reading for: 19 January

Luke 4:14-21

• READ

Luke 4:14-21 is the public debut of Jesus. As with all debut (think kpop), there is a lot of preparatory work to do. Kpop groups have to undergo years of training before they debut on a public stage. How then did Jesus prepare for his debut? In Luke 3:21-22, Jesus got himself baptized by John at river Jordan and the Holy Spirit rested upon him (Luke 3:21-22). Thereafter, he departed from Jordan full of the Holy Spirit and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days (Luke 4:1-13).

And in Luke 4:14-15, we read that Jesus returned from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit to Galilee and began teaching in the synagogues. Hence, in the passages leading up to Jesus’ debut, Luke is intentionally highlighting the presence and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one preparing Jesus for public ministry. And now that Jesus is ready to launch his ministry, he decides to start from his hometown, Nazareth, and he heads to the synagogue on the Sabbath day as was his custom (Luke 4:16).

Now we need to note here that in Jesus’ day, synagogues were central to the religious life of the Jews just as churches/cathedrals are central to the religious life of Christians today. It was a place of worship and instruction. Therefore, a travelling rabbi like Jesus was a welcome sight to synagogues leaders as only rabbis had access to the Scriptures. That was what happened when Jesus arrived in Nazareth and went to the synagogue.

When the synagogue leader met Jesus and finds out that he is a rabbi, he invites Jesus to read from the Scriptures and to instruct the people who have gathered that day. And of all the books of the bible that Jesus could have chosen from, he chose the book of Isaiah and read from Isaiah 61:1-2 (Luke 4:17-19). Again, we might not fully appreciate the impact here unless we know the context of Isaiah 61.

Isaiah 61 is a prophecy and one that was given at a time of Israel’s exile. It was a prophecy that provided hope that one day God will restore Israel. Suffice to say, Israel has been waiting for that day to come and for the prophecy to be fulfilled. Hence, all the eyes of the crowd were fixed on Jesus (Luke 4:20). They were waiting to hear his instruction from this well known prophecy.

However, instead of teaching, Jesus simply declares “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21). It was a bold and astonishing proclamation. Jesus was saying that he is the fulfilment of the promise. He is the One. The one whom the Spirit of the Lord has rested upon and the one prophesied to bring the good news. He is the Messiah that all Israel has been waiting for.

• REFLECT

  In the month of January, God is inviting all of us to consider our assignments in 2022. Before we debut for the rest of the year, let us do the necessary prep work. Let us make room for God in January. Let us take time to be in God’s presence and to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the Lord’s desire.

  Jesus himself did not rush to finish the work he was sent to do by the Father. He took time to prepare for his ministry and was attentive to the leadership of the Spirit. He spoke what he heard the Father say and did what he saw the Father do. He moves when the Spirit moves and went where the Spirit led. And thus, Jesus completed his earthly assignments.

  What about you? What is the Father saying and doing? Where is the Spirit moving and going? What does the Lord require of you? What must you do to fulfil your calling as a child, servant and friend of God in 2022?

reading for: 20 January

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10

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  The joy of the Lord is my strength! Heard of that phrase before? Ever wondered where it came from? You wil find out today because it’s taken from Nehemiah 8:10, which is a part of our reading today. Now when we think of Nehemiah, what comes to our minds? Building projects? Leadership?

  First things first, the book of Nehemiah is actually a sequel to the book of Ezra. In fact, in the Jewish canon, Ezra-Nehemiah is considered one book. In other words, they are meant to be read together. Together, the story of Ezra-Nehemiah takes place during the reign of the Persian empire and narrates the beginning of the return of the exiles to Jerusalem.

  Thus, Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries and served alongside each other. Ezra was the scribe and priest tasked to teach God’s law and to restore worship in Israel while Nehemiah was the governor and leader tasked to rebuild the nation and to restore societal order. Hence, the book of Nehemiah is not just about Israel’s building project or Nehemiah’s leadership. It is about reinstating the law of God and restoring the worship of God as the center of Israel’s society and in the lives of the people.

  After all the rebuilding efforts in Nehemiah 1-7, the wall was finally completed and we see the people gathered as one in the opening scene of Nehemiah 8. This marks the first mention of Ezra in the book of Nehemiah and his appearance here is not a coincidence. Now that Jerusalem is safe, it is paramount for Israel to know and understand God’s law. And that was what Ezra did. He brought the Book of the Law of Moses (the pentateuch) and taught from it so that all may learn of God’s ways and walk in it (Nehemiah 8:2-3).

  As Ezra read from the Book, all who were gathered listened attentively and responded by worshipping the LORD (Nehemiah 8:5-6). And when the people heard the Word of God and understood it, they were cut to the heart and began mourning and weeping and repenting (Nehemiah 8:8-9). Nehemiah had to encourage them to rejoice and celebrate instead of being overwhelmed by guilt (Nehmiehah 8:10). The joy of the Lord is their strength!

