Pentecost • 6

Introduction to Pentecost Season

The Season of Pentecost, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, marks a pivotal moment for Christians worldwide. Pentecost, originally a Jewish feast known as Shavuot, celebrated the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It occurs fifty days after Passover, symbolizing the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot, which highlights both agricultural and spiritual harvests in Jewish life.

Just as God gave the Law at Sinai to His ancient Israelite people at Pentecost back then, after Christ’s ascension, God poured out His Holy Spirit to empower a new people of God, to obey the Law of Christ, and to continue His work in the world. Hence, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the apostles (Acts 2), not only fulfilled Jesus' promise to send a helper and comforter after His ascension, it also signified the birth of the Church and the beginning of its mission to spread the Gospel. The Presence and Power of Christ through the baptism and the filling of Holy Spirit empowered the apostles to preach the message of Jesus Christ with boldness, crossing language and cultural barriers, and uniting diverse peoples (both Jews and non-Jews) under the lordship of Christ.

Particularly for the members of the Centre of New Life, as we enter the Season of Pentecost, we enter a new season with a call to “Grow Stronger”, to live out the Gospel in our daily lives, exercising the gifts He has given us, as members of Christ's mystical Body, the Church, and particularly within our Kampongs and Life Groups. It is a time to embrace the Holy Spirit's power, continue the mission of the early Church, and embody the teachings of Christ in our interactions and service to Him, at home, work and play. This Pentecost season, let us step-up to be active participants in God's ongoing work in the world, so that as God’s serving sons and daughters, we might grow in friendship and together, we continue to spread His love, grace, and truth in all that we do.

reading for: Tuesday Night, 25 Jun

 Mark 5:21-43

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    Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-43

    21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

    Commentary

    Today we read of Jesus doing two miracles. He was asked by Jairus, one of the rulers of the synagogue, to come to his house to lay hands on his daughter for his daughter was severely ill. The text tells us that Jairus was desperate for Jesus, fell at his feet and implored him to come. Jesus agreed to go to Jairus house and lay hands on his daughter. Jesus went with Jairus and as he was on the way there, they encountered a woman who was also ill. She was ill and suffering from a discharge of blood for twelve years. She has visited many physicians, and none could help her, in fact they made her condition worse. That has caused her to lose all the money that she had. She had heard reports about the miracles that Jesus had done and believed that if she touched his garments she would be made well.  She touched the garments of Jesus and immediately Jesus perceived that power has gone out of him. Jesus asked who touched him and the disciples initially answered that they were in a crowd and surely many people touched Jesus. The women knowing that she was healed, came before Jesus in fear. Jesus praised her for her faith and told her to go in peace for she was healed of her disease. It was at that time that some came to tell Jairus that his daughter was dead and not to bother Jesus. Jesus reminded Jairus to not fear but believe. Jesus went into the house, dismissed the crowd, took the girl’s hand and healed the girl.

    The two miracles tell us of the importance of faith. Jairus had faith in Jesus, or he would not have went to Jesus to implore him to heal his daughter. The woman with the discharge of blood had faith or she would not have touched the garment of Jesus and believed that by touching the garment she would be healed.  In contrast, the disciples did not have faith because when Jesus told them that power had gone out of him, they did not believe him and said that it was a crowd so surely many people had touched him.

  • REFLECT

Jesus teaches us on the importance of faith. Faith is more than just asking God for a healing, but it is believing that Jesus is who he says he is. Jairus had to believe that Jesus was at least a miracle worker. Similarly, the woman with the illness had to believe that Jesus is who he says he is else she would not have touched the garment of Jesus. Do we believe Jesus is who he says he is? Do we believe that Jesus can heal us from our sicknesses? Do we believe that Jesus can help us to overcome the challenges and obstacles we face in life.

The disciples were close to Jesus, they were with Jesus all day every day and yet they did not believe. Perhaps it teaches us that proximity with Jesus does not mean anything if we do not believe him.  That does not mean that we do not spend time with Jesus, definitely we should spend time with Jesus regularly in prayer and reading his word. We should also spend time with the body of Jesus. But we should spend time being close to Jesus not with unbelief but belief. We must believe that he is who he says he is and depend on him.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 26 Jun

2 Samuel 1:1-27

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Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1-27

1 After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. 2 And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul's camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. 3 David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” 4 And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” 5 Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 6 And the young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him. 7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 8 And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ 9 And he said to me, ‘Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.’ 10 So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

11 Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. 12 And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 13 And David said to the young man who told him, “Where do you come from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.” 14 David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?” 15 Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him.” And he struck him down so that he died. 16 And David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord's anointed.’

”17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, 18 and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said:

19 “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
    How the mighty have fallen!
20 Tell it not in Gath,
    publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
    lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

21 “You mountains of Gilboa,
    let there be no dew or rain upon you,
    nor fields of offerings!
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
    the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.

22 “From the blood of the slain,
    from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan turned not back,
    and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23 “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
    In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles;
    they were stronger than lions.

24 “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
    who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
    who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.

