NL-Day273 2 Chronicles 24-25; Ecclesiastes 2:12-26; Matthew 16

2CHRONICLES 24-25:
Yesterday we heard of Ahaziah’s one year reign, and then his mother Athaliah’s reign. The baby Joash was the only royal descendant of David saved from slaughter. He was raised in the temple by Jehoiada and Jehosheba. When he reached only seven years old, Jehoiada mounted a dangerous coup, which succeeded.

ECCLESIASTES 2B:
In yesterday’s reading, Solomon sought to find meaning in life through pleasure, folly, wine, and hard work. But both the wise man and the fool share the same fate (as far as Solomon could see).

MATTHEW 16:
In yesterday’s reading, Matthew gave more than one hint that Jesus’ work would benefit more than just the Jews. Note that the baskets used in the feeding of the 5,000 were different than the baskets used for the feeding of the 4,000. In the first miracle, the smaller Jewish basket was used. But in the feeding of the 4,000, the larger Gentile basket was used. (This was the same size basket that was used to lower Paul down from the wall at Damascus.)

NLT Translation notes:
Mat. 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, [“What role do people say that I, the Son of Man, am fulfilling?//Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”]
14 “Well,” they replied, “some say [the role of] John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 
15 Then he asked them, “But [what role do you say that I am fulfilling//who do you say I am?”]
16 [Peter— also called Simon//Simon  Peter} answered, “You are the Messiah,d the Son of the living God.”

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.