Someone’s last words are rarely ever flippant or wasted. When people know they are about to die they want to spend time with the people closest to them and often have a desire to talk about the things that are most important to them. Maybe it is their last wishes, or wisdom they want to impart, or even a final blessing. Matthew 21 through 26 cover the last week of Jesus’ life before he went to the cross, died, was buried, and then was raised (we read about those final events in Matthew 27 and 28 at Good Friday and on Easter Sunday).  

With this idea of the importance of someone’s “last words” we can read these few chapters expecting key teachings and perspectives Jesus wanted to leave with his disciples. We will see him comfort and challenge them. He offers some perspective on the End Times as well as some warnings. He tells them how to wait for his return and explains what is most important. 

Follow along with us over the next few months as we finish preaching through the book of Matthew. This reading guide will give you five days of reading to help you engage alongside the sermon text for each week. The first and last reading of the week will be the text that will be covered on that Sunday morning. The other readings are passages from the Old and New Testament that relate to that text. They have been chosen because they have similar themes, helpful explanations, or even are passages that are referenced by Matthew.  

Download the Reading Guide Here