“‘Friend,’ [the king] asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.” Matthew 22:12
Presumption
The picture Jesus paints is one of celebration and joy. A king is hosting a lavish, royal wedding feast. But instead of the usual dignitaries you’d expect, Jesus says that this particular king has chosen to do the unexpected. This particular king has chosen to invite anyone and everyone—including people who never would have dreamed of receiving this kind of invitation.
It’s still a royal event, of course—an occasion for dignity and respect. And so, what if you don’t have proper clothes to wear? In Jesus’ story, the king has thought of that too. The king himself provides the wedding clothes so all may enjoy his lavish feast.
And so, the king comes in to enjoy the company of all his shocked and delighted guests—shocked and delighted because here they are, dressed in clothing the king has provided, all so they can savor the kind of meal they have never before experienced in their lives. But as he takes in the sight of all his guests enjoying themselves, one man stands out. What the man is wearing screams, “Inappropriate.” It reeks of apathy and contempt. The man has concluded he does not need to bother with special clothing for the king. But Jesus says that when the king himself personally calls him on it, the man is speechless.
Jesus’ story is about sinful presumption. When it comes to the privilege of standing in God’s presence, there is no room for my sinful presumption. None. And yet, the temptation is there. Twenty-first-century culture can get me to presume I’m just fine as long as I’m “spiritual.” My background can get me to presume I’m just fine because my family name has been in the church directory for generations. My church busyness can get me to presume I’m just fine because I’m busy at church.
But in the presence of the King, such clothing screams, “Inappropriate.” It reeks of apathy and contempt. This is so because, in my presumption, I have forgotten how desperately I need Jesus as my Savior from sin.
My clothing is Jesus. Jesus alone. My reservation for the heavenly banquet comes only through him.
Prayer:
Jesus, thy blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress. Amen.
In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9
Relief
At the Johnson Space Center in Houston, you can see one of the most famous rooms of the 20th Century. “Mission Control” is the room where row after row of engineers and specialists worked day and night to support the Apollo moon landings. It’s also the site of one of the greatest moments of pure relief in American history.
On April 17, 1970, the three astronauts of Apollo 13 were about to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Their spacecraft had suffered catastrophic damage four days earlier, and Mission Control worked around the clock to do what needed to be done to bring them home. Everyone in the room understood that there would be a four-and-a-half-minute blackout in communication with the astronauts during re-entry. Everyone also understood that if the astronauts did not respond after four and a half minutes, their spacecraft had probably burned up and they had perished.
The blackout began. One minute. Two minutes. Three and then four. Four and a half. Silence. Five minutes. Five and a half. Nothing. Six minutes. Then, crackling on the radio static, an astronaut’s cheerful voice. At the sound of that voice, all the pent-up anxiety and stress and grief and fear melted away in an explosion of relief and joy.
In Isaiah chapter 25, God’s people are hurting. Life has left them feeling bruised, broken, fearful, anxious—and guilt-ridden because of their sin. And so, God points them to his promises. He points them to the full forgiveness he will secure on their behalf. And he points them to the relief and joy they will one day savor with him forever.
In our day-to-day lives, you and I feel the wounds, scars, burdens, and cuts of living in this fallen world. Our sins haunt us. Our failures vex us. When they do, remember why Jesus came. Our forgiveness is secure. He has already done what had to be done to bring us safely home. And when that day comes, the relief and joy we savor with him will last forever.
Prayer:
Remind me, Lord, of the eternal relief and joy that await. Remind me that, in you, all is well. Amen.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces. Isaiah 25:8
The Tears
Tears of grief are an extraordinary gift of God. The more researchers have studied tears of grief, the more extraordinary we recognize them to be. When someone close to you dies, your brain undergoes trauma. After all, up to this moment the wiring of your brain has included this person in the very fabric of your life. Death tears that piece of fabric away.
To help deal with such trauma, God equipped your body to shed tears of grief. These tears arise for a very different reason from the tears you shed when, for instance, you get a bit of sawdust in your eye. Scientists are still learning exactly how emotional crying affects the body, but it appears to be connected with the body’s natural response to stress and emotional pain. Crying can be part of the process by which the body gradually settles after intense distress. It’s no accident, therefore, that individuals grappling with grief often report feeling calmer or experiencing a measure of relief after they’ve had “a good cry.”
