EPIPHANY • 7

SEASON OF EPHPHANY

This week actually marks the start of Epiphany season. A much lesser known season in our Christian Calendar. Which happens after Christmas and ends on Transfiguration Sunday, right before Lent. The English dictionary defines Epiphany as “a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way”. Or in a more Christian lingo, a moment of revelation.

The question then is what has been revealed to us? What is this new realisation and understanding that we are to have?

The clue lies in where this season is situated. Namely, right after Christmas, where we celebrate the coming of baby Jesus and before Lent, on Transfiguration Sunday. Our response, by the end of this season, ought to be a mixture of shock, awe, fear and trembling like the disciples on the mountain (Luke 9:28-36). That this Jesus, whom we first saw as a baby at Christmas, is actually the Son of God, the Chosen One of God that we are to listen to (Luke 9:35).

The beginning of this season therefore starts this week at Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:22) where the Spirit comes upon Him like a dove. And the Father acknowledges Jesus as His beloved Son, with whom He is well pleased.

Who is this Jesus that is being revealed to us?

This week’s reading invites us to see and consider his impact for our new year ahead.

reading for: 5 January

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Jesus Who Baptises us with the Life-Giving Spirit

  • READ

We enter this week’s reading as a continuation from Advent season. Our reading can be considered the 3rd part of John the Baptist’s sermon in the wilderness. He had earlier scolded those who had come to him but weren’t living a life that bore fruits (v. 7-9), then he spoke about the kind of life they had to live (v. 10-14). And as everyone was expecting the Messiah to come, the crowd couldn’t help but think that John could be the one. Especially after how he preached.

It was at this moment John responded, though he was baptising with water, someone greater (the Messiah), would come and baptise them with the Holy Spirit and fire. John’s baptism was one of repentance (v. 3). The Messiah, Jesus however, would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire. John baptised with water, symbolising the posture we need as God’s people, a posture of repentance. But the Messiah baptises us with a person, the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself. Symbolising a new kind of life in a new kind of story that we can now live, because of the Holy Spirit in us.

The picture of Jesus with a winnowing fork, is that of a farmer. Who at the end of the harvest tosses the stalks and heads of grain into the air. The wind would then carry away the chaff while the grain falls to the ground. So what is left, is only the good wheat, and we’re told that its gathered into the barn while the chaff, the shell and dirt is taken to be burned away. This picture is similar to that of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31-46), where the sheep who lived their life by loving others as they would Jesus, would receive their inheritance. But those who did not, would be taken away into eternal judgment. In other words, those who truly belonged to God, who are filled and live by the Spirit, will be gathered and kept. While those who lived a life outside of the Spirit, would finally get what they have been choosing all this time, a life outside of God.

In this manner, Jesus, is much much greater than John. No wonder John didn’t feel worthy to be thought of as the Messiah. He even felt unworthy to untie his sandal straps. Put in perspective, John in the end, would have to be tossed by Jesus too, along with the other wheat and chaff. And he too would have to be judged if he lived a life with God, in the Spirit. For this Jesus, is the Son of God who will determine where we stand before God, whether we are wheat or chaff, whether we have lived by the Spirit or lived in the flesh. This Jesus is the One who can baptise us with the Spirit, who ushers in a new age of living and will judge us in time to come.

  • REFLECT

    The good news at the coming of Jesus is that the kind of life that God desired and purposed for us is now possible - with the help of the Holy Spirit. This kind of life is a new kind of life on earth before God. What is this life? Its a life to be raised with Christ, to be in fellowship with him by His Spirit, for the joyful mission and glory of our Father in Heaven. In simple terms, a purposeful life on earth.

    To echo what was preached to us last Sunday by Ps Terence, what is your God given assignment (purpose) for 2022? Jesus has come and with the power of His Spirit, we can now live a life for the glory and mission of God. This question might feel big, but for this month, lets start with life at our workplaces and schools.

    What is 1 goal you have for 2022 there?

    Pray and ask that the Lord will empower you by His Spirit to accomplish that goal. 

reading for: 6 January

Isaiah 43:1-7

Jesus Who Redeems Us to be God’s Children

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    Isaiah chapters 1-39 focuses on the judgment of God on Israel for their rebellion. A judgment would end up with Babylon conquering Israel and stealing everything they had, leaving them homeless and scattered. Isaiah 40-66 however, focuses on the hope of God that will result from that judgment. This is an important side point for us - God’s judgment is never for judgment’s sake. God is not a sadistic God who enjoys seeing us in pain and suffering. His hope is always that we would turn from our rebellious and evil ways and find life with Him.

    Isaiah 43 sits within this hope, that the God who created Israel and formed them (v. 1), has also redeemed them and called them his own (v.1). He knows them by name and they would not be lost into the unknown. No matter what situations and circumstances they were to go through, waters, rivers, fires or flames. No matter how life threatening these circumstances are, God will remain with them, and they would not be overwhelmed, lost or burnt up (v. 2). For the LORD, is Israel’s God, He is not just a God who is out there. Israel is His people. For they are previous in God’s eyes, they are honoured and loved (v. 3-4).

