TITLE: Grace in Action
SCRIPTURE: John 13:1, Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
OBSERVATION: I have always been intrigued by this passage, which reveals that during the last supper with his disciples, Jesus knew he would be giving his life for them, and he knew the Father had placed all power and authority into his hands. At that point Jesus had the power and authority to wipe out the puny leadership of the Sanhedrin and the Roman soldiers, and establish his kingdom here on earth. But instead, Jesus chose to follow the wishes of the Father, to administer grace and demonstrate ‘the full extent of his love.’ This obedience would result in Jesus suffering a violent death on the cross, and experiencing an unimaginable spiritual darkness with the weight of our sins on his shoulders.
APPLICATION: It’s been said that ‘grace’ is getting what we don’t deserve. Jesus’ willful death is an understatement of this definition. Jesus intended through this grace in action to demonstrate to us how we should extend grace to others as well. No matter what our education, or position, we should always follow Jesus’ example of demonstrating our grace as a basis of our love toward others. For grace without love is just service. But grace with love glorifies the Father.
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for the inexpressible act of grace you lived out through your death on the cross for us. Because of this act we have a hope of being with you in heaven through eternity. Thank you for your example of what grace in action looks like, and pour out your love to us so that we can freely overflow it to others in our life.
Sunday, August 10th by Randy
TITLE:
“Pious Reponses”
SCRIPTURE: John 12: 4-6
[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.
OBSERVATION:
Every Gospel has an account of a woman anointing Jesus. What amazing, is that they don’t all appear to be the same incidents. Jesus is “anointed for burial” by women who deeply cared for Him and wanted to serve Him. So as Jesus sat at a home in Bethany, Mary came and poured a costly bottle of perfume on his feet. The text says, the “house was filled with the fragrance.” This reminds me that whenever we do something for Jesus, the fragrance of service fills the air!!
This morning, what stood out to me was Judas’ reaction. Rather than supporting Mary’s act of submission, he objected and gave what I call a ‘pious response’ – “Why this waste? The perfume might have been sold and the money given to the poor!!” Here’s the kicker, he said that, not because he cared about the poor, but because he cared about the money!
APPLICATION:
So often religious people have “pious responses.” We hide our hidden motives. We give our ‘reasons’ while harboring resentful thoughts. What about my answers and excuses? How honest and straightforward am I? You see, I don’t think Judas’ biggest problem was his conflicted heart, but rather him trying to hide it. Personally, I’ve been turned off by church people who say the right thing, while thinking and plotting the wrong thing. I never want to be like Judas who tried to “look good”, while only thinking of himself. God would rather have me expose my struggling heart, than ‘fake it’ in order to look spiritual.
PRAYER:
Father, I want to be fully honest with you and others. Forgive me when I’ve tried to cover my mixed motives. Help me to admit my sin and allow you to change my heart. AMEN.
“Pious Reponses”
SCRIPTURE: John 12: 4-6
[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.
OBSERVATION:
Every Gospel has an account of a woman anointing Jesus. What amazing, is that they don’t all appear to be the same incidents. Jesus is “anointed for burial” by women who deeply cared for Him and wanted to serve Him. So as Jesus sat at a home in Bethany, Mary came and poured a costly bottle of perfume on his feet. The text says, the “house was filled with the fragrance.” This reminds me that whenever we do something for Jesus, the fragrance of service fills the air!!
This morning, what stood out to me was Judas’ reaction. Rather than supporting Mary’s act of submission, he objected and gave what I call a ‘pious response’ – “Why this waste? The perfume might have been sold and the money given to the poor!!” Here’s the kicker, he said that, not because he cared about the poor, but because he cared about the money!
APPLICATION:
So often religious people have “pious responses.” We hide our hidden motives. We give our ‘reasons’ while harboring resentful thoughts. What about my answers and excuses? How honest and straightforward am I? You see, I don’t think Judas’ biggest problem was his conflicted heart, but rather him trying to hide it. Personally, I’ve been turned off by church people who say the right thing, while thinking and plotting the wrong thing. I never want to be like Judas who tried to “look good”, while only thinking of himself. God would rather have me expose my struggling heart, than ‘fake it’ in order to look spiritual.
PRAYER:
Father, I want to be fully honest with you and others. Forgive me when I’ve tried to cover my mixed motives. Help me to admit my sin and allow you to change my heart. AMEN.
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