As helpful as tears of grief are, however, the Lord gives us far more than a temporary fix. He addresses death itself – the cause of our grief. He points us ahead to the moment when there will be “no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain” (Revelation 21:4).
Enter Jesus. He is the one who, according to Isaiah, “has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4). God the Son became one of us. He lived among us. He wept with us. And through it all, he lived a life of perfect faithfulness on our behalf. Then he set his sights on the very cause of death. He set his sights on our sin. He took up our sin. He carried our sin to the cross. And through his suffering and death, he paid for our sin in full.
And now he lives. And because he does, the tears of our grief are temporary. Eternal life awaits. The tears of grief will soon give way to the tears of joy.
Prayer:
In my tears of grief, Lord, remind me that they will not last. Eternal joy awaits. Amen.
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1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised in advance through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. 3 This gospel is about his Son—who in the flesh [1] was born a descendant of David, 4 who in the spirit [2] of holiness was declared to be God’s powerful Son by his resurrection from the dead—Jesus Christ, our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and the call to be an apostle on behalf of his name, to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, 6 including you, who were called by Jesus Christ.
7 To all those loved by God who are in Rome, called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Desire to Come to Rome
8 First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 To be sure, God, whom I serve with my spirit by proclaiming the gospel of his Son, is my witness to how constantly I make mention of you. In all my prayers, 10 I always ask if perhaps at last a way might be opened, if God wills, for me to come to you. 11 I certainly long to see you, in order that I may deliver some spiritual gift to you, so that you are strengthened— 12 that is, when I am with you, that we will be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, yours and also mine.
13 I do not want you to be unaware of the fact, brothers, [3] that I have often planned to come to you but have been prevented from doing so until now. I wanted to have some fruit among you in the same way as I did among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I have an obligation both to Greeks and non-Greeks, [4] to the wise and to the foolish. 15 That is why I am eager to proclaim the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
The Power of the Gospel
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes—to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed by faith, for faith, [5] just as it is written, “The righteous will live by faith.” [6]
Footnotes
Romans 1:3 Here flesh is a reference to Christ’s state of humiliation. See 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18.
Romans 1:4 Here spirit is a reference to Christ’s state of exaltation. See 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:18.
Romans 1:13 When context indicates it, the Greek word for brothers may refer to all fellow believers, male and female.
Romans 1:14 Or barbarians
Romans 1:17 Or from faith to faith, or by faith resulting in faith
1 The words of Lemuel, a king. An oracle [1] that his mother used, to teach him discipline:
2 What are you doing, [2] my son! What are you doing, son from my womb! What are you doing, son of my vows! 3 Do not give your strength to women. Do not give your ways to those who destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave beer. 5 If he does, he will drink and forget what is decreed. He will change the legal rights of all the oppressed. 6 Give beer to someone who is perishing and wine to one whose soul is bitter. 7 He will drink and forget his poverty, and he will no longer remember his trouble.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak. Speak for the rights of all those who are defenseless. 9 Speak up, judge fairly, and defend the oppressed and needy.
The Strong Wife [3]
10 Who can find a wife with strong character? [4] Her value is greater than that of gems. 11 Her husband’s heart trusts her, and he never lacks wealth. [5] 12 She does good for him and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She obtains wool and flax. She eagerly works it with her hands. 14 She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night. She gives food [6] to her household. She gives their share to her female servants. 16 She considers a field and acquires it. From her own income, [7] she plants a vineyard. 17 She wraps strength around her waist like a belt, and she makes her arms strong. 18 She realizes that she makes a good profit. Her lamp does not go out at night. 19 She stretches out her hands for the distaff, and the palms of her hands grasp the spindle. [8] 20 She opens the palm of her hand to the oppressed, and she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21 She does not fear for her household on account of snow, because her entire household is clothed in scarlet clothing. [9] 22 She makes bedspreads for herself. Fine linen and purple cloth are her clothing. 23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits with the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and she delivers belts to the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and kind instruction is on her tongue. 27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her household, and she does not eat bread that she did not work for. 28 Her children rise up and bless her. Her husband rises up and praises her: 29 “Many daughters show strong character, but you have surpassed all of them.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vapor that vanishes, but a woman who fears the Lord should be praised. 31 Give her credit for the fruit of her hands, and let her accomplishments praise her in the city gates.
