EASTER • 7

Pentecost Sunday

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, “Pentecost” literally means “fiftieth”, which marks the 50th day after Easter. For the Jews, Pentecost is marked by the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. As Christians, this Sunday signifies the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4-5) fulfilled by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). 

Seen from the perspective of scriptures, the Pentecost we now celebrate, is actually a fulfilment of God’s promise made in Jeremiah 31:33. Where God promised to write His law on our hearts. So what Christians celebrate at Pentecost isn’t that different from the Jews. Rather, its a celebration of a promise fulfilled!

As we celebrate Pentecost, I invite you to really consider what this means for you in your own life,  - what does it mean now that the Holy Spirit has been poured out on you? What does it mean now that His law is written on our hearts?

This week, one of our writers for the weekly lectionary guide has written an example of how the word of God engages his life. You can refer to it here

reading for: 19 May

John 15:26-27; John 16:4-15

The Spirit who Has Moved in With Us

  • READ

Now that all of us are at home, can you imagine if Jesus were to move in with you? Like literally if he decided to move in with you for the next month. How would that make you feel? Imagine Him squeezing into you room or house, sitting at your living room, peeking as you work tirelessly on your computer.

The good news and bad news is that this has happened with the Holy Spirit!

“Paraclete” is the greek word that is used here to describe the Spirit. Different bible versions use different words to translate this word, from Comforter, Intercessor, Advocate or Helper. But each word emphasises one aspect while missing out others. But the word Advocate I believe is worthy for meditations this week. The English dictionary describe it as “one who pleads the cause of another” or “a person who represents another person’s interests, like a lawyer does”. In other words, the Spirit is a person who is with us, pleading another person’s cause.

But whose cause is He pleading for?

Today’s text tell us that the Spirit will testify about Jesus (15:26), He will convict the world of our sin, God’s righteousness and the coming judgment (16:8). Or as Jesus had said earlier, the Spirit will teach us all things and bring to remembrance all that Jesus had spoken (14:26).

Why? For He is the Spirit of Truth (15:26) and Jesus is the Truth (14:6). So the Spirit will guide us into all truth, plead the cause and glorify Jesus, tell us about the future and tell us all that Jesus wants to tell us (16:13-14).

So even though some of us might cringe at the thought of Jesus moving in with us, at our baptism, we have already said a definitive yes for Him and His Spirit to come and make a home among us (1:14).  

  • REFLECT

    The question for us then isn’t “if Jesus were to move in with us”, rather, now that His Spirit is with us and in us, how have we been making space for Jesus and His Spirit? How have we been making time for Him as we would make time for our loved ones? And what does He have to say about our current COVID-19 situation in Singapore?

    Although it might feel like we have regressed as a nation with the rising COVID-19 cases and Phase 2 limitations, there is an opportunity for us to re-calibrate and make space for Jesus and His Spirit in our lives.

    Revisit the discussion question last Sunday and heres a reminder to follow up: “What is one thing you will put on your calendar to do this week/season to strengthen your prayer life and make it more like Jesus’ prayer life?”

reading for: 20 May

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The Spirit who Brings New Life

  • READ

    Make no mistake about Israel’s state in this time - physically they have been exiled and Jerusalem has fallen (Eze 33:21), even the shepherds of Israel have become corrupt and use the sheep to feed themselves (Eze 34). And now, the Lord is giving Ezekiel a vision of the spiritual condition of Israel - they were a valley of lifeless and dry bones (37:1-2). Imagine that, what used to be human beings, full of life and vigour, was now a valley full of nothing but bones that were dry. Some of us might have seen the ashes of a body in an urn after cremation and thats exactly the state of things here.

    The Lord’s question only surfaces the question that was likely in Ezekiel’s heart - things are so bad, the situation is so far gone, is there any hope? Can these bones become living people again? (v. 3)

    Lest we belittle Ezekiel’s response of “you alone know the answer to that”, its important that we understand it from a perspective of humility. Ezekiel is truly feeling helpless, He knows who God is and sees the state of things before him. And all he can conclude is that outside of God, these bones will never become living people again.

    So when the LORD tells Ezekiel to speak a prophetic message to these bones, we can see it as an invitation of faith. An invitation to believe and trust. To trust in the Lord and His word (v. 4-5) that He will make these bones come alive again. As Ezekiel responds in faith (v. 7), we see the faithful God at work while Ezekiel watches (v. 7-8).

