THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

John Ng

In my Advent meditation, I was struck by the inclusion of four women by Matthew, the most Jewish of all the Gospels, in the genealogy of Jesus.

Tamar, the abused Canaanite woman, whose shameful inability to conceive, ended up seducing her father-in-law into an incestuous relationship.
Ruth, the Moabite woman who was a disgraced widow and refugee with an unstinting loyalty to her mother-in-law.
Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, whose bravado saved the lives of two spies.
Bathsheba, the Hittite woman, whose adulterous relationship with King David ended with the cold-blooded murder of her husband, Uriah.

If Matthew wanted to mention women, he could at least have included more illustrious and nobler women like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel or Leah.

Matthew’s choice was un-Jewish, un-male, unconventional and most of all, un-royal. After all, he was setting out to prove the royal blood line of Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

To cap it off, Jesus had a scandalous conception. Philip Yancey wrote most poignantly, “Nine months of awkward explanations, the lingering scent of scandal – it seems that God arranged the most humiliating circumstances possible for his entrance.”

So, what was Matthew’s point? I believe he wanted to remind us of the character of God.

1. Love for the Unlovable
In courageously listing these Gentile women of shady character and ill-repute, Matthew made it abundantly clear that we are God’s original plan, not His second option. He is the universal King who loves not only the Jews but also the Gentiles. God loves the unlovable.

If we feel unloved and unlovable, remember that He loves us. Period. Unconditionally and unreservedly.

This Christmas, I can bask in the grace and mercy of this love. It should propel me to love those who are unlovable and unloved in my network.

I can love because God is love and this God of love dwells in my heart. The question is, “Am I willing?”

Yet, I recognize that I can’t love as He loves. I don’t have His capacity to love. What I can resolve to do is to nurture His love in my heart and learn to love the unlovable in my life.

2. Hope for the Hopeless
In addition to including these women of reprehensible and disgraceful character, Matthew was the only Gospel writer who recorded the merciless slaughter of innocent babies in Bethlehem by the despotic, psychotic King Herod.

Herod’s career was marked by one of the worst massacres in history. He also murdered his wife, Marianne, his two sons and his two brothers-in-law. Further, he decreed that on the day he died, citizens were to be executed so that at least, there was mourning in the country.

This unresolved insecurity, irrational anger and uncontrollable hatred in Herod was madly aroused when the Magi refused to return to inform him of Jesus’ birthplace, resulting in this unprecedented, heinous massacre.

Many must have trembled in deep fear and hopelessness. Such was the historical setting and horrendous circumstances accompanying the birth of Jesus.

Why?
Because He is the Hope for the hopeless. Jesus came to love and die, even for King Herod. The sacrifice was made for all who are constantly living in unimaginable fears, imminent threats and terrifying uncertainties.

How does Matthew know?
Because he himself was the recipient of such love and hope. He was a tax-collector who cheated, branded as a traitor and despised by his fellow Jews.

Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” I can only imagine these words being indelibly etched in the mind and heart of Matthew throughout his lifetime.

When I feel drowned in self-doubt, unanswered questions, hidden pains, and intoxicating addictions, I am reminded that God is the Hope for the hopeless.

Hallelujah!

May we experience this Hope this season. May we embrace this Hope, enough to share the Good News with those who, like us, desperately need the light at the end of the tunnel.

He is The Reason for the Season.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

5 Challenges, 48-Hour Ideathon, ~ Returns in Kingdom investments
From Nov 29 – Dec 1, in Kuala Lumpur, 24 youth leaders were cracking their heads to come out with creative solutions to 5 real challenges by organizations like The Oasis Place, KL, Skyline SIB, NEXLeaders, and Thailand YFC. Participants collaborated and applied Blue Ocean Strategy and other innovative learning practices to create new solutions tackling old challenges for Kingdom purposes.

“The workshop was effective and fuelled by active participation, commitment and a spirit of excellence.”
– Dr Choy Sook Kuen, The Oasis Place, KL

There is hope
Eagles public and dinner concerts in Kuala Lumpur, Nov 29 and 30, and in Kota Kinabalu, Dec 8, featured award-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter Shun Ng and Sabah’s foremost fingerstyle guitar virtuoso, Roger Wang. The concerts in Singapore, Dec 11 and 13, featured Shun Ng and genre-defying Japanese pianist Yuuki Shiojima.

The proceeds of these fundraising events were channelled to the Younger Leader Development Program (YLDP) and Eagles staff fund.

We are grateful to friends and supporters who have generously supported our ministries for years.

At the public concert in Singapore Shun shared four struggles in his career: the pressure to rise to a challenge, creating his unique style, facing disappointments, and pushing the limits.

At his highest point of his career, he found himself the most miserable and lonely. He found all those glitters and glows meaningless without friends and family who love him for who he is – not only for his performances.

Lee Siang, CEO of Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) noted down his thoughts
on the DAS Blog. Read more here.

UP NEXT

Journeying with Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of Luke
More than any other Gospel, the Gospel of Luke shows Jesus’ concern for the downtrodden and oppressed, those struggling at the margins of society. In his Gospel, Luke delights to portray Jesus as the Savior, not of an elite group, but of anyone, in any condition who turns to Him.

Our study will not only present the background, purpose and themes of the book, but also highlight the significant places Jesus and His disciples journeyed through. For example, Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth; His ministry was centred around Capernaum; finally, Jesus set out for Jerusalem and the Cross. Discipleship is a journey. As we journey with Jesus, we aim to learn from His words and deeds and draw closer to Him.
Free admission by registration. Register at www.eagles.org.sg/er.

