EASTER • 4

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, 23 April

John 15:1-8

  • READ

    Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8

    “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

    Commentary

    Today’s passage makes use of the imagery of a vinedresser, vine and branch. Jesus declares that he is the true vine, and his Father is the vine dresser. Every branch that does not bear fruit the vine dresser takes away. Every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it bears more fruit.

    What is the point that Jesus is making with this imagery? Is he asking us to do more good works so that we can bear fruit? Maybe he wants us to feed the poor more or exercise more godly virtue? Yes, he is asking us to bear fruits and feeding the poor is part of the fruits that we bear. However, we cannot bear fruits of our own accord and strength. The point that Jesus is making is that the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, it can only bear fruit if it abides in the vine. Jesus is calling his disciples to abide in him and for him to abide in us. The one that abides in Jesus is the one that bears much fruit. On the other hand, the one that does not abide in him is the one that does not bear fruit and is thrown away into the fire to be burned.

  • REFLECT

Many of us in the world today are focussed on the outcome, we are focussed on the fruit and rightly so. Goldy virtue is a good thing to have, and it is commendable to be full of virtue. However, the way we have godly virtue and fruits is not by trying harder and forcing ourselves to have them.

The way to bearing fruit as Jesus reminds us of is to abide in him. To abide in him is to bear fruit, to fail to abide in him is to be a withered branch that does not bear fruit and is thrown into the fire and burned.

Reflect on whether you are abiding in Jesus. Are you spending time in prayer with him? Are you spending time reflecting on his word? Let us spend more time with him, abiding in him. Let us don’t go to bed wrong, wake up strong and pause in our day to pray.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 24 APRIL

ACTS 8:26-40

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Scripture Reading: Acts 8:26-40

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:

“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
    and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
    so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
    Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Commentary

In this remarkable encounter between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch, the Holy Spirit acts as the unseen guide, orchestrating each step of the journey with divine precision.

Imagine Philip, going about his day, when suddenly he feels a nudge, an inner prompting that he can't quite explain. It's a messenger from the Lord whispering in his soul, urging him to go in a certain direction. He obeys, not fully comprehending the significance of his actions, but trusting in this unusual guidance.

As Philip approaches the Ethiopian's chariot, he sees a man deeply engrossed in reading Scripture (Isa. 52:13–53:12). The Spirit prompts Philip to engage him in conversation, and as they talk, Philip begins to understand the purpose behind this encounter. It's as if the Spirit is leading him, giving him the words to speak and the wisdom to interpret Scripture in a way that reveals Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy.

The eunuch, intrigued by Philip's insights, eagerly listens as Philip shares the good news of Jesus. It resonates deeply within him, stirring something in his soul that he can't quite explain. It's like a light has been switched on, illuminating the truth in a way he's never experienced before. This too is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Then comes the moment of baptism – a symbol of acceptance, renewal, and transformation. The eunuch, once considered an outsider due to his status and circumstances, now finds acceptance before God through Jesus. It's a powerful demonstration of the Spirit's work in his heart, drawing him into a deeper relationship with God and filling him with joy and peace.

  • REFLECT

    1.  Have you ever experienced a prompting or inner nudge that led you towards a significant encounter or moment in your faith journey? How did you respond, and what impact did it have on your spiritual life?

    2.     How does the Holy Spirit use the lives and circumstances of the people around you (especially Life Group members) to help you understand Scripture in a way that brings Jesus into clearer focus? Can you recall a specific moment when a passage came alive for you in a new and profound way?

    3.     Think about moments when you've felt a stirring in your heart, a longing for more of God's presence or a desire to live out your faith more authentically. How has the Holy Spirit been at work, guiding you towards growth, joy, or a deeper sense of purpose in your walk with Christ?

reading for: Thursday Night, 25 APRIL

1 John 4:7-21

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    Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-21

    “7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

    13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

    God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

    19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

    Commentary

    Today’s passage is literally a love-filled passage. Just in the segment of this letter alone, the number of times ‘love’ is found outnumbers the number of verses! In fact, the Greek word for love used here, ‘agape’ (unconditional love even in the face of a stranger or an unworthy person) is a major theme of 1 John appearing a total of 43 times – 27 times in the segment above.

    This agape love (not ‘storge’, ‘philia’, or ‘eros’ – other Greek words for love) was intentionally used to describe God’s love for us embodied and demonstrated through His Son Jesus Christ. It is also this same kind of agape love that we as people who claim to know and love God ought to live out with one another (v11, 21).

    But why? John prefaces this exhortation on love in the context of knowing God (v7-8) and to be ‘made complete’ (v 12, 17) in that knowing through love. The word for ‘know’ used here  is the Greek word ‘ginosko’ which refers to a relational and experiential knowing rather than a simple knowledge or cognitive based knowing. This is important because John was warning against the influence and lives of people (Gnostics) who claimed that Salvation came from knowing specific privy knowledge about God.

