Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

Jesus was doing something in Israel that had not been done for hundreds of years. People had only read about the dead being raised to life, the blind receiving their sight and the deaf hearing in accounts about the great Jewish prophets Elijah and Elisha. So when Jesus Raised Lazarus from death and the word got out to the Scribes and the Pharisees, they immediately plotted to kill him. And so they plotted to kill Jesus rather than upset the Roman rulers of Judea. Little did they know that this was all part of the God’s master plan of redemption. Jesus would lay down his life and be put to death for the sin of the Jewish nation and the whole world. It was now spring and Jesus was having lunch as Lazarus’ home. Mary took a jar of perfumed lotion costing about a year’s salary (~£30k toady) and anointed Jesus’ feet. This was Jesus being prepared for his burial after his crucifixion outside Jerusalem.  God’s plan for the salvation of humanity was now being fulfilled. Today as we prepare to leave the old year behind, let us remember that God’s plan is still in operation and as the days grow darker we as Jesus’ representatives must be prepared to shine brighter and brighter as the light of the world.

In this particular New Year Jesus wants us to be like Mary, extravagant in our worship and unrelenting in our service to the king of the universe. Remember, nothing we have is too precious to give to God!  Have a read of John 11:45-12:8