Pentecost • 23

reading for: Tuesday Night, 22 october

Mark 10:46-52

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: Mark 10:46-52

    47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” - Mark 10:47-49

  • Commentary

    Jesus and his disciples were at Jericho, and as they were about to leave, they saw a blind man, Bartimaeus, who was sitting by the roadside. There was a great crowd there with them. When Bartimaeus knew that was Jesus, he cried out and said, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”. When many in the crowd rebuked him, he cried out all the more. Jesus stopped and called for him. The blind man when he heard Jesus call got up and sprang to Jesus. Jesus asked him what the blind man wanted Jesus to do for him. The blind man asked for the recovery of sight, and Jesus declared that his faith had made him well. The blind man recovered his sight and followed Jesus.

    Let us examine the cry of the blind man in more detail to see what we can learn from it. Firstly, the blind man was calling for Jesus; he knew that the one passing by was Jesus of Nazareth. Perhaps he knew the reputation of Jesus as a miracle worker who healed many. He had the faith to call out loudly for Jesus, and even when rebuked, he cried out all the more. Secondly, he knew that Jesus was the Son of David. The blind man probably knew more about Jesus than many in his day. Jesus was the Son of David, the one who would sit on David’s throne forever (2 Sam 7:12-16). Taken together, the blind man recognised that Jesus was the Son of David, the Messiah who sat on the throne of David forever. He recognised “who” Jesus was. Lastly, Bartimaeus recognised the who and clearly knew what he wanted. He wanted Jesus to have mercy on him. Later, when Jesus clarified, he mentioned that he wanted his sight restored. Again, the blind man was right than many in his day, for he knew he was in pain and recognised his need for Jesus to have mercy on him.

  • Reflect

    Let us learn from Bartimaeus, the blind man who sees clearly in God's ways. Let us recognise who Jesus is and what we want from him. Do we see ourselves as blind and sick and in need of him, or do we think that we are healthy? Jesus did not come for the righteous but for the sinners.

    Prayer

    “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” – Jesus Prayer (comb. Mk 10:48 & Lk 18:13)

reading for: Wednesday Night, 23 october

Job 42:1-17

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: Job 42:1-17

    Key Verse:
    "Then Job answered the LORD and said: 'I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.'" (Job 42:1-2, ESV)

  • Commentary

    Job’s story comes to an incredible conclusion in Job 42. After questioning God through immense suffering, Job is restored—not only in his health and wealth but, more importantly, in his understanding of who God is. In the previous chapter (Job 38), God’s response to Job didn’t answer the “why” behind Job’s pain, but revealed the “Who” behind all things—God’s power, wisdom, and care.

    Here at CNL, we’ve been on a spiritual journey of learning to trust in the Who rather than focusing on the "why" of our challenges. From children to teens, single adults to married couples, and even the elderly, we’ve all asked the question “Why, God?” Yet, as we’ve seen in Job, the answer lies not in explanations but in recognizing God’s power to deliver and restore.

    Just like Job, we all face moments of loss or confusion. But Job’s story reminds us that God is able to restore what is broken in our lives. Whether it’s healing from illness, recovering from financial strain, or finding peace in emotional turmoil, God is at work even when we don’t understand the "why."

    For every generation, this is a truth we can hold on to: God is powerful enough to restore us, and He invites us to trust Him fully, even when life doesn’t make sense.

  • Reflect

    What are you holding on to that keeps you stuck in asking "why"? How can you shift your focus to trusting the Who—God, who restores all things in His time?

  • Prayer

    "Let Your Scriptures be my true joy; don’t let me be misled by them, and don’t let me mislead others through them. Lord, listen and have mercy on me. You are the light for the blind and the strength for the weak; You are also the light for those who can see and the strength for the strong. Hear my soul as it cries out from the depths. For if You don’t listen to us even in the depths, where else can we go? To whom can we cry out? The day belongs to You, and so does the night; time passes by at Your command. Please give us time to reflect on the hidden truths of Your Word, and don’t close the door to those of us who are knocking." The Confessions, Book 11, Augustine of Hippo

reading for: THURSDAY Night, 24 october

Hebrews 7:23-28

  • ReAD

    Scripture Reference: Hebrews 7:23-28

    23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost[a] those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

    26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

  • commentary

  • Reflect

  • Prayer

reading for: FRIDAY Night, 25 october

Psalms 34:1-8, (19-22)

  • ReAD

    Scripture reference: Psalm 34:1

    I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

  • COMMENTARY

    What enables us to come Sunday after Sunday, 52 times a year to praise and worship God? Are we able to bless and praise the LORD at all times each week? Regardless of how great or terrible it went? 

    There are at least 3 reasons that praise can arise from David’s mouth at all times.

    Every time he sought the LORD, every time he knocked on his Heavenly Father’s door, every time he asked of the LORD, he was answered and delivered (v.4).

    Second reason that David can praise the LORD is that every time  he cried, every time he felt anguished, he was heard by the LORD and He was saved from every trouble (v.6). It wasn’t that he was heard some times, or saved a few times. Every time. Every time he cried, he was heard and saved.

    Third, David has tasted and seen that the LORD is good. Its not just a truth he heard, a sermon he preached, he has literally, tasted and see, experienced the goodness of the LORD his God. (v. 8)

    From the life of David we know that he definitely had weeks that were terrible - weeks where his own son Absalom came after him. Weeks where his king Saul the one he sought to honour wanted to murder him. Weeks where he sinned against God with Bathsheba.

    Yet he could write this Psalm and he could bless the LORD at all times and praise him always.

  • Reflect

    What is the reason and anchor of your praise and worship of God? Are you able to praise him week in and week out?

  • Prayer

    Father You alone are worthy of praise, You alone i long to worship. Deepen my praise on the firm foundation of “Who You are”. Deepen my worship on the foundation of your unshakable character.

    In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. 

Season of LentCNL