reading for: 29 Dec

John 1: (1-9), 10-18

Attending to the Word of God

• READ

John 1:1-18 is known as the prologue. In the prologue, John proceeds to lay out many of the themes that will be further developed in his gospel. Themes such as Jesus as the life (v4), the light (v5-9), and the truth (v14, 16-17). While Matthew began with the genealogy of Jesus and his birth; Mark with Jesus as a fully grown adult from Nazareth; Luke with prophecies of a child named Jesus and his subsequent birth; John began with Genesis.

By beginning his gospel with “in the beginning”, John wants to make it clear to his reader that he is echoing Genesis and that he is starting his gospel from before the beginning of time. Hence, John is immediately introducing Jesus as the Word who existed before the world was spoken into being, as the Word who was with God when the world was created and as the Word who was God (v1-3). In other words, Jesus is God.

And in the beginning, the world was dark and without life so John wants his readers to understand that Jesus is the life and the light of the world (v4-9). In short, we will all be lost without Jesus, the life of man and the light of the world. Without Jesus, we will not have the life that God intended for us to have and we will not be able to see the world as it is.

And although the world has rejected Jesus (the one they need), those of us who believes (trust) in Jesus have been adopted into God’s family as his children (v10-13). That is the work of God alone. It is not something we can achieve on our own. Finally, John concludes the prologue with an incredible proclamation – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (v14).

In light of the Word becoming like us and living among us, we have received grace and truth, allowing us to see the God who is invisible (v15-18). Jesus is the Word and he is God. By becoming flesh, he has revealed God to us. We can now know God and be with him.

• REFLECT

  Last weekend, many of us celebrated Christmas. We ate and drank. We gave and received gifts. We went to church and watched a whole bunch of performances, including a short film. In the midst of it all, it is easy to forget the meaning and the message of Christmas. Why do we celebrate Christmas? Is it just a festival and a holiday? An opportunity to gather for a feast and to receive gifts? An annual pilgrimage to church?

  The meaning and message of Christmas doesn’t change. It’s the same every year – Immanuel: God with us. However, our understanding of it does change. Have we deepen our understanding of Christmas or have we cheapen it? God is with us. Have you experienced his presence? Take time to be with the Lord who desires to be with you.

reading for: 30 Dec

Jeremiah 31:7-14

Holding on to the Promises of God

• READ

  Jeremiah 31 contains one of the most well known passage in Jeremiah where God promises to make a new covenant with Israel (v31-40). Our focus today is on the passages leading up to that great promise. It may also be worth noting that the entire chapter is marked by a series of proclamation that begins with “Thus says the Lord”, “Hear the word of the Lord”, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord” (v1, 7, 10, 15, 23, 27, 31, 35, 38).

  Hence, Jeremiah 31:7-14 can be broken down into two smaller sections where the LORD addresses Israel and the nations respectively (Jeremiah 31:7-9; 10-14). The first section is a proclamation of Israel’s restoration. The LORD proclaims that he will save his people and gather back the remnants of Israel from all over the world (v7-8). God is a father to Israel and he will bring them home (v9). No one will be left behind.

  The second section is a call for the nations to witness the work of God. God is going to gather the flock he has scattered and he will rescue and redeem them (v10-11). The people of God will flourish and there will be much singing over the goodness of God (v12). Their sorrow will be turned into joy and they will dance and be merry (v13-14). Israel will know and experience God’s goodness.

• REFLECT

  Jeremiah 31 contains one of the most well known passage in Jeremiah where God promises to make a new covenant with Israel (v31-40). Our focus today is on the passages leading up to that great promise. It may also be worth noting that the entire chapter is marked by a series of proclamation that begins with “Thus says the Lord”, “Hear the word of the Lord”, “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord” (v1, 7, 10, 15, 23, 27, 31, 35, 38).

  Hence, Jeremiah 31:7-14 can be broken down into two smaller sections where the LORD addresses Israel and the nations respectively (Jeremiah 31:7-9; 10-14). The first section is a proclamation of Israel’s restoration. The LORD proclaims that he will save his people and gather back the remnants of Israel from all over the world (v7-8). God is a father to Israel and he will bring them home (v9). No one will be left behind.

