At the Foot

of the Cross

COME,

FOLLOW ME

The Sayings of Jesus

According to the Gospel of Saint Mark

Diocese of West Malaysia

Archdeacon Eddie Ong (Editor)

CONTENTS

Foreword Archbishop-elect Ng Moon Hing 4

Diocesan Mission Statement & Themes 2011-2020 5

Why Lent? The Venerable Eddie Ong 6

Day 1 Ash Wednesday Archbishop Datuk Bolly Lapok 8

Day 2 Repent And Believe The Good News The Very Rev Dr Andrew Cheah 10

Day 3 Follow Me The Rev Tan Meng Poo 12

Day 4 A Testimony To Them The Rev Dato’ Dr Yeoh Beng San 14

Day 5 The Healthy Need No Doctor Mrs Rachael Edmonds-Jospeh 16

Day 6 The Sabbath De-coded The Rt Rev Dr Jason Selvaraj 18

Day 7 The Will of God The Rt Rev Aeries Jingan 20

Day 8 A Good Soil The Venerable Dr Stephen Soe 22

Day 9 A Lamp Under A Bowl? The Rev Philip Swan 24

Day 10 Peace! Be Still! The Rev Dr Vijendra Daniel 26

Day 11 Go Home The Rev William Chee 28

Day 12 He Touched me The Rev Ann Bucknall 30

Day 13 Go In Peace Miss Elisabeth Alfred 32

Day 14 The Barrier Rooted In Prejudice Mr Philip Nainan 34

Day 15 He Gave Them Authority The Venerable Eddie Ong 36

Day 16 Take Nothing The Rev Jacob George John 38

Day 17 Shake The Dust Off Your Feet The Venerable Edward John 40

Day 18 Come With Me The Rt Rev Peter Tasker 42

Day 19 Don’t Be Afraid The Rev Canon Claude Schroeder 44

Day 20 He Makes The Deaf Hear Mrs Melissa Raj 46

Day 21 Hunger For God Dr Sharon Ramendran 48

Day 22 You Are The Christ Mr Daniel Chai 50

Day 23 Get Behind Me Rev Canon David Devapitchai 52

Day 24 My Disciples Rev Prebendary John Reese 54

Day 25 Soul Forfeited Mr D Raja Singam 56

Day 26 Ashamed Of Me The Venerable Charles Fraser 58

Day 27 Servant Of All Pastor Nesam Ebenezer 60

Day 28 Male And Female The Rev Nick Loi 62

Day 29 Whoever Initiates Divorce The Rev Lee Kon im 64

Day 30 One Thing You Lack Mr Edward Clayton 66

Day 31 Total Trust The Rev Miles Toulmin 68

Day 32 Finishing The Race Well The Rev Jesvinder Singh 70

Day 33 A Ransom For Many The Rev David Cox 72

Day 34 Untie The Colt The Rt Rev Melter Tais 74

Day 35 God’s House of Prayer The Rev David Rajiah 76

Day 36 Recognising Religion & Responsibility To The State Canon Andrew Khoo 78

Day 37 Love The Lord Your God The Most Rev Datuk Bolly Lapok 80

Day 38 The Other-Centred Perspective On Life The Rev Dr Albert Walters 82

Day 39 The Teachers Of The Law The Rev Canon Richard Kirton 84

Day 40 No One Knows Canon Emeritus Teoh Soong Kee 86

Day 41 Perfume On MY Body Rev Canon Steven Abbarow 88

Day 42 My Body, My Blood Rev Joshua Ong 90

Day 43 The Rooster Crows The Rt Rev John Yeo 92

Day 44 Watch And Pray Ms A Annamaney 94

Day 45 Forsaken At Calvary? Rev Dr Paul Barker 96

Day 46 Preach The Gospel The Venerable Eddie Ong 98

Day 47 In Jesus’ Name Archbishop-elect Ng Moon Hing 100

Archbishop-elect Datuk Ng Moon Hing Diocese of West Malaysia Enriching Partnerships is the theme of the diocese this year. We are so appreciative to our fore-fathers in faith who have laid a good and firm foundation for us. Today we wish to enrich all the partnerships in the Gospel they have begun. One of the partnerships we treasure is this series of Lenten Meditation – At the Foot of the Cross. This is the 25th year that our diocese has produced such devotional material. It is now being produced in Chinese, Bahasa Malaysia, and Tamil as well. Our aim is to encourage more members to write and share their reflections as well as to engage every reader to develop a habit of devotion and meditation especially during the period of Lent. This year the emphasis is on the sayings of Jesus based on the Gospel of Saint Mark. It is our hope that after Lent, the sayings of Jesus and the momentum of devotion and meditation will carry on into their daily lives. Jesus is our faithful partner in our daily walk. He picks us up when we fall, warns us when we are about to go astray, admonishes us when we back-slide, restores us when we return to him, woos us when we are striving and pressing on towards the goal, assures us when we are uncertain, encourages us when we persevere, affirms us when we did well, forgives us when we repent, directs us when we seek him, anoints us when we take the second mile, loves and blesses us when we love and care for others, etc. “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” (Philippians 1: 3-5 ESV) Wishing you a meaningful and exciting year ahead in your walk with Christ! Shalom! +Ng Moon Hing DIOCESE OF WEST MALAYSIA (DIOCESAN STRATEGIC IMPLEMENTATION COMMISSION)

Diocesan Theme 2011-2020 Mission Challenge Decade of Mission and Networking One In Christ

Our Mission & Themes

In response to the Gospel and the Mission Mandate of our Lord Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we seek to make disciples, to bring wholeness in the midst of our changing society and to grow our dioceses to the glory of God.

2011 Sowing the Seeds Enriching Partnership 2016 2012 Nurturing the Shoots Enhancing Ownership 2017 2013 Optimising God’s Vineyard Releasing Talents 2018 2014 Guarding the Yield Bringing in the Sheaves 2019 2015 Fostering Ventures Blowing the Trumpet 2020

ENRICHING PARTNERSHIP

The ten year theme proposed by the Diocesan Strategic Implementation Commission brings us to “Enriching Partnership” for 2016. It is the continuation of Sowing the Seeds, Nurturing the Shoots, Optimizing God’s Vineyard, Guarding the Yield, and Fostering Ventures. There are many links and ventures we have started over the years that have given a fairly good yield on the whole. For 2016, the Diocese has decided to focus and embark on four major ventures namely (1) Partnership between Clergy and Lay Leadership, (2) Worship in season and out of season, (3) Empowerment, Advocacy, Green agenda, and (4) Discipleship Training. We are to pro- actively shape the Church to be relevant, true to its call and to bring her to the market place, instead of the traditional method of “Come and See” method. This booklet will help to shape the Church to be relevant by quoting several sayings of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Diocesan theme is ‘Enriching Partnership,’ we have expanded the circle of writers to include friends from our companion dioceses, provincial dioceses and former mission partners. WHY LENT?

What is Lent?

The word ‘Lent’ originates from the Latin word quadragesima or Greek tessarakoste, which is the ‘fortieth’ day before Easter. In old English, Lent simply is springtime (or lenz in German and lente in Dutch). In the early years of the Church it was confined to a few days before Easter. But by the Fourth Century it was extended to forty days before Easter, a period associated with the forty days and nights that Jesus spent fasting in the desert just after his baptism. Lent is still observed for this duration today.

When is Lent?

Ash Wednesday heralds the start of the season of Lent. There are six Sundays in Lent, all of which are distinguished as celebrations of the Resurrection on which Christians feast. Six days are added to complete the original forty days of the season.

Why Lent?

The main purpose of Lent is to enrich our awareness of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps the individual four letters, L, E, N, T, will assist us in appreciating the significance of his mission.

Listening &Learning

Lent is primarily about Jesus. We listen, learn, look, and recount our Lord’s sayings, commands, teachings, messages and acts. Through reading and meditating on God’s holy word (and for 2016, we look at the sayings of our Lord according to the Gospel of Saint Mark), we reflect on why the Saviour chose to suffer and even give his life through crucifixion. We also consider how our Lord dealt with powers of darkness, hypocrisy, and loneliness when he was in the wilderness, in the fields, on mountain-tops, by the lakesides, and at Golgotha. The hunger, thirst and pain that Jesus experienced are featured during Lent to invite our own meaningful practice of self-denial.

Examination

Lent is a contemplative preparation for seeking spiritual renewal. “I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent by self- examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting and self-denial.” (Liturgy of Ash Wednesday - Book of Common Prayer)

Needs

Lent exalts compassion-in-action in response to Divine love. Jesus said, “When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others.” Instead, we are to take care not to practice righteousness in front of others.

Thanksgiving

Lent is a time of Thanksgiving to the Lord for the blessings of life. If not for his grace, there will be no conversion, no abundant life, no forgiveness of sins, and no eternal life. Thanks be to God for his great love and mercy.

Collect for Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Archdeacon Eddie Ong Day 1 - Psalm 51: 1-5, 17-18 Ash Wednesday The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17 ASV)

The lament in this psalm is one in which we all share. We are aware of our sinful failures, yet our confidence is in God who does not despise us. And precisely because of that awareness, we have nothing but - our 'broken and contrite heart'. King David recognises God as his Shepherd in Psalm 23 and himself as a lost sheep returned to the paths of righteousness to live in fellowship with him. That essential imagery is revealed to us many times in the Bible. As in Psalm 51, we must accept that sin has caused us to become lost sheep, helpless and hopeless. Like lost sheep we must bleat in the thorn bush so that the Shepherd can find us, then disentangle us from the thorns of the false security we have adopted as our defence, and then, of his own grace, carry us back to the community of faith where we belong (the walls of Jerusalem of Psalm 51:18). A Shepherd cannot rescue a sheep that does not bleat, that is a person who does not believe he is lost in sin nor realise his need of God. This Psalm 51 is our bleating. The good news is that the Good Shepherd hears that bleating and comes. Sheep that bleat are sheep that panic and that panic is expressed in loosened bowel movement so that the Shepherd, himself bleeding from the thorns from which he extricated us, has to carry a stinking animal back to the fold. We are left in awe at his immeasurable commitment to us, his foul smelling sheep. From 'darkness into his marvellous light' we move, not of our own wisdom but as lost sheep restored by the Good Shepherd.

Not for ever in green pastures do we ask our way to be; but the steep and rugged pathway may we tread rejoicingly. Be our strength in hours of weakness, in our wanderings be our Guide; through endeavour, failure, danger, Saviour, be thou at our side. (Source: Hymn: ‘Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer.’ Words: Love Willis, 1864)

Editor: As lost sheep restored by the Good Shepherd, let us tread the journey of faith with thankfulness for all the blessings the Lord has showered unto us. Let us stay close to the Good Shepherd as we hear him daily through his written word. Let us speak to him frequently in prayer. Let us maintain a daily Quiet Time – precious moments with the Lord. Use ‘Come Follow Me’ as your guide during Lent.

Great Shepherd of our souls, we rejoice that you heard our cry and came to us. You have rescued us from danger and brought us home. Now drawn by your love, keep us faithful in following as we journey together the 'rugged pathway' of life. Amen.

Article by the Most Reverend Datuk Bolly anak Lapok, the 4th Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of the Province of South East Asia as well as the Bishop of Kuching. An ethnic Iban, Bolly is the first Primate of the Province from Sarawak. Day 2 – Mark 1:14-15 Repent And Believe The Good News The time has come … the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! (Mark 1:15). God had been promising the coming of his Kingdom throughout the Old Testament. God’s people would once again live under his blessing. They would be led by God’s King – who would bring justice to the whole world. The ‘Good News’ that God had come to save and rule his people would be announced one day in the future (Isaiah 40:9-11). Israel was waiting and longing for that day. When Jesus came, he proclaimed the day was about to arrive. The Kingdom was finally near. So God’s people needed to prepare. They needed to trust the message that God would come to save and rule his people – to ‘believe the Good News’. And they needed to ‘repent’ – to turn from sin and start afresh as God’s people under the loving rule of the King who would be revealed. As Mark’s Gospel continues, we will discover that Jesus himself is the King of the Kingdom – he is God come to save and rule his people. He would save his people by his death on the cross – taking the punishment for their sins in their place. He would rise from the dead to rule his people as their King. The Kingdom has now come: it has been inaugurated. And we who trust in Jesus are citizens of his Kingdom. But there is another sense in which the Kingdom is still to come. When Jesus returns he will consummate the Kingdom in all its glory. He will judge the world and save his people. He will rule all the nations and every knee will bow to him. We still need to prepare for this coming of the Kingdom. And so the message of repentance and faith is for us and our friends as well. Jesus is God who came to save and rule his people. So people all over the world need to believe the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection, turn from sin, and start afresh as his people under his loving rule.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

Are you part of the Kingdom? If not, repent and believe the Good News. You can use the prayer below. If you are, then who do you need to bring the Good News to? Will you call on them to repent and believe as well?

Thank you Father that Jesus is King in your Kingdom. I believe that he is God come to save his people. I believe that he did so by living the perfect life, dying on the cross for our sins and rising again as King. Please forgive my sins through Jesus’ death for me. And please give me a fresh start with Jesus as my King. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Article by the Very Reverend Dr Andrew Cheah, Dean of St Mary’s Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur. Day 3 – Mark 1:16-20 Follow Me Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men. (Mark 1:17 NKJV) In the context of this verse, Jesus called Simon and his brother Andrew to a different profession. From ordinary fishermen to Gospel inspired disciples and later Apostles. They were called to Jesus himself; to stay with him, eat with him, learn from him and watch him in close quarters as Jesus went about his ministry of healing, performing miracles and teaching. It was an extraordinary call. Jesus knew ahead of time the price that each one of them will have to pay to be his disciples. In its entirety, it is to commit their lives to follow after him. He also gave them a task. It was for them to proclaim the message of his coming kingdom. We know that it was a message that was met with different kinds of responses. For many, it was the wholehearted embrace of the Christian faith while for others it was outright hostility. But these followers remained faithful to the call of Christ in their lives until their final breath. I imagine that they would have many moments of doubts and perhaps even despair. You sense this as you read of the disciples huddled in the Upper Room after Christ’s death on the Cross. The One whom they had chosen to follow was now no longer with them. You sense this too when the Apostles wrote the epistles bringing words of encouragement to the Christian diaspora. The Church dispersed needed to know that God is still sovereign and that Jesus Christ will come again as he had promised. It was this hope (his soon coming and the eternal life that he had promised) that they clung on to as they followed after Christ. “Once someone begins to hear that (discipleship) call, a suffering worthy of the name of Christ is produced. Suddenly, every ambition, every desire of life, and every outlook is completely blotted out and extinguished. Only one thing remains – separated to the gospel...” (Oswald Chambers) Jesus calls his disciples today to follow him, to pattern our lives according to Scripture. We read the Scripture because in it we will find how we might follow Jesus Christ in our daily lives. We are to, quoting that ever popular phrase, “walk the talk”. Study God’s Word, apply his Word in our daily living and worship him as our God and Saviour. Only then can we be fishers of men.

