Readings for 2026-06-03 • Fast & Pray

St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 3:19-31

Context

The Apostle Paul has been systematically demonstrating that all humanity stands guilty before God. He established that Gentiles are condemned by their rejection of natural revelation and moral corruption, then showed that Jews, despite possessing the Law, are equally condemned because they fail to keep it. Paul quoted extensively from the Old Testament to prove that both Jews and Gentiles are under sin's power, with none righteous before God. He argued that the Law's purpose was never to justify anyone but rather to reveal sin and make people conscious of their guilt. Having dismantled any claim to righteousness through human effort or ethnic privilege, Paul now transitions to explain God's solution through faith in Jesus Christ, available equally to all people regardless of their background.

[19] Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. [20] Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. [21] But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, [22] even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, [26] to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. [29] Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, [30] since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. [31] Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

Matthew 9:9-15

Open source text

Context

Jesus has been demonstrating his authority through miraculous healings and teaching in Galilee, including healing a paralytic and forgiving his sins, which prompted criticism from religious leaders who questioned his authority to forgive sins. He has been moving throughout the region, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing various diseases among the people. The religious authorities, particularly the Pharisees, have begun scrutinizing Jesus's actions and teachings, expressing concern about his claims and methods. Jesus has just healed a paralytic who was brought to him by friends, telling the man his sins were forgiven before commanding him to rise and walk, which amazed the crowds who glorified God for giving such authority to men.

[9] As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him. [10] Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. [11] And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. [13] But go and learn what this means:‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous,but sinners, to repentance.” [14] Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” [15] And Jesus said to them, “Canthe friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, andthen they will fast.