  The second section is a call for the nations to witness the work of God. God is going to gather the flock he has scattered and he will rescue and redeem them (v10-11). The people of God will flourish and there will be much singing over the goodness of God (v12). Their sorrow will be turned into joy and they will dance and be merry (v13-14). Israel will know and experience God’s goodness.

reading for: 31 Dec

Ephesians 1:3-14

Receiving the Spirit of God

• READ

  In the original Greek, Ephesians 1:3-14 is one long sentence. In it, Paul praises God for all that he has accomplished in Christ. The idea of being “in Christ” is a key theme in the book of Ephesians. And we see it repeated throughout Ephesians 1:3-14. Hence, given its prominence in Ephesians, we ought to pay attention whenever we come across it.  

  Right after his greetings, Paul begins his letter by affirming that we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (v3). Not only that, we have also been chosen in Christ (v4). In him, we have been adopted as the children of God (v5-6). In him, we have been redeemed and have received forgiveness (v7-8).

  In him, the mystery of God’s will has been made known (v9). In him, all things in heaven and on earth will be united (v10). In him, we have an inheritance and we who were the first to put our hope in him will be to the praise of his glory (v11-12). Lastly, in him, we who have believed have been given the Holy Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance (v13-14).

  Remember that Paul wrote this as one complete sentence. That’s a lot of “in him” in one sentence. Paul didn’t pause at all because he wanted us to see what he saw - that it was God’s plan all along to bring all things together in Christ. Jesus is the key to what God has done, is doing and will do. And the Holy Spirit, God’s very own presence, is the guarantee that God’s plan will come to pass.

• REFLECT

  In Christ, we have been blessed, chosen, adopted, redeemed and forgiven. In him, God has been revealed. In him, heaven and earth will one day become one. In him, we have an imperishable inheritance. In him, we have received the Holy Spirit.

  Today is the last day of 2021. There’s no better way to end the year than by keeping watch with Christ tonight and remembering that Christ alone has brought us thus far. Don’t miss the watchnight service tonight. Listen to “In Christ Alone” by Brian Littrell

  “In Christ alone will I glory
  Though I could pride myself in battles won
  For I've been blessed beyond measure
  And by His strength alone I'll overcome
  Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands
  But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand

  In Christ alone
  I place my trust
  And find my glory in the power of the cross

  In every victory
  Let it be said of me
  My source of strength
  My source of hope
  Is Christ alone”

reading for: 1 Jan

Psalm 148

Praising the name of God in his presence

• READ

• Psalm 146-150 are the last 5 hymns in the book of Psalm. Each psalm begins and ends with the phrase “Praise the Lord!”. The intention is plain. By organising the last 5 psalm in this manner, the author is calling upon God’s people to give him praise. And in each psalm, we are given the reasons for praising God.

  Our reading today is taken from Psalm 147:12-20. Psalm 147:12 begins by calling upon Jerusalem and Zion to praise God. And the rest of the verses present the reasons to praise him. Why does God deserve praise? First, God deserves to be praised because he protects and provides for his people (v13-14). Second, God deserves to be praised because he rules over creation (v15-18). Third, God deserves to be prasied because Israel has been given the privilege of knowing him and his Word (v19-20).

  Another interesting connection we can observe in this passage is the word of God (v13-19).  As we read of God saving Jerusalem and directing creation, we see that he does so through his word.

  v15b – “…his word runs swiftly.”

  v18a –  “He sends out his word, and melts them;”

  v19 – “He delcares his word to Jacbo, his statutes and rules to Israel”

  In short, the word of God is invovled in the work of creation and salvation. And the only appropriate response to his Work and his Word is as the psalmist has declared – “Praise the LORD!”

• REFLECT

  Psalm 146-150 are the last 5 hymns in the book of Psalm. Each psalm begins and ends with the phrase “Praise the Lord!”. The intention is plain. By organising the last 5 psalm in this manner, the author is calling upon God’s people to give him praise. And in each psalm, we are given the reasons for praising God.

  Our reading today is taken from Psalm 147:12-20. Psalm 147:12 begins by calling upon Jerusalem and Zion to praise God. And the rest of the verses present the reasons to praise him. Why does God deserve praise? First, God deserves to be praised because he protects and provides for his people (v13-14). Second, God deserves to be praised because he rules over creation (v15-18). Third, God deserves to be prasied because Israel has been given the privilege of knowing him and his Word (v19-20).

  Another interesting connection we can observe in this passage is the word of God (v13-19).  As we read of God saving Jerusalem and directing creation, we see that he does so through his word.

  v15b – “…his word runs swiftly.”

  v18a –  “He sends out his word, and melts them;”

  v19 – “He delcares his word to Jacbo, his statutes and rules to Israel”

  In short, the word of God is invovled in the work of creation and salvation. And the only appropriate response to his Work and his Word is as the psalmist has declared – “Praise the LORD!”