Day 2 – Genesis 3-5; Matthew 5-7

Old Testament reading: Genesis 3-5

“Through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12). Genesis 3 details the saddest day in the history of man, the entrance of sin into God’s perfect creation. From this point, God begins the long trek to Calvary. It is worthy and necessary to note that Genesis 3 records the fall of Eve and Adam, not the fall of man. Each man is responsible for his own sin (cf Eze 18:20). Adam’s sin was his and mine is mine. Today we are also made witnesses to man’s first inhumanity to his fellow man (Genesis 4). Finally, Genesis 5 lists the great ages of the Patriarchs, many of whom lived more than 900 years. However, with the exception of Enoch (5:23-24), of all these ancients one thing is said of them all… “and he died.” How sobering!

New Testament reading: Matthew 5-7

Today’s reading contains the greatest sermon ever recorded. The Sermon on the Mount needs to be given greater study and more diligent practice. Every time I read it, I realize how far I have to go to be more like my Lord. Of note in this reading are the beatitudes (5:3-10). It is well said that each of these character traits is dependent on the one previous. Moreover, the blessing for the last beatitude is the same as that for the first. No one can endure persecution for righteousness’ sake until they become poor in spirit, losing themselves in dedicated and sacrificial service to the Lord. Another interesting aspect of the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ contrast of “You have heard it said” with “But I say to you.” This contrast appears 6 times in Matthew 5, and the significance is not lost on His audience. In Matthew’s conclusion to this great discourse we see the response of those who heard Jesus, that “He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (7:29). The scribes appealed to previous teachers of the Law in support of their views, but Jesus did no such thing. Rather, He presented Himself as the authority in these matters, and rightfully so as He possessed all authority (Matt 28:18).