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reading for: 16 March

Luke 13:1-9

Its Time to Repent!

• READ

This week’s passage is actually the third part of a 3 part series that Jesus is on. Earlier, He had spoken first about masters and servants (Luke 12:35-48), then spoke about families (Luke 12:49-59). And now, he is speaking about sinners and sufferers (Luke 13:1-9).

Repentance is the main theme and here, Jesus uses 2 contemporary examples back then before telling a parable about a fig tree.

The first contemporary example He cites are Galileans who were murdered while offering sacrifices at the temple (v. 1). Innocent worshippers who turned up on Sabbath to offer sacrifices were killed for no rhyme or reason. Did they deserve their death because of something they did? Were those Galileans worse sinners than other Galileans such that they died (v.2)? No! Jesus answers. Anyone who does not repent and turn to God will experience death sooner or later (v.3). Death comes to all and only those who have repented of their sins will be saved.

The second example Jesus cites is a freak accident where a tower in Siloam falls and kills 18 people (v.4). A contemporary example for us would be the 1153 in Singapore who have died from COVID since it started 2 years ago. Did they deserve death more than any of us? No! In fact, all of us will face death one day, if not by old age, then sickness, or perhaps even a freak accident like that in Siloam. We will also experience death and perish if we do not repent (v.5).

The parable that Jesus tells about the fruitless fig tree further adds another element, the factor of time. The time is short and the time is now for repentance to take place! The man who planted the fig tree has been patient to wait for 3 years. And now has decided to cut down this fruitless tree that is merely taking up space. But the gardener, actually pleads on behalf of this tree, asking for another year, promising added attention in this 1 year that should, hopefully bear fruit. In other words, its long overdue that we should repent! And given our lack of repentance that warrants death, we are actually given an extension by the grace of God. An additional year with added attention to repent and bear fruits. So the question for us is, will we see the crucial time we are in (Luke 12:56) and heed the call to repent?

• REFLECT

  Repentance is an important part of our life with God. It isn’t a 1 time act, but a daily action we do. Hence the prayer “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us”. Or as 1 John 1:8 says, if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23).

  Yet the surprising thing i’ve noticed in my own life recently, is how I can look back at my day, and actually find nothing I need to repent of. In my mind, I haven’t done any “big sin”, like murder or steal. I didn’t even commit any “small sin” like tell a white lie or get angry at someone. I have a strange feeling that some of us could have this same feeling as me. In fact, we feel like we are “doing all the right things”.

  What the Lord has begun to show me however, is that the lack of awareness of sin in my life, comes from the lack of awareness of His presence in my life. If you remember Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-5), Peter (Luke 5:1-11) or Paul (Acts 9:1-1-19), all of them had one thing in common when they met with the LORD. They became so keenly aware of their own sin, that they couldn’t help but repent. In other words, being in the presence of Jesus, the Most Holy One, will only lead us to realise how unholy and sinful we are. So my lack of repentance can only then mean that i’m unaware and blinded to God’s presence in my life. And that, is what i’ve repented of. That I can go about being busy all day, doing all the “right things” and yet be unaware of God’s presence and work all around me.

  What about you? How is your life of repentance before God? Are you like me and also struggling to repent? If so, it could very well mean that you are also unaware and blind to Jesus. We think we are that fruitful tree, when really we are a fruitless tree. Now is the time to repent!

reading for: 17 March

Isaiah 55:1-9

Its Time to Come Back to Him

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Isaiah is a book of both judgment and hope. While chapters 1-39 are a constant interplay between these 2 themes, chapters 40-66 is predominantly filled with hope. Its no wonder that chapter 55 is filled with this beautiful invitation to come back to the Lord.

4 times the word “come” appears in just the first verse alone. Come, come to the waters, come buy and eat, come buy wine and milk. Who is the invitation for? Those who thirst, he who has no money. In other words, those who are needy.

This invitation to come back continues with listen diligently to me, incline your ear to me, hear (v. 2-3). Why? So that we may live and find life. For the Lord has made an everlasting covenant with us. He will show his unfailing and sure love to David.

Finally, come back see, behold how David was used by the Lord, behold how nations and peoples will run to Israel (v. 4-5), for the LORD has glorified Israel. Seek the LORD and call upon Him, for He is near and can be found (v. 6). Let the wicked turn to the LORD for He is merciful, let them turn to Him for He longs to forgive (v. 7).

Then comes the famous verses reminding us that the way we think of God and the way life is very different from the way God thinks and the way He works. His ways are always higher than our ways. His thoughts will forever be higher (v. 8-9).  

