Pentecost • 8

reading for: Tuesday Night, 9 Jul

Mark 6:14-29

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    Scripture Reading: Mark 6:14–29

    14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. 21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

    Commentary

    Jesus and his disciples were doing great work in the villages - they casted out many demons and healed many of the sick. King Herod heard of the great work that they had been doing and some thought that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. Some others did not think so and thought that Jesus was Elijah, or others a prophet like the prophets of old. There was much discussion on who Jesus was. Herod in fact believed that Jesus was John the Baptist whom he had beheaded.

    Mark recounts the story of the beheading of John telling us that Herod had seized John the Baptist and imprisoned him because John had spoken out against Herod marrying Herodias, who was his brother’s wife. John had spoke out against it, saying that it was not lawful for Herod to have his brother’s wife. Hence, Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to put him to death. Herod so far had not agreed with her or acted on it because Herod knew that John was a righteous and holy man and thus kept him safe in prison. Herod was greatly perplexed at John and yet he heard John. Herod was a conflicted person, he heard John, and yet he did not obey John. Instead, he threw John into prison and yet it seemed that he could not bring himself to kill him. Maybe it was because he was afraid of John.

    Herodias wanted to kill John and when an opportunity arrived she took it. Herod gave a banquet on his birthday and Herodias daughter came in and danced, pleasing Herod so much that he granted her a promise to give her whatever she wished. She asked her mother what she should ask for and her mother told her to ask for the head of John the Baptist. She requested this of Herod and the King finally gave it to her and beheaded John as he did not want to break his word to her in front of all his guests. The disciples came and took John’s  body and buried him in a tomb. Herod gave in to his pride for he did not want to lose face in front of his family and noble people.

  • REFLECT

John the Baptist was a holy and righteous man, doing the work of the kingdom. That was very clear to Herod for even when he put John to death, he still believed that John was raised from the dead. Of course, Herod was wrong for Jesus was not John the Baptist. Instead, John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. John gave his life in obedience to the word of the Lord for Herod was not supposed to marry his brother’s wife. John portrays to us a picture of a holy and righteous man.

Herod on the other hand was a conflicted person. He knew John was a holy man, but he did not want to obey the words of God from John. He was angry at John, but he initially did not want him killed. Later, out of not losing face, he gave in to his pride and killed John. Herod conveys a picture of a man who heard the words of God but chose to walk in darkness. He could have listened to the words of John and repented of his evil action in taking his brother’s wife. He could have told his daughter no, but he did not.

Today’s story shows us a contrast between two man, John and Herod. Will we use these two men as a mirror to reflect on our lives.

1.     Are we like John, who spoke up when it was not convenient to do so and was even willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of the Lord? Or are we like Herod, who refused to repent for his actions after hearing the word of the Lord?

2.     In the light of the 2nd coming and return of the Lord Jesus Christ, what are some actions that we can take to be like John so that we can be ready to receive Him?

reading for: Wednesday Night, 10 Jul

2 Samuel 6:1-19

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The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

 6 David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. 3 And they carried the ark of God on a new cart and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, 4 with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark.

Uzzah and the Ark

5 And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 8 And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah to this day. 9 And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 10 So David was not willing to take the ark of the Lord into the city of David. But David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11 And the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

12 And it was told King David, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. 13 And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. 14 And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.

David and Michal

16 As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart. 17 And they brought in the ark of the Lord and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it. And David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. 18 And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts 19 and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house.

Commentary
This week, we explore a powerful story from 2 Samuel 6:1-19, where king David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This story teaches us about the importance of worship, the holiness of God, and the joy of His presence.

After King Saul died, David became the king of Israel. One of his main duties was to unite the nation and make Jerusalem the centre of worship. At this time, the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God’s presence, was in a place called Baalah of Judah (also known as Kirjath-Jearim). David wanted to bring the Ark to Jerusalem to show that Jerusalem was the heart of Israel’s worship.

David gathered a huge group of people to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This wasn’t just a royal duty; it was a deeply spiritual act. David wanted everyone to witness this important event. (2 Samuel 6:1-2)

In verses 3-7, we read that Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were responsible for transporting the Ark. They had the important job of making sure it got to Jerusalem safely. Along the way, when the oxen stumbled, Uzzah touched the Ark to steady it, God struck him dead. This might seem harsh, but it reminds us that God’s holiness is very serious. The Ark represented God’s presence, and touching it was strictly forbidden. Only the priests were allowed to touch the Ark (Numbers 4:15).

