Introduction to the Season of Epiphany

Epiphany falls this year between January 6 – February 11.

In this season, we focus on Christ being revealed, or made ‘manifest’ as Israel’s Messiah and the saviour of the world and how we live in the light of His Presence.

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,  10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” 2 Timothy 1:9–10

SONGS FOR PRAYER

reading for: Tuesday Night, 2 JANUARY

Mark 1:4-11

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  Scripture Reading: Mark 1:4-11

  4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

  The Baptism of Jesus

  9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;  with you I am well pleased.”

  Commentary:

  Jesus calls John the greatest of all the prophets (Matthew 11:11). Was it because of his strange dressing or diet or message? No. It was because God had given John a ministry that occupied a unique time in history – at the close of the Old Covenant and to usher in preparations for the New Covenant.

  The Old Covenant (or Old Testament, which we typically call it) has to do with what happened on Mount Sinai long ago, between God and the ancient people of Israel (Israelites), whom He had rescued out of slavery in Egypt. He offered His loving Presence and faithfulness as their God, and they responded “Yes” to being God faithful people. (Exodus 19 and 24). John’s ministry pointed to a new season of God’s Presence, which would no longer in the Temple in Jerusalem but rest on God’s Messiah (king) who was about to enter the scene in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

  Hence, people had to get ready (Mark 1:4-8). And they would be ready for God’s kingdom’s arrival through repentance, marked by baptism – a turning and putting away from old and sinful ways and the embracing of holiness and purity in life and lifestyle.   

  In  Mark 1:9-11, when Jesus enters the scene, he brings in the New Covenant (we read about it in the New Testament) gets baptised not because he needs to repent of any sin, but he now takes on, and takes over the calling and mandate of the godly and faithful Jews living in the land and takes up steps into his calling as God’s appointed (and anointed) king, who has come to inaugurate and effect the Father’s kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven.

• REFLECT

We often focus on the act or moment of water baptism, not fully appreciating or embracing what it means to ‘live-out’ our lives as baptised believers. If you are a believer, what could it look-like to ‘level-up’ in 2024 in your Christian life and walk? What picture do you see of yourself at the end of 2024 that you could celebrate?

reading for: Wednesday Night, 3 JANUARY

Genesis 1:1-5

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  Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1-5

  The Creation of the World

  1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

  3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

  Commentary

  Today we look at the first chapter of the bible where the story of creation is recounted and more specifically the first five verses.

  The entire bible starts with “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth”. God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He is the one that gives all things in heaven and earth its purpose and meaning. Before the creation of the earth, it was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep.

  The Spirit of God was over the waters and God commanded light to come forth and it was so. This light was good and was separated from the darkness. The light was called day, and the darkness was called night. This is the first day of creation.

  The creation story then continues throughout the rest of chapter 1 where God takes 6 days to create all that is in the heavens and earth and then on the seven day he rested from his work.

• REFLECT

  At the beginning of 2024, let us remember that God is the creator of the heavens and the earth. Let us start the year with gratitude and praise God for his creation. Praise God for creating you, guiding you and forming you into the person you are. Pray for others that God is using them to accomplish his purposes. Praise God for his creation!

reading for: Thursday Night, 4 JANUARY

Acts 19:1-7

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Paul in Ephesus

19 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John's baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

 

Commentary

True discipleship of Jesus is enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is not possible to be true believers and followers of Jesus without the Holy Spirit first drawing us to Christ and then continuing to lead us deeper into our followership of the risen Lord. This was already communicated by Jesus Himself, at his ascension, where He tells the apostles they will receive power to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth when the Holy Spirit comes upon them (Acts 1). It is also the Holy Spirit who gathers the church at Pentecost and inspires persons from many nations to speak about God’s deeds of power (Acts 2:11), and the Spirit-empowered apostles then go on to perform amazing signs and wonders (Acts 2:43). In Acts 19:1–7, this same empowerment in the Spirit is repeated with Paul and “about twelve” disciples at Ephesus, a number that holds apostolic significance in that it is the number of Jewish disciples who were chosen by Jesus to bear witness to him among the Jews. It is Paul’s apostolic ministry and not Apollos’ that sets the Ephesians within the true Spirit-empowered movement.

Not only does the gift of the Holy Spirit enable and empower the early believers to go out into the world and be witnesses, baptism in the Holy Spirit supplies the grace of adoption where we receive sonship, becoming God’s sons and daughters full of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus the Son of God was ‘full of the Holy Spirit’ (Luke 4:1), something that was revealed and made manifest at His own water baptism (Luke 3:21-22).

This Spirit-baptism bestows on us full membership into the Church – the Christian community, the spiritual Body of Christ. That’s why these disciples at Ephesus had to be baptised in the name of Jesus, receive the in-filling of Holy Spirit and not miss out on the a central aspect of Christian discipleship.

REFLECT

• Have you been baptised in the Holy Spirit? Are you walking in-step with the Spirit? Then Christ will shine through you, and you will be his witnesses wherever you go.

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 5 JANUARY

PSALM 29

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1  Honor the LORD, you heavenly beings; honor the LORD for his glory and strength.

2  Honor the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

3  The voice of the LORD echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The LORD thunders over the mighty sea.

4  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

5  The voice of the LORD splits the mighty cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.

7  The voice of the LORD strikes with bolts of lightning.

8  The voice of the LORD makes the barren wilderness quake; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9  The voice of the LORD twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

10 The LORD rules over the floodwaters. The LORD reigns as king forever.

11 The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.

Commentary

How has the first week of 2024 been? Has it gone according to your plans and hopes?

Psalm 29 is an invitation to build that rhythm of praise and thanksgiving in your life (Watchnight service). To build a rhythm of praise and thanksgiving that will sustain and empower you through 2024.

How do we do we do this? By ascribing, honouring and orientating our eyes and hearts to the One who's voice is powerful and majestic (v. 4). 

No matter how chaotic the sea might be, no matter how huge waves rise in 2024, even tsunamis, remember that the Lord’s voice still echoes and reigns. He is sovereign and in control. No circumstance and news can overpower the Lord’s voice (v.3-4).

Even when the tree trunks crack, it only happens because of the Lord’s voice (v.5).

He is the One who makes the mountains (Lebanon, Hermon, Fuji, Everest) skip and move (v.6).

Even in the wilderness, in the desert, when things seem desolate and all is lost, the Lord’s voice speaks and thunders (v. 7-8).

Nothing is outside the control and rule of the LORD (v. 9-10). In Jesus we see what kind of King our God is. He who gives strength and peace to His people (v. 11).

• REFLECT

  How has building a rhythm of praise and thanksgiving been for you in the first week of 2024? If you haven’t started, its not too late! In fact, its never too late. Take time now and resolve to put that practice into place tomorrow and the coming week.

  Start by remembering who God is and what He’s done for you (Psalm 145). Write down the characteristics of the LORD one by one. And as you heart, mind and soul is filled with who God is, turn it into a time of praise and thanksgiving. Do this by listening to 1 or 2 songs of worship and just praise the LORD your God.

  And there you go! You have already started building in your life a daily rhythm of praise to Jesus!