live by the Spirit aligns with Jesus' invitation to take on His yoke, which is light and sweet. Together, they call us to embrace a life of humility and trust in God's Spirit, rejecting the burdens of the flesh.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we approach challenges and burdens. Jesus' invitation to come to Him reminds us that true strength lies in humility and trust. By living according to the Spirit, as Paul encourages, we can find the peace and rest that Jesus offers. Let us turn to Him in our weariness, embracing humility and meekness, and allow His Spirit to guide us, leading us to a life of lightness and joy.