BIBLE READING PLAN
WEEK 6 – EXITING OUR IDOLS
DAY 3
This week in our readings, we’re looking at the theme of Exiting our Idols from Exodus 7-11.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Reflection: This parable explains how freedom from idolatry works. When we encounter Jesus, in JOY we give up our idols to gain Him. If God is showing you an idol in your life, dump it and run with joy to Jesus.- In the parable, Jesus said the man sold all he had with “joy.” Why do you think that joy is important? What does the joy show about the new treasure found compared to the old treasure?
- Are you experiencing joy in your walk with Jesus? Why or why not? Talk to God about that.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Reading 2: Luke 19:1-10Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflection: Yesterday we read the story of the rich young ruler who couldn’t give up his idol. Today we read about Zacchaeus, who had the exact opposite reaction. As a tax collector in those days, he could charge as much as he wanted on top of the people’s taxes and keep the extra for himself. He had become very wealthy (and very unpopular) because of this. However, he knew he lacked something. Encountering Jesus changed his life. He gladly gave up his idol and immediately gave away half of his possessions. Jesus told him, “Today salvation has come to this house” (19:10). That is how freedom from idolatry works. When we encounter Jesus, we give up our idols in JOY to gain Him (Matthew 13:44). If God shows you an idol in your life, dump it and run with joy to Jesus. C.S. Lewis wrote: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” Jesus is calling us to stop playing the mud of earthly idols and experience Him!- In the parable (Matt 13:44), Jesus said the man sold all he had with “joy.” Why do you think that joy is important? What does the joy show about the new treasure compared to the old treasure?
- Are you experiencing joy in your walk with Jesus? Why or why not? Talk to God about that.
- Pray for the Easter services this weekend, that people would exit their idols with joy because they encounter Jesus.
Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Reflection: Yesterday, we read the story of a man who couldn’t give up what he loved most, his money. Today we read about Zacchaeus, who also loved money, but had a very different response to what Jesus said. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, and he would steal money from people all of the time. He had become very rich (and very unpopular) because of this. However, he knew he was missing something in his life. But then, he meets Jesus! He gladly gave up what he loved most, his money, and gave away half of his possessions right away. Jesus told him, “Today salvation has come to this house” (19:10). How cool is that? When we get to know Jesus, we want to push back the things we love most and follow Him! Jesus wants to be the number one thing in your life, because nothing else is as important as Him!- Yesterday, we asked about giving something up to someone who needed it. Did you do it? How did it go? How did you feel about it?
- We talked about how Jesus should be our number one priority, and that other things shouldn’t be as important as Him. Does that mean you have to give up what you love?
- How do you balance doing the things you love, but also making Jesus the priority?
Focus Verse: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44
Devotional:
Today we read about Zacchaeus. He had become very wealthy (and very unpopular) because of this. However, he knew he lacked something. Encountering Jesus changed his life. He gladly gave up his idol and gave away half of his possessions immediately. Jesus told him, “Today salvation has come to this house.” That is how freedom from idolatry works. When we encounter Jesus, in JOY we give up our idols to gain Him.
- In the parable (Matt 13:44), Jesus said the man sold all he had with “joy.” Why do you think that joy is important?
- What does the joy show about the new treasure found compared to the old treasure?
Focus Verse: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Matthew 13:44
Devotional:
Today we read about Zacchaeus. He had become very wealthy (and very unpopular) because of this. However, he knew he lacked something. Encountering Jesus changed his life. He gladly gave up his idol and gave away half of his possessions immediately. Jesus told him, “Today salvation has come to this house.” That is how freedom from idolatry works. When we encounter Jesus, in JOY we give up our idols to gain Him.
- In the parable (Matt 13:44), Jesus said the man sold all he had with “joy.” Why do you think that joy is important?
- What does the joy show about the new treasure found compared to the old treasure?
