Day 7: Wait to be encountered… (Luke 9:30-31) 03 Mar 09

I have been writing my own devotions and Bible study and even post them online as blog. My aim is not to show people that I know a lot about the Bible or I am a more spiritual species; but it is a simple way whereby I can monitor my own walk with God in my knowledge and my intimacy with Him. My in depth study of the Word can be tough and mind boggling at time; but as the Holy Spirit illuminates my mind and heart to zoom in to a particular issue and grip my heart to grapple with it, I know the Lord is speaking deep into my being. And that is so refreshing! I agree with the author, Ser Choon, that Exegetical work need not be dry as dust. But the key to a refreshing and transforming devotions and Bible study is a posture: wait to be encountered.

This is the key. We can do Lectio Divina, we can also do Ignatius Contemplation; but if the heart is not waiting upon the Holy Spirit to have that encounter, it is only an exercise of the mind, perhaps an exercise of the emotion too. Whereas a seemingly rigorous intellectual study of the Bible but with the expectancy to wait for have an encounter with God through the study, that will be refreshing and transforming.

As we are on this season of Lent, practicing Lectio Divina, take time to wait to be encountered by our reading and even studying of the text given each day.

Just like today reading, I find myself in my ‘Jerusalem’, a place whereby the Lord wants me to be in to face my cross, just as He faced His Cross. The Holy Spirit simply but powerfully reminds me of my calling and gently reminds me to act upon it. I will face rejection, I will have to deal with my disappointment, and I will have to take up my cross. I can only weep in gratefulness for His assurance and love and the privilege to carry the cross He assigns to me.

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you today? Do you have a Jerusalem to go to? You can carry your cross and go elsewhere, because you won’t be crucified there. But if you carry your cross to Jerusalem, there is where you will face the force of the cross: Crucifixion. Are you ready for it?

If you have not heard from the Holy Spirit, wait to be encountered.

HHS…
Abel…

Day 6: Commune with God… (Luke 9:28-33) 02 Mar 09

The purpose of observing the season of Lent is not merely to fill in the gap of curriculum for small group, but it really an opportunity for individual to slow down and reflect, so that we may encounter God through His Living Word as we commune with Him. Communicating with God is more than just praying or doing Bible study, it is a combination of both and integration of both.

Lectio Divina is one of the ancient methods of reading the Bible commonly used by the early church Christians. This form of spiritual discipline helps them to really grow, not only deep in the Word of God, but also the reality of the Presence of God. For me, as a modern day Christian, I am blessed with many Evangelical and even Catholic scholars, that I can have a more complete understanding of the Word of God. But I may not have the experience of communicating with God in His holy and glorious presence.

It is not easy to intentionally and even ruthlessly to set aside time to dwell in the presence of God. The demands of our family, our work and even our church may be a hindrance to this. When there is no proper communication, the relationship breaks down. I am reminded of this truth in a marriage preparation facilitator course, and I am sure this applies to our relationship with God too. If I need to have quality and quantity time to communication with my earthly lover to maintain a good and strong relationship; how much more I need to commune with God in order for me to experience His transforming love for me, if I call Him – the Lover of my soul.

Have you communicate with the Lover of your soul today?

HHS…
Abel…

Consider Jesus… (Hebrews 3:1) 020309

Hebrews 3:1-6 should be one unit for discussion, but as I read and meditate, I would rather focus on verse one of Hebrews chapter 3. I am led to fix my thought on the phrase: consider Jesus (NASB).

NIV translates is as fix your thoughts on Jesus. The Greek word for this is in imperative form and directs to second person which means the author of Hebrews is giving a command (whereby some will see it as strong suggestion) to his readers (which is us today). This word has a range of semantic meanings: to observe, to notice, to consider, to fix thoughts and even to contemplate. And I gather from another Greek linguistic book, the word expresses attention and continuous observation and regard (by Rogers and Rogers).

I am not here to show off my Greek, instead as I meditate and contemplate on scriptures, I am allowing the Holy Spirit to lead me to words and phrases which He wants to speak to me. And plunging into the original language and reading up commentaries helps me to appreciate the depths and widths of it.

This morning, God just wants my thoughts to be fixed on Jesus. He wants me to consider, to observe, to contemplate, to give attention and regard to Jesus. What about Jesus He wants me to consider?

The author of Hebrews highlights two roles: Apostle and High Priest.

