ADVENT • 6

Why has Jesus come and what difference does he make in our lives?

This week’s readings invite us to consider why Jesus has come and why we need him to come again.

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

reading for: 1 Dec

Luke 3:1-6

Jesus Comes to Challenge the Most Influential Figures of our Time

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Reading the first 2 chapters of Luke, we’re given an insight into 2 origin stories of John and Jesus. John came from a family of priests, who were for a longe time barren and without child. While Jesus, came to an unwed young virgin, who was betrothed to a carpenter named Joseph. All this happens in Judea, a region in Israel.

So when Luke chooses to name Tiberius Cesar, Pontius Pilate, Herod, Philip and Lysanias in the start of chapter 3, we ought consider why he does this. You see, Rome, during this time was an empire (superpower) matched by no other. So to name their emperor, governor and tetrarchs, would be equal to naming the US president, the vice president and his chiefs of army, navy and airforce in our time.

And by naming the high priesthood of Annas and Caiphas, he situates Jesus and John not just among the world superpowers, but also Israel’s own hierarchy. For  Annas and Caiphas were such established names that one could not name the priesthood with our referencing them. Much like how we cannot mention the church without referencing the apostles.

But why does Luke mention this?

Simply put, Luke wants us to note that even though Jesus’ origin story seems small and insignificant, his impact and challenge is meant to be huge and revolutionary. Jesus’ advent though small and unexpected, is meant to challenge the largest empire and its rulers of its time. Its meant to even challenge Israel’s own history and high priests lineage.

In fact, the impact of Jesus is going to be so huge that valleys will be filled, mountains leveled, curves straightened, rough made smooth (v. 5).

So that all the people will see the salvation of God (v. 6).

  • REFLECT

    The different governments have proven to be the difference maker during this COVID 19 pandemic. The better the government, the infrastructure and measures taken, the better the country and the people have fared. But even the best government has its flaws and no country can say that its been protected completely from COVID 19. The only hope that we have is in a King who can rule with perfect wisdom and perfect grace and perfect love. Who can straighten curves and fill valleys.

    If there is anything COVID has taught us, its that we as a humanity are severely limited. All it takes is 1 virus to stop the world and its superpowers. That’s why we need to humble ourselves and turn to God. Its nearly 1.5 years since COVID 19 arrived, have we as God’s people lost sight of who really is in control and can truly make a difference in our world?

    Its time, to humble ourselves and look to God who has sent His Son Jesus as an answer to our troubled humanity.

reading for: 2 Dec

Malachi 3:1-4

Jesus Comes to Purify His People

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    The context of Malachi is that Israel has returned from exile after hearing the prophetic promises of God. But sadly, the new generation of Israel are just as corrupt as the ones of old. So the book is filled with 6 disputes that starts off with God claiming something, the people disagree and God then responds again.

    The fourth dispute in Malachi actually starts in 2:17, where Israel has wearied the LORD with the question - where is the God of justice? To this, the LORD responds that He will send his messenger to prepare the way before Him. Then come Himself to his temple. I believe that there are 2 separate people that Malachi is speaking about here, first the messenger who prepares the way, followed by the LORD Himself, the messenger of the covenant. From yesterday’s reading, we know that its John the Baptist who prepares the way for Jesus, the LORD Himself.

    Crucially however is what the LORD will do and v.2-4 tells us that He will be like a blazing fire that refines metal or a strong soap that can bleach clothes. Purifying the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they will once again offer sacrifices acceptable to the LORD. And once more, the LORD will accept the sacrifices of His people.

    Why is that necessary?

    Firstly, blind, crippled and diseased animals are being given as sacrifices to the LORD (1:7-8)

    Secondly, the priests have left God’s paths, their instructions stumble many into sin. And they have corrupted the covenant (2:8).

    Third, the men of Judah have defiled the LORD’s beloved sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols (2:11), while some have been unfaithful to their wives (2:14).

