I was reading Luke 2 this morning and it talks about 2 old persons: Simeon and Anna. The Holy Spirit was with Simeon. How beautiful is this! If the bible gave him such a comment (also righteous and devout), he must be really righteous and devout, not just on the outside, but also from the inside. Anna was introduced as worshiping night and day (note the order, night and day, not day and night, a usual order as in Gen 1), fasting and praying. NASB, New Chinese Version and NRSV use "serving" instead of "worshiping". I don't know Greek but probably these two are similar words. How many times we think "serving" is "doing things" "for God" (sometimes, even the "for God" part is missing)? How many times we think "worshiping" is singing? Although we may say, "we will now continue to "worship" by our offering (monetary)", I doubt whether it's a "slogan" or really thinking offering is worship. Anyways, side tracked too much...
But Anna, fasting and praying were her "serving" and "worship", nights and days! Luke seems to link devout with Holy Spirit, worship/serving by means of fasting and praying. (Note: NRSV: "worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day"; NIV: "worshiped night and day, fasting and praying" <-- fasting and praying are describing the act of worship). Not just devout, but devout from young to old! How blessed are they!
How about myself? What is my worship/serving? Does mine include fasting and praying? I think I should resume my weekly fasting/praying.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Maundy Thursday
How did I spend the Maundy Thursday? I worked. I need to call in for a 9pm work meeting with Penang and San Jose. That's not very pleasant, especially right before long weekend. On the night that Jesus was betrayed ~2000 years ago, I worked...
I put a little thought on why Judas the Iscariot betrayed Jesus. If he wanted Jesus to die, he would not regret and hanged himself. So, when he decided to betray Jesus, he didn't know or expect Jesus would die "because of this". However, Jesus did say that, indirectly. He told the disciples that he would die soon. He also mentioned that he would be betrayed (and by Judas). So, if Judas linked these together, one can think this can lead to that.
But is this a easy link? It may not be so! You know, they all see Jesus' numerous miracles. His teaching is so great. His argument is unbeatable. He healed so many people and cast out so many demons. He can give the authority to the disciples so that they can, to a certain extent, heal and cast out demons. He can even raise people from the dead and even calm the sea. And he walked out of trouble so many times. So, he has authority over nature, spiritual realm and human and death. It is not that easy to imagine he could die, and so soon, even though he mentioned it multiple times. It's like when Jesus said Peter will deny Him, Peter didn't believe it either.
Maybe Judas was thinking, ' Well, this won't hurt. Jesus will walk out of this anyways. I can some money and use it to give it to the poor. Like the money of the expensive oil that woman put on Jesus. Of course I can use it, too, but I am not going to say that. Jesus will be fine and he will forgive me anyways. So, why not?
Well... in this case, no. Jesus declared that:
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born. - Mark 14:21
And after Judas knew Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and he hang himself (Matt 27:3-5).
There are numerous times that we think we can walk away from the trouble (with God's help!) and God will forgive us anyways. At the end, he is gracious and forgiving, right?
He is. But it may be we who cannot forgive ourselves. Like Judas, he can't and he can find no way out.
Sometimes, I wonder if (and this is a big if) Judas didn't kill himself and meet the resurrected Jesus, what would happen? How would Judas face Jesus? What would the scene be? You know, only two more days and Jesus will be resurrected! Just 2 more days! And Jesus did mentioned beforehand that he will be resurrected.
Good Friday, what does it mean to us? Jesus' death, what does it mean to us? Jesus' resurrection, what does it mean to us?
I put a little thought on why Judas the Iscariot betrayed Jesus. If he wanted Jesus to die, he would not regret and hanged himself. So, when he decided to betray Jesus, he didn't know or expect Jesus would die "because of this". However, Jesus did say that, indirectly. He told the disciples that he would die soon. He also mentioned that he would be betrayed (and by Judas). So, if Judas linked these together, one can think this can lead to that.
But is this a easy link? It may not be so! You know, they all see Jesus' numerous miracles. His teaching is so great. His argument is unbeatable. He healed so many people and cast out so many demons. He can give the authority to the disciples so that they can, to a certain extent, heal and cast out demons. He can even raise people from the dead and even calm the sea. And he walked out of trouble so many times. So, he has authority over nature, spiritual realm and human and death. It is not that easy to imagine he could die, and so soon, even though he mentioned it multiple times. It's like when Jesus said Peter will deny Him, Peter didn't believe it either.
Maybe Judas was thinking, ' Well, this won't hurt. Jesus will walk out of this anyways. I can some money and use it to give it to the poor. Like the money of the expensive oil that woman put on Jesus. Of course I can use it, too, but I am not going to say that. Jesus will be fine and he will forgive me anyways. So, why not?
Well... in this case, no. Jesus declared that:
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born. - Mark 14:21
And after Judas knew Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and he hang himself (Matt 27:3-5).
There are numerous times that we think we can walk away from the trouble (with God's help!) and God will forgive us anyways. At the end, he is gracious and forgiving, right?
He is. But it may be we who cannot forgive ourselves. Like Judas, he can't and he can find no way out.
Sometimes, I wonder if (and this is a big if) Judas didn't kill himself and meet the resurrected Jesus, what would happen? How would Judas face Jesus? What would the scene be? You know, only two more days and Jesus will be resurrected! Just 2 more days! And Jesus did mentioned beforehand that he will be resurrected.
Good Friday, what does it mean to us? Jesus' death, what does it mean to us? Jesus' resurrection, what does it mean to us?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Holy Week – What does it mean to you?
This week is what traditionally called Holy Week, the week prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is also the end of season of Lent. Holy Week, what does it mean to us? Especially at this point of time, in this crazy world, in which there are tons of brokenness and violence. How does the death and resurrection of Jesus affect the way we live today? How does this give us hope to sustain in Christ? How does the fact that God can raise Jesus from the dead help us to cope with our life here and now?
Pastor Matt preached on the vision of the burning stick in the fire in Zech 2 - a very strong sense of removal of sin, cleansing of the serving person, restoration of the person and one’s ministry, and a very strong sense of urgency. What does this mean to us? Especially in the context of the inauguration of the Holy Week, the climax of the season of Lent, in which 3 things are prominent, namely penitence, fasting and prayer.
Holy Week - what does it mean to you?
Pastor Matt preached on the vision of the burning stick in the fire in Zech 2 - a very strong sense of removal of sin, cleansing of the serving person, restoration of the person and one’s ministry, and a very strong sense of urgency. What does this mean to us? Especially in the context of the inauguration of the Holy Week, the climax of the season of Lent, in which 3 things are prominent, namely penitence, fasting and prayer.
Holy Week - what does it mean to you?
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