Jesus said several times, “Come, follow me.” His was a program of “do what I do,” rather than “do what I say.” He walked and worked with those he was to serve. His was not a long-distance leadership. He was not afraid of close friendships; he was not afraid that proximity to him would disappoint his followers. The leaven of true leadership cannot lift others unless we are with and serve those to be led.” (Spencer W. Kimball)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3 NRSV)

Lord, may it be that my one ambition in life is to know you, follow you and to serve you who have called me to be your child and disciple. Amen.

Article by the Reverend Tan Meng Poo, Pastor of Hosanna Anglican Church, Johor Bahru. A lawyer by training, he is also the Vice President of our Daily Bread Ministries in Asia Pacific. Day 4 – Mark 1:40-45 A Testimony To Them Go show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing as a testimony to them. (Mark 1:44) The context for this meditation is found in Mark 1:40-45. (See parallel passages in Matthew 8:1-4 and Luke 5:12-16) The despised and ceremonially unclean leper, believing that Jesus could heal him, came desperately to Jesus and begged on his knees for Jesus to heal him of his dreaded skin disease. Jesus, filled with compassion, reached out his hand to this untouchable and willingly touched him. After Jesus had said ‘be clean’, the leper was immediately healed. Jesus then told him in no uncertain terms that he should tell no one of his healing. However, he was to go and show himself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for his cleansing as a testimony to them. Jesus has demonstrated by his healing of the outcast leper, both his love as well as his power to heal. Only God has the power to heal the leper and by this miracle, Jesus has shown himself to be the Son of God who has this supernatural power. The healed leper is a testimony that Jesus is the Son of God and at that point in time, those who needed to hear this testimony were the unbelieving Jewish priests and religious leaders. John has said that Jesus came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him (John 1:11). Jesus was more concerned that the unbelieving Jews would hear and see this miracle so that they can believe in him. Today, we who have received the cleansing of our sins by our faith in Christ are also to be a testimony to the unbelieving people around us. As followers of Christ, we are to show our transformed life as a testimony that Christ alone has the power to change us and give us a new life. We cannot hide or be silent about our salvation but be brave and passionate to share the good news with unsaved relatives, friends, colleagues and neighbours around us. However, we must walk the talk. Our new life in Christ must bear the mind- set, character and lifestyle of Christlikeness so that our testimony will be attractive and effective. The meditation passage further informs us that the healed leper did not heed to Jesus clear and specific instructions not to tell anyone of his healing. Instead he went about and began to talk freely, spreading the news. His disobedience resulted in hindering Jesus going to the town openly to minister to the people (Mark 1:45) Could it be that if we fail to obey Christ to be a testimony, we too can be a stumbling block to God’s plan to save mankind from the deadly consequences of sin? Our unbelieving friends may then not have the opportunity to know God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.

Who are the people who need my testimony most? Am I a testimony to unbelievers around me? Are we, as an individual, a church and a diocese bearing testimony for Christ?

“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17) We can be fishers of men by being a testimony for Christ.

Lord Jesus, I confess that many a times I have not obeyed to testify of your saving grace to my unbelieving friends and relatives. Help me not to be afraid nor being silent but to keep on sharing my testimony for your Kingdom. Amen.

Article by the Reverend Dato’ Dr Yeoh Beng San, Pastor of Cornerstone Sanctuary, Ipoh. Rev. Yeoh is also a medical doctor based in Ipoh, Perak. Day 5 – Mark 2:13-17 The Healthy Need No Doctor It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17) Jesus spoke the above words in response to the Pharisees and Scribes who had asked among themselves, “How is it that he eats and drinks with sinners and publicans?” They had seen Jesus eating with Levi (Matthew) a publican or tax collector and others who the Pharisees considered sinners – people who were unclean and must be avoided. The Pharisees observed the Mosaic Law and Jewish traditions very strictly. In their own eyes, they were righteous and holy. The Scribes were the professional interpreters of the Law. The tax collectors were despised because they worked for the Roman occupiers and were also unscrupulous. Jesus kept company with sinners because his divine mission was to restore fallen sinners to wholeness of life and to reconcile us to our Heavenly Father in whose image we were created. The self-righteous Pharisees could not see that the Law that they so rigidly followed actually revealed one’s sinful condition and how far short we have fallen from God’s standard. Their spiritual pride prevented them from realizing that they too were sinners and in need of the ‘divine physician’. Romans 3:23 states that ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’. It is only through faith in Jesus and his atoning sacrifice that we can be declared righteous and be accepted as children of the Heavenly Father. In 1 Timothy 1:15 Paul writes, “Here is a trustworthy saying … Christ Jesus came to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.” Paul was also a Pharisee before his dramatic conversion. He acknowledged his sinfulness and need of repentance and forgiveness which only Jesus can give. It is only by his blood that we are cleansed and delivered from our sins. People who reject the gospel message of salvation through grace think that their good works alone are enough to save their souls. In Isaiah 64: 6 we are told that ‘all our righteous acts are like filthy rags’ in God’s sight. Our religious observances or rituals and outward show of piety are not going to save our souls. It is only through faith in Christ, genuine repentance and obedience that we can gain eternal life. No one can come to God the Father except through his Son. Every Christian is called to be a bearer of God’s love and to proclaim the gospel. Like Jesus, we must have a heart for sinners, the marginalised and outcasts of society. It is only when we draw near to him that we will have the strength and compassion to do what we are called to do. We can trust our Lord to help and guide us.

Man can exceed his own moral standards but never, left to himself can he attain to God’s standard of righteousness. (KJV Annotated Study Bible)

The realisation that we are saved by God’s grace through his Son and not by our good works should fill our hearts with love for and gratitude to him. It should make us humble, more understanding and forgiving of the failings and weaknesses of others and motivate us to reach out to non–believers.

Heavenly Father, we praise you that in Jesus you have reconciled us to yourself. Fill us with the spirit of love and forgiveness and grant us wisdom and power to reach out to those who don’t know you and to bring them into your fold. Amen.

Article by Rachael Edmonds-Joseph, the wife of the Diocesan Secretary, David Joseph. They worship at St James’ Church, Kuala Lumpur. Day 6 - Mark 2:27-28 The Sabbath De-coded The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27-28) Due to their need for food, the disciples picked up ears of corn in a field to eat. The Pharisees claimed that what they did was unlawful on the Sabbath. Jesus’ response was a correction to their gross misinterpretation. What the Pharisees had done was to turn God’s law into a burden rather than a blessing. Their interpretation would only bring suffering on the Sabbath rather than relief which was the original intention of God. Jesus asserted that humans were made first and then the Sabbath was made afterwards. God did not make the Sabbath and then humans to serve this day. Humanity needs the Sabbath physically, because we need to rest (Exodus 20:8-11) and above that, we need the Sabbath even more spiritually (Deuteronomy 5:15) to recognize the fact that we have been redeemed (cf. Mark 3:4.) Jesus then reminded the Pharisees about an incident in the Old Testament when David and his companions were hungry and in need during the days of Abiathar the high priest. David entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. He also gave some to his companions. For this reason Jesus explained why it was not unlawful for them to pluck ears of corn from the field on the Sabbath. Jesus then makes a bold claim in Mark 2:28, “So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” In doing so, he is declaring that he had the authority to declare that picking corn for sustenance and need were lawful, because he is Lord of the Sabbath Day, meaning it is his day. Exodus 20:8-11 states that the seventh day is a ‘Sabbath of the Lord your God.’ Hence Jesus decides how the Commandment should be obeyed and not the Pharisees. Such an understanding of the Sabbath is still relevant to us today even though some will argue that this “law” is already obsolete. We miss the point if we understand the Sabbath the way the Pharisees did. It’s about a blessing not a burden, about saving a life and meeting needs. But more importantly, it points to the future rest (Hebrews 4:1-11) This rest is entered by faith in Christ (Hebrews 4:2.) The Sabbath points toward our final salvation, and this salvation is in Christ. It is in Christ that we find the rest that we need (Matthew 11:28-30). The requirement for rest has been transformed to focus on Christ rather than a day of the week. If we have faith in him, we are entering God’s rest and we are therefore keeping the spiritual intent of the Sabbath.

Look at Hebrews 4:6 comparing it with Mark 2:27-28.

“If you don't take a Sabbath, something is wrong. You're doing too much, you're being too much in charge. You've got to quit, one day a week, and just watch what God is doing when you're not doing anything.” (Eugene H. Peterson)

Lord, to our packed-full planners, we bid, "Peace!" To our over-caffeinated consciences, we say, "Cease!" To our suffocating selves, Lord grant release. Amen. (Adapted from “Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals” by Shane Claiborne and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove)

Article by the Right Reverend Dr Jason Selvaraj, Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of West Malaysia. Bishop Jason is also the Vicar of Christ Church, Malacca. Day 7 – Mark 3:31-35 The Will of God Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother. (Mark 3:34). The primordial will of God for humankind can be seen in Genesis 1:26 when God said, “Let us make man in our image”. This was his purpose for creating human beings at the beginning of time and this will remain his purpose for human beings in the end of time. Out of love God created men and women so that in them God’s image can be realized. In short, God’s will for you and I is that in our life on earth (to be continued in the hereafter) that image of God can be realized. When God’s image can be seen in our life, God will be glorified. One big problem for humankind is to find a perfect model of that image of God to look up to and to imitate. In Jesus Christ, God-becoming-man, we now can see this perfect image of God in a human person. Jesus said, “He who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). In his life and example, in his attitudes, words and deeds, Jesus showed us what God has originally intended for Adam when he created him. Jesus also showed us that in this sinful world it is still possible to live and realize that image of God in a human life. Jesus’ primary mission in coming to Earth, therefore, is to help restore that image of God in every human person and thus repair the broken relationship with God caused by the marring of that image. Salvation is all about the restoration of the image of God in the person so that one day he or she may become like Christ. Christlikeness is the goal of the Christian life. Through his example, through his teaching and more importantly through his Holy Spirit, Jesus is helping to restore God’s image in our life. When we cooperate with God and allow his Holy Spirit to help us to become like Jesus, then we are doing the will of God. This is what sanctification is all about. Paul says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3a). Just as Jesus was doing his Father’s will, so when we do God’s will in cooperating with and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us, we are in the same boat, as it were, with Jesus. We are ‘his brother and sister and mother’ and likewise it is incumbent upon us to also help and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters to realize that image of God in their lives.

How far have I gone in my Christian life towards achieving Christlikeness?

Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me” (John 4:34). Such was his passion for doing the Father’s will. May we have that same passion in embracing God’s will in our life.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mould me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still. Amen. (Song: ‘Have Thine Own Way’ - Lyrics: Adelaide A. Pollard, 1907.)

Article by the Right Reverend Aeries Jingan, Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Kuching. Day 8 – Mark 4:13-20 A Good Soil Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown. (Mark 4:20) A parable is a story to illustrate a spiritual or moral truth. This parable of the sower describes the different sorts of people who come into contact with the gospel: the casual, the shallow, the worldly and responsive. While the seeds are the same, the type of soils are different. The point is made here that there will be antagonism from the evil one and from the world. There will be tribulations and persecutions, and the worries and pleasures of this life could wither a seed from growing. The sower, whether he be Jesus in the first instance or a disciple later, can be assured that, although some of his seeds were wasted, there will still be an abundant harvest that produce a hundred, sixty or thirty times more! Although the seeds are the same, it was the different types of soils that made the difference. Therefore, cultivating one’s life to be good soil that is responsive to the gospel or the word of God is essential. There are three criteria in a good soil: soft, sticky and spongy. First, a good soil has to be soft enough to allow the root to grow into it easily. Likewise, a believer is to cultivate a soft heart that is responsive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, a good soil must be sticky enough to hold the root firmly for the plant to grow. Similarly, a believer must persevere enough to hold firmly and to obey the word of God in his life. The word of God is a lamp unto his feet and a light unto his path. (Psalm 119:105) Finally, a good soil must be spongy enough to store nutrient and water to nurture the plant. The soil must not easily drained away. Likewise, a believer is to hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the word of God until they become part of his life.

A man’s reception of God’s Word is determined by the condition of his heart. That's why Jesus, finishing the interpretation of the parable said, ‘take heed how you hear’ (Luke 8:18). It is not only that one hears the Word, but it is also how one hears it, for many may hear the Word but only those that hear it and keep it in a good and honest heart will be fruitful. (Source: The Journal of Biblical Accuracy)

Editor: When you read the Word of God, take delight in it. Ask yourself these three questions: (1) What is God saying in this passage? (2) What is God saying to my heart? (3) How does God want me to respond to his word? Jesus said, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.” (John 14:23) The reading God’s word is a good start; but hearkening to his word is even better! Obedience is necessary.

Lord God, every seed that you have planted in the past, every seed that you are planting in the present, and every seed that you plant in the future will bear fruit in my life for the benefit of others and to your glory. Perhaps with my effort, I could make the thirty-fold harvest but I pray that by your grace you will supernaturally – above all that I can ask, think, imagine or dream about – bring me to that place of the hundred-fold blessing. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Article by the Venerable Dr. Stephen Soe, Archdeacon of Upper North Archdeaconry and Vicar of St Paul’s Church, Penang. Day 9 – Mark 4:21-23 A Lamp Under A Bed? Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? (Mark 4:21) Of course we would never dream of putting a lamp under our bed where it is wasted; we would place it where it can shed light. But the very fact that Jesus asks the question recognises that many of us are in fact reluctant or unwilling witnesses to Christ who has shone his light into our lives and brings light into the darkness of our world. The Victorian artist Holman Hunt painted a famous picture of Jesus knocking at a door (Revelation 3:20); he called it ‘The Light of the World’. Jesus now asks us to share his light with others, to bear witness to the Light of Christ within our family, community, our places of work and leisure, locally and globally. The question is not whether we will be a witness to Jesus or not, but how good and effective a witness will we be? Sharing our faith and showing the light of Christ through our lives is not an optional extra. It is happening all the time. There are contexts where it may well be right for believers to live in secrecy and Christians within oppressive regimes need discernment as to how they bear witness. Their contexts can provide a challenge for us as to how we can live out our faith. On several occasions I have heard people say how surprised they were when they discovered that a colleague at work they had known for several years turned out to be a Christian. It had only taken a casual comment about church, prayer or the wearing of a fish logo to allow what was hidden to come to light. We need the support, prayer and encouragement of one another. In this year with your Diocesan theme of ‘Enriching Partnership’, I want to say how much we in the Diocese of Lichfield (England) are enriched through our partnership with you as we seek together to proclaim through word and deed that Christ is the light of the World!

