Readings for 2026-07-03 • Fast & Pray

St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans 11:1-12

Context

Paul has been explaining God's plan of salvation and Israel's current unbelief in Christ as Messiah. In the preceding chapter, he quoted Old Testament prophecies about Israel's hardening and disobedience, while also noting that God had not completely abandoned His people, as a remnant would be saved. He emphasized that Gentiles who pursued righteousness by faith obtained it, while Israel, pursuing righteousness through the law, stumbled over Christ. Paul expressed deep sorrow over Israel's rejection of the gospel and their present spiritual condition, yet affirmed that God's word had not failed and that His purposes would ultimately prevail through both Jewish and Gentile believers.

[1] I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, [3] “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? [4] But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” [5] Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. [6] And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work. [7] What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. [8] Just as it is written: “God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see And ears that they should not hear, To this very day.” [9] And David says: “Let their table become a snare and a trap, A stumbling block and a recompense to them. [10] Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see, And bow down their back always.” [11] I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. [12] Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

Matthew 13:43-52

Open source text

Context

In the preceding verses, Jesus has been teaching the crowds through parables about the kingdom of heaven, including the parable of the wheat and tares. After dismissing the multitudes, Jesus enters a house where his disciples ask him to explain the parable of the tares. He interprets it for them, describing how at the end of the age, angels will separate the righteous from the wicked, with the righteous shining forth in their Father's kingdom. Following this explanation, Jesus continues teaching his disciples privately inside the house, presenting additional parables about the kingdom of heaven to illustrate its value and the nature of judgment. Jesus is addressing his disciples.

[43] Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear! [44] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. [45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, [46] who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. [47] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, [48] which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. [49] So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, [50] and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” [51] Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” [52] Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”