Young People's Group

RESPECTING OUR ELDERS AT OUR CNY SPECIAL AND BEYOND

by Pastor Mitch
February 17, 2013

Looking Forward To Shining As Light During Our Cny Special

Every Chinese New Year, I look forward to our Church’s special CNY celebration. It is a good opportunity of outreach especially to our non-believing parents and grandparents. This year, the number of people who have registered for this occasion has reached more than 550 people. This is the first time that we have so many coming. Another piece of wonderful news is that we have more than 70 guests who are 70 years old and above planning to come for this occasion. This is indeed a great opportunity for us to do our part to shine as light to all who do not know the Lord. I am really excited about being a blessing to these older ones. Whether it is through the leading of songs, singing a song item, doing a presentation concerning our Chinese New Year decorations, let’s look forward to reflecting the light of the Lord in all that we do, say and in how we honour the older ones.

Following Jacob’s Children In Showing Respect

One example of showing good respect is reflected by the children of Jacob when they met with big uncle Esau.

“The maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down. Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.” 
Genesis 33:6-7

It was not an easy thing for all the children from the oldest to the youngest to be able to bow down in unity before uncle Esau. There was this humble deference shown by all as they met with an uncle whom they had not met before. These children at this time had been trained well by probably the mother and the father to show respect. They did not just greet uncle Esau. They literally bowed before him. This was what was due to the older ones during ancient times. What a good way of showing respect to the elderly! Of course, today we do not need to bow down before the older ones in such a manner. But at least we must show respect by greeting the older ones and having a humble and respectful disposition towards them. Young people, let’s seek to practise this during our CNY celebration and beyond.

Following The Example Of Jacob In Speaking Of The Lord’s Grace

What do we share at this Chinese New year special? I am impacted by Jacob’s example in speaking about the Lord’s grace and in the manner by which he did this.

“So he said, ‘The children whom God has graciously given your servant.'” 
Genesis 33:5

“Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” 
Genesis 33:11

Jacob brought God into his conversation. We do not know much about whether Esau had faith in the Lord. Esau does not mention God in his conversation with Jacob. But Jacob sought to speak of the Lord’s grace and blessings each time he had an opportunity to do so. When asked about who these children were that stood before him, Jacob spoke of how it was God who graciously gave them to him. When Esau told Jacob to keep the gifts that he had presented to him, the younger twin spoke of how the Lord had graciously blessed him and given him more than enough. It was also wonderful to see how gentle, humble and respectful Jacob was towards Esau as he conversed with him. He called him “My Lord” and addressed himself as “your servant”. Young people, let’s also seek to speak of the Lord’s grace in our life in a humble, gentle and gracious manner. Let’s seek to lift up the Lord’s name as we testify of His grace.

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