12 & 13 Apr 2025 (Pastoral Page) GIFT OF GOD

By Asst Ps Timothy Lee

My eldest son turned 14 years old this weekend. It has been quite a parenting journey over the years, from changing diapers to entering primary school, and anxiety about the PSLE and which secondary school he will be in.

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease when I was 19 years old. I still remember the day before my treatment started; my hematologist sat beside my hospital bed and explained the side effects of the treatment, one of which was sterility - the inability to have children. He told me that this would not be my immediate concern; my main focus should be to undergo treatment and get well, which he indicated had a 75% success rate.

So, when my wife Tracey and I got married in 2008, we did not expect to have any children. However, 2 years into our marriage, a pre-work check-up revealed that Tracey was pregnant. We were surprised, but unfortunately, a few weeks later, it ended in a miscarriage. We were disappointed. As Tracey followed up with the gynecologist, she was diagnosed with endometriosis. The gynecologist recommended surgery. Amazingly, just a few weeks after the surgery, she was pregnant again. As we contemplated names for our firstborn, we chose Theodore, which means "gift of God." He has been a gift to us from God, something we never expected to have.

When Tracey was expecting our second child, I returned for a check-up with my hematologist. I shared the news that we were expecting another child, and he was surprised to hear it. He reminded me that my treatment had an 80-90% chance of causing infertility. Hearing from the same doctor who many years ago said the same comments, I can’t help but cried continuously on my way home. God’s grace and mercy have been amazing.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week and the final week of Lent, when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowds gathered, waving palm branches and proclaiming "Hosanna!". The image of Jesus on a donkey was a contrast to the expectations of a conquering king, highlighting His mission as the Prince of Peace.

This entry was not just a royal procession; it was a fulfillment of prophecy and a declaration of His identity as the Messiah. By choosing to ride a donkey, Jesus communicated His intentions clearly: He came not to conquer through power, but to bring salvation through love and sacrifice. The donkey symbolizes humility and peace, contrasting with the might of a war horse, illustrating that His kingdom does not follow the ways of this world. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem was to fulfill His purpose: to offer Himself as the Lamb of God, to bear the sins of the world, and to initiate a new covenant.

Palm Sunday is a celebration of hope and fulfillment. It reminds us that Jesus came to redeem us, bringing forth the good news of salvation. Yet it is not without pain and anguish that Jesus experienced in this Holy Week for our salvation. May we prepare our hearts to accept this gift of grace, knowing that through His sacrifice, we are offered eternal life and reconciliation with God. As Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." The greatest gift God has given us is His son, Jesus Christ.

As I reflect on my own life, believing in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior has given hope and grace through good and bad times. Experiencing His presence and blessings is more than I could ever ask for in life.

Have you accepted the greatest gift that God has given you? During this Holy Week, let’s journey with Jesus and reflect on the sacrifice and salvation offered to us through His work on the cross. As you reflect on your journey in the Christian faith, have you experienced unexpected grace and blessings in your life? Take a moment to give thanks to Him.