EASTER • 1

Introduction to Easter Season

(March 31 – May 18, 2024)

Easter Sunday marks the start of the Easter Season. And in the Gospels and Book of Acts a fresh fire is ignited within the Christian community. The followers of Jesus are growing and they’re not just going through the motions—they are diving deep into the stories of Jesus, soaking up every word from Apostles who taught them, and more. As their hearts unit around the Good News of Jesus, they become a part of the grand narrative of transformation and revelation.

Imagine being in that upper room with Jesus, feeling his presence fill you with new life and purpose. That's what Easter does—it breathes fresh vitality into our faith and connects us all in a powerful way.

As we enter Easter season in 2024, let's remember that we're part of something bigger than ourselves—a global community rooted in love, service, and devotion to Jesus. And as we continue to grow as sons and daughters learning to serve Christ together, let’s spread His message of hope and redemption to everyone around us as we live, work and play

reading for: Tuesday Night, 2 APRIL

John 20:19-31

  • READ

    Scripture Reading: John 20:19–31

    19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

    Commentary

    Today’s passage portrays two resurrection appearances which are similar, happening eight days apart. In the first appearance, Jesus appeared to his disciples on the first day of the week in a room with locked doors. John tells us why the doors were locked, it was because of the fear of the Jews. It is understandable that the disciples will fear the Jews for not many days ago, they had crucified their master Jesus, and the disciples were associated with Jesus. Perhaps it was because they feared for their lives that they had the doors locked. Jesus appeared out of thin air right into a room with locked doors. The disciples must have been full of fear. Jesus tells them to have peace and showing them his hands and side. He sends them out just as the Father has send him. He breathes on them and asks them to receive the Holy Spirit. Finally, he tells them that if they forgive the sins of any person, it will be forgiven, if not it will be withheld.

    Thomas was not with the other disciples on the first appearance and hence the other disciples told him about their encounter with Jesus. Thomas told them that he will not believe unless he can touch the side of Jesus.

    Eight days later, Jesus appears again and tells Thomas to touch his side. He wants Thomas to believe in him. Thomas confesses that Jesus is his Lord and God. Thomas and the other disciples believed because they have seen Jesus. Jesus blesses those who have not seen him and yet believe in him.

    John ends of the chapter with a call for those who read his gospel to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God so that by believing we may have life in his name.

    The thread running through this passage and the Gospel of John is the necessity to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. The disciples were in a locked room because they had doubt that Jesus is the Christ. They were afraid that if they went out, they would be killed.  Jesus in sending them out was calling them to testify that he is the Christ. Thomas needed to touch Jesus to believe in Jesus. Only then was Thomas able to make a confession that Jesus is his Lord and God.

  • REFLECT

Jesus is the crucified and risen one. He is the risen one that has conquered death by death bringing life to us who believe in him.  Do we confess that Jesus is our Lord and God? Do we believe in Jesus? Do we see and believe Jesus when we read the Gospel and the rest of Scripture? Let us continue to encounter Jesus when we read the Scriptures this week and may this Scriptures grow in us faith and love for Jesus.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 3 APRIL

Acts 4:32-35

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Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-35

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Commentary

In Acts 4:32-35, we witness the beautiful beginnings of the Christian community, a community deeply impacted by the news of Jesus’ resurrection. This passage isn’t just about history; it’s about the profound transformation that took place in the lives of those early believers, and it’s an invitation for us to reflect on our own lives in light of this remarkable event.

Imagine being part of that early community, where the news of Jesus rising from the dead wasn’t just a story but a reality that infused every aspect of life with hope and purpose. That news changed everything for them, just as it can for us today.

At the heart of this community was the teaching of the apostles about Christ. They didn’t just talk about Jesus; they lived like him. Their teaching wasn’t just about theology; it was about a new way of living, marked by love, compassion, and sacrificial giving.

One of the most striking aspects of this passage is the way they shared everything they had with one another. They didn’t hold onto their possessions tightly; instead, they held them loosely, recognizing that everything they had ultimately belonged to God and was meant to be used for the good of others.

  • REFLECT

    As we reflect on Acts 4:32-35, we can’t help but ask ourselves: How does the reality of Jesus’ resurrection shape my life today? How does it impact the way I treat others, the way I use my resources, the way I prioritize my time and energy? And perhaps most importantly, how can I be part of building a community today that reflects the values of that early Christian community—unity, generosity, and love?

    Acts 4:32-35 isn’t just a historical account; it’s a challenge and an invitation for us to live differently in light of the resurrection.

reading for: Thursday Night, 4 APRIL

John 1:1-2:2

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    “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

    5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

    My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

    Commentary

    Tonight’s passage is straightforward. John saw with his own eyes and touched with his own hands the very Word of Life (v1). And he was not the only one. There were other witnesses who could verify John’s testimony regarding the Word of Life (v2). Out of sheer joy, John writes about what he has encountered so that others may come to experience the same fellowship and joy that he has experienced (v3-4).

