PENTECOST • 35

The gospel has implications for life and death, and is an invitation to participate with God and His purposes. How will we respond to God and His gospel?

This week’s readings invites us to consider where we stand in relation to God and His gospel.

TO ACCOMPANY YOUR LECTIONARY READINGS, LISTEN TO THIS SONGS WHILE YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

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reading for: 7 July

Mark 6:14-29

Will we die for the gospel or will we cause death?

  • READ

Mark 6:14-29 recounts the circumstances that have led to the tragic death of John the Baptist. Before this, we read about the rejection of Jesus in Nazareth (6:1-6) and the sending out of the Twelve (6:7-13). It is important for us to follow the story sequence. Jesus had gone to Nazareth to proclaim the gospel message but was rejected by his own people because of their unbelief. Hence, Jesus turned away from Nazareth.

He then sends the Twelve out to proclaim the gospel message. Now, the sending of the Twelve is significant because it marks the beginning of Jesus’ ministry outside of Galilee. The disciples were given specific instructions to bring nothing along with them except this gospel message of the Kingdom and to leave when faced with rejection. If the people would not receive them, they are to move on to the next location.

As the disciples went around proclaiming the gospel and as news of Jesus begun to spread, all sorts of theories regarding the identity of Jesus emerged. Some believed that Jesus is John the Baptist returned from the dead while others wondered if he is Elijah or a prophet like the prophets of old (6:14-15). When Herod heard about Jesus, he was convinced that John the Baptist has been raised from the dead (6:16-17).

Why was Herod so sure? Before his death, John the Baptist had publicly called Herod out for sleeping with his brother’s wife and Herod knew that John was right in doing so (6:18-20). Unfortunately, though Herod enjoyed conversing with John the Baptist and was greatly grieved, he went ahead with the beheading of John the Baptist because of a foolish vow that he had made (6:21-29). And now, John the Baptist is back calling for repentance again.

From Jesus’ rejection in Nazareth to the sending of the Twelve to the death of John the Baptist, we see a recurring theme of the gospel message and how different people respond to it. Jesus brought a message to Nazareth but the people did not receive him. The Twelve are sent out to proclaim a message and instructed to move on if they are not received. John the Baptist preached a message to Herod but he was not received. And Herod killed John the Baptist, who brought this message.

  • REFLECT

The contrast here between John the Baptist and Herod is clear. John the Baptist, embodies and carries the gospel message to the people God has called him to. While Herod, hears the gospel message and kills the messenger of God. John dies for this gospel while Herod causes death.

Although we’re shown 2 extreme responses to the gospel, our life in Singapore in 2021 isn’t so extreme. But, the effects of life and death are still present. In our hard-hearted resistance to Jesus and His gospel, we can suffocate the people close to us through our impatient and hurtful words.

But if we are soft and open to Jesus and His gospel, we'll be able to speak with graciousness and words seasoned with salt (Col 4:6) that will bring healing and life to our loved ones.

How have you been treating your loved ones recently? Our words and actions reveal a deeper issue of our heart towards Jesus. Pray and ask the Lord to soften your heart towards the love and message of Jesus. Talk to your LG leader/KL/pastor if you need to, they will be happy to listen and pray with you.

reading for: 8 July

Amos 7:7-15

Will we run towards God's mission or run away?

  • READ

    The book of Amos takes place in a time where the nation of Israel has been divided into two kingdoms: the northen kingdom of Israel (Jeroboam) and the southern kingdom of Judah (Uzziah). To give us a better handle on the book of Amos, it would be helpful to know that the first six chapters of Amos is composed of judgment oracles (1:2-6:14), followed by a series of visions of impending judgment in the remaining chapters (7:1-9:15).

    In addition, Amos was not actually a prophet by profession but a shepherd and a dresser of sycamore figs who was called by God to prophesy and pronounce judgement on the nations and the northen kingdom of Israel (7:14-15). Lastly, the Bible Project offers a good summary of the book of Amos - “God is grieved by the evils he sees the people of Israel doing, but through His mercy, He is willing to give them another chance to change their ways.”

    With these in mind, let us take a closer look at today’s reading. Amos 7:7-15 is located within a series of visions. In Amos 7:7-6, the Lord shows Amos two visions. The first vision depicts a locusts swarm stripping the land of its crops, leaving the people without food and destined to die from starvation. The second visions depicts a great fire that devours everything in the land.

    In both visions, Amos was horrified by what he saw and pleaded for the LORD to forgive and the LORD relented. However, in the third vision, God places a plumb line, which is used as a reference point to ensure a structure is centered, to show that Israel is off center (7:7-9). In other words, Israel has strayed far away from God’s commands. And this time round, Amos stops interceding for Israel because he recognized that Israel’s collapse is inevitable.

