Pentecost • 22

reading for: Tuesday Night, 15 october

Mark 10:35-45

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: Mark 10:42-45

    “42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

  • Commentary

    James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus and asked Jesus to do whatever they asked. Jesus asked what they wanted him to do for them. The two disciples wanted Jesus to grant them to sit on His right and one on His left in His glory. Jesus did not agree with their request but asked them if they were able to drink the cup that Jesus drank or be baptised with the baptism that He is baptised.

    Jesus was not referring to a cup of drink or juice that the disciples could drink. In speaking of the cup or baptism, He refers to his death on the cross and his resurrection. Jesus had been teaching them continually that He would suffer, die and rise again after three days, most recently a few verses above in Mark 9:32-34. They replied that they were able. Put simply, to drink the cup and be baptised with Jesus is simply to die with Christ and be raised with Christ. Perhaps they did not know the full implications of what they were saying, but Jesus recognised their choice and told them that they would drink the cup and be baptised with their baptism. History tells us that they did drink the cup as they went around from place to place persecuted. James died an early death and was likely an early martyr, and John was likely thrown into boiling oil and would have died if not for the grace of God to preserve him. Jesus granted them the privilege to drink the cup and be baptised with him, but he did not grant them the privilege to be on his right and left.

    The other disciples were furious as they heard what James and John did. They also wanted to be in positions of authority, and they thought that being seated with Christ on His right and left was power and authority. Jesus called them to Him and told them that to be the greatest among them, one must be the servant, and to be the first, one must be the slave of all. For Christ Himself came not to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. One must remember that Jesus had just told them that He would die on the cross and rise again. Jesus was telling all his disciples to follow Him, drink His cup, be baptised with His baptism, and serve others to the point of death. Many of Jesus’s disciples would go on to be baptised with the baptism of Jesus, giving their lives for the sake of the Gospel. Only Judas did not, and we know the reasons why, and John, who, for all intents and purposes, would have died had it not been for the grace of God.

  • Reflect

    What is our definition of greatness? According to Jesus, greatness is serving, suffering, dying, and being raised with Him in the newness of life. Are we drinking the cup that Jesus drank and baptised with the baptism of Jesus?

    Prayer

    Our Father in Heaven, you redefine what it means to be great. You sent your great Son to die on the cross for us rising again in three days. He taught us that to be great is to drink His cup and be baptised with Him, learning to serve and give our lives for others. Amen.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 16 october

Job 38:1-41

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    Scripture Reference: Job 38:1-41

    Key Verse:
    “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.” — Job 38:4 (ESV)

  • Commentary

    In Job 38, God finally speaks, not with direct answers to Job’s suffering but with a majestic reminder of who He is. God takes Job on a whirlwind tour of creation, highlighting the vastness of the universe and Job’s limited understanding. It may feel disheartening at first—Job, like many of us, wanted a clear answer to “why” suffering happens. But instead, God points to the greater question: Who is in control?

    As a church, over these last few months, we have learned the power of trusting God, even when life feels uncertain. In these last 2 weeks we are learning how through our trust, we can be on mission in the world as Christ’s priestly listening presence—that when we stop to listen to God, we find His love, strength, and purpose in the very act of surrender and we can do this as companions of others. Much like Job, we have been reminded that our knowledge is limited, but God’s wisdom is infinite.

    The Holy Spirit has been guiding us to trust that God is our Strength, Enabler, and Sustainer. Just as God reminded Job of His omnipotence, we too are learning that though we may not have all the answers, we know the One who holds the universe together. Children, teens, parents, and elderly alike—God calls all of us to trust in Him, not for what we understand, but for who He is.

  • Reflect

    Can you trust that God’s presence and wisdom are sufficient, even when life’s questions remain unanswered?

  • Prayer

    “Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness, I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. You called, you shouted, and broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath, and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.” Amen.