If you were in court on trial for being a Christian, would they be able to find sufficient evidence to convict you?

The Jesuits have a very helpful way of reviewing each day called the Examen. At the end of the day you might look back on all that has happened and ask where you felt close to God and where you fell short. In the context of today’s theme we might ask: where were we aware of the Light of Christ in us and shining through us and where did we hide his light and prefer the darkness?

(For this prayer you might want to actually light a candle and hold it up high.) A candle’s light is designed to be seen and is best placed high up so that it can give light to all; it is not for hiding away. Father God, help us not to hide our light away, keeping it to ourselves. You want us to be lights that bring light to as many people as possible.

Article by the Reverend Philip Swan, Director of William Holman Hunt, The Light of the World (1851–2) World Mission, Diocese of Lichfield, England. Day 10 - Mark 4: 35-41 Peace! Be Still! God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:1-3.7,10) It is our natural predisposition that at times of stress and calamities we look at our circumstances and become anxious and fearful. It could be a recent diagnosis of an incurable disease, the dire straits of our financial situation or even the frustration of an increasingly corrupt and inept government. Our human tendency is to look at these “hopeless” situations and raise our hands in despair. This was exactly the situation the disciples faced when they were crossing the Sea of Galilee and a tempestuous storm blew their way. They were fixated at the dark clouds, turbulent waters and gale force winds and all they could think of was their imminent demise. Jesus, asleep at the stern (because he was totally confident of his Father’s love and protection (John 3:35), awoke, rebuked the elements and then, just as forcefully, rebuked his disciples. “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Friends, fear and faith are diametrically opposed to each other. Fear simply states, “God I don’t trust you” whereas faith declares, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him” (2 Timothy 1:12). The next time you are running late for an appointment, and especially if you are disposed to road rage, remember “Peace! Be Still!” The next time you find yourself being harassed by your children or your bosses, and feel like pulling out all your hair, remember, “Peace! Be Still!” The next time you’ve reached a fork in the road, or you’re afraid and don’t know what to do or where to turn, remember Jesus’ reassuring command, “Peace! Be Still!”

Why should we worry if the boat should sink if God is the ocean?

“I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath--these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely--these are my native air. God made us that way. To live by worry is to live against reality.” (Dr. E. Stanley Jones.)

Lord, you alone know the fears and anxieties that fill our hearts at what today will bring. Free us from panic and worry. Anchor our thoughts and minds in your great power and love. Send us into this day with your peace in our hearts and sure confidence in your fatherly care, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Article by the Rev Dr Vijendra Daniel, Vicar of St Barnabas Church, Klang. Day 11 – Mark 5:1-20 Go Home Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. (Mark 5:19) Miracles alone do not tell the full story. In fact they can lead to very wrong conclusions if not explained. A case in point is the passage from which the above words of Jesus were taken (Mark 5:1-20). In this passage, we are told that Jesus had just healed a well-known and much feared demonized man. He had in him legions of demons. And these demons when cast out by Jesus, were sent into a herd of two thousand pigs which subsequently drowned themselves. What is the point here? Maybe it is to tell us that even these unclean pigs could not bear these unclean spirits, how much less the man! However the whole event from the perspective of the people of that place, was seen as a bane rather than a boon. Jesus, rather than being understood as a deliver was misunderstood as a disaster. Ironically even Jesus can do nothing for the faith of the people of this place, notwithstanding his power over evil! Thus when this man wanted to follow Jesus, Jesus lovingly tells him to go back to his people. For the first time he rejected an earnest follower! Yet for an important reason, for this man is the best person to help his people to know Jesus, to explain the miracle. Once he was bound but now freed; once lost but now recovered; once naked but now dressed. In person, in flesh, he is to testify the value of his one soul and the hence the value of all souls which is over above the value of the pigs. If Jesus can show him mercy so can he also show his mercy to all! There is nothing like a living and a speaking testimony. The point is not the miracle. The point is the mercy and the one who is showing mercy. Are people more amazed by miracles or by how much Jesus has done for you?

Is the greatest miracle that people see in your life the grace and mercy Jesus shown has to you?

Think of the people that you can reach because of who you are, where you are and what you have experienced from Jesus. Live out your new life before them and point them to Jesus.

Lord Jesus, thank you for being interested in me and not passing me by. Even though I was unclean and was bound in my sin. Thank you for clothing me with your righteousness and setting me free from all bondages of sin. Help me to bear witness to those who cannot understand your miracle of love and need someone to testify and explain it to them. Use me for this purpose.

Article by the Rev William Chee, Vicar of Yishun Christian Church Anglican, Diocese of Singapore. Day 12 – Mark 5:25-30 He Touched Me Who touched my clothes? (Mark 5:30) Touch is such a special member of the five senses, together with taste, sight, hearing and smell. But touch/feel is sometimes overlooked despite the fact that we know its importance in everyday life in the genuine hand-shake, hug or kiss. A slap on the back can convey more than words do of congratulations or approval; a carer’s or a doctor’s gentle, soothing touch round a wound or a pain can bring the hope of healing; lovers know the almost electrical exchange of oneness when hands intertwine. Touch is special. At its best it conveys warmth, understanding and love. Of course it can be the opposite when touch is vicious, degrading or hurtful; but in the story in Mark it is about healing and wholeness. And it is costly! Costly for Jesus because he realised ‘that power had gone out from him’. Costly for the woman because her illness had been humiliating, it labelled her as unclean and thus cut off from worship of God and the fellowship of her friends. So it was very costly for her to brave the crowds, and even to come from behind with that determination to fulfil her aim, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be clean.’ (Mark 5:19) She was healed that very moment. But there was a further costly action involved. When Jesus turned to see who had touched his clothing, she knew it was her and she fell at his feet, trembling and fearful, and told him the whole truth. The crowd must have stopped around this incident and those nearest to Jesus must have heard the story of her destitution, then of turning to seek out Jesus in faith and action which brought this amazing gift of healing. Then another costly demand was to tell that story to others. Her story can be our story, of coming to faith and knowing what it means to touch and be touched by Jesus and then the necessity to share that Good News with others, and that last part is especially important. An elderly lady who I knew fell all the way down her stairs. She was badly bruised, shaken and some bones were broken. No one really dared to hope for her full recovery. But she put her faith in God and prayed deeply for Christ’s healing-presence to touch her wounds and to be in the pain. Others joined in her prayers. One by one the damaged places got better. It took time but her faith held firm and she never gave up praying. Healing does not always come in this life however hard we pray, but there is still that amazing gift of knowing the redeeming touch of Jesus, whatever the outcome. “Open our eyes Lord we want to see Jesus. To reach out and touch him, and say that we love Him.”

Written by M. Haskins and quoted in the Christmas broadcast 1939 by George VI when the country faced the uncertainty of war: ‘I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”’

Verse of a hymn by Fred Kaan. ‘As at communion, shape your hands; into a waiting cradle; the gift of Christ receive, revere; united round the table.’

Lord Jesus Christ, we bring to your healing love today all who especially need our prayers. May your healing touch bring them closer to you and restore them to health of body, mind and spirit which is your will. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Article by the Rev Ann Bucknall, one of the pioneer lecturers of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia. She now resides in Lichfield, England. Day 13 – Mark 5:30-34 Go In Peace Daughter your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering. (Mark 5:34) In today’s world women are the recipients of much suffering. Only Jesus has liberated women and elevated their status to one of dignity, grace and honour. Thus for this nameless woman it meant much to her to hear these words from the mouth of the One who had healed her from her debilitating medical bleeding condition. The Old Testament law rendered her unclean because of her medical condition, and that made her an ‘outcast’. She suffered from social, mental and emotional agony having spent all her savings and not got cured – twelve years is a long time to be suffering, isn’t it?? As a Christian woman and a nurse by profession this woman’s encounter with Jesus encourages me to tell her story to others in similar situations. Why? Because throughout the gospels, we find that the ministry of Jesus always involved three areas. In Matthew 9:35, Matthew informs us that Jesus went into all the cities and villages to teach; to preach; and to heal the sick. Thus I believe this woman knew what she needed to do and to whom she needed to go to. And so she did the needful which was to go where Jesus was going to be – to do what she needed to do in the great crowd of people! It was to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment – to exercise her belief which is to have faith in Jesus the Great Physician to heal her completely. And the miracle happened as it often does if you and I, like the woman, know where to go which is not a place but to Jesus and to whom to go to which is not anyone but Jesus the Great Physician. Then we too can hear Christ’s words of comfort that always brings peace to our inner being. Yes peace is both a gift from God (Psalm 29:11) and something perfect that we can experience (Isaiah 26:3) because this is Christ’s legacy to all who will put their faith and trust in him. (John 14:27)

Did Jesus mind that the leper in Mark 1:40-42 had made him unclean by coming near him to be healed of his leprosy? Certainly not! Instead, Jesus did the unthinkable and touched the leper to heal him!!

In today’s troubled world we need to be God’s messengers of peace and remind people that in Jesus alone one can find true peace because Jesus has overcome the world through his death and he is the Prince of Peace.

Jesus says in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Amen.

Article by Elisabeth Alfred, a Lay Reader at St Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya. Day 14 – Mark 6:1-6 The Barrier Rooted In Prejudice Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own family is a prophet without honour. (Mark 6:4) In Mark 6:4, Jesus points to three groups of people namely, his home- towners, his relatives, and his family members, among whom a prophet is unwelcome, unpopular and without honour. What prompted our Lord to make this curt remark? It was only natural that at some time Jesus should pay a visit to Nazareth where he grew up. And yet, it was a brave thing to do! The hardest place for a preacher to preach in the church where he grew up as a boy; the hardest place for a lawyer or a doctor to practice is the place where people knew him as a youngster; the most difficult person to witness to is a member of one’s own family! Surely, Jesus would have gone to Nazareth on that day with great expectancy. As was his custom, he preached in the synagogue (Mark 6:1). But when he did speak, all that he encountered was hostility and incredulity. They would not listen to him because they knew all his family members whom they did not think highly of, criticizing them with severe sarcasm and cynicism. They just simply could not conceive that anyone who had lived ordinarily among them could reach the stature that Jesus had or even had the right to speak as Jesus was speaking! (Mark 6:2-3). Their attitude towards Jesus raised a barrier so rooted in prejudice that it was impossible for him to have any meaningful effect upon them; their minds had become impervious to his teaching (Mark 6:5). Jesus was appalled by their unbelief (Mark 6:6). Painfully he realized that whoever achieves greatness is never fully trusted back home (Mark 6:4). Many a message has often been killed stone dead, not because anything was wrong with it but because the minds of the hearers were so prejudiced against the messenger that it never had a chance!

Have such unfair prejudices ever prevented us from giving our full acceptance to our home-towners, our relatives or our family members? Do we ever judge people by their background or their family connections?

Whenever we meet together to listen to the Word of God, we must come with eager expectancy, and must think, not of the person who speaks, but the Spirit who speaks through him. We must, as Christians, not think lowly of people whose unimpressive early backgrounds are familiar to us but who have since risen to laudable stature and are now held in high esteem and honour.

O God my Father, give us the grace to deal with our prejudice and our judgmental attitude towards others for no other reason than the fact they are our home-towners, our relatives or our family members. Help us to recognize the first signs of such wrong attitudes when they start to grip us and empower us with your Holy Spirit to nip them in the bud so that they may never pervade our spirit. In Jesus’ most precious and holy name we pray. Amen.

Article by Philip Nainan, a Lay Reader at St Christopher’s Church, Johor Bahru. Philip is also a lawyer. Day 15 – Mark 6:7,12-13 HE GAVE THEM AUTHORITY He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits… So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. (Mark 6:7, 12- 13) Jesus called all his disciples to ministry - even Judas. The mission to preach the gospel is the responsibility of all parishioners. Together, we must carry out God’s mission regardless of whether we are in season or out of season, during times of favour or fear, peace or prosecution. “Mission”, said Hudson Taylor, “is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed." Jesus then sent out all his disciples. For Jesus, all believers ought to be disciples. His discipleship training is not confined to just classrooms, lectures, church buildings, conferences and seminars. He actually sends all of them out to the villages to proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom. In the words of the Apostles John and Peter, ‘that which we have seen and heard’ we proclaim to you. (1 John 1:3, Acts 4:20). Where, who, what and how is your mission field today? Jesus gave all his disciples “authority” to proclaim the message as well as power to accompany that message. What is the message? In the Apostle Paul’s own words, ‘of first importance … Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day.’ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) What is the power that accompanies the message? He gave them authority ‘to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness’ (Matthew 10:1)’ including raising the dead and cleansing the leper. (Matthew 10:8). Proclaiming the Kingdom of God accompanied by a powerful demonstration of the Spirit are two sides of the authority given by our Lord to his disciples. In other words, Words and Works of proclamation go hand in hand. The Verbal and the Visual aspects of mission are inseparable responsibilities God mandated upon all his disciples. There is another important ingredient that we must not omit during the proclamation of the Good News. That something was at the heart and ministry of Jesus - Compassion. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:36-38)

Why is the powerful work of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by signs and wonders, seldom manifested in today’s mission, ministries and church services?

Stay intimately close to the One who gave us his authority to proclaim the Kingdom of God and never lose the core of compassion Jesus had for his harassed and helpless sheep.

Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit and your compassion so that we may drive out demonic spirits, heal the incurable, and proclaim your gospel faithfully for your glory and the increase of your Kingdom!