Archive

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

John Ng

In my Advent meditation, I was struck by the inclusion of four women by Matthew, the most Jewish of all the Gospels, in the genealogy of Jesus.

Tamar, the abused Canaanite woman, whose shameful inability to conceive, ended up seducing her father-in-law into an incestuous relationship.
Ruth, the Moabite woman who was a disgraced widow and refugee with an unstinting loyalty to her mother-in-law.
Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, whose bravado saved the lives of two spies.
Bathsheba, the Hittite woman, whose adulterous relationship with King David ended with the cold-blooded murder of her husband, Uriah.

If Matthew wanted to mention women, he could at least have included more illustrious and nobler women like Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel or Leah.

Matthew’s choice was un-Jewish, un-male, unconventional and most of all, un-royal. After all, he was setting out to prove the royal blood line of Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

To cap it off, Jesus had a scandalous conception. Philip Yancey wrote most poignantly, “Nine months of awkward explanations, the lingering scent of scandal – it seems that God arranged the most humiliating circumstances possible for his entrance.”

So, what was Matthew’s point? I believe he wanted to remind us of the character of God.

1. Love for the Unlovable
In courageously listing these Gentile women of shady character and ill-repute, Matthew made it abundantly clear that we are God’s original plan, not His second option. He is the universal King who loves not only the Jews but also the Gentiles. God loves the unlovable.

If we feel unloved and unlovable, remember that He loves us. Period. Unconditionally and unreservedly.

This Christmas, I can bask in the grace and mercy of this love. It should propel me to love those who are unlovable and unloved in my network.

I can love because God is love and this God of love dwells in my heart. The question is, “Am I willing?”

Yet, I recognize that I can’t love as He loves. I don’t have His capacity to love. What I can resolve to do is to nurture His love in my heart and learn to love the unlovable in my life.

2. Hope for the Hopeless
In addition to including these women of reprehensible and disgraceful character, Matthew was the only Gospel writer who recorded the merciless slaughter of innocent babies in Bethlehem by the despotic, psychotic King Herod.

Herod’s career was marked by one of the worst massacres in history. He also murdered his wife, Marianne, his two sons and his two brothers-in-law. Further, he decreed that on the day he died, citizens were to be executed so that at least, there was mourning in the country.

This unresolved insecurity, irrational anger and uncontrollable hatred in Herod was madly aroused when the Magi refused to return to inform him of Jesus’ birthplace, resulting in this unprecedented, heinous massacre.

Many must have trembled in deep fear and hopelessness. Such was the historical setting and horrendous circumstances accompanying the birth of Jesus.

Why?
Because He is the Hope for the hopeless. Jesus came to love and die, even for King Herod. The sacrifice was made for all who are constantly living in unimaginable fears, imminent threats and terrifying uncertainties.

How does Matthew know?
Because he himself was the recipient of such love and hope. He was a tax-collector who cheated, branded as a traitor and despised by his fellow Jews.

Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” I can only imagine these words being indelibly etched in the mind and heart of Matthew throughout his lifetime.

When I feel drowned in self-doubt, unanswered questions, hidden pains, and intoxicating addictions, I am reminded that God is the Hope for the hopeless.

Hallelujah!

May we experience this Hope this season. May we embrace this Hope, enough to share the Good News with those who, like us, desperately need the light at the end of the tunnel.

He is The Reason for the Season.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

5 Challenges, 48-Hour Ideathon, ~ Returns in Kingdom investments
From Nov 29 – Dec 1, in Kuala Lumpur, 24 youth leaders were cracking their heads to come out with creative solutions to 5 real challenges by organizations like The Oasis Place, KL, Skyline SIB, NEXLeaders, and Thailand YFC. Participants collaborated and applied Blue Ocean Strategy and other innovative learning practices to create new solutions tackling old challenges for Kingdom purposes.

“The workshop was effective and fuelled by active participation, commitment and a spirit of excellence.”
– Dr Choy Sook Kuen, The Oasis Place, KL

There is hope
Eagles public and dinner concerts in Kuala Lumpur, Nov 29 and 30, and in Kota Kinabalu, Dec 8, featured award-winning guitarist, singer and songwriter Shun Ng and Sabah’s foremost fingerstyle guitar virtuoso, Roger Wang. The concerts in Singapore, Dec 11 and 13, featured Shun Ng and genre-defying Japanese pianist Yuuki Shiojima.

The proceeds of these fundraising events were channelled to the Younger Leader Development Program (YLDP) and Eagles staff fund.

We are grateful to friends and supporters who have generously supported our ministries for years.

At the public concert in Singapore Shun shared four struggles in his career: the pressure to rise to a challenge, creating his unique style, facing disappointments, and pushing the limits.

At his highest point of his career, he found himself the most miserable and lonely. He found all those glitters and glows meaningless without friends and family who love him for who he is – not only for his performances.

Lee Siang, CEO of Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) noted down his thoughts
on the DAS Blog. Read more here.

UP NEXT

Journeying with Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of Luke
More than any other Gospel, the Gospel of Luke shows Jesus’ concern for the downtrodden and oppressed, those struggling at the margins of society. In his Gospel, Luke delights to portray Jesus as the Savior, not of an elite group, but of anyone, in any condition who turns to Him.

Our study will not only present the background, purpose and themes of the book, but also highlight the significant places Jesus and His disciples journeyed through. For example, Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth; His ministry was centred around Capernaum; finally, Jesus set out for Jerusalem and the Cross. Discipleship is a journey. As we journey with Jesus, we aim to learn from His words and deeds and draw closer to Him.
Free admission by registration. Register at www.eagles.org.sg/er.