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 17 october

Hebrews 5:1-10

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    Scripture Reference: Hebrews 5:1-10

    “8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek”.  – Hebrews 5:8-10

  • commentary

    Our reading of the letter to the Hebrews 5:5-6 quotes two messianic passages from the Old Testament that points to Jesus core identities as God’s son as well as His high priest.

    While lots can be said about sonship, one of our identities in Christ that is often shrouded in a lack of understanding is that of being God’s priests and priestesses on Earth. Jesus is our example to what it means to be a child of God and also a priest. Yes, this call is for everyone and is part of God’s plan for His people from Genesis to Revelations (Exo 14:4-6, Isa 61:6, 1 Peter 2:9, Rev 1:5-6, Rev 5:9-10 are some examples).

    So what does our our priestly role entail? And what are some of the attributes of a priest?

    1. To be Holy and lived in a called-out way (Heb 5:1,5)
    – chosen, appointed, and called.
    – obedient and submitted to God alone.

    2. Declare His praises and test and approve of His goodness and righteousness (1 Peter 2:9; Romans 12:1-2)
    - Live a life that is ordered by Him and where He is King.

    3. To serve and mediate God’s presence and purposes in our generation
    - We are called to be priest to the whole world
    - Meditate between God and people; to represent the one to the other and vice versa.

    4.     To live out Jesus’ example of deep identification
    -     To be Identify with, love, and share the experiences and of the people around us (Heb 5:8). 

    5. Teach, disciple, and mediate God’s presence, truths, and righteousness wherever we go.
    - Priests are also called to teach people about God’s ways, the worship of God, and a life that is pleasing to Him much like the portion in the Great Commission that says ‘teaching them all I have commanded you’. 

  • Reflect

    Brothers and sisters, we are all priests and ministers of one thing or another. Invite the Holy Spirit to check-in on your life regarding how much we are living out our call as priests of the Most High God in this world. How is the Holy Spirit challenging you to live as priest and priestesses where He has placed you? Let us follow Jesus’ example and ask God for grace to take little steps of obedience each day even amid suffering and challenges. Let us trust that His way is the best way for us even when faced with the many tempting voices to live in other ways.   

  • Prayer

    Dear Heavenly Father, you have intended for me to be a royal priesthood in this life and the life to come. Teach and guide how to live as such and grant me the grace to live it out. In Jesus name I pray. Amen!

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 18 october

Psalms 104:1-9, 24, 35c

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    Scripture reference: Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c

    Psalm 104:1-2

    Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great. You are clothed with splendour and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent;

  • COMMENTARY

    Psalm 104 is all about how God our Father is at work in creation. But have we ever considered that He isn’t just at work but revealing Himself through creation? Have we ever considered that He is not just sustaining and making creation, but that He’s revealing His very self through it?

    That’s exactly how Psalm 104 starts, the LORD my God is very great. But more than being great, He is clothed with splendour and majesty. Light and life covers and surrounds Him!

    It is from His very character that we see the heavens being stretched out, waters, clouds, winds and fire being utilised as part of His extended hand.

    Hence the Psalmist proclaims that many are his works, but it is in wisdom that all of creation has been created. In wisdom, splendour and majesty creation has been brought forth into our world.

    What are the implications for us if God our Father is revealing to us in creation? For one, we are to take time to see Him and be with Him. Psalm 104 isn’t a Psalm to just tell us the truth about who our Father is, its a Psalm that we can use to invite us to be in His presence. In praise, in worship and adoration.

    This is the invitation from God and the heart of all the Psalms, to invite us into a real and authentic relationship with our Heavenly Father.

  • Reflect

    Who do you turn to when you go through difficult times? Who are people you look up to that has come out from difficult times stronger?

  • Prayer

    Our Father in Heaven, You alone are great and mighty. You alone are full of majesty and splendour. Open my eyes this day to your presence. Slow down my heart that I might see You in Your Creation.

    In Jesus name i pray, Amen.

Season of LentCNL