    And here comes what is most significant for Israel at that time, though they are scattered and homeless now, there will come a time when He will gather them like His children, from the ends of the earth. From the North, South, East and West, even and especially the youngest he will not leave out (v. 5-6). This is the good news, this is the hope, despite the judgment of earlier chapters.

    Read Isaiah with Luke 3 in mind, we now know that the coming of God’s beloved son Jesus, also means the fulfilment of this promise in Isaiah. Its not longer a promise in the future, its a promise now being fulfilled. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” (2 Cor 1:20).

  • REFLECT

    Although Isaiah was written specifically for Israel at that time, we now know that we as Gentiles and followers of Jesus have been grafted into Israel (Romans 11:17-18). So the promises of Israel now also applies to us. Has 2021 been a terribly difficult and challenging year for you? And as much as you wish, 2022 isn’t going to look that much different? The good news today is that the God who created you and formed you, has already redeemed you and called you his own. Knowing you by name, he will not let you go and be lost and consumed by any fire or water. You are precious in His eyes and He honours and loves you.

    As you think about the upcoming year, rest assured that you are God’s own child. He will be with you throughout 2022 and just as Paul’s experience can also be true for you, that God will rescue you from mortal danger, and he will rescue you again. As long as you place your confidence in him, he will continue to rescue you (2 Cor 1:10).

    Pray and commit yourself and your family to the Lord, that no matter what challenges you experience this year, you will be able to rest knowing that God is with you and that you are his child.

reading for: 7 January

Acts 8:14-17

Jesus Who Moves Through You (His Body)

  • READ

    Quickly reading of these few verses, it seems like just a simple account of the disciples Peter and John, coming down to pray for a group of people to have the Spirit. But its important that we have the larger context of Acts in mind.

    First, a new era of the Spirit poured out on all humanity has happened in Acts 2:1-21.

    Second, the movement and activity of the Spirit had so far only been in Jerusalem and amongst the Jews (Acts 3-7).

    Third, as the church was persecuted and scattered in Jerusalem, the gospel was beginning to be brought out. As God promised in Acts 1:8, to Samaria.

    Philip was one of those and we see his preaching being accompanied by signs of deliverance and healing  (Acts 8:4-8).

    And now, in direct contrast and seeming competition to him, we discover a sorcerer named Simon. Who had become famous because of all the god-like magic he was doing (v. 9-11).

    But we're told that the people believed in Philip's good news and Jesus. Even Simon himself was baptised (V. 12-13)

    Back in Jerusalem, the HQ of the apostles, on hearing this, they sent Peter and John to Samaria (v.14). And it was then that they were prayed for and received the Holy Spirit (v. 15-17). Its important to note that Peter, John and Philip being apostles were the leaders of the church back then. They were the body of Christ. And this is what we are witness here, that through the outpouring of the Spirit, Jesus is now moving, baptising others in the Spirit, through the body of Christ.

  • REFLECT

    We, the church and God's people, are agents of Jesus. Through us now He is wanting to move and bring forth the gospel in words and miracles. That is the way God desires to work.

    As we look ahead to 2022, with goals and hopes for the new year, will we also consecrate ourselves to be God presence on earth for others?

reading for: 8 January

Psalm 29

Jesus is God’s Voice

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    Have you ever considered that Jesus is God’s voice? John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the Word and that He is God. And if the Word was there at the beginning of creation, then isn’t He also the voice of the LORD that echoed above the sea? (Psalm 29:3).

    As God spoke to the light that there be light (Gen 1:3), and as He spoke that there be space between the waters (Gen 1:6), it only shows how powerful and majestic the voice of the LORD is (Psalm 29:4).

    And as God spoke to the earth to bring forth living creatures, livestock, animals (Gen 1:24), surely its his voice that makes the deer give birth (Psalm 29:9).

    And as we discover that this Jesus is actually the Messiah, which also means King, we’re told that He now seats at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12), and that He is truly now reigning as King forever (Psalm 29:10).

  • REFLECT

    Jesus is God’s voice, for He does not speak on his own authority but follows the command of the Father (John 12:49).

    Do we yearn to hear and do we listen to the voice of Jesus with the kind of reverence and honour that we should show?

    Do we know that He has the power to not just bring miracles of healing, but also has authority over all creation?

    Do we live and honour Him as our King in all of our life or do we live as if we were king of our life?

    Regardless of how we have started 2022, today, is a fresh and new opportunity to recommit ourselves to Jesus, who is our Lord and King. Who is God’s Voice. Will we also commit ourselves to be attentive to His voice this year?

Season of EpiphanyCNL