    The message that John wants us to hear is simple – God is light and there is no darkness in him (v5). And because God is light, if we want to be where he is, have fellowship with one another, and experience the life that John has experienced, then we too must walk in light (v6-7). However, John knows too well how often we stumble into darkness. Hence, he exhorts us to confess our sins and to step into the light that we may receive forgiveness instead of hiding and lying to ourselves (v8-10).

    John writes with much affection because he doesn’t want us to live a life of sin. That’s not the life that God has intended. And John wants us to know that Jesus is for us and with us, and to know that we can run to him each time we fall and fail (2:1-2).

  • REFLECT

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! That is the message of Easter. Jesus is alive! He has overcomed the grave and death has lost its sting. It may still be fatal but it is no longer final. Jesus’ resurrection Is the final word on death and it changes the way we live. We can walk in the light and have fellowship with God and one another. We no longer need to live in darkness or sin. We no longer need to pretend or wear any masks. When we confess our sins, we will receive forgiveness because Christ is our advocate.

Many of us are alone in our sins and can’t seem to find a way out. It doesn’t have to be that way. Many of us put on a mask and lie to ourselves so much and so often, that we become the mask we wear and live the lies we tell. It doesn’t have to be that way. Many of us are afraid to confess and carry a heavy burden of shame. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! And that is truly a good news. As you meditate on tonight’s passage, examine your heart and take a honest look at your soul. Is there anything you need to confess? Have you been living a lie? Are you struggling with your sins?

Hold fast to God, lean on your community and walk in the light.  

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 5 APRIL

Psalm 133

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    133:1 How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

    133:2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes.

    133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.

    Commentary

    As we begin this new week post Good Friday and Easter, after witnessing the death and resurrection of Jesus, how then do we now live? How do we live our lives now that Jesus has risen and is now alive? Or to put it more bluntly, what difference is there?

    Psalm 133 is a Psalm of Ascent. Where pilgrims would sing and recite it as they went up to Jerusalem. These Psalms (Psalm 120-134) served to remind pilgrims that they were united because of God whom they followed and now belonged to. In other words, it reminded them of God the Father’s love and that they were His children.

    Through the giving of His only begotten Son (John 3:16) and through the laying down of His own life (1 John 3:16), we now know and see so clearly what love is.

    A love that has broken down all walls of hostility, torn down all divisive barriers and brought real peace and unity (Ephesians 2:13-16).

    A love that is founded on one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God and Father (Eph 4:6).

    It is this unity of the Spirit, brought about through the death and resurrection of Jesus that we now live in (Eph 4:3).

    It is this that we are called to walk and live in with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love (Eph 4:2 and 1 Cor 13).

    Behold, how good and pleasant and wonderful it is if our relationships at home, relationships in church and by extension, relationships at work is like this. (Psalm 133:1).

    This is what an abundance and overflow looks like in God’s eyes. It's not just a few drips of anointing oil that touches the head but it saturates and envelops the entire face and even body. 

    It's a miracle when dew of Hermon actually reaches the mountains of Zion as it was half a nation away from each other. And this is the miracle that happens that the Psalmist sees.

    This is what God has made possible through Jesus who died and rose again for His children.

  • REFLECT

    The reality of our world, our church and families is unfortunately far from Psalm 133. It is more often filled with the pain of loneliness, misunderstanding and worse, discord. And these are the fruit of disunity and fruits of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21).

    That's why Paul in Eph 4 reminds us to walk in a manner that is worthy, to be eager to maintain the bond of unity, with humility, gentleness, patience and love.

    As God’s children who believe and live in the hope of what God has done in Jesus, this translates to:

    “Spouses must learn one another’s strengths and weaknesses and find a way to support and be supported; partners in virtually any endeavor must find common ground without squelching the individual talents and skills that each brings to the partnership; confederating denominations must uncover shared ideals and goals without denigrating one another’s deeply held beliefs and deeply cherished practices.”

    “Love for our neighbor in the form of devotion. Devotion is the act of giving oneself for another person, purpose, or service. Devotion helps us to see the invisible God and the people visible to God but made invisible by injustices.”

    “Hospitality as recognition involves respecting the image of God in others and seeing their potential contributions as being of equal value to ours. Valuing is of the utmost importance, for when persons are not valued, they become socially invisible, and their needs and concerns are not acknowledged.”

    How can you live in light, in response and in relationship with the crucified Jesus who has risen from the grave?

    Continue to “Don't Go the Bed Wrong, wake up strong and Pause in Your day”. These are spaces where the Risen Christ will guide, strengthen and enable you.

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