LENT • 6

Lent Season: Living the Baptised Life

In these six weeks leading up to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, through the gospel readings, we fix our eyes on Jesus of Nazareth and his life of obedience to God the Father, especially the last few weeks of his ministry as he journeys to Jerusalem as Israel’s Servant-King. And through Him, we catch a sense of Our Creator’s deep concern to redeem and restoring his fallen first Creation and bring forth New Creation. The New Testament letters deepen our understanding of the significance of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension, while the Old Testament readings and the Writings (mainly the Psalms), help us explore the journey of the people of God in finding and living out their place for the generations of their time as well as the tension of holy living in a fallen world. As for our personal reflections, we focus on what it means to live the baptised life - as sons and daughters of God, following Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit in our various spheres of life, living in a way that glorifies our Heavenly Father.

reading for: Tuesday Night, 26 march

Mark 16:1-8

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    Scripture Reading: Mark 16:1–8

    1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

    Commentary

    Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices after the Sabbath in order to anoint Jesus. Sabbath was from Friday evening to Saturday evening, so it is likely that the three women bought the spices on Saturday evening or perhaps early Sunday morning. Vey early on the first day of the week (Sunday morning) they went to the tomb. They were saying to themselves, questioning who will roll the stone away for them so that they can enter the tomb. When they arrived at the tomb, they found that the stone had been rolled back.

    They entered the tomb and saw a young man dressed in a white robe siting on the right side. They did not see Jesus although their logic told them that they should see Jesus lying in the tomb. The young man told them not to be alarm for Jesus was crucified and has risen. He is not there in the tomb, but they were to go and tell his disciples and Peter that he is going to Galilee. They were to meet him along with the disciples in Galilee just as Jesus had told them before his death. The women went out from the tomb in fear and said nothing to anyone for they were fearful.

    Jesus is the crucified and risen one. He is no longer in the tomb, but he is risen, and he longs to meet his disciples in Galilee. This woman do not tell anyone, at least Mary, the mother of James and Salome did not. Mark 16:9-10 tells us that Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene on the same morning, and she went to tell his disciples as they mourned and wept. The disciples did not believe Mary Magdalene. Only later after Jesus appeared to two of the disciples and then to the eleven did they believe that Jesus was risen.

  • REFLECT

The disciples did not believe that Jesus was risen from the dead. Only after Jesus appeared to them did they believe in the resurrected Christ. Do we believe that Jesus Christ is risen? Do we live our lives in light of the resurrected Christ. Let us continue to live our lives as servants of God, practicing daily the habits of not going to bed wrong, waking up strong and pausing in your day to pray.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 27 march

isaiah 25:6-9

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Scripture Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9

 6On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
    a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,
    of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.
7 And he will swallow up on this mountain
    the covering that is cast over all peoples,
    the veil that is spread over all nations.
8     He will swallow up death forever;
and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,
    and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
    for the Lord has spoken.
9 It will be said on that day,
    “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
    This is the Lord; we have waited for him;
    let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Commentary

As Easter draws near, let's delve into something truly remarkable: God's triumphant victory and the promise of His reign unfolding across the earth. This hopeful message lies at the core of Easter and offers us profound lessons as we journey through Holy Week.

In the book of Isaiah, we encounter a breathtaking doxology—a song of praise—and a declaration of hope in God's ultimate rule. Amidst descriptions of judgment upon the nations, including Israel and Judah, chapter 24 presents an awe-inspiring vision of God's purifying power sweeping across the land and its inhabitants. The "day of the Lord" initially appears as a moment of reckoning—a cleansing of all that opposes God's love and justice. It's a reminder that true transformation often requires sacrifice and change, even if it's uncomfortable.

You see, sometimes we long for the glory of God's reign without fully understanding the journey it entails. It's like desiring the joy of Easter Sunday without acknowledging the pain and sacrifice of Good Friday. But the truth is, God's love encompasses both—the suffering and the victory.

Moving into chapter 25, we encounter a profound scene of God preparing a lavish feast on "this mountain"—symbolizing Zion or Jerusalem. It's a banquet fit for kings, offering rich food and aged wines. Moreover, verses 7-8 speak of death being "swallowed up" for God's people, with grief and shame vanishing. Finally, in verse 9, we witness the long-awaited arrival of God Himself.

This invitation to the feast extends to all peoples, echoing the inclusive vision of God's love found throughout scripture. It recalls the covenant meal at Mount Sinai and the prophets' call for all nations to walk in God's ways. It's a beautiful picture of communion, where people of every race, religion, and culture embrace shared truths—a reflection of God's original intent for a harmonious world.

Yet, even amidst this vision of hope, we're reminded that not everyone will accept God's invitation. Some may reject His vision for the world. But our deepest hope lies in the promise that God will one day wipe away every tear and conquer death itself. This promise extends to all, offering hope for restoration and renewal.