Footnotes
Proverbs 31:1 The word translated an oracle may also be translated of Massa and placed with the preceding line.
Proverbs 31:2 The Hebrew has only the single word What.
Proverbs 31:10 This closing poem of the book is an alphabetic acrostic, which means successive verses begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This gives an impression of covering every aspect of the topic from A to Z.
Proverbs 31:10 Literally a woman of strength. The Hebrew term for strength may refer to economic power, political power, military power, or strong character. Here the emphasis is on her economic contribution to the family, which is a reflection of her dedication to her family and her community.
Proverbs 31:11 The Hebrew word translated wealth usually refers to loot or spoils of war, not to regular income. Perhaps it highlights her strenuous effort.
Proverbs 31:15 The word translated food usually refers to prey torn by animals, not to food for humans.
Proverbs 31:16 Literally the fruit of her hands
Proverbs 31:19 Distaff and spindle are implements used in spinning thread or yarn.
Proverbs 31:21 Or, with the ancient versions, double clothing
1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle. [1] This man declares: I am weary, God. I am weary, God, and worn out, [2] 2 because I am too unreasoning to be a man. I do not even possess human understanding. 3 I have not learned wisdom. I do not have knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in the palms of his hands? Who has wrapped the water in a garment? Who has set up all the ends of the earth? What is his name and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!
5 Every word of God has been refined. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words. If you do, he will correct you, and you will be shown to be a liar.
7 Two things I have asked from you. Do not keep them from me before I die: 8 Keep worthless speech and lies far from me. Do not give me poverty or riches. Give me food in the amount that is right for me. 9 Too much, and I may feel satisfied and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” Too little, and I may become poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
10 Do not slander a servant to his master. If you do, he will curse you, and you will be found guilty. 11 There is a type of person who curses his father and does not bless his mother. 12 This person is pure in his own eyes, but he is not washed from his filth. 13 This person—how lofty his eyes, how high his eyelids! 14 This person—his teeth are swords, and his fangs are knives. He uses them to devour oppressed people from the earth and poor people from among humanity.
15 The leech has two daughters: Give! Give! Three things are never satisfied. Four never say, “Enough!”: 16 the grave, a closed womb, land that is never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, “Enough!”
17 An eye that mocks its father and despises the obedience due its mother— ravens of the valley will peck it out, and young vultures will eat it.
18 Three things are too wonderful for me, and four I cannot understand: 19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a virgin.
20 This is the way of a woman who commits adultery: She eats and wipes her mouth, and she says, “I haven’t done anything wrong.”
21 Three things make the earth tremble. There are four things it cannot endure: 22 a servant when he becomes king, an arrogant fool when he is filled with food, 23 a woman who is hated when she is married, and a slave girl when she replaces her master’s wife.
24 Four things are small on the earth, yet they are wiser than the wisest people: 25 Ants are a species without strength, but they store their food in summer. 26 Rock badgers are a species without power, but they make their home in a cliff. 27 Locusts have no king, but they all march ahead in ranks. 28 Lizards can be caught in your hands, but they live in kings’ palaces.
29 Three things strut impressively. Four walk with dignity: 30 a lion, which is the mightiest among the animals, does not turn away from anything, 31 a strutting rooster, [3] a male goat, and a king reviewing his troops. [4]
32 If you have acted like a fool by exalting yourself, or if you have been scheming, put your hand over your mouth, 33 because just as pressing milk produces cheese, [5] and pressing a nose brings forth blood, so pressing one’s anger produces a fight.
Footnotes
Proverbs 30:1 Or of Massa
Proverbs 30:1 The main Hebrew text seems to read the words translated I am weary and worn out as proper names, to Ithiel and Ucal.
Proverbs 30:31 The meaning of the Hebrew phrase girt of loins is uncertain. It may refer to a strutting animal, such as a rooster, or to a dandy, decked out in fine clothes.
Proverbs 30:31 The meaning of the last phrase is uncertain.