Article by the Venerable Eddie Ong, Archdeacon of the Upper Central Archdeaconry and Vicar of St Gabriel’s Church, Kuala Lumpur. Day 16 – Mark 6:8-9 Take Nothing Take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt. (Mark 6: 8–9) These words of Jesus challenge us to truly trust and have faith in him. Frankly speaking, I do not know why this verse was given to me, but it is very practical for me as a servant of God. It was back in 1991 when I was posted to the Parish of Kelantan and Terengganu as a young deacon. Based in Kota Baru, Kelantan, there was much that needed to be done but the stipend which I was receiving was only just sufficient for my needs. The Lord opened so many doors all over Kelantan and as far as Mentakab, Pahang and Grik, Perak. I had nothing with me as I persevered in my travels to minister to the souls all over the place – Besut, Machang, Kerilla Estate, Kok Lanas, Batu 11, Tanah Merah, Jeli, Pergau Dam, Batu Melintang. Traveling as much as about 7,000 km a month, I seriously had nothing, but the Lord provided me with everything along the way. Providing food for about 40 youths every weekend was very challenging, though I had nothing with me. The Lord provided everything I needed to provide for these youths who stayed over-night at the vicarage. In my twenty-five years of ministry, I have learned this. When the Lord says, “do this” and “do that” we need to trust him with what we need in our life. Today’s society tells us, “you will need proper clothes, you will need to have enough money, you must be healthy, you must bring this and that, before you venture to do God’s work.” Hudson Taylor, William Carey and David Livingstone just had Jesus with them when they received the call to go to China, India and Africa respectively. What made their ministry so very effective and powerful was Trust in the providence of the Lord. They took nothing and they got everything from God as they served him. Though they had not saved anything for themselves in the world, they gained the crown of glory on their departure from this world. In Malay there is a saying, ‘sediakan payong sebelum hujan’ (‘prepare an umbrella before the rain falls’), but if the words of Jesus are to be taken seriously, you need not worry what you need in your life when you truly do the will of God in your life. The disciples obeyed the voice of Jesus and they were provided with all the necessities during their mission trips. None of them complained about food or clothes or lodging; they just came back rejoicing!

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out his will, and his will is mine. It makes no matter where he places me, or how. That is rather for him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions he must give me his grace, and in the most difficult, his grace is sufficient.” (Hudson Taylor)

The call of God is to trust him with a 100% trust. When you carry your load, you might have to pay for extra luggage but when you travel light with Jesus by taking nothing, you will surely be rewarded in your life. What you really need in your life is Jesus and you will have everything you need in your life. Take nothing, Jesus has everything!

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.” (Hudson Taylors) Lord, thank you for your daily providences to carry out your work!

Article by the Rev. Jacob George John, pastor of Holy Cross Church, Bandar Sri Manjung, Perak. He is also the Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Bahasa Malaysia and Indigenous Work. Day 17 – Mark 6:10-12 Shake The Dust Off Your Feet And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. (Mark 6:10-12) To 'shake the dust off your feet' was said by Jesus in the context of mission. A Christian is a missionary for Jesus wherever the Lord has placed us. We are to share the message of the Cross. This is what many of us try to avoid or even justify for not doing. Being a missionary for Christ can be very challenging and not appear rewarding compared to being involved in direct selling businesses or other jobs. Those who are involved in these businesses can be very persuasive and will be prepared to spend hours trying to convince their potential customers even if they are initially rejected. How I wish these people will have the same zeal to share the Gospel with others. People have many reasons for not sharing the gospel. One of these is 'they are not interested so let us leave them alone.' Last year, I took some members to go from house to house to distribute the Alkitab (Malay version of the Bible). I was driving the van with a few members. Suddenly one of them said that there is an Iban family. Immediately I stopped. The next thing she said was, they might not be interested to receive the Alkitab. Initially they were reluctant, but after some talking, not one but all of them accepted the Alkitab and even asked if they could get extra copies for their loved ones. Sometimes we ourselves presume that we will be rejected. On the contrary, we may be welcomed paving the way for their salvation. God has used me to plant more than seven churches, to start new congregations and to be involved in mission work both locally and in Sarawak. I can understand the frustration, disappointments, disillusionment, pain, struggles and rejection. It can be a great challenge if you are called to cross - cultural mission. For me personally, it was even more painful and I felt totally lost, confused and broken when my darling daughter Rebecca was called home to be with the Lord. I even got an email saying it was because of my ministry to a certain people group. Her sudden return to our Creator was very painful both psychologically and spiritually. Not a day passes by without my longing for her. I have personally felt like leaving everything and running away but when I look at the Cross, I am always reminded of the love of Jesus that keeps propelling me to bring the message of the cross to the lost at any cost. We should only 'shake the dust off my feet', that is to leave the people God has called us to minister, only if and when we have a clear direction from the Lord to move out and not because of their attitude or their reaction to us or what we may presume as rejection. It should not be a mode of escapism from our duty of being missionaries in whatever context God has placed us. We are not responsible when others reject Christ's message of Salvation but we do have the responsibility to share the Gospel clearly and faithfully. Let us simply put our trust and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ and continue to be missionaries wherever he places us. Let us not be too quick to 'shake the dust off our feet'.

When God calls you to shake the dust, trust him with the dustpan! (R Rambling)

“There are three indispensable requirements for a missionary: 1. Patience 2. Patience 3. Patience.” (Hudson Taylor)

Lord, give me perseverance to share your gospel and your love.

Article by the Venerable Edward John, Vicar of St Christopher’s Church, Johor Bahru and Archdeacon of the Southern Archdeaconry. Day 18 – Mark 6:31 Come With Me Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. (Mark 6:31) Have you noticed that these days everyone, young or old, complains about being too busy and not having any spare time? What with mobile phones, emails, Twitter and text messages there is nowhere on this earth where we cannot be contacted, and even worse, we choose to have all our digital devices switched on so that we miss nothing! We are in overload! No time to think or reflect. This is not something new. Mark tells us that “because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat” and so Jesus says to the disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." What has happened? Jesus sent out the disciples 'two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.' They went out and preached that people should repent. (Mark 6:6-13). Jesus's ministry continued as busy as ever. When the disciples returned to Jesus to report to him all they had done and taught, all the people that were following them came and joined with the crowds that were already with Jesus. Ministering and serving people can be very tiring. Jesus calls time out! 'Come with me… So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.' 'Come' is quite emphatic! 'Get some rest' reminds us of Psalm 23 where we are reminded that 'the Lord is my shepherd...who leads to green pastures... beside quiet waters… who restores my soul.' We all need regular time out with Jesus, if possible, in a quiet place. We all need 'our souls to be refreshed.' However very often we return not refreshed!! We misunderstand why Jesus draws us to the quiet place. We think that it is for us to explain to God what he needs to do or not do. We come with a list of wants and complaints. We see the purpose as needing to change God's mind. Note what Jesus says, 'come with me.' The purpose is to spend time with Jesus. The purpose is to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from him. To listen to him. He alone can restore our soul. He alone knows us through and through and can, through the Holy Spirit, open our hearts and minds afresh to the scriptures and so remind us who we are in him. We then learn afresh that the most important thing in life is to know 'not that we loved God, but that he loved us.' (1 John 4:10). That coming aside is not for the purpose of me changing God but that he would change me. No sooner did Jesus and the disciples reach land, the crowds ran to them and Jesus, seeing them, 'had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.' The full on ministry and serving had not changed. But that wasn't the main purpose of 'come with me.' Our frustrations, tiredness and worries are not always the result of our workload but rather of how we are approaching our work load.

We need often to 'come aside with Jesus to a quiet place' as our greatest need is for him 'to restore our soul', refresh our love for and in him.

It is easy to get distracted in our world. Busyness is a modern illness from which many of us suffer. Rest is its opposite. Even ‘Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well’ resting (John 4:6)

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him (Psalm 37:7).

Article by the Rt Rev Peter Tasker, the Archbishop of Sydney's Bishop for International Relations. Bishop Tasker was once the Vicar of St George’s Church, Penang. Day 19 - Mark 6.45-52 Don’t Be Afraid! Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. (Mark 6:50) The Bible recognizes the significant role which fear plays in human life, and the many fears which hold people captive. We are afraid of what the future holds, we are afraid what others think about us and what they may do to us, we are afraid of the unknown, we are afraid of death, and we are afraid of punishment. The list goes on. Tragically, we are also afraid of God, the very God who loves us, means well with us, desires to speak with us, to heal us, save us, forgive us and set us free: our heavenly Father. Do not be afraid! That is a phrase which we encounter again and again and again in both the Old and the New Testaments, as God makes his presence known in the lives of men and women. In Mark 6:50, the disciples, having been sent by Jesus on a night paddle to cross over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which was for them foreign and potentially hostile territory, are terrified at the sight of what appears to be a ghost walking on the water. Jesus declares to them, “Take heart, it is I; don’t be afraid!” And so fear is not simply an unpleasant feeling which we might seek to rid ourselves of through some psychological technique or therapy. Fear is the occasion for recognizing the presence of God in the person of Jesus Christ, in the midst of the troubling and fear-inducing circumstances of our lives, and for exercising faith in the promises of God. This is the path of Christian discipleship. One great exemplar for us is the Blessed Virgin Mary. The angel of the Lord said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary. You have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call him Jesus …” (Luke 1:30,31). Mary answered, “I am the servant of the Lord. May your word to me be fulfilled” (Luke 1:38), thus setting in motion the conception of Jesus leading to the salvation of the whole world. This same angel bids us not to be afraid, so that we too might bear Christ to the world.

Perfect love casts out all fear. (1 John 4.18)

“A priest once asked me a very smart question, which I’ve yet to answer, or have only answered in small increments: What would you write if you weren’t afraid? (Mary Karr, American poet, professor and essayist)

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him. (Psalm 34:1-6a)

Article by the Rev Canon Claude Schroeder, Rector of St. Mary the Virgin, Regina, Diocese of Qu'Appelle, Canada. Day 20 – Mark 7:31-37 He Makes the Deaf Hear Ephphatha! Be opened! (Mark 7:34) Today's devotion centres on another account of a miracle of Jesus. He is now on Gentile land in the region of Decapolis. The people brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. After he healed this man, he charged him and the crowd to tell no one about the miracle, but they could not contain themselves – they zealously proclaimed it. In Mark chapter 4, Jesus mentions several times the importance of hearing: "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." (verses 9, 20, 23, 33). Jesus had been teaching the crowd in parables. If they would hear, they will understand and heed the teachings implied in the parables. Unfortunately, it was not going to be as easy as listening with our ears alone. After an incident with the Pharisees, Jesus explained to his disciples that the problem with uncleanness is not of the external but from within; our evil thoughts, desires and actions come from our heart (Mark 7:14-23). This echoes the words of the prophet Isaiah, as Jesus said, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written, ‘These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” (Mark 7:6-7) As we continue on in Isaiah's prophecy, chapter 29:18, we read: “In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.” In his healing of this deaf man, Jesus has shown his power and fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy; he is now to bring about the promised Kingdom that includes the Gentiles! And just as he had miraculously opened this man's ears, so also will he open the spiritual ears of Gentiles - us! No longer will our hearts be an impediment. When he heals us of our spiritual deafness and blindness, our hearts will receive his teaching.

When this deaf man's ears were opened and his tongue loosened, he spoke plainly and zealously about what Jesus had done for him. When Jesus heals us of our spiritual deafness and blindness, we will be able to understand the gravity of his death and resurrection for our sin, and zealously proclaim this good news to others.

Stories of miracles such as this can sometimes distract us from the bigger story it tells. We pray for Jesus to heal us of our sickness today so we can enjoy tomorrow. Though we trust God is able to heal, let us instead look forward to the healing that reveals to us the restoration of our relationship with our Creator for eternity.

Thank God for Jesus, that “he has done everything well”. Through his death and resurrection, he has healed us of our spiritual deafness and blindness. Pray for Jesus to open the ears of our unbelieving friends and that they will come to know and trust in him.

Article by Melissa Raj, the Chairperson of the Diocesan Youth Council. She worships at St Mary’s Cathedral – SMACC, Kuala Lumpur. Day 21 - Mark 8: 1-10 Hunger For God I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. (Mark 8:2) In Mark 8:2 we see that the people have been with Jesus for three days. That they were with him for that time reflects the crowd’s eagerness to hear Jesus’ teaching and experience his healings. The thirst for knowledge possibly made them forget time, space and hunger and the fact that Jesus knew this and he had sympathy for them speaks volumes. As an educator I am constantly aware of students who are eager to seek knowledge and are willing to spend countless hours in the library poring over books and journals for their hunger for information. They walk into class early, sit in the front row and write every note down – highlighting and underlining key points, asking pertinent questions, sometimes asking how they can apply a particular concept in their everyday life. They are the last to leave for fear they may lose some important information. As a student once before, I empathize with them. I also admire them for their drive and dedication. Many a time, we are too consumed by our surroundings. Our home, work and school take precedence before Christ. We have forgotten our thirst for godly knowledge and food for the soul. We’ve even forgotten how to ask God and haven’t taken the time to wait for an answer. We spend more face time with everyone else but very little real time with God our Father, the teacher himself.

Where have our drive and dedication gone? Has it been redirected to a different place altogether?

Maybe it’s time to start talking to God in ‘real time’ – every time, all the time.

The Prayer by Mother Theresa: Dear Jesus, help us to spread your fragrance everywhere we go. Flood our souls with your Spirit and life. Penetrate and possess our whole being so utterly that our lives may only be a radiance of yours. Shine through us and be so in us that every soul we come in contact with may feel your presence in our soul. Let them look up and see no longer us but only Jesus. Stay with us and then we shall begin to shine as you shine - so to shine as to be light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from you. None of it will be ours. It will be you shining on others through us. Let us thus praise you in the way you love best by shining on those around us.

Article by Dr Sharon Ramendran, editor of Parish Link of the Parish of St Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya. Sharon is also a lecturer on Journalism and Media Ethics at a local University. Day 22 – Mark 8:27-29 You Are The Christ “Who do people say I am?” (Mark 8:27) "I don't friend you!!" This is an expression of displeasure or anger that is common amongst some young Malaysian children. This is somewhat similar to the ‘unfriending’ that happens on social networking. Parents sometimes receive such expressions from their children, as I have from my son. While I am happy that it means I am his friend at other times, I am first and foremost his father, not his friend. I am to care for him and to have his best interests in mind; not to keep him constantly happy by mindlessly giving in to his whims and fancies. However, because he is not yet able to correctly or fully understand the role of a father, inevitably there are occasions when he feels disappointed or upset with my decisions or actions and he says, “don’t friend” me. In Mark chapter 8, Jesus asks the disciples about his identity. Despite the miraculous feedings and the healings, the people saw him as only a prophet (Mark 8:28). They were still unable to understand who Jesus truly was. Even Peter, though he confessed Jesus as the Messiah (Mark 8:29), failed to understand correctly what Jesus had come to do. Because of this, Peter rebuked Jesus when Jesus revealed the death he would die (Mark 8:31-32), and would later “unfriend” Jesus three times. (Mark 14:66-72) Thus, as we follow Jesus, it is crucial that we remember who Jesus truly is. Indeed, Jesus is the Son of God, who died to redeem us from sin, and rose to vindicate us. Jesus is not merely a great teacher or prophet or just another religious leader, as many today view him.