Leaving the technical meaning aside, Apostle and High Priest are the two most important figures in the New Testament and the Old Testament. The Hebrews’ author is clearly suggesting to us that Jesus fulfils the role of an OT High Priest and NT Apostle.

As a High Priest, Jesus offers sacrifice for our redemption, and the ultimate offering is Himself on the Cross. And as an Apostle, Jesus is the one being commissioned as an authoritative representation, and He is the exact representation of God with full authority being sent by God.

There is no one else in the history of humanity have the capacity to fulfill these two roles as one, only Jesus. Consider Jesus; consider His sacrifice on the Cross. Consider Jesus; consider His humility to step down into humanity as the sent one. On earth, He represents God; in heaven now, He is our representation, interceding at the right hand of the throne.

Consider Jesus; consider your life, is it pleasing to Him? Consider Jesus; consider your work, is it honoring to Him? Consider Jesus; consider your service, is it devoted to Him? Consider Jesus; consider your family, is it glorifying His name? Consider Jesus; consider your relationship with others, is it a reflection of His love and grace? Consider Jesus; consider the Cross, especially during this season of Lent, what does the Cross means to you?

As I consider Jesus, my heart is heavy, because I know that I am not fully yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As I consider Jesus, my soul is stirred to notice my selfish desires and needs. As I consider Jesus, I am led to the Cross to weep and to confess. As I consider Jesus, I am rest assured that Jesus is the Apostle and the High Priest of my confession; I am redeemed!

Consider Jesus.

HHS…
Abel…

Day 5: Other then self… (Luke 3:22) 01 Mar 09

I have been pretty disturbed by our self-parading culture. I know that I live in a society whereby I have to prove myself before others, and this culture has also found its way into the church. We will parade their busy schedule, appointment and meeting to proof our importance. If we are too shy to publicize to others, we will quietly present them before God, and well-pleased with our ‘self’.

The author challenges us to consider the ‘other’ before ‘self’, just like the three persons in the Trinity does it. How can we put the ‘other’ before ‘self’? Maybe we can start with a word of affirmation, instead of giving our ‘self’ praises, give other praise if we find him/her doing good. Maybe we can also give a gift, instead of reward our ‘self’ with things we buy, buy something for ‘other’ we know who need it as a reward for his/her good work. Maybe we can spend time with and for ‘other’, instead of spend time doing things we like, spend some extended time with ‘other’ who need a listening ear for him/her to express his/her joy. Maybe we can help ‘other’ to do some simple task, instead of only doing things for our ‘self’, do it for ‘other’ as he/she has been doing for others. Maybe we can give ‘other’ a hug or a pat on the shoulder, that touch may warm the heart of ‘other’ to compensate his/her late cold night hard works.

These are the five languages of love we can use to honor ‘other’. Who is this ‘other’? Anyone who deserves the honor, maybe start from our family members (especially your spouse if you are married), our colleagues, our church members, and anyone. When do we start? Start now.

Even start with people who did not do good or work hard, not even to mention about success. There are people in our church whereby nobody talks to on Sunday, no one to have lunch with after service, no small group to attend, and maybe the name is not even known to other people. Look out for them and honor them. These people are just like you and me, made in the image of God, loved and well-pleased by God. If we do not know how to love them, we do not really know our true ‘self’, we do not know our true identity.

Christian faith is a communal faith; we cannot know our ‘self’ unless we love ‘other’ and know God. Therefore, ‘other’ first, then ‘self’.

HHS…
Abel…

Day 4: Deny your 'self'… (Luke 9:22-27) 28 Feb 09

Death is a taboo in our culture. We don’t talk about it openly; neither do we have positive hope in death. But Jesus talks about His death openly. He is the Messiah who not only delivers, but also dies. This really blows the mind of Jesus’ Jewish followers and also blows my mind sometimes. We all have a common beliefs and expectation: a messiah delivers, not dies. But Jesus did both.

The author says, “To follow Christ, there is no room for self.” In my own understanding, if I want to have the abundant life that Jesus promises, I cannot have self, I have to die to self, and there is no room for self. This is such a paradox in Christian faith, which will take me my entire life to understand.

Jesus states the plain fact that: to be His disciple, I have to deny myself. And unless I really know myself, how can I deny myself? That is why the author also mentions that: To know God, you must know yourself; and to know yourself, you must know God.

