reading for: 30 September

Matthew 21:33-46

Rejecting our Father’s Advances of Love

• READ

We are in the final leg of Jesus’ life! Earlier in Matthew 21, Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, where he would spend his last days before being betrayed. Compared to earlier parables, this parable doesn’t require any explanation. The chief priests and Pharisees could tell that they were the targets (v. 45).

Yet this parable and details can be better appreciated if we understood how ownership of vineyards worked back then. 

First, leasing a vineyard out to tenants is absolutely normal! Just as how Singaporeans rent out their extra property or room for income. And collecting rent from our tenants is normal! As this vineyard owner attempts to collect in fruits (v. 34). 

But one thing to note back then, is how the tenants could have the title deed to the vineyard themselves! If they had uninterrupted possession of it for three years. Yes you heard it right! If the vineyard owner didn’t send anyone to collect any rent, even a minimal sum, the tenants would be able to claim the vineyard for their own! 

In our local context, it would be like a tenant staying in our flat, not paying for months, not responding to calls and locking us out completely!  What would we do? Call the police lah! Get the authorities in and throw them out! Problem solved.

Would we keep calling, knocking on the door like a desperate salesman or send our trusted friend to collect rent? Definitely not! Yet this is exactly what the vineyard owner does. He not only sends his trusted servants, but even his son! 

On one hand, this reveals to us our Heavenly Father’s patience and love. That he would not use the law to take back what is his. On the other hand, it reveals our fleshly response to our Father’s love. That we would reject and even kill his beloved son.

• REFLECT

Like the vineyard owner, our Heavenly Father is lovingly patient. It is in our responses to Him that we often reject him.

Are you in the wilderness? A difficult, trying time in your life? Have you rejected God’s advances in love to you? Have you preferred to take things into your own hands? Pray and entrust your situation into your Father's hands.

reading for: 1 October

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

Our Distancing from God’s Law of Love

• READ

  The ten commandments! The most famous text in the bible. Traditionally it is understood very literally, as the law! Singaporeans know this well given how law abiding we are. Dining is only allowed for groups of 5 and no larger. Masks must be worn at all times except when eating. Failure to do so will result in fines, embarrassment and more.

  But instead of looking at it from the usual lens, can we see God’s revealing love of us? After all, the reason Israel was saved from Egypt was because God heard their groaning and cry for help! (Exodus 2:23-24)

  He made bitter water sweet, rained manna from the sky and extracted water from the rock. All this happening while Israel is grumbling, quarrelling and testing the Lord! 

  Now, He reveals His love for Israel by giving them specific instructions on living. Just in case they didn’t know that stealing would hurt their neighbour and destroy the trust of a loving community. Or if overwork would destroy our bodies and relationships in the family. He puts out in as much detail as possible on how Israel can live and flourish. 

  There is more to say on God’s heart and intentions for the laws but it is the response of Israel again that stands out like a sore thumb. Israel sees the thunder and flashes of lighting but tremble and chooses to stand far off (v. 18). They choose to do social distancing with God! And they tell Moses that they would rather not speak to God, but continue to have Moses speak on their behalf (v. 19). Despite Moses assuring them, they still choose to stand far off (v. 21), while Moses draws near to God.

• REFLECT

  Do we also choose to stand far off from God when He reveals Himself to us? It could be in difficult uneasy circumstances and even fearful ones, but the invitation from God is to not fear but draw close. 

  Instead of praying for those difficult wilderness circumstances to go away, take time to draw near to Him. Take time to reduce the distance you have with the Lord in prayer.

reading for: 2 October

Philippians 3:4b-14

Grabbing onto Jesus Above All Else

• READ

  Paul’s response is in stark contrast to the tenants we saw in Matthew and Israel in Exodus. Though he used to reject and distance himself from Jesus, he now embraces and grabs onto Him. He once counted his circumcision, Jewish heritage and Pharisee status as things of great value. But after meeting Jesus, after knowing Him intimately, these things slowly lost its value. 

  We sometimes forget the journey of transformation that Paul is on. And it is a good reminder for us that this hasn’t happened overnight! Paul had countless trials, difficulties and experiences. And at this point of writing the letter, he’s chained up in prison. It is in such times that He encounters the Lord and experiences the power of his resurrection even as he shared in the sufferings of Christ. 

  And despite arriving in this place of knowing the Lord, he still isn’t satisfied with his relationship. He wants more, he wants to press on, forgetting what lies behind and look forward (v. 12). He wants to reach the end of the race where he will meet Jesus face to face (v. 14). 

  Truly, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord (v. 8).

• REFLECT

  The journey of transformation is long and it takes time for the Lord to cultivate this longing and desire in our hearts. 

  Is there anything holding you back from grabbing a hold onto Jesus (eg. concerns for your family, worries at work or your future)? Submit them to the Lord and ask for an exchange of a deeper desire for Jesus.

reading for: 3 October

Psalm 19

Meditating on His Works and His Word

• READ

  God has revealed Himself to us through creation. The heavens and the skies all proclaim his glory (v. 1).

  Day and night they speak, making God known (v. 2). 

  They speak without a sound or a word, yet their message resounds (v. 3-4).

  The sun shines of God’s glory like a radiant bridegroom, it rejoices like an eager athlete (v. 5).

  The instructions and law of the LORD are just as perfect! They revive our soul! They make wise the simple (v. 7).

  The commandments of the LORD bring joy to the heart, they give insight for living (v. 8). 

  No wonder they are more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey (v. 10). 

  They serve as both a warning and a reward for us (v. 11).

  In light of the glorious declaration of God in creation, the unceasing message of God, the Psalmist only has one response. He realises his own frailty, faults that even he cannot see (v. 12). He cannot help but pray and ask the LORD to be free from sin and free from guilt (v. 13). That the meditations of his innermost being and the words of his mouth, be pleasing to God (v. 14).

• REFLECT

  When was the last time you looked out and beheld God’s glory in creation? When was the last time you took time to meditate on his sweet Word? Take time to do that today.