• REFLECT

  We might find the response of the exiles a little strange. We hear the Word of God being read every Sunday but we don’t fall on our knees in worship, do we? What is going on here? Why were the exiles mourning and weeping? Why were they so grieved at the reading of God’s law?

  The most likely explanation is because they felt overwhelmed. We must remember that Israel has been living in exile for 70 years. They were scattered all over the Babylon empire and had no home to call their own. Their country is gone and their temple is destroyed. They are far from God and had no security.

  And here they are, back home and gathered together as one people. They are safe behind the walls. Hence, they were overcomed with grief because they have been living apart from God and without his laws. And they knew the exile happened because of their sin and disobedience. Yet it pleased God to take them back and to bring them home.

  What about you and I today? Do we listen attentively to the Word of God? Have our hearts grown dull towards his Word? Do we know his ways? Are we walking in it? We will never know what it is like to live in exile but we do know what it is like to live without God. In 2022, let us seek to know his ways and to obey his Word as a child, servant and friend of God.

reading for: 21 January

1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

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  1 Corinthians 12:12-31a is one of the key passages in the Bible where the Church is referred to as the Body of Christ by the apostle Paul. In these verses, Paul sought to use the human body as a metaphor for the Church. Why did he have to do that? He had to because the Corinthian church was fiercely divided. There were many conflicts and one-upmanship happening in the church. And one of the most contentious issue was that of spiritual gifts.

  There were some in the church who emphasized certain spiritual gift as more important than the others. Hence, Paul had to remind the church that there are a variety of gifts and all of it comes from the same Spirit, Lord and God (12:4-6). And although everyone have different gifts, the gifts are given for a singular purpose - to serve the Body of Christ (12:7-11). In other words, we are to use our gifts for the flourishing of the Body in the world.  

  With that, Paul continues to argue for unity by using the anatomy of the human body (12:12-20). The human body is made up of different parts. Each part has a specfic role to play and each role is essential to the functioning of the entire body. In the same way, the church is made up of many different parts (members) and each part (member) is made for a different purpose. Every part (member) matters and together, they contribute to the overall health of the church. The church is strong only when every member does its part.

  Though some gifts are certainly more impressive and visible than the others, it does not mean it is greater or better. Prominent and non-prominent gifts are equally important. We need each other (12:20). However, instead of elevating certain gifts to a place of honor and dismissing the rest, we ought to give more attention to the less prominent gifts (12:21-24).

  The church should not be divided over spiritual gifts but use them to build up the body (12:25). As the body of Christ, the church suffers when one part suffers and rejoice when one part rejoice (12:26-27). Finally, Paul concludes that God alone chooses what gifts to bestow each individual and everyone should seek the higher gifts so as to build up the church (12:28-31a). Truly, no one person has all the gifts but the church as a whole does.

• REFLECT

  All of us have been given certain spirtual gifts. And these gifts have been given so that we may use them to serve and strengthen the Body of Christ. Hence, it is entirely possible that the church is weak because only a select number of gifts are in use. It is easy to focus on the front stage gifts and neglect the back stage gifts. However, as we have read, everyone has a part to play in building up the church.

  In 2022, the call of God for CNL is to move together as one Body and to know that we are in this together for life. What are the gifts, talents and abilities that God has blessed you with? How can you use them to serve and strengthen this Body? God did not give us our giftings for our own good but for the common good. All of us has a part to play in CNL. Start with your LG and kampong.

reading for: 22 January

Psalm 19

Jesus is God’s Voice

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  Psalm 19 is a joyous psalm. It begins by acknowledging that all of creation bears witness to a Creator (1-6). All we have to do is look around us and we can see the evidence. The heavens and the sky itself is clearly the work of a craftsman who has carefully designed it to work the way it works. Not only that, God has also revealed himself through the law. The law revives our soul, causes us to be wise, brings joy to our hearts, opens our eyes and sustains us forever (7-9). The law of the LORD is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and righteous.

  Thus, the law of God is more captivating and delightful than anything else the world can offer (10). Those who knows the law are protected and blesssed (11). Hence, the only proper response to God’s law is for us to seek forgiveness and vindication, and to be kept free and blameless from sins (12-13). And the psalm ends with a prayer for God to accept the things that occupy our hearts and minds (14).

• REFLECT

  When we think of the law, we usually think of rules and regulations. However, psalm 19 presents a completely different picture. Psalm 19 celebrates how good and dependable the law of God is and how it sustains our lives. God’s law is not a set of rules and regulations to follow but instructions that gives life. Without the law or the Word of God, we would be hopelessly lost, not knowing how to live and what are the things that would destroy us.

  What occupies your heart and mind daily? Are they acceptable to the Lord? As you set goals for 2022, perhaps it would be worthy to consider how you can grow in your knowledge and understanding of God’s law and his Word. Let it occupy your heart and mind so that your soul will be sustained and you will experience true life as you journey through another year.