    That’s why, the LORD needs to come and purify his people. And in Jesus, this has happened. He is the fulfillment of the new covenant and restores true worship in God’s temple.

  • REFLECT

    A lot of our life is sometimes spent going through the same struggles over and over again. And we cannot but ask, where is God in all of this? Does God care? If he does, why do my circumstances remain the same? Why do my struggles remain?

    The good news for you and I is that God does care for what we are going through. And as we see today, He’s concerned to do a deeper work, a deeper renovation within our hearts and lives. He wants to purify us and refine us, burning away the dross in our lives. He wants to restore true worship, or in other words, true relationship with Him. The extent of his desire is that he is even willing to send His only begotten Son into our world, taking on flesh. To transform and bring renewal.

    Would you open your heart and allow Jesus to purify your in a new and deeper way today?

reading for: 3 Dec

Philippians 1:3-11

Jesus comes to Complete God’s Good Work

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    Yesterday in Malachi, we saw how God’s desire was to purify His people. And in Jesus, this has begun. But as we all know, we are always a work in progress. And here we see Paul the apostle, speaking to the Philippians, yearning with the love and compassion of Jesus (v. 8), for the completion of this good work to be finished (v.6). When? On the day when Jesus Christ comes back again.

    Through Paul’s prayer for the Philippians, we catch more detail of what that good work is (v. 9-11)

    First, that their love would overflow more and more.

    Second, that they would keep growing in knowledge and understanding.

    Third, live pure and blameless until Jesus comes back again.

    And finally, be filled with the fruit of their salvation, which is a righteous character.

    Why and for what purpose you might ask?

    So that much glory and praise would go to God (v. 11)

  • REFLECT

    Everyone would say yes to what Paul prays for, namely, to have God’s love overflowing, to grow in knowledge and understanding, to live pure and blameless lives and have a character of gold. So perhaps the question is how would we do it? How will we “get there”?

    This is where Paul’s earlier words is worth reflecting on, when he describes the Philippians as “partners of the gospel” (v.5). In another version, Paul prays with joy because of the Philippians’ “partnership in the gospel”. Later, Paul further describe them as “partakers with him of grace” (v. 7).

    This is crucial for us because God’s work in us happens while we are on OJT (on the job training). Or to put it in another way, God’s good work happens when we partner together with him, to see His mission and work take place in this world and in the lives of one another. For us in CNL this season, its when we Move Together with Christ into Gek Poh.

    December is a busy month of many activities, but would you be a partner with Christ?

    Do that by joining us in prayer today, on the 3rd Dec. Join us as we symbolically walk on the 11th Dec and proclaim the gospel on the 25th and 26th Dec.

reading for: 4 Dec

Luke 1:68-79

Jesus Comes to Bring a New Song in our Hearts

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    The usual Psalm is appropriately replaced by this prophetic song by Zechariah for this week. And the truth is, many instances in the scriptures, we see God’s people, breaking out in song. Mary does this in Luke 1:46-55, the angels do this in Luke 2:14.

    Let’s look at Zechariah’s prophecy then from the perspective of a song.

    “Lets praise the LORD! The God of Israel!

    For He has redeemed and visited his people!

    He has sent a mighty Saviour! From the house of David, just as it was promised so long ago.

    Salvation has come! We will be saved! From our enemies and those who hate us.

    For He has truly been merciful to us, by remembering His covenant to our ancestors.

    We will be rescued so that we can serve and worship God without fear,

    But in holiness and righteousness, forever and ever.

    God’s mercy shines with the morning light that has come in Jesus.

    He who is light, will light the darkness and even in the shadow of death, guide us to peace.”

  • REFLECT

    Take an extended time to sing and give praise to the LORD your God. For in Jesus, His light has come.

    His light is so powerful that no darkness can ever extinguish it (John 1:5)

    Pray over your circumstances of darkness, pray and proclaim His goodness over your heart.

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