From verses 8-11, we read that David was scared and angry after Uzzah’s death, so he left the Ark at Obed-Edom’s house. God blessed Obed-Edom and his household, showing that God’s presence brings blessings.

When David heard the news, he was overjoyed to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. He danced with all his might, wearing a linen ephod (a special garment usually worn by priests). His joyful worship shows how much he loved God.

However, Michal, David’s wife, didn’t like his dancing and thought it was undignified. But David didn’t let her disapproval stop him from worshiping God. He continued to bless the people and offer sacrifices. (2 Samuel 6:16-19)

  • REFLECT

    David went beyond his royal duty; he truly loved God’s presence. His actions show that he wanted to honour God with everything he had. David’s willingness to wear a priest’s ephod and dance with joy shows his deep love for God.

    The Ark of the Covenant points to Jesus. Just like the Ark represented God’s presence, Jesus is God with us. Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem is like Jesus entering Jerusalem, showing that God’s presence is with His people.

    1.     As the Great Day of the Lord approaches, how can you show more reverence and respect for God in your daily life?

    2.     What can you learn from David’s example about expressing your love and worship for God?

    3.     How does understanding God’s holiness change the way we worship and live together as a CNL church family?

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 11 Jul

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    Scripture Reading:

    Commentary

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reading for: FRIDAY Night, 12 jul

Psalm 24

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    Scripture Reading

    24:1 The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it;

    24:2 for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.

    24:3 Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?

    24:4 Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.

    24:5 They will receive blessing from the LORD, and vindication from the God of their salvation.

    24:6 Such is the company of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

    24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.

    24:8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle.

    24:9 Lift up your heads, O gates! and be lifted up, O ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.

    24:10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah

    Commentary

    In CNL, we are setting aside Sundays to “Prepare for the Day of the Lord”. The day when Jesus comes back again, this time in all of his power, glory and might.

    How then do we prepare for the “Day of the Lord”? 

    Even though this Psalm written by David was within the context of preparing to enter Jerusalem and the ark of covenant, it bears much significance for us today as we learn to “Prepare for the Day of the Lord”.

    We do that by first remembering all that the earth, the world and everyone who lives in it, belongs to the LORD (v. 1). It belongs to the LORD because all things were created through him and for him (Col 1:16). All creation finds its source from God (v. 2).

    And if God our Father and His Son Jesus is the Source, Life and King of all Creation, who then are we as we enter into His presence? Who can come before Him? Who are we to enter into the very presence of God Almighty? (v. 3).

    Only those with clean hands and a pure heart, only those who are holy as He is holy. Only those in whom there is no falsehood and deceit can enter into the presence of our God (v. 4). We know that through Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, we have been given this privilege and blessing to enter into God’s presence (Heb 10:19-22).

    This is the blessing and privilege we have been given (v. 5).

    Those who seek Him with clean hands and a pure heart, those who trust not in their own righteousness but in God’s grace and mercy are those who will receive such a blessing (v. 6).

    Therefore the invitation for us all is to lift up our heads, to open the doors of our hearts and welcome this King. The LORD our God, our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus. (v. 7, 9).

    He is the One who is strong and mighty, He is the One who is mighty in battle (v. 8, 10).

  • REFLECT

    So how do we prepare for the “Day of the Lord”?

    If the “Day of the Lord” means the coming of Jesus and when His glory and presence is fully revealed, then we have to consider if we are ready to see Him.

    Who is this? He is the Creator of all creation, the Source of all creation and Life of all creation. And His Son Jesus, is the King of all Kings.

    That is perhaps one of the first things we need to note when we come on Sundays for service. We are not merely entering into a building, neither are we entering into just another gathering, we are entering and meeting with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

    And before such a wonderful King and Lord, which of us can be counted worthy to be in His presence? In truth, none of us. But only by the grace and mercy of Him, the LORD, we have been provided a way and access to Him. Through His Son Jesus Christ.

    We therefore need to realise that it is an utter privilege and grace given by God Himself for us and therefore receive it in on bended knees.

    We can do this, by approaching Sundays, with honour and respect to the LORD.

    We can do this by seeing Sundays, gathering before the presence of the LORD as a privilege and gift. Maybe then we will begin to turn up early on Sundays knowing that any moment we have is a gift.

     

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