1 The wicked flee even though no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are bold like a lion. 2 A rebellious land has many rulers, but one man with understanding and knowledge provides stability. 3 A poor man who oppresses the poor is a driving rain that leaves no food. 4 Those who abandon the law [1] praise the wicked, but those who keep the law oppose them. 5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand everything. 6 Better a poor person who walks in his integrity than a rich person who is hypocritical. [2] 7 The son who keeps the law has understanding, but a companion of gluttons brings shame upon his father. 8 A person who increases his wealth by piling up interest gathers it for someone who is generous to the needy. 9 A person who turns his ear away from the law— even his prayer is an abomination. 10 A person who leads the upright along an evil way will fall into his own pit, but people of integrity will inherit good. 11 A wealthy person is wise in his own eyes, but a needy person with understanding will expose him. 12 When the righteous triumph, there is much celebration, [3] but when the wicked rise to power, people hide. 13 A person who conceals his sins will not prosper, but one who confesses and abandons them will receive mercy. 14 Blessed is the person who always is afraid of sin, but one who hardens his heart will fall into calamity. 15 A wicked ruler over a poor people is a growling lion or a charging bear. 16 When a ruler lacks understanding, there will be much oppression, but one who hates ill-gotten gain prolongs his days. 17 A person haunted by the guilt of bloodshed will be a fugitive until he goes down to the pit. No one should offer him support. 18 A person who walks with integrity will be saved, but a person whose ways are crooked will fall all at once. 19 A person who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever pursues fantasies will have plenty of poverty. 20 A trustworthy person has many blessings, but a person in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished. 21 Showing favoritism is not good, but a man may sin for a piece of bread. 22 A tightfisted person is in a hurry to get rich, but he does not know that poverty is coming his way. 23 In the end a person who corrects someone will find more favor than a person with a flattering tongue. 24 A person who robs his father and his mother and says, “It’s not a sin,” is no better than [4] a vandal. 25 A greedy person stirs up strife, but a person who trusts in the Lord will prosper. 26 A person who trusts in his own ideas is a fool, but a person who walks in wisdom will be kept safe. 27 A person who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but a person who closes his eyes to them will receive many curses. 28 When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding, but when the wicked perish, the righteous increase.
Proverbs 29
1 A person who remains stiff-necked [5] after many rebukes will be broken suddenly, and there will be no cure. 2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people groan. 3 A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but one who visits prostitutes destroys his wealth. 4 A king brings stability to a land by justice, but one who accepts bribes tears it down. 5 A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps. [6] 6 An evil man sets a trap with his sin, but a righteous person sings and rejoices. 7 A righteous person acknowledges the rights of the poor, but a wicked person does not understand such knowledge. 8 Scoffers stir up a city, but wise people turn away anger. 9 When a wise person seeks justice from a stubborn fool, the fool rants and laughs, and there is no peace. 10 Bloodthirsty people hate anyone with integrity, but upright people seek to save his life. [7] 11 A fool vents all his emotions, but a wise person calmly restrains them. 12 If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked. 13 A poor person and an oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both. 14 If a king judges poor people with truth, his throne will be established permanently. 15 A rod used for discipline gives wisdom, but an undisciplined child disgraces his mother. 16 When the wicked increase, sin increases, but the righteous will see their downfall. 17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest. He will give delight to your soul. 18 Without prophetic vision, a people is unrestrained, but a people which follows the law is blessed. 19 A servant cannot be disciplined with words. Although he understands, he shows no response. 20 Have you seen a person who is hasty with his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21 If someone pampers his servant from the time he is young, later on he will have grief. 22 A hothead stirs up a fight, and a quick-tempered person commits many sins. 23 A person’s arrogance will humble him, but a humble spirit will attain honor. 24 The partner of a thief hates his own life. He hears the oath, [8] but he does not reveal anything. 25 Being afraid of a man sets a trap, but a person who trusts in the Lord will be secure. 26 Many people seek a ruler’s favor, but a person gets justice from the Lord. 27 An unjust person is disgusting to righteous people, but one whose way is upright is disgusting to the wicked.
Footnotes
Proverbs 28:4 Or instruction or teaching
Proverbs 28:6 Or twisted in his two ways
Proverbs 28:12 Or confidence. Literally splendor.
