reading for: 9 december

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Bear Witness that Jesus is the Christ

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Many of us know John the Baptist as that eccentric man living in the wilderness, wearing a coat of camel’s hair and eating wild honey! But our passage today, shows us what we really should know John for - how to live in between the 2 advents of Jesus.

In the first 3 verses alone, we’re told who his boss is (God), his role (witness), his job scope (to bear witness about the light) and purpose (That all might believe through him). Then from verses 19 to 28, we see how John lives this out in his time.

In his very first answer to the priests from Jerusalem, we learn a simple but critical lesson, “I am not the Christ.” (v. 20)

As Ps Terence mentioned in his sermon last Sunday, we’re all looking for “a Christ”. And many of us suffer from looking to other “Christs” in our lives, or even being “a Christ” ourselves. In other words, we have a saviour mentality. Thinking we can solve every problem and save everyone. John, however knowing who has sent him, his role and scope, simply but profoundly confessed “I am not the Christ.”

The priests, not satisfied with John’s answer, pushes him. “Are you Elijah? Are you the prophet? What do you say about yourself?” (v. 21-22) After several times answering like a 2 year old who just learnt to say “No”, he finally answers with a quote from Isaiah. Like how a 3 year old would quote his/her favourite superhero.

“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” (v. 23) 

This quotation from Isaiah 40, is a voice of faith and hope in a time of devastation. Its an invitation to trust in the God who is at work, despite not seeing it. And John, recognises his role as being a witness about the light. That all might place their trust in Jesus Christ. Whose sandals, he is not even worthy to tie. Meaning, he couldn’t even be compared to Jesus because he wasn’t even fit to be a slave and tie his sandals! 

All John could do was be a voice to make straight the way of the Lord. All he could be was a witness about the light. For he was not the Christ.

• REFLECT

  COVID 19 are difficult times and 2021 will only get more difficult for many of us. There will be countless of times where we will be needing a “Christ” in our lives. Will we take our place and recognise that “we are not the Christ”? Will we take our place as a voice in this time of wilderness to point to Jesus who is the Christ? Will we be witnesses to Jesus?

  Who are the 2 or 3 people that God has placed in your heart to reach out to this Christmas season? 

  Pray for opportunities to bear witness (testify) about how Jesus has brought light to you in 2020.

reading for: 10 december

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

Focusing on our Lord who loves Justice

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  Some of us might wonder why in Luke 4:17-19, Jesus would quote only Isaiah 60:1-2a and leave out the the second half of verse 2. Just as we would also wonder, if Jesus has already come and defeated sin, why is sin still present in our world today?

  This can be answered when we remember that Jesus first came 2000 years ago, but will soon come again. When he first came, it was to proclaim this good news to the poor and broken hearted. To proclaim that captives will be released and set free. And that the year of the Lord’s favour has come! 

  Yet, when Jesus left this world, he also said that the time for the restoration of Israel will come only in the future. A time that only the Father knows (Acts 1:6-7) In other words, that day of vengeance of our God, where those who mourn are comforted, also lies in the future. (Isaiah 61:2b)

  To put it another way, Jesus first coming ended with the defeat of sin and death at the cross. So we need not fear them (1 Cor 15:57) However, until he comes again, we need to still fight to live in the light of God’s victory. To live this new life as a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) 

  But how do we do that?! 

  We need to focus on the Lord! We focus on our God who loves justice and hates robbery and wrong (v. 8). Before Jesus second coming, the presence of sin and falling short will unfortunately be still present. We will mourn at the injustice towards us or towards those whom we care about! At times our spirits might even grow faint in the battle! 

  BUT, God assures us that comfort will come to all who mourn (v. 2b), and a garment of praise will be exchanged for our faint spirit(v. 3). Why? Because we have a God who loves justice and WILL make sure there is justice.

• REFLECT

  In the heat of a battle, we often shift our focus on the things that divide us. In the midst of an argument of my wife, its the way which she has chosen to do something that i’m focused on and irritated by. At the office it's the same, it's also the way that colleague talks about other people that gets under our skin. Our focus has shifted.