    Before receiving the fourth vision, there is a short interlude where Amos is opposed by Amaziah the priest of Bethel who forbides him from prophesying in the northern kingdom (7:10-13). This short exchange gives us a picture of the condition and corruption of Israel’s religious leaders. Their hearts were hardened and they refuse to accept Amos’ message. However, Amos was not bothered by Israel’s hostility or disheartened by his lack of prophetic qualification. He simply does what the LORD asks of him (7:14-15).

  • REFLECT

    God chooses people who least deserve to be called. Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 makes this clear, "God chooses things the world considers foolish and powerless to shame those who think they they are wise and powerful.”

    In this case, Amos a mere shepherd, chosen by God to speak against a priest, Amaziah, a King, Jeroboam and a kingdom, Israel. And unfortunately, his words are not going to cause anyone to repent immediately. Many of us would run away from such a mission, but Amos chooses to run towards God and His mission.

    Living in a society like Singapore means we’re very result orientated. We’ll do something only if its effective and efficient in producing the right result immediately. But God’s kingdom and economy is different, it has a much longer view of obedience that will bring fruits in a future that only eyes of faith can see.

    The question for us is will we choose to run towards God and His mission for us? Or will we run away because its not what we expect and hope for.

    “Father, grant to me the strength to run to You and Your mission. Even when I cannot fully understand or see it. Give me eyes of faith, that I might run to You and for You. So that one day, I will hear Your voice saying ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

reading for: 9 July

Ephesians 1:3-14

Do you remember how you first responded to the Gospel?

  • READ

    In the original Greek, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one long, elegant sentence. Paul does not pause to catch a breather nor does he punctuates his words with a full stop. He goes on and on about what God has done through Christ and what we have gained in Christ. This is the gospel and Paul has caught something and is bursting in exaltation to it.

    What exactly is Paul trying to convey in that one sentence? Let’s track his thoughts slowly so we don’t miss it. First of all, Paul wants us to know that every spiritual blessing imaginable is now ours in Christ (1:3). Second, God has chosen us to be holy and blameless before him (1:4). Third, it is God’s will and to the praise of his glorious name that we have been adopted through Christ (1:5-6).

    Fourth, we have been redeemed through the blood of Christ and have received forgiveness for our sins because of his lavish grace (1:7-8). Fifth, all of this is a great mystery that was hidden but has now been revealed as a plan to unite all things in heaven and on earth in Christ. (1:9-10). Sixth, we have obtained an inheritance and have been given the Holy Spirit as a seal and a guarantee of our inheritance (1:11-14).

    Paul will continue to work out the implications of these truths for our lives throughout the rest of the letter. Suffice to say, Ephesians 1:3-14 is a summary of the gospel, the master plan of God. From the very beginning of time, God has always intended for all of creation to be brought together in Christ to the praise of his glory.

  • REFLECT

    A significant part of the gospel message is that God makes the first move. Out of love, he takes the first step and does everything necessary for us. From verse 3-11, there are a total of twelve he/him/his, referencing God who takes this first step to us.

    And this is the reason for Paul’s bursting delight. God has made the first move to the worst of all sinners, and his life is an example of this gospel (1 Timothy 1:15-16). Experiencing and meditating on this, he cannot help but burst out.

    What about you? All of us have experienced God’s first move to us at some point of our lives. Overflowing with his love, we then responded by surrendering our lives to Him.

    Take time to remember, journal about when you first experienced God making the first move to you. Share that with someone and recount that experience.

reading for: 10 July

Psalm 85:8-13

Are tender and soft towards God and His gospel?

  • READ

    Psalms 85 begins by recalling times past where God was favourable to Israel, forgave their iniquities and withheld his wrath (1-3). Building on God’s past action, the people call out to God to restore and to forgive just as he has done before (4-7). The people then declare that they will watch and wait for God’s deliverance (8-9). And finally, the people express their confidence that God will hear their plead (10-13).

    Psalms 85 is a plead for mercy, a cry for forgiveness and an appeal to the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. The people has sinned against God and they know they are in need of mercy and forgiveness. They remembered how God has in the past turned away his anger, forgave his people and restored their land.

    The people knew that God will not be angry forever and he will not prolong his anger to all generations because of his steadfast love and faithfulness. God will bring peace and salvation and give what is good to those who fear him. The same is true for us today. This is the gospel message in the form of a Psalm.

  • REFLECT

    Psalms 85 begins by recalling times past where God was favourable to Israel, forgave their iniquities and withheld his wrath (1-3). Building on God’s past action, the people call out to God to restore and to forgive just as he has done before (4-7). The people then declare that they will watch and wait for God’s deliverance (8-9). And finally, the people express their confidence that God will hear their plead (10-13).

    Psalms 85 is a plead for mercy, a cry for forgiveness and an appeal to the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. The people has sinned against God and they know they are in need of mercy and forgiveness. They remembered how God has in the past turned away his anger, forgave his people and restored their land.

    The people knew that God will not be angry forever and he will not prolong his anger to all generations because of his steadfast love and faithfulness. God will bring peace and salvation and give what is good to those who fear him. The same is true for us today. This is the gospel message in the form of a Psalm.

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