So, who is Jesus to us, really? We know the "textbook answer" to the question, but during this time of Lent, it is appropriate that we pause and ponder who he truly is in our lives. Is Jesus only our teacher? Or only our motivational speaker or comforter? Or is he our Christ, who suffered death for our sins, and redeemed us that we may follow him (see Mark 8:34-38)? Is he the Lord of our lives, whom we follow and remain faithful to at all times?

Prayerfully confess to God if we have not recognised Jesus as we ought to, or if we have taken for granted our redemption in him.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that through your Son, you have redeemed us from all sin and made us your people. Grant us the strength and joy, through your Spirit who dwells in us, to faithfully follow him as Christ and Lord.

Article by Daniel Chai, a father of two young children. Daniel is also a lay member of the Diocesan Standing Committee and a member of St Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya. Day 23 – Mark 8:31-33 Get Behind Me Get behind me, Satan! (Mark 8:33) This rebuke by Jesus against his vibrant disciple Peter establishes an in depth principle of Jesus’ ministry. In Matthew 16:23 Jesus further elaborates that Peter is an offence to him; that he is not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men. Peter incurs the wrath of Christ for his disagreement to the prediction of Christ’s death and resurrection. It was Peter’s contention that Christ should not face any harm or death. Peter’s utmost belief was that Christ was invincible on earth. It was Peter who professed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God which Christ acknowledged. Peter’s supposedly passionate remarks pictured him as ‘Satan’ by his Master. The point is, Peter was not able to visualize the Mission of Christ on the Cross that was forthcoming. Inadvertently, we too may have a worldly faith in Christ! God’s purposes are beyond human comprehension. We interpret events from a human perspective, usually far from divine wisdom. Satan is aware of God’s plans for the redemption of mankind and he tries to thwart them in whatever possible way, even rationally. Be wary that Satan craftily tries to use God’s chosen ones, like us, to rebel or disobey God at the opportune time. Satan is aware that the death and resurrection of Christ is a defeat for him. By the sacrificial blood of Jesus, man’s sins are forgiven and through his resurrection man inherits the kingdom of God. Satan tempts man to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh, be it prosperity, power, prestige or any gain to which any of us can succumb to. The Bible asks, ‘what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?’ (Mark 8:36) If we follow Satan, we offend Christ and are deprived of his grace. The Lord gives us a timely warning to change our earthly mind-set. God has a wholesome plan in Christ for us. Following man’s standards contrary to the Gospel, is to personify Satan. The tragic episode in the Garden of Eden when mankind had a choice to follow, either God or Satan, is a reminder. Many are caught by Satan’s rhetoric and trapped by the subtle schemes of peers who adhere to satanic norms. Living the Gospel for personal glory and not for God is also not following Christ. Sin can be very inviting but deceiving. Taking the cross and following Christ, though challenging, ensures our heavenly destiny.

We have to re-examine and reassess our spiritual map and route regularly, whether we follow Christ or behind Satan. Observing Lent empowers a spiritual overhaul.

Do we realize the rebuke of Christ in our daily lives and make needful amends? We shall live by the commandments of God.

Lord, we pray that you will rebuke us graciously whenever we fail to get behind you. Amen.

Article by the Rev Canon David Devapitchai, Pastor of Emmanuel Church, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. He retired as an Income Tax Director. Day 24 – Mark 8:34-35 My Disciples If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Mark 8.34) Imagine the shock of Jesus’ words for someone living at the time of crucifixions, or listening to the story told by Simon of Cyrene who was compelled to carry Jesus’ cross after he fell! Today the cross is seen around the world on church buildings and many Christians make the sign of the cross at significant moments. Some wear an ornamental cross. Church buildings are sometimes cross-shaped but Jesus challenges us to live cross-shaped lives that will be costly and sacrificial as we follow him. How can we hope to live up to this sacred calling? St Paul told the Christians in Corinth that he ‘resolved to know nothing...except Jesus Christ and him crucified’ (1 Corinthians 2:2). Each day we must return to the cross, to see there God’s eternal grace and mercy. Such mercy has been shown to us, and to all people everywhere; ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23). When we humble ourselves at the foot of the cross, as we then turn to face the world, we will begin to see it with the eyes of Jesus. Jesus came among us and at his baptism he stepped into the muddy waters of our human existence, revealing his solidarity with us, all the way to death on a cross. We who have been baptized into him are to show solidarity with our neighbours in their failures, despair and forsakenness. We are to be beside them in all their joys and sorrows. As Jesus opened wide his arms on the cross to embrace the world, we are to reach out even to those with whom we seem to share nothing, not even sympathy. We are to live as close, devoted friends of Jesus would live. In 1943, Bishop Leonard Wilson was interrogated and tortured by the Japanese forces in Singapore. He received 300 lashes and was held in filthy conditions and nearly died. When his torturers asked him why he didn’t curse them he replied that it was because he was a follower of Jesus Christ who had taught us that we are all brothers and sisters. He also remembered some words of a Communion hymn: ‘Look Father, look on his anointed face and only look on us as found in him’. And then, he said, he saw them ‘as they were capable of becoming, redeemed by the power of Christ’. The cross revolutionises the way we see ourselves and others. It changes our hearts and shapes our deeds.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2.12-13)

Ask yourself what God might be prompting you to do in Jesus’ name, perhaps something that you have resisted doing, like offering help somewhere, showing kindness or forgiving someone.

Gracious Saviour, for my sake you suffered death on a cross; teach me to die to self and to live for others, for your love’s sake. Amen.

Article by the Rev Prebendary John Reese, former Vicar of St Christopher’s Church (1982-1985). With his wife Hazel, they now reside in Leamington Spa, England. Day 25 – Mark 8:36-37 SOUL FORFEITED? What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:36) We live in a world where “cash” is deemed “king”. The avaricious pursuit of material wealth and power by whatever means seem to be the overriding end- goal of many people. Obsession towards materialism invariably leads to corruption, exploitation and a host of negativism. Wealth attained through dishonest means is abominable in the sight of God. We may be very powerful in society by the standards of this world, well-connected and very influential but if we ignore the spiritual being in us, we are destined for eternal doom. The power, wealth, earthly glory, pomp and glamour are all temporary. What will happen to us when our earthly life comes to an end? We are cautioned in Luke 12:15, “Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Steve Job, co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Apple Inc, purportedly said this before his death, “At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.” Christian living inevitably has an eternal perspective. It relates to the building of an eternal relationship with God. It does not end with the passing of our earthly life. What then is expected of us to ensure that our soul is not forfeited? What are our mission options to help others not to forfeit their souls? Is our primary goal in life to seek the Kingdom of God and its righteousness? Why not “gain the world” in a manner pleasing to our Lord and be the “salt” and “light” of this world? In order to have an eternal perspective in life, we need to love God and to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12:31). God has given us immense opportunities in the Province of South-East Asia and the ASEAN Community. Let us contribute our energy for the bigger causes in life and push forward the human race towards justice and righteousness. We are called to be towering personalities to lead others to the Kingdom of God so that they too can experience the love, grace, and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Every soul is important in the sight of God. The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) clearly represents that there is great joy in heaven when one sinner repents than over ninety- nine righteous people who need no repentance. We need to bring heaven down to earth. It is never too late to repent, to confess our sins and to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross to the confessing criminal as narrated in Luke 23:43 is: “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” We can be in paradise with Jesus Christ today, now and be part of God’s Kingdom for eternity.

In Matthew 7:22-23, many who thought they would enter Heaven were rejected. Are you sure you are safe?

. Let us put our priorities in life in order, save our own souls and lead others to the Saviour

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in his wonderful face; and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim; in the light of his glory and grace.”

Article by Mr D Raja Singam, the Diocesan Registrar. He worships at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Ipoh. Day 26 - Mark 8:38 ASHAMED OF ME If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels. (Mark 8:38) Whilst at an ecumenical carolling session in a mall last Christmas, the first of its kind in a small town like this, I started to think of the actual impact Christians are making in this world of ours. Sharing with a colleague of mine, he said Christians must be relevant and develop close friendships if they really wanted to be a witness in society. When was the last time any of us actually did such a thing? When was the last time any of us reached out to the world or simpler still, our neighbourhoods? For most of us, we live our mundane lives in an endless shuttling to and from work in our engine driven metal containers cut off from the rest of the world or simply switching different hats to handle different responsibilities. Living as how Jesus wants us to live in this world, guarantees us contempt and bitter resentment from the world. Have we become so complacent or have we now become ashamed? What did Jesus mean when he said ‘ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation’? Jesus spelt out that the thrust of the gospel or the Good News is to reach out to others. It is not about how successful a Christian we have been but rather how, amidst our suffering in the most tiring situations, we continue to give the Good News to this community of ours where we have been placed. We need to learn how to identify ourselves with Christ in his suffering and death. I am reminded of an evangelist who died in his first year in the field of evangelism. Looking through his journals, two truths of his conviction stood out – “No reserves and no preserves”. We need to move out of our comfort zone and shamelessly preach Christ. How many lives have we touched? God connected the Christian and the non-Christian world through his birth, death and resurrection. We continue to be witness in this world of ours. In all situations to know him is to make him known.

If we live for ourselves we lose ourselves. If we lose ourselves for his sake, we find ourselves. If we acknowledge Christ and live for him, he will acknowledge us and share in his glory with us.

Will you share the Good News to at least one person today?

Most merciful Father, we confess that we have done little to forward your Kingdom and advance your glory. Pardon our shortcomings and give us greater zeal for your service. Make us more ready and diligent by our prayers, by our alms and by our examples, to spread the knowledge of your truth and to enlarge the boundaries of your Kingdom; and may we do it all to your glory. Amen.

Article by the Venerable Charles Fraser, Vicar of St Aidan’s Church, Bahau, Negri Sembilan and Archdeacon of the Lower Central Archdeaconry. Day 27 – Mark 9:33-37 SERVANT OF ALL Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last and the servant of all. (Mark 9: 35) Jesus lived on this earth as the servant of all. We humans are different. In a world where these ambitions are prized, we crave for power and recognition. However, when we focus our eyes upon our Lord and Saviour, it is a different scenario. Jesus instructed his disciples to have the attitude of a servant if they were to be first in the Kingdom of God. He who is God and lived as man showed this by his own example. He introduced the ‘towel and basin ministry’ to support it. Jesus modelled servant leadership when he willingly left his place at the table to wash the feet of his disciples. He took a servant’s towel, wash basin and washed their feet. He even washed the feet of Judas Iscariot who would betray him soon. What an example for us his followers! Disciples of Christ take up Jesus’ towel of servanthood to meet the needs of others. As for leaders, seeking to lead like Jesus Christ means we must be willing to give up our position in order to serve and kneel at the feet of others. Missionaries like Mother Theresa made a huge impact in the world by following the example of our Lord Jesus. The image of servanthood may be difficult for us but it was not for the Apostle Paul. He had freely chosen to be a slave of Christ and that had made the difference in the life of this great apostle! He tells us as he told the Philippians, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name”. (Philippians 2:5,8-9). Paul followed his Saviour in becoming the ‘servant of all’. The challenge for us is that this is contrary to what is practised in our community and the world, but we must remember we are not of this world. When we are obedient to the Lord, voluntary servitude becomes a joy to us just as Paul experienced.

The best and only way to minister supernaturally is being yoked to Jesus, just making yourself into his servant, walking in his ways and imitating him. Allow him to change you. (Sunday Adelaja)

Be enthusiastic in becoming a servant for Christ. Your enthusiasm is the beginning of a fruitful life in Christ. Your reward will be great in heaven.

Lord, as we come before you we beseech you to transform us to be your faithful servants. Empower us, Lord, to have the humility to become the servant of all. Teach us to be your true disciples. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Article by Nesam Ebenezer, Lay Pastor at St Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya. Pastor Ebenezer is also the Chairman of St Paul’s Church Day Training Centre, an intellectually disabled ministry. Day 28 – Mark 10:6-8 MALE AND FEMALE But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. (Mark 10:6-8) These crucial passages, from the creation narrative of Genesis, explain God’s intention for human beings and how we ought to relate to each other. They inform us about human sexuality, marriage relationship and they also form the basis of thinking about the roles of men and women within the church, the gathering of God’s people. In the context of our passage, Jesus quotes them in answering the question about divorce. The Old Testament passage that the Pharisees quoted (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) seemed to permit divorce. However, divorce was a concession, not the intention. It was an extreme measure given for when a marriage fails. So, like a good counsellor, Jesus starts his answer about the permissibility of divorce by explaining the purpose of marriage. (More will be said about the issue of divorce in tomorrow’s reading). The constant refrain ‘It was good’ in the first chapter of Genesis, demonstrates God’s good purposes for his creation. The only thing that was ‘not good’ (Genesis 2:18) at that stage of creation was that man was still alone. To complete his creation, God created a woman. She was God’s good creation that provided suitable companionship for the man. She was like him - in the image of God and different to the rest of the animal kingdom. Yet she was different from him - she was woman not man. This ‘suitable’ (NIV) relationship was not to be met between the man and an animal, nor a man and another man nor a woman and another woman, but between a man and a woman. This perfect complementarity would enable marriage, where the two individual beings become one new unit – one flesh. It would be a new relationship which surpasses even the allegiance that a man has with his parents. He leaves his father and mother and cleaves to his wife so that they may be one flesh, one new family unit. They are no longer two but one. The care in creating man and woman shows us that marriage is a blessing that God has built into his world. It is a wonderful gift from him and he is the Lord of that union. This has important implications for us. Because it is God’s wonderful creation, it is to be enjoyed. To forbid marriage would be to teach the doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-3). But in this broken world, not all marriages are a joy to be in. Sometimes, divorces happen. However, before looking towards divorce, let us be reminded of the wonderful gift marriage is from our heavenly Father; and keep working at it so that it might really be the blessing that it was created to be (and can be).

How does our world portray love? How has this affected the way that we look at marriage?

As society moves on from the traditional view of marriage, let us be reminded of the goodness of God and be convinced of his will for marriage.

Give thanks for the gift of marriage and pray for God’s strength and resolve to trust and obey in difficult situations.

