Matthew 21 and onward hone in on a 9-day period crescendoing at Jesus’s accomplishment on the cross. The “Triumphal Entry” authenticates God’s message to the world not only through what Jesus did, but when He did it.

These times of crisis are affecting everyone differently. However, we do know one thing to be true amidst any unknown. This Psalm of David reminds us that through any trial, the loving kindness of the Lord remains constant above it all.

As James is writing, the Church is dispersed abroad and, in many places, unable to meet together. His encouragement to fellow believers is to find joy in trials and to authenticate their faith by their deeds. During COVID-19, this is a unique opportunity for us to authenticate our faith by taking the gospel that we proclaim and actually living it out in our community.

After hearing Jesus talk about the last becoming first and the first becoming last, the disciples try to wrap their minds around what it means to live under a king's rule. However, what we have seen in earthly kingdoms around us is not sufficient for understanding what Jesus is bringing with His kingdom.

There is no special place of influence or honor in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus uses two parables to communicate the lavish grace and incredible love of God that blows away our paradigms and shows us that He should be the chief of our affections above anything else.