EASTER • 6

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, 7 May

John 17:6-19

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    Scripture Reading: John 17: 6 -19

    6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

    Commentary

    John 17 is a prayer of Jesus that he prays to the Father just before he goes to the cross. The prayer is prayed on the final night of Jesus before he goes to the cross after the foot washing (John 13) and final instructions that he gives to his disciples before he ascends the cross. John 17 starts with Jesus lifting his eyes to heaven in prayer praying to his Father.

    What did Jesus pray to his Father about? In this prayer, Jesus prayed about many truths in that warrant further look and study into them but today let us draw out a few key truths.

    Firstly, Jesus calls his disciples as his people. They are his people who his Father has given to him and he has manifested his name to. These disciples belonged to the Father and the Father has given them to Jesus.

    Secondly, Jesus sees his disciples as those who have kept the Father’s word. He declares to his Father that the words that the Father gave him he has given to them, and they have received them and have come to know and believe that Jesus came from the Father. He asks his Father to sanctify them in the truth of the Father’s word.

    Thirdly, Jesus is praying not for the world but for his disciples. He is praying that the Father keeps them in his name so that they may all be one as the Father and Jesus is one. This prayer for oneness and unity between the disciples is grounded in the relationship between the Father and the Son. Jesus calls the Father to guard his disciples just as he has guarded them so that none except for the son of perdition has been lost.

  • REFLECT

This prayer of Jesus is not just for the disciples of Jesus who heard Jesus pray this prayer but for all of us who are his disciples. Jesus includes us in the prayer explicitly in verse 20 when he writes, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,”. We are those who believe in Jesus through the preaching of the apostles who preached the word of God.

1.     Do you see yourself as given by the Father to Jesus? Do you belong to Jesus?

2. Are you constantly receiving the Father’s word that he has given to Jesus? What is one thing that you can do to constantly receive the Father’s word?

3. Are you kept in the Father’s name? Is being in the body of Christ important to you? Take time this week to spend time with others in the body of Christ?

Pray the prayer of Jesus in John 17 as a response to Jesus and his Father.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 8 may

ACTS 1:15-26

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Scripture Reading: Acts 1:15

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate,
    and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’

21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Commentary

In Acts 1:15-26, we witness a pivotal moment in the early Christian community, where the disciples faced the task of filling the void left by Judas Iscariot's betrayal. This passage speaks volumes about God's unconditional call for our participation in His kingdom proclamation and redemptive purposes, yet it also highlights our freedom to choose our response to this divine invitation.

Judas, one of the twelve apostles, tragically chose to reject Christ, succumbing to greed and betrayal. His decision reminds us of the sobering reality that even those closest to Jesus can turn and fall away from Him. However, amidst Judas' rejection, we find hope in the appointment of Matthias. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the collective discernment of the other apostles, Matthias was chosen to continue Christ's work in the world. This serves as a powerful reminder that God's plans are never thwarted by human failure or rejection.

As beloved members of his body, we are called to reflect on our own response to God's election in Christ. Are we actively participating in His kingdom proclamation and redemptive purposes, or are we allowing ourselves to be swayed by the temptations of this world? Let us remember that while God's call is unconditional, our acceptance of it is a choice we must make daily.

  • REFLECT

    1. How am I responding to God's call for my participation in His kingdom proclamation?

    2. What areas of my life do I need to surrender to God's redemptive purposes?

    May we, like Matthias, embrace God's election with humility and obedience, knowing that through His Holy Spirit, we are empowered to continue Christ's transformative work in the world.

     

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 9 may

1 John 5:9-13

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    Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:9-13

    9 We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 

    10 Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 

    11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 

    12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

    13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

    Commentary

    Today’s passages’ main point could be drawn from its chiastic arrangement with verse 11 as its central intersection point for the themes of ‘testimony’ and ‘life’.

    The Greek word for ‘testimony’, repeated six times here (v9-11), is ‘marturia’ which is used in to talk about one’s witness or evidence as with before a judge. The central issue here is that of ‘testimony’, more specifically the validity and content of God’s testimony about God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

    The Greek word for ‘life’, repeated five times here, is ‘zoe’, which is commonly used in the Gospel of John and his letters. ‘Life’ here emphasizes on quality of existence derived from God that death cannot destroy. It speaks of vitality, fullness of life both essentially and ethically, a life that is real and genuine, and a life that is happy and filled with blessings.

    Together with the word ‘eternal’, it speaks of a quality of life that is lasting and both in the here and now as well as the future.

    ‘Testimony’ and ‘Life’ put together, simply highlights that God’s primary testimony and evidence is that of a lasting quality of life (that God has given to us) that is consistent with the life found in His Son Jesus Christ (v11).

    John writes this primary for an audience of believing Christians that they may know that they have eternal life (v13) because they have Jesus Christ, evidenced in the quality of their lives consistent with Jesus Christ who they follow (v12).      

  • REFLECT

    1.      Testimony
    To what extent do we believe the validity and content of God’s testimony about His Son Jesus Christ? What are some human testimonies that we have allowed to take precedence over God’s testimony about Jesus Christ?