Proverbs 28:24 Or a partner to
Proverbs 29:1 Or stubborn
Proverbs 29:5 Or his own steps
Proverbs 29:10 Or and they seek the life of the upright
Proverbs 29:24 Or curse. He cannot testify for fear of reprisal or self-incrimination.
13 A lazy person says, “There’s a ferocious lion in the street. There’s a lion in the public square!” 14 A door turns on its hinges, and a lazy person turns on his bed. 15 A lazy person buries his hand in a dish, but he is too tired to return it to his mouth. 16 A lazy person considers himself wiser than seven people who answer sensibly.
17 A passerby who meddles in a quarrel that is not his is like a person who grabs a dog by the ears. 18 A person who deceives his neighbor and then says, “I was only joking,” 19 is like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows. [1]
20 When there is no more wood, a fire goes out, and without gossip, a quarrel dies down. 21 As charcoal is to hot embers and as wood is to fire, so a quarrelsome person is to igniting a fight.
22 Words of a gossip are like food that is easy to swallow. They go down to the depths of one’s heart. [2] 23 Fervent [3] lips and an evil heart are like a glaze [4] covering a clay pot. 24 With his lips a person hides his hatred, but he hides deceit inside. 25 When his voice sounds gracious, do not believe him, because seven abominations are in his heart. 26 His hatred covers itself with deceit, but his evil will be revealed in the assembly.
27 The person who digs a pit will fall into it. The person who rolls away a stone—it will roll back over him. 28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a smooth mouth causes ruin.
Proverbs 27
1 Do not boast about tomorrow, because you do not know what a day may produce. 2 Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips. 3 A stone is heavy and sand is a burden, but aggravation from a stubborn fool is heavier than both. 4 Cruel wrath and a flood of anger are devastating, but who can stand up against jealousy? 5 Open correction is better than concealed love. 6 Wounds from someone who loves you can be trusted, but the kisses of someone who hates you are too much. [5] 7 A satisfied appetite refuses honey, but to a hungry appetite, everything bitter tastes sweet. 8 A person who wanders from his place is like a bird that wanders from its nest. 9 Olive oil and incense bring joy to a heart, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his sincere advice. [6] 10 Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you. A neighbor who is near is better than a brother who is far away. 11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, so that I may answer anyone who taunts me. 12 A sensible person sees trouble and hides, but naïve people keep going and pay the penalty. 13 Take the garment of someone who guarantees a loan for a stranger. Keep it when someone pledges it on behalf of an immoral woman. 14 When someone blesses his neighbor in a loud voice early in the morning, it will be regarded as a curse. 15 Constantly dripping water on a rainy day and a nagging wife are alike. 16 Trying to hold her back is like holding back the wind, like grasping oil with your right hand. [7] 17 Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the insight of his friend. 18 A person who tends a fig tree eats its fruit, and a person who takes care of his master will be honored. 19 As water reflects a person’s face, so a person’s heart reflects the person. 20 Death and Destruction [8] are never satisfied, and a person’s eyes are never satisfied. 21 A crucible is for refining silver and a smelter is for gold, and a person is tested by his praise. [9] 22 Even if you grind a stubborn fool like grain with a mortar and pestle, his stupidity will not leave him.
23 Be certain that you know the condition of your flock very well. Pay attention to your herds, 24 because wealth is not forever, nor does a crown pass from generation to generation. 25 The hay is removed and new growth appears, and grass from the mountains is gathered in. 26 Lambs provide wool for your clothing, and the price of the field can be earned from the goats. 27 What’s more, there will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for your household’s food, and to maintain the life of your servant girls.
Footnotes
Proverbs 26:19 Elements of verses 18 and 19 were rearranged to get smooth English word order.
Proverbs 26:22 Literally the innermost rooms of the belly
Proverbs 26:23 The translation follows the Hebrew. The Greek Old Testament reads smooth.
Proverbs 26:23 The Hebrew text reads silver dross. Combining two Hebrew words into one word yields the translation glaze.
Proverbs 27:6 Or are deceitful
Proverbs 27:9 Or is better than your own advice
Proverbs 27:16 The verse is difficult. Literally it reads those who hide her hide the wind, and he calls his right hand oil.
Proverbs 27:20 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon
Proverbs 27:21 His praise is either the praise he gives or the praise he receives