Pentecost • 27

reading for: Tuesday Night, 19 November

John 18:33-37

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: John 18:33-37

    “36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.””- John 18:36

  • Commentary

    What does it mean for Jesus to be King? Today’s passage shows us what it means for Jesus to be King.

    The passage is set in the midst of a trial in which Jesus is being tried by Pilate, but Jesus is no ordinary criminal. One would expect an ordinary criminal to be fearful, but Jesus was full of boldness. Pilate asked Jesus whether he was the King of the Jews. Jesus initially did not answer him directly but asked him back a question whether Pilare was saying this of his own accord or if others said it to him. Pilate’s reply makes it clear that Jesus was handed over to Pilate by his own nation and the chief priests. One wonders why Jesus would have permitted this. Why not just answer yes? It was the right answer. I think Jesus did that because he wanted Pilate to see in what capacity is he in. If he saw Jesus as handed over, Pilate would act as the judge, but if he said this of his own accord, then Pilate would act as a believer who believed in Jesus. This is the heart of Jesus, and even towards the end of his life, he still gave Pilate an opportunity to believe. However, Pilate did not take that opportunity and saw Jesus as handed over.

    Jesus did not stop there but proceeded to clarify that the nature of his kingdom is not from the world. It is a kingdom that does not need his followers to take up arms to free him. It is a kingdom that bears witness to the truth. Jesus was born into this world to establish this kingdom of truth. Jesus continued to give Pilate an opportunity to bear witness to the truth and believe in Jesus.

    Today’s passage shows us that Jesus is the King of the kingdom that is not of this world, a kingdom that listens to his voice and bears witness to the truth. We also see the heart of the King, who constantly reaches out to us so that we may hear his voice, bear witness to the truth, and be brought into the Kingdom.

  • Reflect

    Are we listening to the voice of the King who constantly reaches out to us, for he wants to bring us into the Kingdom?

    Prayer

    Father, you sent your Son Jesus to establish a kingdom that is not from this world, but it is a kingdom of truth. Help us to listen to the voice of Jesus, who is constantly reaching out to us so that he may bring us into the kingdom. Amen.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 20 November

2 samuel 23:1-7

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: 2 Samuel 23:1-7

    “Is not my house right with God? Has He not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will He not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?” (2 Samuel 23:5, ESV)

  • Commentary

    David’s final words are a song of gratitude and faith. In this passage, the king who shepherded Israel looks back on his life and acknowledges one thing: it is God’s faithfulness that has upheld him. Despite David’s many failures, God’s covenant remains unshaken—an eternal promise secured in every detail. This covenant points to Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation and eternal kingship.

    For us at Centre of New Life, as we prepare for Advent and Christmas, this passage is a timely reminder. Last Sunday, we rejoiced in the truth of living with unlimited access to God. Because of Jesus, we can lean into prayer, flex our faith, and light up for Him. This reality is anchored in God’s unchanging faithfulness, much like David’s confidence in the everlasting covenant. Just as David trusted that God would bring salvation, we too can trust that Jesus, our Great High Priest, has torn the veil, giving us direct access to God’s presence.

    This is part of the spiritual journey CNL has been on. We’ve learned that prayer is like oxygen for the believer—an unceasing communion with God, as emphasized in Prayer: Strength Training for Life. We’ve declared together that God is our Strength, Enabler, and Sustainer. Now, as we approach Advent, we remember: God keeps His promises, and in Jesus, every promise finds its “Yes” and “Amen.”

  • Reflect

    This week, reflect on how God has been faithful in your life. Have you been living with the confidence of someone who has unlimited access to God? Are there areas where you need to trust in His promises more deeply? Like David, let’s boldly proclaim that our salvation is secure, not because of who we are, but because of who God is.

    Where in your life do you need to trust in God’s faithfulness this Advent season?

  • Prayer

    O Lord my God, light of the blind and strength of the weak, yes, also light of those who see, and strength of the strong, hearken to my soul and hear it crying out of the depths. Amen.

     

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 21 November

Revelation 1:4b-8

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference : Revelation 1:4b-8

    https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%201%3A4-8&version=ESV

    commentary

  • Reflect

  • Prayer

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 22 November

Psalm 132

  • ReAD

    Scripture reference: Psalm 132

    Psalm  132:3-5

    "I will not enter my house or get into my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, until I find a place for the LORD,  dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."

  • COMMENTARY

    As we prepare to end 2024, how have our rhythms of life (Daily, weekly and monthly) created a place for the LORD to dwell in us?

    Psalm 132 starts out with a plea to the LORD that he remembers all the hardships David endured. We remember how David was chosen to be king and had many exploits and victories as a warrior. We also remember how he sang and worshipped the LORD His God. But we don’t often remember David for the struggles and challenges he faced throughout his entire life. You would be surprised to find the number of afflictions and struggles David had from a simple google or AI search.

    And despite of all of those challenges and struggles he faced at various points of his life, he made a vow and plea before God His Father. That he would not rest and reveal in his comforts, until there was a dwelling place for the LORD his God.

    Although the emphasis is not literal as we know David must have slept at least for 1 night until he found a place for the LORD, its this intense desire that we can no doubt see David had.

    Which ultimately resulted in his son Solomon building the temple.

    The rhythms of life that we so strongly advocate in CNL to build, to wake up strong, don’t go to bed wrong and pause in our day (Daily). To remember the LORD’s day each Sunday (weekly) and to seek His voice to guide us as a church each 1st Friday (Monthly); are meant to create a place for the LORD to dwell in our lives.

  • Reflect

    So as we end 2024 with all that we have been through (the joys, the struggles and the pains), have we grown to be better children of God and stronger servants of the LORD? (Especially in the areas of our home, work and play) How can we further deepen our rhythms in 2025 so we can be better?

  • Prayer

    Most High God, majestic and almighty,

    our beginning and our end:

    rule in our hearts

    and guide us to be faithful in our daily actions,

    worshiping the one who comes

    as Savior and Sovereign,

    and who lives and reigns with you

    in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God. Amen.

Season of LentCNL