pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Unleashed

Reading: Matthew 26:6-13

Matthew 26:7 – “A woman came to him… very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head.”

At the start of chapter 26 we see that the plotting to arrest and kill Jesus has begun. Our passage flows out of this context. While at Simon’s house for dinner, “A woman came to him… very expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ head.” The disciples are upset. They think the worth of the perfume could be put to better use. How often have you or others thought a similar thing? One possible example in my life and ministry might be the time I spend with youth and children. Some in the church might think this 8-10 hours a week could be better spent.

Jesus defends and elevates this woman’s act of love. In a slightly different version of this event, John’s gospel names Mary as the woman present at Lazarus’ house. Jesus declares that her act of love will be remembered “wherever in the whole world this good news is announced.” In our world, where diamonds and new phones and cars and bonuses at work capture our attention, it is significant that Jesus elevates this simple act of love.

Mary’s act of love itself is worth far more that the cash value of this precious perfume. The act also transcends the moment. Jesus feels loved, attended to, cared for. Love has the power to do that when we too choose to live God’s love out loud. The smile of a third grader when you wave to them from the bleachers, the way they lean in when you hug a struggling teenager – the love transcends the simple showing up and being present. The same is true, by the way, when one shows up at a shut-in’s residence. We all need love. Who will experience the love of Christ in you today as you unleash it in the world?

Prayer: Lord God, help us to see today the small opportunities that you provide for us to love well on others. Seeing, move us to doing and being love lived out loud. Guide us to be love in this broken and hard world. Use us to make others feel loved and cared for today. Amen.


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Sunday Afternoon

Reading: John 20:19-20

Verse 19: “Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!'”

Photo credit: Milo Weiler

Our passage takes place on the first Easter Sunday. Friday and Saturday had been exceedingly hard days – the betrayal, arrest, trials, and crucifixion of their Lord, Jesus Christ. Then the long period of waiting – part grief and pain, part fear and confusion. Then, on the third day, news of resurrection. Peter and John saw the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene saw the risen Lord and she brings the disciples this good news. That was at sunrise. It is now evening. Imagine the emotions – hope and yet fear, joy and yet doubt. It is on this evening, with the disciples still hiding behind closed doors, that Jesus comes to them and says, “Peace be with you!” He offers proof, showing them the scars of crucifixion. It is all true: what Jesus said about rising in 3 days, what Mary Magdalene has said. All true! The disciples are overjoyed.

What is it that has you behind closed doors? What is it that is creating strong emotions in you? Life has a way of bringing us to places and situations where we feel a lot like those disciples felt on Sunday afternoon. Because of his perfect love, Jesus continues to come to us, transcending the doors we hide behind and the walls we build, reaching out those nail-scarred hands. When we need him most, if we will receive him and take that hand, Jesus will say to us, “Peace be with you!” In faith, may we take hold of that hand, allowing his peace and love to surround us.

Prayer: Lord God, in moments when I can cling to self or to other things of this world, help me to reach out and take hold of that hand. Pull me up out of the mire, the water, the chaos, and set my feet up on the rock. Guide me to trust first in you. Amen.