Do you know your ‘self’ enough? What is in your ‘self’ that God wants to deal with during this season of Lent? Maybe God is speaking to you about a specific situation in your life right now, are you ready to let God deal with it as He reveals it to you? As you get to know God more during this season of Lent, you will get to know your ‘self’ more, and are you ready to deny your ‘self’?

This is the price of following Jesus. Do you still want to follow Him? The good news is that Jesus has already paid it all in full on the Cross.

HHS…

Abel….

Day 3: I think I am… (Luke 9:18-20) 27 Feb 09

“Our self is all we have, all we are.” The author blankly points out our self-centeredness. It is not wrong to love self, but loving self without loving God is wrong. If our self is all we have, and all we are, then there is no room for others, not even God. And we so-called Christians are not spared from being self-centered, though we may not admit to it.

Many philosophers tried to give meaning to life by giving meaning to self. Psychologists also the self with positive emotions and feelings and thoughts, believing that such feeding of self can improve a person quality of life. But the truth is that whether philosophers or psychologists, the fail to realize that the definition of self is defined by another Self, who is God.

Therefore, Christians understanding of self should be “God is, therefore I am.” Do I know God? Do I know Jesus? Do I know the Jesus who took my Cross? Or do I simply know about God or know about Jesus? Knowing God is equivalent to knowing self (I think this is by J I Packer). I have completed my three years of theological education, I know a great deal about God, but do I really know God? You may know many stories in the Bible about the work of God and Jesus, but do you know Him?

Many Good Fridays and Easter Sundays had past me by, and I have enough knowledge about them. This year, I am determined to walk this journey with Jesus towards Good Friday and rejoice with Him on Easter Sunday. I only have one desire that is to get to know Jesus more along the way letting Him to lead me to my Cross. And such encounter and face-off can be bloody when we reach the Cross, as the author puts it. Are you ready for it?

HHS…
Abel…

He had to… (Hebrews 2:14-18) 270209

Thank God, it’s Friday! It will be a busy day for me today, as in I have to finish quite a number of works by the end of today. I have to complete my notes for Baptism class this Sunday and of course also to compile all the other teachers’ notes. I also have to prepare for my small group lesson, and collect a van from a friend. I have to sort of rush all these, because I will be on course tomorrow.

Today’s text informs me that being the children of God (v14), we have overcome the power of death (v14) and delivered from the fear of death (v15). And the author of Hebrews stresses that Jesus’ death and resurrection is for the descendant of Abraham, which is you and me (in spiritual sense) and not for the angels (v16). We are not second class citizens; we are in fact first class because of what Jesus did on the Cross and left an empty tomb.

Then the author uses a very strange description in verse 17. He says that Jesus ‘had to make like His brethren in all things’ and the reason is so that He can make propitiation or atonement for our sins. What is strange is the Greek word uses for ‘He had to’, it actually literally means ‘to owe or to be indebted’ in financial sense. And some scholars would propose that this word should be translated as ‘He was obligated to’.

I think if we reflect on this, we can be sure that how valuable we are in the sight of Christ. He who owes nothing makes Himself ‘indebted’ and ‘obligate’ to make propitiation or atonement for us. I am thoroughly touched and grateful. Because the propitiation or atonement Jesus made was not using another unblemished animal, but it is He Himself going to the Cross.

In Paul’s theology, it is commonly to be understood that he champion that Christ work on the Cross is a legal act of redemption or repayment and even representation. But in Hebrews, the author seems to be equating Christ work on the Cross as a cultic (as in religious) act of substitution of atonement using an unblemished sacrifice, in which this case is Jesus Christ the Son of God. But today’s mediation and reflection draws me to hold a view of both; Christ work on the Cross is both a legal and cultic act.

We owe God a holy life, and only by someone paying for us by sacrificing Himself, then we can be set free from our debt. Jesus did it. Jesus was obligated to do it. Jesus had to be there on the Cross so that He can both be our representatives and also our unblemished sacrificial offerings.
We are in the season of Lent. I don’t think it is coincident that my devotional study on Hebrews keeps leading me back to the Cross; because the message of the Cross is central and core to our faith in Christ. Jesus had to go to the Cross. He had to.

Then what do we have to do? I think we have to; or rather we are indebted to reflect on the Cross, especially during this season of Lent. Yes, you are indebted and obligated to sit at the foot of the Cross and be amazed by the completed work of Christ on the Cross. Take time to do this.

You had to!

HHS…
Abel…