25 “How the mighty have fallen
    in the midst of the battle!

“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
26     I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
    your love to me was extraordinary,
    surpassing the love of women.

27 “How the mighty have fallen,
    and the weapons of war perished!”

Commentary
deaths. Saul, the first king of Israel, had a complicated relationship with David. Although Saul sought to kill David out of jealousy, David respected Saul's position as the Lord's anointed king. This chapter opens with an Amalekite bringing news of the deaths to David, expecting a reward, but instead witnessing David’s profound grief and integrity.

One of the standout themes in this passage is David’s respect for Saul, despite their turbulent relationship. David’s reaction to Saul’s death exemplifies how to honour those in positions of authority, even amid personal conflicts. In 2 Samuel 1:14 (ESV), David questions the Amalekite, "How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the Lord's anointed?" This shows David's deep respect for Saul’s God-given position, underscoring that respect for authority is a godly principle, irrespective of personal grievances.

In today’s context, we may not always agree with those in authority over us, whether they are political leaders, bosses, or even parents. However, David’s example encourages us to honour and respect them because they hold their positions by God's allowance. This respect does not mean ignoring wrongdoing but recognizing and respecting their roles and responsibilities.

David’s reaction to Saul’s death highlights his integrity and foreshadows his future as a righteous king. Instead of rejoicing over the death of his enemy, David mourns deeply. In 2 Samuel 1:11-12 (ESV), "Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword." This response reveals David’s deep faith in God’s justice and his refusal to take pleasure in the downfall of his adversaries.

David’s integrity is further demonstrated when he orders the execution of the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul (2 Samuel 1:16, ESV): "And David said to him, 'Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, "I have killed the Lord's anointed."'" David’s actions show his adherence to justice and righteousness, key qualities for a leader who is truly after God’s own heart.

  • REFLECT

    1.    How do I respond to those in authority over me, especially when I disagree with them?

    2.   In what ways can I demonstrate integrity and a commitment to justice in my daily life?

    3.   How can we, as a community, support and honour those in authority while also holding them accountable to God's standards?

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 27 Jun

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    Scripture Reading:

    Commentary

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reading for: FRIDAY Night, 28 jun

Psalm 130

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    Scripture Reading: Psalm 130

    130:1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.

    130:2 Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!

    130:3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?

    130:4 But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.

    130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;

    130:6 my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

    130:7 O Israel, hope in the LORD! For with the LORD there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

    130:8 It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

    Commentary

    What do we think of when we approach Sundays, the day where we gather as a church and as God’s children to sing and worship the LORD our God and Father?

    Psalm 130 is a song of Ascent, 1 of the 15 Psalms from Psalm 120-134 that pilgrims to Jerusalem would use as they approached the Holy city and temple. And its appropriate for us to think of it in our own context of weekly Sunday services.

    We are first invited to enter into God’s presence, His dwelling with our burdens and cries of our hearts. Out of the depths of our hearts comes our honest feelings of pain and sorrow from the grief and loss in our lives. We come because we want to be heard, we want to be seen by the LORD our God. To know that we are not alone and all is not lost (v.1 - 2)

    As we bring our true emotions and feelings to the LORD we then realise the grace of our Father and His love. His grace and love that even allows us to be in His presence. We who are unholy are able to approach He who is perfectly holy. Through Jesus who is the way, we have been this privilege of being forgiven. (V. 3-4)

    It's in the midst of God’s presence that we realise that the only rightful posture is to wait. Our soul waits upon the Lord our God, we wait for the fulfillment of His word and promises. We wait on the one who saves us, who delivers us, who hears us. We ask and wait on our Father who gives good things to His children (Matthew 6:7-11). We wait in anticipation as watchmen watch for the light of dawn to break in. (V. 5-6).

    “The watchman doesn’t doubt that morning will come, but only wonders when, and watches for it diligently. So it was for the singer who watched for God and the help God promised to bring.”

    As we come as individuals, we also remember that we aren't just a child of God. We are all children of God seeking our Father in Heaven. And in that place we remember one another, we encourage one another and exhort one another to hope on the LORD. For He is full of mercy, in Him we will experience His redemption. (V. 7-8)

  • REFLECT

    In CNL, we gather on Sundays to remember the day of the Lord. It is the day where Jesus will come again for the second time everyone will have to account for all of our words and actions (2 Cor 5:10).

    This is also the day where all groaning and sighing in our spirits will finally and completely be answered (2 Cor 5:4).

    This is the day where God will fully dwell with us and we with Him. All tears, all death and pain will be gone forever (Rev 21:3-4).

    It is this reason that we gather every Sunday. To remember that this day is coming. And that our Father in Heaven hears and will redeem us.

    It is this hope that we have.

    Would you prepare and recommit to gather on Sundays in such a manner?

    Will you bring your burdens and pains to seek God your Father as God’s children?

    Will you listen to the groaning and sighs from the week of labour of your fellow brothers and sisters?

    Let's do this as we prepare ourselves each Sunday.

     

Season of LentCNL