Time to look ahead toward the Fifth Sunday in Lent. On Sunday, March 21 we'll be reading a Bible story (John 12:1-8) that is filled with embarrassing, overflowing thanks--embarrassing, that is, until we know how much Jesus loves us.
Just before this story Jesus performed the most incredible miracle, raising a man named Lazarus from the dead. Six days before Passover--a real historic date on the Jewish calendar--Jesus comes to Lazarus' home where he is the guest of honor. One of Lazarus' sisters, Martha, served the meal, Lazarus was a the table with Jesus, and Mary did something unexpected. She took some perfume worth thousands of dollars and poured it out on Jesus feet and wiped his feet with her hair.
Such extravagant, intimate love. Understandable because Jesus raised her brother from the dead. Even more understandable because, by pouring out this perfume, Jesus says she is preparing him for his burial--for his sacrificial death and burial--and his resurrection--the price Jesus pays to set us all free from eternal death--so someday we too might be raised and given new life.
Jesus--God in human flesh--He pours his whole life out for us on the cross. That's how much he loves us. Mary's heartfelt and expensive act of love reflects his love back to him.
How do you love Jesus? How do you let others know? When others know Jesus' love, and how much we love him, they will love Him too.
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Christians celebrate Passover as "Holy Week" which includes days such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, the highest festival of all--the day when we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. This year, Holy week begins March 28 and continues through April 4.
Note added Friday, March 19
- a follow-up to this was posted today at To Make A Wretch His Treasure.
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