Article by the Rev Nick Loi, pastor of Christ Church, Ipoh, Perak. Day 29 – Mark 10: 11-12 WHOEVER INITIATES DIVORCE Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery. (Mark 10:11-12) Jesus goes from Galilee to Trans-Jordan on the way to Jerusalem (and ultimately the Cross). The Trans-Jordan was the area where John baptised (Mark 1:5, 9) and where Herod ruled (6:14-29) therefore a dangerous place to take questions on divorce! Here in Mark’s gospel the issue is simply whether divorce is ‘lawful’. We must remember that what Moses wrote was descriptive. In other words, Deuteronomy 24:1-4 assumed, without condoning the fact, divorce would happen. When divorce happened it would be formalised by certificates and presumably re-marriage followed. But the point of the legislation was that however the second marriage ended, the first divorce cannot be ignored. The first had done real damage. A certificate could never take away the sin out of serial marriage. Jesus said the reason Moses had to address this sinful situation was because he was writing to sinners. Jesus sought to re-instate a general principle about the Law of Moses (Note: Mark 10:5 echoes Deuteronomy 31:14-29 where God predicted Israel’s unfaithfulness to God). Spiritually, those Moses wrote for, like the people Jesus was addressing, were still unredeemed. Jesus referred to the specific legislation on divorce to illustrate the general principle. Jesus taught about the sin of divorce in terms of the good of permanent marriage seen in the creation ordinances of Genesis 1 and 2. When Jesus taught his disciples in private, he returned to the purpose of Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Moses’ point was not that divorce was alright but that divorce was wrong. To divorce and re-marry is to commit adultery and so break the Law of Sinai as well as the creation ordinances. The thing that is surprising here for the Jewish audience is that in Jewish law, a man was not considered to have committed adultery against his wife if he divorced her, nor could a woman initiate divorce. Here Jesus gives wives (and by implication Israel) both equal rights and equal responsibility. This passage specifically refers to divorces intended to ‘legitimate’ adulterous union; it only condemns the initiator of such divorce, not the innocent spouse. Furthermore, this passage does not say what someone who has divorced and remarried should do subsequently, except admit failure and ask for forgiveness. Most importantly, the context is that we all sin (Mark 10:26). Divorce, although a sin, is like all sins forgivable (Mark 3:28). But neither must we tone down Jesus’ stinging rebuke to those who take the breaking of marriage lightly, whether between man and woman, or between God and Israel.

Marriage is permanent, no escape clause or back door exit.

Love is practiced through admitting failures, forgiveness and reconciliation. Marriage is a gift of God to be nourished and protected.

God our Father, you have taught us through your Son that love is the fulfilling of the law. Grant to your servants (the couple) that, loving one another they may continue in your love until their lives’ end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Source: The Alternative Service Book, 1980 – The Marriage Service)

Article by the Rev Lee Kon Yim, a Chartered Quantity Surveyor by training and Curate at St Barnabas’ Church, Klang. Day 30 – Mark 10:21 ONE THING YOU LACK One thing you lack … go, sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me. (Mark 10:21) This story in Mark is of the young man who is in so many ways following and serving God, but believes that he needs to do more in order to inherit eternal life so he approaches Jesus and asks “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” This young man has two problems. First, he believes that by “doing” something he will be able to guarantee a place in heaven. Secondly, he has considerable wealth and this is clearly important to him, for when Jesus asks him to sell everything, give to the poor and follow Jesus, the young man is sadly unable to comply. Jesus’ command is a variant of the Greatest Commandment “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself”. The young man believed that he could have his cake and eat it too. Possibly he thought he could “buy” a place in heaven – but would still have plenty of wealth to enjoy life on earth in the meantime. The challenge we face is that we too, often seek to define our Christian faith and service on our own terms. We want to serve how, when and where it suits us, rather than how, when and where it suits God. The young man’s question was, in a sense, a good one. It is good to ask God how we can better serve him. But when we do so, we should be prepared for an answer which may not suit us. Later in the passage, Jesus promises that our sacrifices are not just a one- way street – God does in fact provide for us, and often better than we could have anticipated. But we need to let God control how and when the blessing comes, rather than holding all the cards in our own hands and deciding how and when they should be used.

Jesus gave a specific challenge to the young man – which cut right to the heart of who he was. What is Jesus asking you to do and how difficult would it be to carry out his command?

Pray and ask God to show you the specific thing (or things) which holds you back from fully enjoying the kingdom of God – and then pray about what you should do to remedy the situation.

Lord God Almighty, I see how you spoke to the young man and asked him to do exactly the one thing he found most difficult. Please help me to understand what it is which is holding me back from full communion with you, and then help me to rid my life of that thing. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Article by Edward Clayton, a Lay Reader at the International Community Centre, Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur. He is also a Senior Executive Director at Strategy & Part of the PwC network. Day 31 – Mark 10:29-31 TOTAL TRUST No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age. (Mark 10:29-31) “Just jump, you can trust the harness” shouted the instructor. I was standing on the edge of a small platform, high up near the ceiling of a tall sports hall. A good few metres away in front of me was a sort of trapeze bar. I was meant to jump and try to grab the bar to swing on it. The apparatus was known as ‘The Leap of Faith’. The instructor insisted that I could trust the safety harness which held me but I was still a little scared. I breathed in deeply and…jumped! Jesus wants you and me to grow as his disciples. Here in his teaching in Mark 10 we see an essential element required for that growth to happen. Jesus needs us to trust him - totally, unequivocally, 100%, holding nothing back. This sounds easier than it is in reality. Jesus says we shouldn’t place our trust in that which feels safe (our homes), nor in our relationships (brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, children), nor in our possessions (fields). Jesus modelled this in his own life. He said that the Son of Man had no place to lay his head (Luke 9:58) and asked ‘Who is my mother and who are my brothers?’ (Matthew 12:48). In the preceding verses of Mark 10 Jesus has shown in his conversation with the rich young man that we should not place our trust in wealth either, and before that he has held up the example of children, who place such trust in their parents, as the model for all believers. As children of God, adopted into his family, we are to display that same level of trust. Jesus’ own perfect, sacred trust of the Father is perhaps most clearly shown by his final words on the cross, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’. The only thing he had left, even that he entrusted to God. But why should we trust Jesus? The simple answer is because Jesus loves us. He has great plans for your life and wants you to grow into the person he has created you to be and the person you want to be deep down. And the key to this is dying to self and trusting him. Jesus said that anyone who tries to hold onto their life will lose it but those who lose it will gain it. This is the central paradox of the Christian faith. The wonderful news is that as we trust Jesus we find that God is no person’s debtor. Jesus says that whatever we give up for God, he will give us back hundredfold in this life, and in the age to come eternal life. What a deal! As St Paul reminds the Philippians ‘God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus’.

Why spend your days stuck on a platform when there is such fun to be had swinging on the bar?

Just over a year ago my family and I left London to move to Kuala Lumpur and serve within the Diocese of West Malaysia. I was scared and worried about leaving behind family in the UK. We have found that God has grown us, stretched our faith and has graciously provided for us. Our church community has become our family here and God has shown that he is indeed no man’s debtor. It wasn’t easy making the ‘jump’, but it is the greatest privilege of my life. What about you? Will you make the ‘leap of faith’ for our Lord?

Lord, I give You my heart, I give You my soul, I live for You alone Every breath that I take, every moment I’m awake; Lord, have Your way in me. (Hillsong - “I Give You My Heart”)

Article by the Rev Miles Toulmin, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Kuala Lumpur. With his wife Sarah and children, they came to Malaysia in August 2014. Day 32 - Mark 10:31 FINISHING THE RACE WELL But many who are first will be last, and the last, first. (Mark 10:31) In a marathon, what is more important is not how fast we begin the race but how well we finish the race. The journey of faith is similar to a marathon that we run for the Lord. The story of the race between the rabbit & tortoise is a popular story to us all. As they began the race, the rabbit took a quick lead in the race and sped off far ahead. After some distance, the rabbit decided to take a nap knowing that he was well ahead of the tortoise. However, what the rabbit did not realize, is that the tortoise kept moving slowly but steadily forward. The tortoise passed by the sleeping rabbit and crossed the finish line. The rabbit in this story is a powerful reminder of how complacency and pride can hinder our journey of faith. In Mark 10:28 Simon Peter, says to Jesus, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you.” In other words he is saying that, “Lord, you know we have sacrificially started well.” Jesus in response encourages his disciples with the promise of blessings for all those who continue to follow him as his disciples. However Jesus ends this conversation with a strong warning that “many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” (Mark 10:31) This warning is still very relevant for us today. Like the rabbit, many of us may start well but we can come to a stage where we take our journey for granted or even a ‘spiritual nap’, assuming we are ‘far ahead’. Many start the Christian life with a dash (or some slowly), but it is quite common for complacency and lethargy to set in along the way if we are not careful or if we allow spiritual pride to take root in our lives. The outcome is backsliding in our spiritual walk or even withdrawing from the Lord's service. We need to rediscover the passion to run close with him once again and prayerfully run faithfully to the end.

The rabbit started well but did not finish well. The tortoise started slow but finished well. Which would you rather be as you look at the finish line?

Step 1: Mark on a piece of paper three important stations: Start (birth), Cross (Accepted Christ) & End (Lives’ journey ends on earth). Step 2: Connect these stations with a long line and mark the various important events or experiences in your spiritual journey with the Lord. Step 3: Finally, note where you are now and consider how you plan to finish.

Heavenly Father, as I run this race you have set before me, I trust that you will keep me from stumbling and to present me finally before your glorious presence without fault; and fill me with great eternal joy. I plead this through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen. (Based on Jude 24-25)

Article by the Rev Jesvinder Singh, Vicar of St James’ Church, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. Day 33 – Mark 10:35-45 A RANSOM FOR MANY The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10. 45) A servant’s life does not have much to commend it - long hours, hard work, and small pay. Not many people would aspire to be someone’s servant. Not many popular songs invite us to be a servant, nor many iconic personalities inspire us to be a servant. But Jesus, willingly and deliberately chooses to be a servant. To fail to understood that Jesus is a servant, is to fail to understand what kind of King he is. For compared to this world’s view, the values of the kingdom of God are upside down and counter-cultural. Jesus tells us that the Son of Man comes not as one to be served, but to serve. He is content to lay aside his rightful glory and limit himself to the role of a servant. In the kingdom of God, the greatest is the servant of all. Jesus expends his life serving others in his ministry of preaching, teaching and healing, and long days of demanding needs; he serves his own disciples as he kneels to wash their feet. But supremely he is the servant who gives himself as he offers up his life upon the cross, demonstrating that a man who loses his life for others will find it. It is through a servant that paradoxically freedom comes, for Jesus gives his life as a ransom, like a payment to release a hostage. In giving up even his life to death, Jesus brings life, a message that is foolishness to the world. But this servant of others who is willing to give his life for others is the one, who on the cross takes the place of the condemned sinner, pays our debt and dies our death so that we may go free. One man’s life brings blessing to many, as the seed falls into the ground and dies and produces many seeds. Jesus loves others without reserve to bring us life, to give us an example of how to live in the kingdom of God, and to serve others in such a way that it is life-giving and brings release.

‘From heaven you came helpless babe, entered our world your glory veiled, Not to be served but to serve, and give your life that we might live. This is our God the servant King ...’ (Song: The Servant King. Graham Kendrick. 1983)

Don’t wait to be asked - when you see the need, offer yourself to serve freely.

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. (Ignatius of Loyola, 1491 - 1556)

Article by the Rev David J. Cox, former Vicar at All Saints’ Church, Taiping (1982-1985). Rev Cox returned to Taiping and provide pastoral assistance to All Saints Church (2013-2015) and the Diocese is ever grateful for his help. Day 34 – Mark 11:1-11. UNTIE THE COLT Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. (Mark 11:2) There are three important observations I wish to share from this verse. First, the foreknowledge of Jesus. How did Jesus know that there was a colt tied in the village where He asked his two disciples to go? How did he know that the colt had not been used? Was he told earlier? A careful reading of the verse in its context shows us that no one told Jesus about the colt. The foreknowledge of Jesus shows that he is divine. Secondly, the obedience of Jesus' disciples to his command. They went and untied the colt as commanded by Jesus. What made them obey his command? I believe their knowledge of who Jesus was had caused them to obey his command. Jesus was not merely human, but also divine. Divine command demands total obedience. Finally, the humility of Jesus. Isn’t Jesus the One who was prophesied by the prophet Zechariah, "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9) As King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus could have entered Jerusalem either riding on a horse or sitting on a chariot of horses. Instead he chose to ride on a colt, humbling himself. The people of Jerusalem had the wrong expectation of Jesus. They thought Jesus was coming to Jerusalem to be their political king. They did not know that Jesus was going there to die on the cross for the sins of the whole world. The apostle Paul writes about Jesus, "And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8)

1. Are there any dark areas in your life you think Jesus does not know about? 2. What is the level of your obedience to Jesus and to his commands? 3. Do your life and ministry reflect the humility of Jesus?

Let us show unreserved obedience to our Lord and Master as his disciples did.

Dear Lord Jesus, indeed you are the all-knowing God. You know me through and through, and you know my tomorrow as well. Therefore, I put my trust and hope in you. Help me to walk close to you and to obey your commands each day with the power of your Holy Spirit. Help me not to be arrogant but to be humble like you so that you will be glorified in and through me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Article by the Right Reverend Melter Tais, Bishop of the Diocese of Sabah. Bishop Tais was installed as the 6th Bishop of the Diocese in May 2015. He is the world’s first Kadazandusun to be made an Anglican bishop. Day 35 – Mark 11:15-17 GOD’S HOUSE OF PRAYER Is it not written, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers. (Mark 11:17) Those days the Temple was the holiest building on earth. The Temple actually represented God’s dwelling place on earth. Thus, what happens when the Lord of the Temple pays a visit? In fact, Jesus made a survey earlier in Mark 11:11 and now he enters the Temple because it is no more a house of prayer. It has been changed into a market place! Selling and buying are transacted at a very high price. The Temple was noisy, smelly, dirty and corrupt. How could anyone really seek God in the midst of such an atmosphere of immorality and fraudulence? The prophet Isaiah wrote that foreigners would be blessed in the Temple of the Lord, “And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt- offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Isaiah 56:6-7 NIV) We must make sure that the Church is conducive for people to experience God. We must make sure that our conduct and character do not put off others from seeking Jesus. God’s house must be a house of prayer and it is a house of prayer for all nations. Prayer is the main activity in the church. Are we praying for the nations to come to know Jesus? God’s desire is that the church is a place of prayer filled with the people of prayer. Every time we enter our church, let us remember that:  The Church is a place where I come to pray.  The Church is a place where I must pray for others.  The Church is a place where I will hear God.  The Church is a place where prayer will be demonstrated.

Prayer is the holy occupation of every church today.

Today, I believe God is calling you to pray; Pray and bless the person who shared the Gospel with you. Pray and bless the person who has hurt you the most. Pray and bless the Orang Asli in our land – the unreached people.