  Take time to shift your focus to the Lord who loves justice. Pray and bring how you are feeling, the hurt, the injustice to the Lord. And remember that “God will faithfully reward His people for their suffering, our descendants will be recognised and honoured among the nations” (v. 8-9).

  Can you also “go the extra mile” as Jesus taught us and pray for “your enemy” who has hurt you?

reading for: 11 december

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Rejoicing, Praying and Giving Thanks to the Lord

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  The context of these actions is important for us to remember. Paul is exhorting the Thessalonians on how to live until Jesus returns (5:23). Earlier in chapter 5, he was also talking about the day the Lord will return (5:1-3), to keep awake and sober (v.6) and put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation (v. 8)

  Once again the question of how, how do we live like that? 

  Thankfully, Paul describes that in further detail for us:

  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances. Why? For this is the will of God for us. (v. 16-18)

  Looking at these instructions alone can make us think that its so simple. But what if we were to put it in the perspective of being awake and sober, in light of Jesus’ return? Meaning, to keep awake and sober, to put on our breastplate of faith and love, is to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances.

  Or in CNL’s terms, waking up strong, pausing in our day and not going to bed wrong. These are the positive actions we can do, in light of Jesus’ soon return.

  But Paul also goes on to tell the Thessalonian church what NOT to do. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophecies, abstain and stay away from every form of evil (v. 19-22). To put it in another way, if we quench the spirit, despise prophecies and hang around with evil, we will fall asleep and lost consciousness! And when Jesus returns, we might be caught surprised and unprepared (5:4). 

  Just in case you might be feeling the stress and burden of measuring up, Paul, reminds us as he reminded the Thessalonians. “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.” 

• REFLECT

  We are in the final month of the year, the final 3 weeks. Even if we might not have been able to start our year strong or reflect in the middle of the year, we can end the year strong. Rejoicing in the Lord, praying without ceasing and giving thanks in all circumstances is what we can do to enable us to stay awake!

  Some of us might be taking our annual leave, use that time to remember how the Lord has been with you in specific moments in 2020. Bring your concerns and worries of 2021 in prayer to the Lord. But most of all, rejoice that He is your Lord and that you can enjoy His presence!

reading for: 12 december

Psalm 126

Praying with Faith and Expectation

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  Psalm 126 is one of 15 Psalms (Psalm 120-134) that is termed as the song of ascent. Essentially, its a psalm or song that worshippers sung as they ascended towards the temple in Jerusalem. 

  For all of us who are stuck in Singapore, just imagine the airplane ride to your long awaited holiday to Japan, Europe or Korea! The excitement as your head is thrust back into the seat of the Boeing 747, taking off from Changi airport. And as the plane adjusts to cruising speed, you begin to dream about the fresh seafood in your mouth, or the beautiful mountain air your nostrils will take in. And just as you are about to dream of the next thing, you’re shocked back into reality with “Oei! Why you smiling to yourself ah?”

  This is the same feeling that worshippers would have as they ascended to the temple in Jerusalem.

  To dream about the restoration of Zion, where their mouths could not help but laugh and tongues filled with joy. Proclaiming to everyone “The Lord has done great things for us! And we are glad!” (v. 1-3) 

  The rude awakening for them were still things that God had not yet done. And this is where we can learn from this Psalmist. 

  To pray in faith and expectation, while waiting for God to answer!

  Restore our fortunes O LORD, as streams renew the desert.

  Bring harvests of joy for those who plant in tears.

  Let those who weep as they plant their seed, return with their harvests and singing! (v. 4-6)

  What enables us to pray with such faith and expectation? Simply because our Lord has done amazing things for us! Its in his nature to bring joy and laughter to our souls!

• REFLECT

  As we come to the end of 2020, we are filled with many needs and desires. However, we have been given the privilege to ascend to mountain and meet with the Lord. And just as He has promised to provide for all of our needs, we’re invited to pray for others who are in need but don’t know how to turn to Him. 

  Pray with faith and expectation for the needs of your loved ones, friends, colleagues (Especially those who don’t know the Lord yet).

  Ask for God’s provision and for God to reveal “His presence to them” this Christmas.