    John cautioned that such beliefs and worldviews was not complete (v8, 12, 17) and led to lives there were not congruent and false. John pointed out that having an experiential and intimate relationship with God and knowing God cannot leave a person unchanged. Instead, those who truly had a relationship with God should bear fruits in the form of us becoming ‘like Jesus in this world’ (v17). It is also in this action of following Him in the way that He loves that we are made complete becoming one with Him just as Jesus and Him are one (John 17:21).

    It is also in this place that we gain true confidence and assurance (v17) for the day of judgement. As we become ‘made complete’ and perfected in love, and abide more and more in God and Him in us (v16b), we will no longer fear judgement because we would know God more and more as become more and more like Him as we follow in His footsteps of agape love for one another.   

  • REFLECT

As a child of God and disciple of Jesus Christ, we ought to be challenged by God to follow in Jesus’ example of love in our lives and relationships.

  1. How has the Holy Spirit been challenging you to follow in His agape love?

  2.   When was the last time you repented regarding your own sin and stubbornness towards picking up your cross and following Him in love (1 John 1:5-10)?

    Brothers and sister, I pray that you know and hear that this is not an assumption nor condemnation. Rather…

    8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:8-9). 

    Instead, repentance and a regular genuine sense of need of His grace and mercy is a normal and healthy sign of a growing relationship with our Holy God. Otherwise, it is likely that we may have unwittingly made our beds with other more common place and comforting gods.

    5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out 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, purifies us from all[b] sin (1 John 1:5-7).

    Share how the Holy Spirit may be convicting you with other brothers and sisters in Christ when you can. Pray for one another and continue to spur one another on to pick up our crosses to follow Him in His agape love. Also, we encourage you to personally spend some time in worship, reading, or contemplation or others to make space to tune in to His great love for us. As we do, let us remember that this call is also our Heavenly Father’s loving call and invitation for us His children to truly know Him and be one with Him.

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 26 APRIL

PSALM 22:25-31

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    Scripture Reading: Psalm 22:25-31

    22:25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will pay before those who fear him.

    22:26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD. May your hearts live forever!

    22:27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD; and all the families of the nations shall worship before him.

    22:28 For dominion belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.

    22:29 To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.

    22:30 Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord,

    22:31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.

    Commentary

    Psalm 22 is a Psalm that assures us of our future. Remembering that Jesus Himself prayed, wrestled and lived through it, that despite starting with “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” He can end with verses 25-31.

    For faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) And through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we are given a foretaste, a deposit of our future inheritance (Eph 1:13-14). Which Psalm 22:25-31 details for us.

    In summary,

    “These seven verses from Psalm 22 show the hopeful exultation of one who has suffered, has despaired, and is now ready to rejoin the communion of the faithful. They show a joyful, almost giddy, excitement about the reign of the Lord, in the past, present, and future. The psalmist, however, has arrived at this celebratory state only through the hard-fought struggle against her enemies, both internal and external.”

    Praise towards God is the first thing that is re-established. And this praise is in the midst of God’s people and community. Yet it isn’t just praise but theres also a radical commitment towards God that is expressed and lived out in community (v. 25).

    There is sure promise for all who are hungry will be satisfied. And all who seek Him will find Him and be full of joy (v. 26).

    There will be a fulfillment of families from all nations turning to the LORD. First seen in Acts 2:5-11 and also in the future in Revelations 7:9-10 (v. 27).

    Dominion and ruler-ship over the nations has also been given to Jesus (Eph 1:20-22) (v.28). And there is now no more question who is in charge and in control.

    It is a definite rule and reign of Jesus that is also guaranteed for the future generations (v. 29-31).

  • REFLECT

    Just as Jesus experienced the painful separation from God the Father on the cross through “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?”. He also experienced the deliverance that ultimately brings us to our verses today in Psalm 22.

    Jesus, through his life, death and resurrection has breathed life into this Psalm and made it true. So much so that we as God’s children, co-heirs through Christ, can also pray and look forward to this day of fulfillment.

    And in that way, our faith is not futile, our trust in God who can and will deliver us is not in vain. We can look forward and yearn to be brought to this place of praise, deliverance and satisfaction in God as we see in Psalm 22.

    Will you keep praying and waiting on the LORD this week and ask for a breakthrough in your life?

    Will you pray and ask God to help you believe and trust in the words and prayers in Psalm 22 as the fulfillment you are yearning for? 

    Remember Jesus who first prayed, wrestled and lived through this Psalm and let this also be your prayer.

Season of LentCNL