God of all the nations of the earth, remember the multitudes who, though created in your image, have not known you, nor the dying of your Son their Saviour Jesus Christ. Grant that by the prayers and work of your holy church they may be delivered from all ignorance and unbelief and brought to worship you; through whom you have sent to be the resurrection and the life of all people, your son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Article by the Rev David Rajiah is the Vicar of St Peter’s Church, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. He is also the Chairman of the Diocesan Tamil and Allied Board. Day 36 – Mark 12: 13-17 Recognising Religion & Responsibility to the State

Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. (Mark 12:17)

This oft-quoted verse comes at the end of an exchange that begins in Mark 12:13. The chief priests of Jerusalem together with teachers of the law and elders (Mark 11:27) sent, “some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.” The question they pose to Jesus is a trap, which Jesus clearly exposes in Mark 11:15. His answer therefore needs careful interpretation. The pretext for the question is Jesus’s apparent disregard for secular authority: “You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth” (Mark 11:14). If Jesus agreed with their statement, they would have immediately reported him to the Roman authorities for fomenting sedition. If he disagreed, the Jewish religious authorities would criticise his lack of “Godliness”. So Jesus replies by referring to the local coinage. We are at one and the same time citizens of heaven and of an earthly nation. Both entail obligations and responsibilities. Often there is no conflict between the two: principles of law and order, justice and peace, fairness and equity, are all sought and welcomed both on earth as in heaven. Even in fiscal matters, the duty to pay taxes to the state is not annulled by the requirement to tithe and support the Christian community. The Pharisees and Herodians were trying to force Jesus into a false dichotomy between the two when actually there was none. Remember that one of the disciples, Matthew, was formerly a tax collector; he did not leave his job to join Jesus because of the wrongness of his job. Luke 19:2 recounts Jesus and the disciples dining with Zacchaeus, another tax collector. In Luke 3:13, when tax collectors came to John to be baptised and asked what they should do, John tells them not to collect more than what is required. Clearly, fulfilling one’s legal obligations to the state does not have to conflict with one’s faith. There are times when it will, but this is not one of them. When we are faced with a challenge whether to do something or not, we need to pause and ask whether that something is genuinely a religious or ethical dilemma or not. It may be that it is reconcilable with our Christian teachings and should pose no moral issue, and we have unnecessarily confused or obfuscated the situation.

“He is not saying, on the one hand respect Caesar and on the other hand respect God. What he is pointing out is that, if you respect Caesar’s property, as you should, then all the more you ought to respect God’s property. So his full answer is, ‘Well, give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. And while you are at it, give everything that belongs to God back to God’. That sounds more like Jesus.” (Jack Mahoney SJ, Emeritus Professor of Moral and Social Theology in the University of London)

While we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom, we are also citizens of an earthly nation. Both have obligations and responsibilities. Being a Christian does not absolve us from earth obligations and responsibilities, but it is important to evaluate them in the context of our Godly ones.

The “Serenity Prayer” by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971), American theologian, ethicist, public intellectual, commentator on politics and public affairs: “God, give us Grace to accept with Serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Amen.”

Article by Canon Andrew Khoo, Provincial as well as Diocesan Chancellor. Day 37 – Mark 12:29-30 Love the Lord your God The most important one is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. When asked which is the most important of all the commandments, Jesus answered, by quoting part of the Jewish Shema, one of the most important prayers in Judaism. Jews would say this prayer in the morning when they got up and in the evening when they would lie down. All of Jesus’s listeners would have recognised the Shema and they wouldn’t disagree with him. But what does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? The heart is traditionally considered to be the very essence of who we are. Our innermost desires, attitudes, and beliefs are found in our heart. So to love God with all our heart is to love him with the very essence of who we are, submitting our desires, attitudes, and beliefs to him. Generally, our soul encompasses our will, emotions, and personality. So loving God with all our soul refers to loving him with our feelings, honouring him with our personality, and submitting our will to his will. To love God with all our mind obviously means to honour him with our thoughts. Our thoughts can be evil or good, pure or impure. And loving God with our mind means surrendering him our mind-sets and opinions to reflect his. Finally, to love God with all our strength refers to loving him with our physical abilities and resources. To love him, we must give our energy, our talents – even the breath in our lungs – our life! We are expected to love God with our whole person: emotionally, mentally, and physically. Additionally, God doesn’t want us to keep his commandments out of fear but out of love. He wants our love for him to motivate us to keep his commands.

Thomas a Kempis glimpsed the depth of such love, wrote: “Nothing is sweeter than love, nothing stronger or higher or wider; nothing is more pleasant, nothing fuller, and nothing better in heaven or on earth, for love is born of God and cannot rest except in God, Who is above all created things. One who is in love flies, runs, and rejoices; he is free, not bound. .... Love often knows no limits but overflows all bounds. Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of troubles, attempts more than it is able, and does not plead impossibility, because it believes that it may and can do all things. For this reason, it is able to do all... Love is watchful. Sleeping, it does not slumber. Wearied, it is not tired. Pressed, it is not straitened. Alarmed, it is not confused, but like a living flame, a burning torch, it forces its way upward and passes unharmed through every obstacle.” (Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ)

If anyone says, I love God, and hates a brother or sister, he is a liar, because the person who doesn't love a brother or sister who can be seen can't love God, who can't be seen. (1 John 4:20 – Common English Bible)

Dear God, help me to understand and practice the saying of Jesus: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Amen.

Article by the Most Reverend Datuk Bolly anak Lapok, the 4th Metropolitan Archbishop and Primate of the Anglican Church of the Province of South East Asia as well as the Bishop of Kuching. Day 38 – Mark 12:31-34 The Other-centred Perspective on Life The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:31) What is the purpose of God's commandments? The Pharisees delighted themselves in the knowledge of the law and their ritual requirements. In the incident from Mark 12:28-31, they tested Jesus to see if he correctly understood the law as they did. Jesus shocked them with his deep simplicity and mastery of the law of God and its purpose. What about us? What does God require of us? Simply that we love as God loves and to know that love of neighbour is firmly grounded in the love of God. Love of neighbour is an expression and an extension of God’s love operating in and through the believer who is living in a vital relationship with the Lord. Our religious life must result in true spiritual growth and moral change - change in our values, in our priorities and pursuits. If not, we are deceiving ourselves by our religious activities and even by the ministries we are engaged in. And our public life should originate from our love for and fellowship with God. Otherwise, what we do will be done for purely selfish reasons. “What we are witnessing today is human existence deliberately and routinely collapsed into a me-first philosophy in all dimensions of life.” (Carl F. Henry, The Christian Mindset in a Secular Society) And so, as Christians we are called to nurture the other-centred perspective on life.

Do we recognise our value as one created in God’s image, as a child of God through faith in Christ? Our capacity to love depends on understanding and trusting in this truth by faith. Don’t we often fail to see the value God has placed on us? As such we constantly turn to our own defence strategies to protect ourselves and to feel we are valuable. These strategies include things like withdrawal, shyness, defensiveness, boasting, failing to face and deal with our own weaknesses, failure to exercise our spiritual gifts, and a whole host of such strategies. These things hinder our capacity to love and receive love.

“To love your neighbour as yourself” means God wants us to get involved where we are. We are to bloom where we have been planted. But if we are going to bloom we must first be growing - growing in our relationships with family and friends and developing a vision for the people and the needs around us. We need to open our eyes and look around us and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting.

Adapted from the Prayer of Anselm of Canterbury (1033—1109). We love you, O God. Come and dwell in our hearts. Keep watch over our lips, our steps, our deeds, so that we do not need to be anxious either for our souls or our bodies. Give us in our hearts pure love, born of your love to us, that we may love others as you love us. O most loving Father of Jesus Christ, from whom flows all love, let our hearts, frozen in sin, cold to you and cold to others, be warmed by this divine fire. So help and bless us in your Son. Amen.

Article by the Rev Dr Albert Sundararaj Walters, Principal of St Andrew’s Theological College, Church of Bangladesh. Dr Walters is a clergy of the Diocese of West Malaysia. Day 39 – Mark 12:38-40 The Teachers Of The Law Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely. (Mark 12:38-40) There is debate amongst those who look into what the Scribes, called here “teachers of the law” were really like. Some consider them to be on the whole well motivated, and to have enriched the life of many in First Century Israel. Others are more critical. As a group they carried big responsibilities. As well as being well versed in reading and writing, their most important function was to interpret the Law, and how it was to be observed in order that God be honoured in the towns and villages. However, their status and importance opened up the possibility of real temptations, to which we too are prone. When we find ourselves in a special position that carries responsibilities, we are not to take advantage of it. We are not to take advantage of any position that we are given, or jobs that we do. Scribes often included in their responsibilities administering wills and also the property of minors. It was possible that some corruptly took advantage of this. Others may have been honest enough but suffered from an exaggerated sense of self-importance. We all like to be regarded as important. The good news is that as Christians we know that all people are important to God. Christ Jesus has done nothing less than offer up his life for us. But that does not make us more important than others. We do not matter one bit more to God because we know our Bibles better than others in the church, though regular reading of the Bible is part of our Christian walk. Nor do we matter more to God because we are well clothed and are looked up as having some standing in the city or town or kampong where we live. It is nice to be greeted respectfully when we go out shopping, and to be given seats facing the rest of the congregation, as leaders of our church or as members of choir or music group. But Jesus counselled that when we are invited to a function, we should take the lowest seat. If we served our country or state well, we may have been given titles. However, God does not give priority to those called Tan Sri or Puan Sri, Datuk or Datin. So too in our dealings with others. We are to welcome even one who is very poor and needy as though he were Jesus himself. For him or for her too Christ has shed his blood, for her or him too Jesus ever lives to make intercession.

How would you and your church treat an ill-dressed stranger who wandered into your church? Would he be treated in the same way as one who arrived in the latest Ferrari?

On the Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee, Jesus said, “I tell you that this man (tax collector), rather than the other (Pharisee), went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)

Lord, help us to remember that Christ Jesus humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Grant us never to take your grace and love for us for granted. Help us to have a sober estimate of our standing before you and to count others as better than ourselves for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.

Article by the Rev Canon Richard Kirton, one of the pioneer lecturers at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (1979-1981). Canon Kirton is also the Bishop’s Canon Commissary in England. Day 40 – Mark 13:32-37 No One Knows But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will arrive. (Mark 13:32-33) Christians have throughout the centuries speculated on the Second Coming of Christ and the end of this era. Some have even given up everything and wasted their lives, just waiting for the end. Yet to that question from his disciples, Jesus answered that no one knows. Not even the Son. We are reminded that Jesus was really human. He had set aside his divinity when he was incarnated in human flesh with its physical limitations. God must have a purpose for not revealing the exact date. This was to avoid unnecessary speculation which could distract the ministry of the disciples. If Jesus had said that his Second Coming would happen only after 2000 years, the disciples would not have been motivated to travel and spread the gospel with the urgency. The suffering Christians would not have the hope, if their redemption seemed so distant. The wicked would not be bothered and would continue their nefarious acts. Just like the children who are left alone in the house by their parents. If they are good, they will receive gifts but if they misbehave they will be punished. If the parents give them the exact time of their return, the children will likely disregard the warning till that time is near. However, since the parents do not specify the time, they will not dare misbehave for fear of being caught. Those who have been good will be waiting eagerly for their parents to return with gifts. However, Jesus also told the disciples to watch out for signs pointing to his return and even told them the parable of the fig tree (Mark 13:28). He did not give the specific date. They were told to be continuously alert and be on guard so as not to be caught sleeping by surprise. He also said that this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened (Mark 13:30). His words would apply to every generation, from the time of his disciples till now and even in the future. Each generation is told to be continuously vigilant. Christians in all ages should live with expectancy and hope. All of us have to continue to be active in our service, alert to the needs of the community and spread the good news.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Mark 13:31) What a promise from Jesus!

We do not know when the Master will return yet we are promised that he will return. We can live with confidence and hope. We shall continuously serve and eagerly wait for his return.

Lord, help us never to lose hope, even in the worst of circumstance. Help us to be effective witnesses to your glory. Help us to always focus on you. Maranatha!

Article by Lay Canon Emeritus Dr Teoh Soong Kee, a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist in Ipoh. He worships at St Peter’s Church, Ipoh. Day 41 – Mark 14:3-9 Perfume On My Body She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. (Mark 14:8) The anointing of Jesus at Bethany (Mark 14:3-9) is sandwiched between the chief priests' plot to kill Jesus (Mark 14:1-2), and Judas entering into a deal with them to betray Jesus. It sharply contrasts the betrayal of a disciple against the devotion of an unnamed woman. It also exposes the faithlessness of the religious leaders and Jesus' disciple as against the faith of the unnamed woman. In the Bible, anointing is done for setting people apart for God's service, medicinal purpose, honouring guests and for embalming. This act of faithful devotion of the woman emerges as a sweet smelling incense of a prophetic act of worship. The anointing narrative is flanked by the context of the Passover feast. It was in the context of the celebration of God's deliverance of his people from slavery and genocide. The betrayal and spiritual bankruptcy of the religious leaders and Judas is contrasted with the faithful devotion of the unnamed woman. The unnamed woman did all she could, but so did the religious leaders and Judas. Yet only the woman was commended. Clearly, doing all we can do is not a mantra for spiritual orthodoxy. If we are not careful, doing all we can do can lead us to spiritual bankruptcy. Christian Spirituality is "the quest for a fulfilled and authentic Christian existence, involving the bringing together of the fundamental ideas of Christianity and the whole experience of living on the basis of and within the scope of Christian faith." It is first and foremost Christ-centred. Judas and the religious leaders were ideological, political and self-centred, the woman was Christ-centred. Mark challenges us to respond by framing the response to Jesus' anointing in the context of his rejection and betrayal. Some called it a waste of resources which could be put to better use, even scolded the woman. Judas reacted to Jesus' affirmation of the woman's act by going off to betray him. The religious leaders went against ethical principles to finally get Jesus; the end justifies the means.

What about the reader? Would we follow Jesus and emulate the woman, or walk in the footsteps of Judas and the religious leaders? Do the ends justify the means?

It was not only Jesus who had perfume on his body. The woman who applied the perfume on him also had fragrance on her. Intentional discipleship calls us to walk in a costly path of spiritual formation. May the practice of our spiritual disciplines reflect that of the unnamed woman.

Lord, may the practice of my spiritual disciplines be directed by your love to me. May the cost of my spiritual formation pale to insignificance in the light of the cross. Grant that in all things others may see your fingerprints on my life. Amen.

