Revelations 22:12-21

-
Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
Post a Comment

Mark 1 "Messiah and Servant"

-

READ: Mark 1.

Verses chosen for meditation: Mark 1:1.

1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God (ESV).

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, ... (NIV).  

 

REFLECT

Mark 1:1 introduces the good news concerning the person, teaching and life of Jesus, God’s Son (vv. 14-15). The human Jesus, known to be a carpenter, was proclaimed as the Son of God and Messiah. In the NIV version, verse 1 carries the word “Messiah”. Meaning the” anointed one”, the prophesized Messiah Jesus of Nazareth was “anointed” to preach the Word and minister in deeds.

The Gospel of Mark was said to be written for non-Jewish audience who did not know the background of the Holy Scriptures. Yet, some of the religious leaders and Pharisees who were familiar with the Scriptures rejected Jesus’ true identity. The worst rejection was with Jesus' "blasphemous" claims to be the Son of God, having authority to forgive sins. That obviously did not sit well with them. However, there were others who doubted, and some believed He is who He said He is (cf. Acts 2).

Reading Mark Gospel would help us understand Jesus as the messianic King, by showing the amazing things Jesus said and did as well as how people responded to him (cf. John 20:31). But ultimately, Mark had left the reader to ponder and conclude Jesus’ identity.

 

RELATE

In the broader sense, the Gospel of Mark presents Jesus’ character as a servant. He came as a suffering servant king (cf. Isaiah 53), who is going to establish God’s rule by sacrificing His life. Contrary to His claims as the Messiah, Jesus’s mission was never to establish an earthly kingdom to displace the Roman authority. Instead, He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many (cf. Mark 10:45).

God’s humble servant, Jesus came not just to proclaim His teachings and authority but also with His serving. Mark accounted the hidden, mysterious nature of God’s kingdom through both Jesus’ miracles and all who were oppressed by the devil. In this Gospel, the emphasis is on the deeds of Jesus a little more than on the words of Jesus. Not that His words aren’t important but rather, His serving affirmed Him as a servant ruler who serves freely.

Jesus was busy moving from one place to another, not to promote His own Name but to minister to people with compassion and in authority. Beginning from chapter 1, Jesus spent significant amount of time with people in healing and casting out demons. (cf. 2:1-11, 3:1-12, 5:1-43, 7:24-36, 8:22-26, 9:14-29). People was key in Jesus’ ministry. He gave opportunities and priorities to those who were willing to seek Him. Jesus was not too concerned if the Pharisees and religious leaders were His critics or regarded Him as a radical teacher or non-conformist.

Jesus is not only the Messiah who came with the purpose of salvation, but He is also the Son of God who is interested in our entire well-being, always available to minister to us at our point of need. For us, we can seek every opportunity to “serve” in both big and small ways.

So, let us crown Jesus for who He is and in turn be agents of His love, truth and compassion to serve others.

 

REST

Song: “Jesus Messiah” (Chris Tomlin).

https://youtu.be/Sz2-jaCFq8U?si=Bl1VplvcAbkmXIHj

Vincent

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Revelations 22:12-21

-
Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
Read more

Revelations 15-16 “A Time of Grace Before the Full Wrath of God”

-
READ : Revelations 15-16 Verses chosen for meditation: Revelations 15:1 15  Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. REFLECT This chapter marks the beginning of the “bowl” plagues, and though it is the “last” of the sequence of visions given to John (after seals and trumpets), it does not mean it would happen chronologically that way. In what order it happens, we are not sure, but all three fulfil the wrath of God. After the three terrible signs happen, “the wrath of God is finished” (v1). When Jesus died on the cross, he fulfilled the wrath of God to bring salvation to the world. After a time of grace since Jesus’ death, the seals, trumpets and bowls must happen to fulfil the wrath of God on those continuing their evil, unrepentant ways despite the Gospel. These three signs are judgement of human sin after Jesus’ death. As the visions contin...
Read more

1 Timothy 2

-
Read 1 Timothy 2 Verses chosen for meditation: 1 Timothy 2: 1-4, 8, 9-10 ESV: 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;  9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Reflect What do you think form the focus and format of a worship service? Why is prayer important in a worship service? What are some of the things to be observed in the areas of propr...
Read more