Patience and faithful waiting are key themes throughout Isaiah. While we eagerly anticipate the fulfillment of God's promises, we must trust in His timing. It's a reminder that true faith means holding fast to God's faithfulness, even when the journey is long and uncertain.

So as we approach Easter, let's hold onto hope and faith. Let's celebrate the victory of God's love, knowing that His promises are faithful and sure. And on that glorious day, we'll joyfully proclaim, "This is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us."

Let this Easter season fill your hearts with hope, joy, and the assurance of God's unfailing love.

  • REFLECT

     1. Reflect on the image of God preparing a lavish feast on "this mountain" in Isaiah 25:6. How does this scene of abundance and celebration resonate with you as you anticipate Easter?

    2. Consider the significance of the feast being open to all peoples, as mentioned in Isaiah 25:6. How does this inclusive invitation reflect God's love and His desire for unity among all people?

    3. Consider the concept of faithful waiting and trusting in God's timing, as highlighted in the text. How can you cultivate patience and trust in God's faithfulness as you journey through Holy Week towards Easter?

reading for: Thursday Night, 28 march

1 Corinthians 15:1–11

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Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1–11

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Commentary

What is the gospel? When we think of the gospel, we often think that it is about the forgiveness of sins and the going to heaven. Yes, the gospel is about the forgiveness of sins and going to heaven but there is so much more to the gospel than just those two things.

Here in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul reminds his brothers of the gospel that he preached to them. This is the gospel that they received and can stand on. This is the gospel that by believing it they are being saved. Paul reminds them of the importance of the gospel by using words, “For I delivered to you as of first importance”.

The gospel is that Jesus Christ died and rose again after three days and appeared to a multitude of witnesses. All this was done in accordance to the Scriptures. The Scriptures here refer to the law, prophets and writings. Paul was saying that Jesus is the crucified and risen one and this is testified in the Scriptures. This is the gospel that the apostles and Paul preached.

REFLECT

In this season of Lent, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, let us remember what are we celebrating. We are celebrating the occasion of Jesus as the one who died and rose again. More than that, we are participants in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by believing in him.  By believing in him, we have died with him and are now being raised with him to eternal life.

Pray that we do not forget the meaning of Lent, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. Above all, pray that Christ as the crucified and risen Lord is our Lord and Saviour and the centre of our lives.

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 29 march

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

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    118:1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!

    118:2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."

    118:14 The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

    118:15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly;

    118:16 the right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly."

    118:17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.

    118:18 The LORD has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death.

    118:19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.

    118:20 This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.

    118:21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation.

    118:22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

    118:23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

    118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

    Commentary

    Besides being the most frequently quoted Psalm in the New Testament, Psalm 118 sits alongside Psalm 113-117 as Psalms which were sung during the Passover meal. Which is why verses 14-18 have such strong echos from Exodus 15:1-18, the victory song of Moses after the Exodus.

    As we think about the victory of Jesus as He rose again from the grave on Resurrection Sunday, its not too hard to see the implication of this Psalm. Proclaiming that God is good and His steadfast love endures forever (v. 1).  Its also not hard to give thanks to God for an answered prayer when we see the empty tomb (v. 21). We can rejoice and be glad as we see the Jesus rising from the grave (v. 24).

    But when we think about Good Friday, the day when Jesus was crucified, persecuted and shamed. When we think about how there was darkness in the whole land for 3 hours (Mark 15:33). Can we still say and proclaim that God is good and His steadfast love endures forever?

    It is perhaps best to see Psalm 118:14-20 as prayers that Jesus had as He was being crucified and persecuted. He too had to count on the LORD (God the Father) as His strength, might and salvation. And as he did, we too can learn to do that in our own pain and agony (v. 14).

    As Jesus looked forward to the glad songs of victory for the righteous in the future, we too can join him to trust and seek God’s deliverance (v. 15-16).

    Finally just as Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father knowing that he will ultimately not experience eternal death, we too can entrust ourselves knowing that our Father will raise us up too (v. 17-18). 

  • REFLECT

    As God’s children and servants in this world, we are reminded by 1 Peter 4:12 that fiery trials isn’t something strange or surprising. In fact, these are necessary moments we learn to share in Christ’s suffering.

    The question and struggle we have is how we respond in those times and if we can still see and trust God’s steadfast love. And as we see Jesus prepare to go to the cross this week, we too can take comfort that just as Jesus did. As He saw and trusted in God’s steadfast love, we too can learn to sing and look forward to the deliverance and salvation of God.

    As God’s children and as His servants, we can certainly trust in our Father’s steadfast love.

    As we fast and pray this week, would you sing and proclaim the prophetic words of Psalm 118? And as you do, may His Spirit birth forth a new steadfast hope that is anchored in His steadfast love.

Season of LentCNL