EASTER • 2

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, 9 APRIL

luke 24:36-48

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    Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36–48

    36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate before them. 44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

    Commentary

    Luke 24 is a very famous passage for the first half of Luke 24 portray several woman at the tomb of Jesus and how they did not find the Lord Jesus in the tomb. As they were frightened, two young men dressed in white dazzling apparel told them that Christ is risen and he is not here and he will meet all his disciples in Galilee.

    We then go on to see two disciples walking to Emmaus and they were talking about the events that they had just witnessed. Jesus was walking among them but they did not recognise Jesus as he was asking them what were they talking about. Jesus then remarked how foolish and slow of heart they were and proceeded to show them from the Scriptures that he was the crucified and risen Lord. Later on, Jesus broke bread with them and at that moment they recognised him Immediately as they recognised him, Jesus vanished from their sight.

    They then went to tell the Eleven who were in Jerusalem of what they had encountered. As they were having a conversation, Jesus stood among them and encouraged them to have peace. Jesus knew that they had doubts in their hearts about Jesus and hence he allowed them to touch him, and he ate fish before them. He then proceeded just as he had done with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus to show them from the Scriptures that the Christ must suffer and on the third day rise again, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations beginning from Jerusalem. The disciples were witnesses of these things.

    There are two points out of the many points that can be made from this chapter that we should meditate on. Firstly, the centrality that Jesus is the crucified and risen Lord. Secondly, the centrality of the Scriptures being read to speak of Jesus.

  • REFLECT

Do we read Scripture? Do we read Scripture as speaking of Jesus?

The New Testament is important, and we should pay heed to them because they contain the apostolic message that testifies to Jesus. The New Testament absolutely should be read and meditated on. However, the New Testament is not a replacement for the Old Testament. We do not often pay regard to the Scriptures of Jesus, the law, prophets and writings. We are not familiar with Isaiah, Psalm, or Genesis.

Let us seek in this season to read, observe, and meditate on the Scriptures. Let us learn to see the beauty of Jesus Christ from Scripture.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 10 APRIL

ACTS 3:12-19

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Scripture Reading: Acts 3:12-19

12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant[a] Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus[b] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,

Commentary

In the narrative found in the book of Acts (3:1-10), there unfolds a remarkable account involving two of Jesus' disciples, Peter and John, encountering a man who had been crippled from birth. As they approach the temple, they come across this man, who was accustomed to begging for alms at the entrance. Rather than merely offering him money, Peter does something unexpected—he commands the man, in the name of Jesus Christ, to rise and walk. Miraculously, the man obeys and begins to walk, an event that not only restores his physical mobility but also serves as a profound testament to the transformative power of Jesus Christ, who conquered death and offers new life to all who believe in him.

In response to the astonishment of the crowd gathered at the temple, Peter seizes the moment to deliver a powerful message. He makes it plain and clear that the healing of the lame man was not due to any inherent ability or merit of his own, but was solely accomplished through the authority and power of Jesus Christ. Moreover, Peter underscores the significance of Jesus' resurrection by drawing upon the prophecies of the Old Testament, asserting that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah, the fulfillment of ancient promises.

What resonates deeply in Peter's proclamation is the enduring relevance of Jesus' resurrection. It is not merely a historical event relegated to the annals of time but a living reality that echoes through the corridors of human history, infusing every moment with the hope and promise of new beginnings. In the resurrection of Jesus Christ, death is defeated, and the pathway to redemption and restoration is laid bare. It is a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of despair, a reminder that no situation is beyond the reach of God's transformative power.

  • REFLECT

    For us today, the implications of Christ's resurrection are profound and far-reaching. It signifies not only our reconciliation with God but also our participation in the ongoing work of redemption and renewal. We are called to embody the hope and life that Jesus offers, to be bearers of light in a world shrouded in darkness. To serve Christ in our lives today is to embrace our identity as agents of love, compassion, and reconciliation, extending the same grace and mercy that we have received to those around us.

    1.     How does the reality of Jesus' resurrection impact your understanding of suffering and adversity in your own life?

    2.     Can you recall a moment when you witnessed the transformative power of Christ at work either in your life or in the lives of others?

    3.     In what practical ways can you align your life with the message of hope and redemption proclaimed through Christ's resurrection?

reading for: Thursday Night, 11 APRIL

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  • REFLECT

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 12 APRIL

Psalm 4

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    Scripture Reading: Psalm 4

    4:1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right! You gave me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

    4:2 How long, you people, shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? Selah

    4:3 But know that the LORD has set apart the faithful for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

    4:4 When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent. Selah

    4:5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD.

    4:6 There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O LORD!"

    4:7 You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound.

    4:8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.

    Commentary

    Christ has Risen! He is Risen indeed!

    But why is the world still in such a mess? Why are there still ongoing wars that continue to cause the elderly, women and children to go hungry and homeless? Why is there still the innocent dying and justice not being seen?

    Or at home, why is my husband (or wife) still acting like an unredeemed pagan? Or in short why is he/she still such an idiot?

    It is in this context of continual suffering, pain and agony that Psalm 4 speaks.

    Answer me O God! Be gracious to me! Hear my prayer! You who gave me relief before, relieve my pain again! (v.1)

    Look at all the lies being said about me! Look at all the words that are being thrown about carelessly! At the expense of my dignity I am shamed! How long will this last O God? How long?!? (v.2)

    As I pause, selah, as I allow my grief and pain to arise to God, I soon remember and realise.

As God’s child, as God’s beloved, I have been set apart. My Heavenly Father will hear me. (v.3)

I will learn to sit and wait on the Lord. I will learn to wait for the Lord my Redeemer to take rightful action in the right time (v.4).

I will continue to live rightly before the eyes of the Lord, I will continue to live in faith and in hope of my secured future. I will trust in You O Lord. (v.5)

In the face and despite the words of those who do not believe and place their hope in You, I will
(v.6).

 And my reward is a joy and peace that surpassed all understanding. A joy and peace secured in Jesus Christ who lived, died and rose again. And out of love has bought and secured my future through the cross (v.7).

  • REFLECT

    “Far too often we mistakenly understand what should lead us to praise and what should lead us to feel blessed in terms of the absence of hardship and adversaries. Blessing, as this psalmist will conclude, is about having the full confidence in God in the midst of the inevitable realities of hardship and enemies. To nurture a faith or practice a spirituality that does not recognize or acknowledge adversity and adversaries is to live in a different world from the world of the psalmists.”

    Have you learnt together with the Psalmist and Jesus to seek God in your troubles and hardship?

    For suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame. (Romans 5:3-5)

    We can learn to seek God in our troubles by simply turning to Him daily and regularly. By “Don't Go to Bed Wrong”.

    “Prayers (and scriptures) at night are not merely the result of reflective gratitude for what has already transpired, but a reverent plea to be kept by God in the midst of the uncertainties yet to come.”

    Let's continue to seek God daily, so that we might learn and grow as the Psalmist did, to trust and follow Jesus at all times and seasons. Especially the difficult times.

Season of LentCNL