    But the Lord isn’t done, and He continues with the second part of His miraculous work to bring new life (v. 9). And as Ezekiel responds again in faith, the faithful Lord works again, giving life to the previously dead bodies (v. 10)

    Finally, as it becomes clear that this is Israel’s state (v. 11), the Lord promises new life for Israel, a return from exile and a restored relationship with the Lord and His people (v. 13-14).

  • REFLECT

    Is there a situation or someone you know who might have lost all hope? Does it seem like the situation is so far gone that its impossible?

    The good news is that we have a faithful God who is able to gather dry bones and cause new life to come again. He did it for Israel, He did it for us and He can surely do it again.

    As we pray, do we hear a word from God to proclaim over that person or situation? If so, take that step of faith and prophesy in faith for God to move, for His Spirit to breathe new life. Be assured that a return from exile and restored relationship with God is His desire and will.

reading for: 21 May

Acts 2:1-21

The Spirit who Fills us with New Wine

  • READ

    The day of Pentecost had come and Jews from all nations were in Jerusalem (v. 1 and 5). But what was going to happen would be nothing old. Similar to the miraculous living giving vision that Ezekiel had earlier (Ezekiel 37:9-10), there is a sound like that of a mighty rushing wind filling the entire house (v. 2). Flames of fire appear and settle on each person (v. 3) and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in other languages (v. 4).

    To clarify, these languages that were being spoken were actual languages (v. 6, 8 and 11) of the various people who were present. And they were proclaiming about the wonderful things God had done (v. 11). On-lookers had mistaken them to be drunk but Peter, knowing what is happening, steps forward to clarify (v.14-15).

    The last days which the prophet Joel had spoken of, has now come (v. 16-17). The Spirit is now being poured out upon everyone, young and old, sons and daughters, even on servants, men and women, everyone now is given this gift (v. 17-18). The heavens and earth will show signs of these last days and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (v. 21).

    We are now, 2000 years after this historic event. And this Sunday, we remember how the Spirit has already come and has been poured out on everyone. The way we live, the way we proclaim who God is, should be so “out of this world” and “crazy” that we ought to seem “drunk” to others. But make no mistake, this is what the Spirit filled life looks like, this is what being filled with new wine looks like.

  • REFLECT

    As Jesus spoke in Mark 2:18-22 about the need for new wineskins, for old wineskins cannot contain new wine, the Spirit is wanting to fill us with new wine again. What’s needed however are new wineskins. So will we pray as the song says,

    “Make me your vessel, make me an offering, make me whatever you want me to be.”?

    What is the Lord stirring in your heart to give up and surrender?

    He wants to fill you with new wine in this season, but He’s also asking that you surrender your old ways and thinking.

reading for: 22 May

Psalm 104:24-35

The Spirit who Sustains Creation

  • READ

    One of the hot topics nowadays is climate change. Many nations and large companies are realising the importance of this as we also become aware about how our way of life is killing the earth. But before we jump on the same bandwagon, let’s consider the Creator of creation, the Spirit who sustains creation.

    Firstly, earth does not belong to us. We along with the earth, are part of creation, and we all belong to the Creator God.

    Verse 24 testifies to this,

    O LORD, what a variety of things you have made!

    In wisdom you have made them all.

    The earth is full of your creatures.

     

    Second, the earth and all creation finds its sustenance in the Lord alone: (v. 27-30)

    They all depend on you to give them food as they need it.

    When you supply it, they gather it.

    You open your hand to feed them,

    and they are richly satisfied.

    But if you turn away from them, they panic.

    When you take away their breath,

    they die and turn again to dust.

    When you give them your breath, life is created,

    and you renew the face of the earth.

     

    Third, the purpose of creation, both earth and us is to bring glory to our Creator, the Lord: (v. 31-32)

    May the glory of the LORD continue forever!

    The LORD takes pleasure in all he has made!

    The earth trembles at his glance;

    the mountains smoke at his touch.

     

    Therefore, we ought to take our place of worship before this Creator, in praise and adoration (v. 33-35).

    And in our worship to Him, take care of what He has entrusted to us, to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth, governing it (Genesis 1:28).

  • REFLECT

    To care for creation and be involved in climate change for us Christians, isn’t just about sustainability on earth. For us, its about worship to our Lord and God, who is the Creator of heavens and earth.

    If the earth and creation is one of the things we will account to the Lord when He returns, how does that impact the everyday decisions you make? Consider 1 action to respond to the Lord in worship as your Creator.

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