• REFLECT

  In yesterday’s Luke reading, we were reminded about the time to repent. But often our picture of the LORD who is asking us to do so is informed by poor fatherly images of our past. Our Heavenly Father who makes this invitation to come back isn’t an angry, aloof, Father who only demands his children to do right. Its more like the father who runs to the prodigal son the moment he repents (turns around).

  “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20. The LORD, our God and Heavenly Father who makes this invitation to come back to Him, is the kind of Father who is filled with love and compassion and will run, embrace and kiss us the moment we repent. He’s the kind of Father who would provide those who are thirsty, those who have no money, with food and drink. Why? Because of the covenant He has made, because this is who the LORD our God is.

  May you find yourself warmly embraced by your heavenly Father even as you make the decision to come back to Him.

reading for: 18 March

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Its time to Heed Jesus’s Instructions

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Its important to remember that Paul was first addressing questions from the Corinthian church regarding food offered to idols (1 Cor 8:1) and his personal example as an apostle (1 Cor 9) is meant to build on how he uses the freedom he has in Christ. So its only appropriate that he highlights the example of Israel as they too struggled with idolatry in their time. And ultimately, they serve as instructions for us today, who live at the end of the age (1 Cor 10:11).

What are the instructions for us today?

First, that we can be guided by God, eating spiritual food and water by God and even baptised as they were and yet be unpleasing in God’s sight (v.1-5) In other words, we can be doing all the “right” things like going for weekly services, being in a LG and experiencing miracles of God but still find ourselves unpleasing in His eyes. That in itself serves as the first warning and instruction - If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall (v. 12).

What exactly did the Israelites do that brought God displeasure?

Despite being guided by God, eating and drinking food and drink from God, they still craved evil things and worshipped idols (v. 6-7). Quoting from Exodus 32:6, they did this by celebrating with feasting and drinking followed by pagan revelry. So on the one hand, Israel had offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, but right after that they participated in pagan feasts. In other words, they were living a double life or serving 2 masters.

Which leads the the second instruction and warning for us, no one can serve 2 masters, we will hate one and love the other, be devoted to one and despite the other (Matt 6:24)

Finally, Israel also put Christ to the test (v. 9). In Numbers 21 they spoke against God and Moses saying that they were brought out from Egypt only to die. They even despised the manna given by God (Numbers 21:4-5).

• REFLECT

  Many of us will think that we aren’t guilty of worshipping idols. Idolatry essentially means having a master other than Jesus. Being devoted to anything or anyone other than Jesus. This happens in very subtle ways in our world. And one of the most subtle idol we have is our self. When we put ourselves first, prioritising ourselves before Jesus. When we put our own desires before the desires of Jesus, when we put our own ways before the ways of Jesus.

  How this plays out is in the way we find rest. After a long day and week of work, we often find ourselves tired, exhausted and needing rest. As many Singaporeans do, we go to a nice restaurant or seek out that food/drink we love and use it as a way to unwind. Or we turn on the television and watch our favourite Netflix series or K-drama series. Although in itself none of these avenues are wrong, these can be ways we prioritise our self over Jesus. This happens when we choose to go for that nice dinner, rather than gather together as a LG. Or when we fill out time with watching so much TV and leave no time to be with Jesus. Why? Because by choosing that, we are prioritising our need to rest through a dinner/show, sacrificing quality restful time with Jesus and fellow brothers and sisters. And deep down we think that the nice dinner/favourite show will give us the rest we long for, not Jesus or time with Him. 

  Who is your real master? That can be seen from our daily and weekly schedules. Would you take an honest look at how you spend your time and realign heed the instructions of Jesus and align to Him?

reading for: 19 March

Psalm 63:1-8

Its time to Cling to Jesus

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Who is the Lord and what is His promises to us?

His unfailing love is better than life itself (v.3).

He will satisfy you more than the richest feast (v.5)

He is your helper, covering you under the shadow of his wings (v. 7)

His strong right hand will hold you (v. 8).

The truth is our soul is thirsting for the LORD, like the desert where its dry, parched and lacking water (v. 1).

The invitation is to remember the times when we have seen and encountered the LORD (v.2). To praise Him with songs of joy (v. 5). To lie awake and meditate on Him through the night (v. 6). And cling on to Him (v. 8).

For in doing that, we will experience the salvation from our enemies (v. 9-11).

• REFLECT

  Spend time meditating on this Psalm, read it a few times and focus in on certain words and phrases that stands out to you. Take time and bring it before the Lord and have a conversation with him. Confess your thirst before Him, acknowledge that His unfailing love is better than life. Proclaim that He will help You and cover You with His strong right hand.