PENTECOST • 22

Would You Seek His Face?

SONGS FOR PRAYER

reading for: Tuesday Night, 24 october

Matthew 22:34-46

Jesus Reveals His Divinity

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    The Great Commandment

    34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

    Whose Son Is the Christ?

    41 Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, 42 saying, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.” 43 He said to them, “How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,

    44 “‘The Lord said to my Lord,
    “Sit at my right hand,
        until I put your enemies under your feet”’?

    45 If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?” 46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

    In this encounter with his opponents, Jesus is teaching in the Temple in Jerusalem and He poses unusual riddle about the son of David to the Pharisees. This is the only passage in all four Gospels in which Jesus explicitly asks a question about the identity of “the Christ”. According to all three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), Jesus raises this question about the identity of the Messiah (v42), asking them why “the Messiah” is referred to by some as “the Son of David”. Here Jesus quotes the first line of Psalm 110 to show that David himself referred to the Messiah as “Lord”; and then he leaves his listeners to figure out how “the Christ” could be both David’s descendent (son) and David’s Lord at the same time.  

    Firstly, Jesus is not rejecting the idea that the Messiah is a descendant of King David. The Old Testament is very clear that the future king of Israel—who by the first century came to be known as “the Messiah”—will in fact be descended from David (see 2 Samuel 7; Isaiah 11; Jeremiah 33; Ezekiel 37).

    What Jesus is questioning is the scribal tradition of referring to the Messiah by the title “the Son of David.” Why? Because the title “Son of David” is never once found in the Old Testament; it comes from later in Jewish tradition. By referencing and appealing to Psalm 110, Jesus is saying that by David’s referring to the future king as his “Lord”, according to Scripture, the Messiah is more than just the descendant of David. The Messiah is also David’s LORD. Jesus is directly challenging his opponents using David’s own words, saying that from a biblical point of view, the Jewish scribes should be going around referring to the Messiah as “the Lord of David.”

    Secondly, if we read Psalm 110 carefully, we realise that the figure identified by Jesus as the Messiah is not only referred to as David’s “Lord.” He is also described as being seated on a heavenly throne and as being begotten by God from the beginning of creation.

    The Lord says to my Lord:
        “Sit at my right hand,
    until I make your enemies your footstool.”

    2 The Lord sends forth from Zion
        your mighty scepter.
        Rule in the midst of your enemies!
    3 Your people will offer themselves freely
        on the day of your power,
        in holy garments;
    from the womb of the morning,
        the dew of your youth will be yours.
    4 The Lord has sworn
        and will not change his mind,
    “You are a priest forever
        after the order of Melchizedek.”

    (Psalm 110:1-4)

    By choosing Psalm 110 to describe the identity of “the Messiah”, Jesus gives us a crucial window into his own “Christology”—his own teaching about who the Messiah really is. The king in the psalm is not just a descendant of David; he is in some way greater than David, since David addresses him as “lord”. Moreover, the Messiah in Psalm 110 is not just greater than King David; he is a heavenly king who is depicted in some way as equal with the LORD, the one true God. This equality is implied because the Messiah sits “at the right hand” of God. So by choosing Psalm 110, Jesus is also implying that the Messiah is the pre-existent Son of God.

  • REFLECT

Would you take some time to worship your heavenly king? Seek his face as you seek clarity for the coming year ahead.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 25 october

Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Finishing the Race Together

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    Moses is a pivotal figure in the history of Israel and in the past weeks we have read how Moses led his people through the wilderness. Despite many setbacks and failures including the death of an entire generation, the children of Israel are opposite Jericho about to take possession of the land flowing with milk and honey that was promised to them. Moses knew that he was not to enter the promise land for he had sinned against God in Numbers 20 when he struck the rock twice instead of speaking to the rock.

    Deuteronomy 34:1–12 (ESV)

    1 Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, 2 all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, 3 the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. 4 And the Lord said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” 5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, 6 and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day. 7 Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated. 8 And the people of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. Then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses. 10 And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, 12 and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

    Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo where the Lord showed him all the land that Israel was to possess. The Lord allowed Moses to see with his eyes all the land, but Moses was not allowed to go over to possess the land. Moses died there in the land of Moab. Despite being 120, he was full of vigour and strength. The people of Israel mourned for Moses in the plains of Moab for 30 days.

    Joshua became the leader of the people of Israel, and he was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid hands on him. The people of Israel obeyed Joshua like they obeyed Moses.

    Deuteronomy ends with high praise for Moses, how there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses whom the Lord knew face to face. There are none like him for the signs and wonders that the Lord allowed Moses to do in the land of Egypt and in the sight of all Israel.

  • REFLECT

    Moses was a servant of God who knew God face to face. Despite his flaws and failures, he finished the race well. He died full of strength and vigour and handed over to the next generation.

    Let us look at how Moses finished the race of life as the friend and servant of God and reflect if we are living like Moses as God’s servants and friends.  Do we know God face to face? Are we in constant communion with God? Are we servants of the Lord in our family and workplaces? Pray to the Lord and spend time with the Lord.

