Pentecost • 17

reading for: Tuesday Night, 10 September

Mark 8:27-38

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    Scripture Reference: Mark 8:27-38

    27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” – Mark 8:27-29

  • Commentary

    Who is Jesus? This is the question that pervades the reading for today. Jesus and his disciples were around the area of Caesarea Philippi, and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”. They replied that some said it was John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets. Jesus then personalised the question and asked them, “But who do you say that I am?”. Peter answered that Jesus is the Christ.

    Jesus is the Christ, but what does that mean? Jesus continues to explain that “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Jesus means that as the Christ, he must suffer, die and rise again.

    Peter did not like this and began to rebuke Jesus. Jesus rebuked Peter with the words, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God but on the things of man.” In other words, to set your mind on the things of man is to be called Satan. The thing of man is to reject that Jesus is the crucified and risen one. Jesus pushes on further, for he does not want only a verbal or mental confession but one filled with action. He calls on his disciples to deny themselves, take up the cross and follow him. He adds that losing his life is saving it. The point that Jesus is making is that he is the crucified and risen one, and to follow him, we must be like him and be the ones who are crucified and raised with him.

    Jesus is the Christ, the crucified and risen one, is the answer to the question of “who Jesus is?”, but this answer must be one that we say, think and embody.

  • Reflect

    Who is Jesus to you? What does it mean for him to be the crucified and risen Christ? How can you embody Christ this week?

  • Prayer

    Our Father in Heaven, we praise you for your Son, the Christ, who suffered many things, being rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, being killed, and, after three days, rising again. We believe that he is the crucified and risen Christ, and we want to say it, think it, and embody it. Help us embody this reality next week. Amen.

reading for: Wednesday Night, 11 September

proverbs 1:20-33

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    Scripture Reference: Proverbs 1:20-33

    Wisdom cries aloud in the street,
        in the markets she raises her voice;
    21 at the head of the noisy streets she cries out;
        at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
    22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
    How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
        and fools hate knowledge? – Proverbs 1:20-22

  • Commentary

    In Proverbs 1:20–33, wisdom cries out in the streets, calling for all to listen. But how often do we turn a deaf ear? It’s easy to get caught up in the noise of the world—busy schedules, anxious thoughts, and selfish desires that pull us away from God. Wisdom invites us to stop, to hear her call, and to respond with humility. Ignoring wisdom leads to calamity and regret. But if we confess our need for God’s direction and turn our hearts to Him, He promises to guide us.

    This invitation is for everyone—children, teens, single adults, married couples, and the elderly. At every stage of life, we face choices between wisdom and foolishness. At home, in the workplace, and in our communities, the words we speak and the actions we take reflect our hearts. Will we choose the way of wisdom, marked by love, humility, and service? Or will we be led by the foolishness of pride and self-interest?

    Jesus reveals Himself as the source of all wisdom. When we keep our eyes on Him, we can live in the light of His truth, demonstrating our faith through practical wisdom and compassionate works.

  • Reflect

    In what areas of your life is Wisdom calling you to respond with humility and faithfulness?

  • Prayer

    (From St. Augustine): "Lord, let my heart be humble, that it may be your dwelling place; let it be lowly, so that you may find in it rest." Amen.

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 12 September

TBA

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    Scripture Reading:

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reading for: FRIDAY Night, 13 September

Psalm 19

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    Scripture reference: Psalm 19

    The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;

    the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes – Psalms 19:7-8

  • COMMENTARY

    What are you yearning for most in your life? A renewal of your soul? Wisdom for your life? A renewal of joy in your heart? Or eyes to be able to see things clearly?

    These are all the promises of what we’ll receive when we meditate, fix our eyes and hearts on the law and word of the LORD.

    More often than not, many of us Christian believe that we have to work very hard to hear the voice of our Heavenly Father. We must read our bible daily, pray for an hour, live a righteous life, then God would speak to us. Its more about a picture of us trying to get to God rather than God who has already reached out and spoken to us.

    This can’t be further from the reality of who God our Father is. Psalms 19 start out by refuting this lie - the heavens are DECLARING the glory of God, the skies are PROCLAIMING his handiwork (v. 1). DAY AFTER DAY and NIGHT AFTER NIGHT they speak (v.2). Their voice and words resound through all the earth (v. 4).

    Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that God had previously spoken to us through his prophets, by now, He has definitively spoken through His Son Jesus. This Jesus is the heir of all things and through whom all things were created. He radiates God’s full glory and upholds the universe by his powerful word.

    It is no wonder that we are to behold Jesus, for He is the Word of God (John 1:1). He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). He can give living waters that can revive the soul (John 4:14), He is the Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24). We behold Jesus not just because its the right thing to do as Christians. We behold Him because He is our King and the full expression of God our Father. In Him we see our Heavenly Father. 

  • Reflect

    Who and where you are turning to for revival, wisdom, joy and discernment?

  • Prayer

    Father in Heaven, You desire life, wisdom, joy and discernment in every part of my life. Even as I have made a fresh new recommitment to love without partiality as You have loved me. Teach me and guide me to turn to You only, to Your Son Jesus who alone is life.

    Enable me to learn new ways of drawing closer to you each day.

    In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

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