Article by the Rev Canon D. Steven Abbarow, Vice-Principal of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia. Canon Abbarow is also the head of the Malaysian Indigenous Clinical Pastoral Education as well as the Acting-Vicar of St Mark’s Church, Seremban. Day 42 – Mark 14:22-24 My body, My blood Take it; this is my body. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.’ (Mark 14:22-24) The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ on the night before his arrest. Lifting up the bread and the cup, the words pronounced are as powerful as they are simple. A familiar yet profound ritual where Jesus gives himself completely to his believers. The words of the Son of God have become the body and blood of Christ. As we acclaim this great mystery of faith in the evangelical understanding referring to the spiritual presence of Christ, 'feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.' Thanksgiving: Jesus gave thanks when he took the bread and the cup. The Lord's Supper rightly emphasised as the ‘Eucharist’, a Greek term for "giving thanks." Our thanks, however, are not to show polite manners but are based upon the completed work of Jesus Christ for humanity. The Eucharist speaks of the good news of salvation, forgiveness from sin and reconciliation. We have been made whole, therefore we are grateful. Remembrance: We would assume that those who have been redeemed would be easily reminded of God's grace shown in Jesus Christ. But mere mortals like you and me are short of memory. Every time we meet at the Lord's table, we are reminded of his command to remember: "Do this in remembrance of Me." Remembrance is like an anchor grounding us to salvation story lest we stray too far away. Fellowship: The scene of Jesus and disciples reclining at the table is a touching representation of God’s desire to welcome his children. Indeed, we can now enjoy fellowship with God through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As we abide in him, and he in us, we learn to grow and become fruitful. At the Lord's table, we celebrate both, the vertical fellowship with God and the horizontal fellowship with each other. Expectation: There is always a holy anticipation in the Holy Communion. Jesus says that he will not drink the fruit of the vine until he drinks it anew in the kingdom. He is referring to what is about to happen—his crucifixion and death. But his words also point to the hope of the Kingdom of God, the bridegroom claiming his bride- the Church, the great heavenly banquet in the presence of God and all his people.

The Lord’s Supper! The marriage supper of the Lamb! There are vacant seats around the table. Will there be dear ones missed at the table there? (Abbott)

May our life and actions become ‘Eucharistic acts.’ The Holy Eucharist is where we bring all our imperfect acts of offering to the perfect offering of Jesus.

O Son of God, receive me this day as a guest at your mysterious supper, for I will not reveal your Mysteries to your enemies, I will not give you a kiss like Judas; but like the penitent thief, I will confess you: Remember me, O Lord, in your kingdom. (Basil of Caesarea, 330-379)

Article by the Rev Joshua Ong is the Vicar of St Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya. Day 43 – Mark 14:27-31 The Rooster Crows Tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times. (Mark 14:30) I will never betray you! Never! Others would but not me! Such was the confidence and audacity of Simon Peter when Jesus told his disciples that they will all fall away and disown him. Yet Jesus' rebuke to Peter's self- confidence was that the rooster will bear witness to his denial of the Lord - not once, not twice but three times. How often did we also take pride in our own strength in following the Lord only to find that we are actually weak and frail in this journey of faith? We forget that we are helpless without the Lord's help and grace. We forget that apart from him we can do nothing. We forget the warning of 1 Corinthians 10:12, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” Ephesians 2:8-9 is a timely reminder in this Lenten Season, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith---and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” Therefore, let us thank the Lord for his grace of salvation. Let us also learn to abide in him. And for some who have failed or fallen, let us recommit ourselves to the Lord. In the same way he said to Simon Peter, he assures us, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31- 32).

Editor: I came across this article, “There's No Denying It” by Cara Chute. I quote: “Have you ever wondered how Peter could have done such a horrible deed? He denied the One to whom he pledged total devotion! But there’s no denying it- sometimes I’m a lot like Peter. Maybe I don’t deny verbally that I know him, but I deny him in my own way. When I put my trust in the pleasures of this world more than the joy found in God, I deny him. When I look to myself for strength and rely on my own ability instead of his power, I deny him. When I pursue my dreams for my life and not his dreams for my life, I deny him. But there’s good news in this passage. After the resurrection, Jesus restores Peter (John 21:15-19). He asks him, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter replies, “Yes, I love you.” Jesus asks three times, and three times Peter affirms that he loves Jesus. It is no accident that this parallels the three times Peter denied Christ on the night of his crucifixion. What a beautifully humbling picture of redemption it is! Peter now understands the redemptive love Christ lavishes upon us. And once more, there is no denying it – we are indeed like Peter, and Jesus has lavished his redemptive love upon us! Even though we deny him with our words and actions, we’ve been restored into a right relationship with him because of his sacrifice for us! When his eyes pierce us to our core, we find no condemnation there. We find only love, grace and redemption.”

When the rooster crowed, Peter went outside and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:34) What about us? What should I do to avoid denying the Lord?

Precious Lord, take my hand. Lead me on, help me stand. I am tired, I am weak, I am worn. Through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light. Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me home. (Thomas A. Dorsey)

Article by the Rt Rev John Yeo, an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Sabah. Day 44 – Mark 14:37-51 Watch And Pray Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Mark 14:38) Trust and Obey, Watch and Pray – these are catch phrases we learnt at Sunday School. They are also the advice we pass on to other Christians. But as we look more deeply at the verse, we find that it is more than advice – it is a command, a safeguard. There are 2 key words – WATCH and PRAY. WATCH – to watch is to guard, to protect. The task of watching is not exciting or interesting but it is necessary. We need to be watchful, vigilant and prepared. Although “watch” sounds like a passive word, it is actually a very active word. To watch is to be alert, prepared and focused.  A soldier standing quietly on the fort is actively watching out for the enemy.  The look-out sailor on top of the mast of a ship watches for icebergs and land. If he does not warn of them, the whole ship is in danger.

Likewise, the Christian watches for the subtle ways in which Satan leads us into temptation and by being prepared, is able to not yield to it. PRAY – is not a cry for help in danger or in need. Neither is it a time to make our requests known as in intercession. Instead, it is the daily conversation we have with God. It is the time we spend with God. This will build up our inner self and prepare us for temptation. Our spirit is already on God’s side but our human nature is weak. That is why we need Prayer to build us up. 1 Peter 5:8 says: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Satan is always on the lookout to bring us down. Watching and praying helps us to realise our personal weaknesses and guard ourselves so that we do not sin. Temptation is better resisted when we recognise it.

In today’s world, a good many people “watch” the stock market. They “watch” to protect their financial assets. Are we just as concerned about our spiritual assets? Are we watching as Christ commanded?

Watch and Pray each day so that we do not sin. Let us pray for our personal life that we may continue to grow in faith.

Father, I thank you that even as you have taught us to pray ‘lead us not into temptation,’ you have also promised us that no temptation comes to us that is not common to all men and that you always provide a way of escape. Help me to watch and pray that my flesh will not be weak. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Article written by A.Annamaney, Chairman of the Diocesan Anglican Care. Ms Annamaney is also the Anglican Alliance Regional Facilitator for East and South-East Asia. She worships at St Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya. Day 45 – Mark 15:34 Forsaken at Calvary? “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34) My God, my God, why? So King David cried out (Psalm 22:1). Perhaps David wrote these words on the run from King Saul, being chased into caves, in the wilderness. Has God, who chose David in such unlikely fashion, and then anointed him to be king, now abandoned him? Or was it written later in his life, when his son rebelled against his kingship, no doubt eager to become king himself, when David abandoned Jerusalem and the ark of God’s presence? Prayers unanswered. God silent in heaven. Why are you so far from helping me? Don’t be far from me, David cries (Psalm 22:11). Do not be far away, David repeats (Psalm 22:19). David did not give up on God. Though it felt as though God had abandoned him, David ends his lament trusting God, promising to keep praising God, and declaring his greatness to the world (Psalm 22:22-31). The psalms were written out of personal experience, but incorporated into scripture for all of God’s people to use. This psalm is not a prediction of Jesus; rather Jesus found spiritual help and comfort from David’s psalm. Jesus was in a different situation from David, but there was enough similarity for him to find benefit in David’s lament. Like David, Jesus was not in reality abandoned by God. Like David, Jesus did not abandon his faith either. But as he hung on the cross, carrying the sins of the world, for the first time in his life, he felt completely cut off from his Father. We cannot imagine the extent of this. The Father and the Son are one, Jesus said. But on the cross, human sin tore a chasm between them. Sin does that. Sin cuts off from God, as it did the man and woman in the garden, as it did for Israel, as it does today. Jesus, the only sinless one, took our sin, and was cut off from God, so we can be reconciled to God.

My God, my God, why? Because there was no other way. Only the death of him who knew no sin, can sinners be found righteous in him. My God, my God, why? Because God so loved the world. My God, my God why? Because God loves his Son and wants all people to glorify him forever.

My God, my God, why? So that you and I can sing the praise of the lamb who was slain for eternity around his throne.

Lord Jesus, you are worthy to take the scroll and open it for you were slaughtered and by your blood you ransomed for God saints from every tribe and language and people and nation. Thank you Lord Jesus, for taking my sin, to the cross, to death, so that I may live and worship and serve you forever. Amen.

Article by the Rev Dr Paul Barker. Dr Barker completed his PhD on Deuteronomy in England. Currently, he is teaching the Old Testament and Preaching at Seminaries in various places in Asia with a base at the Seminari Theoloji Malaysia in Seremban, Malaysia. Day 46 – Mark 16:15-16 PREACH THE GOSPEL Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16) We do not like to use the word “condemned”. We do not mind emphasizing on the first part ‘preach the gospel.’ We hope and pray with yearning hearts that our loved ones, relatives, friends and people who hear the invitation of the gospel will believe and even be baptized – and we rejoice! But what about those who reject the gospel again and again and stubbornly remain “anti- Christian”, or even actively promote works of evil and darkness? What if they continue to refuse Jesus’ offer of redemption? Will they be condemned eternally? Will hell be their eternal damnation? Will they be in torment forever? To answer this, I believe that there are at least three guiding principles to remember. First, the principle of ‘judge not that ye not be judged’ (Matthew 7:1, KJV). Sometimes, people reject ‘our’ gospel rather than the authentic Gospel of Christ. They may not like church politics, churchy hypocrites, godless pastors, and irrelevant and long sermons. So, they stay away from church and from anyone else who presents the Good News. Outwardly, they reject the message and the messenger. Inwardly, we do not know how they feel about Jesus. Only the Lord knows and we must leave that judgment to the Lord. We should in fact examine ourselves and the way we do church, examining constantly the plank before our very own eyes (c.f. Matthew 7:3). Am I a stumbling block and blurring the message of the Good News of Christ? Secondly, the principle that ‘Truth is Truth’. The message of the gospel, even the ‘condemnation’ and ‘hell-fire’ sections must neither be watered-down nor deleted. We believe that every word of the Holy Scripture is inspired by God. Jesus, during his ministry on earth, did not hesitate to warn his hearers of hell and condemnation (Matthew 5:22, 10:28, 13:50, Mark 9:43). The gospel content does not belong to the church; neither do I own them. I have no right to neither deny nor delete it the unpopular sections of the Word of God. The gospel content is God’s! We are called to be faithful to Scripture. Finally, the principle of ‘Compassionate Proclamation’. We must keep on preaching the gospel in churches, in the communities, and in the country. Whether the proclamations are done verbally or visually, our task is to proclaim the message carefully and faithfully. And as we proclaim his message, it must be done with great compassion and great patience. So, preach compassionately, refrain from judgment, and leave the results to the Lord. Pray at all times. Allow the Holy Spirit to do his work!

The only monument I want after I am dead and gone is a monument with two legs going about the world – a saved sinner telling about the salvation of Jesus Christ. (Dwight Lyman Moody, 1837 –1899).

The Christian church today is divided into two sets of people. Those who say, “We cannot” and the rest who join the apostles, and who say, “We cannot but speak of the things that we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20)

Lord, bless those who preach your gospel that their proclamation may be filled with your wisdom, grace, patience and compassion. Amen.

Article by the Venerable Eddie Ong, Archdeacon of the Upper Central Archdeaconry and Vicar of St Gabriel’s Church, Kuala Lumpur. Day 47 – Mark 16:17-20 In Jesus’ Name And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18 ESV) This is a difficult and controversial passage. Some early manuscripts do not have this section. Many scholars try not to theologise or give too much attention to it. Those who stress on signs and wonders find this passage fascinating and unbelievable. Similarly, the account of Easter and the Resurrection is controversial to some and at the same time fascinating and true to others. The main focus is not the results of demons cast out, speaking in new tongues, picking up serpents and drinking deadly poison yet not hurt, instead it centres on the ‘Genuine Belief in the Name of Jesus Christ’. (The proof of the pudding is in the eating). Genuine belief is not an act of mental acknowledgement rather a rational act of submission, not a superficial acceptance rather a reasonable commitment, not a temporary response but a serious and sacrificial obedience, not a casual understanding but an in-depth learning of the Word of God. A little boy was not allowed into the grandstand seat even when he showed the guard his ticket. The guard initially thought that it might be a fake ticket because according to his perspective such a small boy could not afford a grandstand seat. When the boy showed him his father’s calling card, with a photo of him and his father on the back, he was immediately allowed to enter because his father was the mayor of the city. With the ticket itself, entrance should be allowed; however, there are times that the name of a person in authority does matter a great deal. In the passage above, genuine belief in the name of Jesus Christ makes it possible to invoke heaven’s authority. This name brings peace, confidence and assurance and it should not be used for personal gain or with evil intent. Easter and Resurrection always bring hope, joy and peace. This also means faith in the name of Jesus Christ can cause similar responses though at times it may come with difficult circumstances, a challenging environment or a shaky moment. The name of Jesus Christ does have the authority to make devils flee, the lame healed, the blind see and powers crumble. Christ is risen! Alleluia!

1. Whenever we pray in the name of Jesus, do we anticipate his authority is being invoked? Do the items we pray for bring glory to God? Why not?

2. Does the knowledge of the authority of the name of Jesus Christ change your lifestyle and actions? Why?

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)

Almighty God, the creator of heaven and earth, grant to us the joy to know Jesus, the humility to accept him, the obedience to follow him; that we shall live a life worthy of him and bring glory to you and at peace with the world we live in; together with the Holy Spirit and in and through the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, we praise and thank you. Amen.

Article by Archbishop-elect Datuk Ng Moon Hing. Graduated in civil engineering, Bishop Ng served as a Deacon in 1985, ordained a Priest in 1986, made an Archdeacon in 2001, consecrated as a Bishop in 2007 and on 2nd September 2015, he was elected to become 5th Archbishop of the Church of the Province of South East Asia. The date of his enthronement as Archbishop is 22nd February 2016.