Good day friends and members of Community Reformed,
This Sunday will be the 4th Sunday of Lent, a season where we give special attention to the path Jesus took to the cross and the paths we take in our lives of faith to walk with Jesus. This week we find Jesus returning to Bethany, where his friend Lazarus, who he raised from the dead, lives. Mary, Lazarus' sister, did something outrageous during the meal that the other sister, Martha, put on in Jesus' honor. Mary poured a bunch of really expensive perfume on Jesus' feet. You can read the passage below to get the whole story, then I'd invite you to pray about the passage, listening for where God might be speaking to you or for what you think God might like to say to the congregation on Sunday. Please write and post a comment with your thoughts. (Again, if'd you'd be willing to sign your comment, I'd really appreciate it.)
John 12:1-8 - Jesus Anointed at Bethany
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages. " 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
After you've thought about this passage generally and in terms of your own life and the church's and written some thoughts for yourself or commented for all of us, I'd also invite you to reflect and write on this question, "What is one of the best gifts you've ever received and how did it make you feel or what was so special about getting it?" Thanks for your time, Pastor Eric.
Community Reformed Church - Newton, Iowa
Monday, March 19, 2007
March 25th - John 12:1-8
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Pastor Eric
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2 comments:
With this passage, I wonder if Mary had planned on pouring the perfume on Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair, or was this a spontaneous, unexpected act? Either way, it demonstrates to me that her devotion was priceless. She illustrated that by taking something valued as very expensive and being completely frivolous with it but in the name of showing her devotion.
One of the best gifts I ever received was a pair of downhill snow skis when I was in Jr High. I think because it was such a major purchase, an investment, that was not a necessity - spent on me for something that I was interested in...even if the skis were only used for me to have pure enjoyment with my friends...and that my parents were thoughtful about it and had cared enough to see that it was something important to me.
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