    Moses had Aaron and Miriam and the other leaders with him to run this race together. So also, we have people in our lives that can support us and run this race of life together with. Pray for the people in your LG and family that there will be mutual support and encouragement to run this race of life together.

reading for: Thursday Night, 26 october

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Facing Christ as we face challenges

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    “You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children[a] among you.

    Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well (1 Thess 2:1-8).”

    Commentary:

    Today’s letter reveals various characteristics of Paul as a minister for Christ which applies to all of us as Christ followers as well.    

    1.    A matured view of adversity and suffering (v2) – Paul faced great opposition, humiliation, and suffering in Philippi (I encourage you to read Phil 1:12-17 for a better sense of this). What’s more, coming to Thessalonica was by no means respite but was a place where Paul continued to face great opposition non-believing Jews that formed a mob against him and soon after chased him out of the city. Nonetheless, Paul continued to preached the Gospel of Christ knowing full well the suffering and adversity he would then face. Paul revealed that this was accomplished only with God as his help (v2b). Paul has a very different view of adversity and suffering from the world. Paul embraces it and even gives thanks for it as it allows him to i) follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in His suffering, ii) to be a living sacrifice for Him, and iii) for Jesus to be glorified and the Good News spread (see 2 Cor 2:14-17).    

    2.    Christ before him, the world behind him – Paul continually had the Lord before him in all of his work. He was the Lord’s servant and kept that as his focus through it all. As the Lord’s apostle, he was entrusted with the Gospel (v4a) and knew that God sees his heart (v4b). This helped him to keep his motives pure at all times (v3) because God was ever his witness (v5) and Judge who will not be deceived (Gal 6:7). Paul was not looking for the praise of men or material rewards because his eyes and heart was on Jesus Christ (v6). He had his eyes set on running and winning the Jesus race (2 Cor 9:24-27)  

    A Christ-inspired Love that is so different – As a result of the above, Paul gave off a kind of love that was holy and different. He was gentle and pure as little children in his delivery of the Gospel (v7) and as steadfast, giving, and nurturing as that as a parent (v8a) towards them even at the cost of very real suffering and opposition. As a result, he did not only share the Gospel with them but the entirety of his life (good and bad) as well (v8b). It takes a special kind of rested-ness and assuredness in Christ for a person to be unabashed about one’s own vulnerability and brokenness and to simply focus on loving and giving his best for them. Such was his love for them that he even withheld rights to receive money from them as a minister in order that they would be without doubt of his, and by proxy, Christ’s love for them (see 1 Cor 9:1-27).      

  • REFLECT

    1.    A matured view of adversity and suffering

    -        What is our attitude and response to adversity and suffering in our lives? Do we constantly seek comfort and fervently pray away all signs of discomfort? Do we constantly try to adjust our surroundings, commitments, and the people in our lives that we may feel better or be in control? Or do we embrace the situations and people God has placed in our lives to journey with as Jesus would? Do we rejoice in how God is forming Jesus in us? Do we rejoice that we can follow in our Lord’s footsteps and will in turn get to know Him more?

    2.    Christ before him, the world behind him

    -        What race are we running in our lives? What is the prize that we seek? Whose presence do we live before in our lives? Who is our priority and primary audience? Who is the one that truly sees our heart and whose judgement matters most?

    3.    A Christ-inspired Love that is so different

    -        Who or what does our love glorify? Who or what inspires the way that we love? Who or what is the well-spring of our hearts?

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 20 october

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17

A Prayer of Faith

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    What does it look like to pray in faith?

    When we think about praying in faith, we have all sorts of ideas. Psalm 90 is a great example of what praying in faith looks like.

    We start our prayer by first and foremost acknowledging our God. Imagine Moses who lived till 120 years old and in his vast life how much he must have seen God to be able to speak and pray these words:

    LORD, through all the generations I have seen, You have always been with us and our home (v.1)

    No matter how great and majestic the mountain, even the great Mt Sinai, You existed first (v.2).

    I have seen multitudes of people live and die, it is truly You who give and take life (v.3).

    For so many years Israel waited and wandered in the wilderness, for so many years Israel was stuck in Egypt, You have Your own timing (v. 4)

    I remember the chariots and Egyptian warriors that were swept up by the Red Sea (v. 5).

    Or when manna came down from heaven like food and became stale by evening (v. 6)

    Its been so long since we have met and heard from You! Have mercy on us and reveal and manifest Yourself to us once again (v.13)!

    May Your unfailing love become so real that we will sing of Your mercies (v. 14).

    Take away all the pain and sadness and give us joy that abounds (v.15)

    I have seen Your glory but this new generation needs to see You again (v. 16)

    Make the work of our hands be blessed and fruitful (v. 17)

  • REFLECT

    We often start our prayers by jumping into what we want from God. But what if we started our prayers by first acknowledging and remembering who God is and what we have seen in our lives? We do this by specifically looking for what He has done in our lives in the past week.

    Our requests and petitions then come out of knowing who God is and what He has done. Knowing He is faithful, knowing He is merciful and full of unfailing love, we then ask.

    Try praying in this manner today for the requests on your heart.

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