    John’s seemingly ‘duh’ assertion that God’s testimony is greater than human testimony exists because we all have a tendency so be swayed. Just like how Eve was swayed by the serpent, we all aren’t spared from conflicting voices from the world. Any conflicting voice to God, no matter how good and nice sounding is still a lie, lest we make God out to be a liar (v10).

    For example, one common and humble-sounding phrase we hear one another saying often is that “I am not Jesus”, “Jesus is God”, “Jesus can do it, but I cannot”, and the likes of these. However, us saying these comments often reflects a belief that denies Jesus humanity (i.e. Jesus coming in the flesh – 1 John 4:2-3). In denying Jesus’ full humanity, we also deny Jesus’ worthy sacrifice on our behalf as well as His call to follow Him and His ways. There are many common nice sounding teachings that we unwittingly embrace that challenge God’s testimony of Jesus Christ and by proxy the Eternal life He wishes for us to have.

    Prayerfully invite the Holy Spirit to search and test you that He may also bring to light aspects of false teachings that you have embraced. Invite other fellow believers to pray with you and speak into your life.

    Consider how you can grow in becoming a diligent student of God’s word and teachings? Consider how can you can become more intentional in my habit of meeting up with others who await the day of the Lord (Heb 10:25)? Consider also how can you can grow as an active encourager to others in their walk with the Lord?

    2.      Life
    How would Jesus describe the quality of your life in the light of His life that He invites you to pick up your cross to follow in? Do we hunger and thirst for His kind of righteousness and ways? Do we believe that He has come that we might have life and life to the full (John 10:10)? How might you have become wayward in pursuing the things of this world and trusting in its promised rewards and glories?

    We all have sinned and sin lest we make God out to be a liar (1 John 1:8). Shun the temptation to walk in darkness and deny our sins. Instead, prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of wayward ways and to guide you into Godly repentance. Invite Him to help you to walk in the light as He is in the light so that Jesus’ blood can purify us of all sin (1 John 1:7).

    Let us realign ourselves afresh this day that Jesus has life to the full in mind for us even in His daily calls for us to pick up our crosses to follow Him. Let us walk in His ways that we may test and approve His good and perfect will for us (Rom 12:1-2).


reading for: FRIDAY Night, 10 may

PSALM 1

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    Scripture Reading: Psalm 1

    1:1 Blessed are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;

    1:2 but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night.

    1:3 They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.

    1:4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

    1:5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

    1:6 for the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

    Commentary

    When we think ahead to 5 years into the future in 2029, some of us could be in our 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s or 70s. What kind of life would we be living? How would we have grown as individuals? Where would our marriage be? (If we were to marry or are married) How would our children have grown to become? Where would we be in our career? Where would we be in our church community? These are the very relatable and practical avenues of how would life would pan out.

    Psalm 1 being the first Psalm of the entire book of 150 Psalms is also concerned for that. To put it in a illustration that the Psalmist uses, what kind of tree (what kind of person) will we become? (v. 3) Will we continue to have strong, sustaining physical, mental, emotional health (like a tree whose leaf does not wither) ? Or will we become like the chaff (the useless husks) of wheat and corn that are to be blown away (v. 4)?

    In other words, our physical, mental and emotional health could become so terrible that we aren’t even functioning as a person and become useless in our homes, workplace and church.

    The only way to be truly considered blessed, to continue to live joyfully in the eyes of God, is when we choose to delight (abide), find joy, dig in, dig deep into the Word of God. To meditate, to chew, to dwell on the stories of God, what He has done and who He is, through the scriptures (Old Testament and New Testament) (v.2).

    This is in direct contrast to us spending time walking and following the advice and ways of the world (wicked), spending time hanging out with people who are far away and not interested in God and spending time talking behind people’s backs - like gossiping (v.1).

    The reason we can make the better but difficult choice of following God and His ways is because we know that there will be a final, fair and just judgment (v. 5-6). When Jesus comes again, He will come as the Faithful and True and in righteousness he will judge (Revelations 19:11-16). And the wicked will perish as they will have no place amongst the righteous and godly.

  • REFLECT

    Deep down, all of us yearn to be the man who is blessed, the man who is joyful, the man and woman who is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season, not withering despite the changing seasons and prospering in all that is done.

    But not many of us are willing to commit ourselves and dig deep to delight and find joy in God and His Word.

    The good and beautiful news is that God is working in each of us, giving us the desire and power to do what pleases him. Yet, we need to work hard, we need to obey God with deep reverence and fear (Philippians 2:12-13). Our hard work is actually a response to God’s great and most important work of all. Seen most clearly in the giving of His Son Jesus.

    What does this look like for you today? If you haven’t been spending time reading God’s word at all for the past few weeks, take 10 minutes today to do so. And try to do it at least one more time this week. Next week try 12 minutes for 2 times a week.

    If you haven’t been paying attention to God and His word on Sundays when the pastor is preaching, start paying attention and find a way to keep your attention (hint: take sermon notes!).

    The point is, start wherever you are at! Rome wasn’t build in one day, a heart that yearns for God and His Word doesn’t happen in a few weeks. Just like a tree takes years to mature before it even begins to produce fruit.   

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