How We View the World

March 31, 2015
Opening Hymns:
381 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh381.sht

Scripture Reading:
John 12:1-11
12:1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

12:2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.

12:3 Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus' feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

12:4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,

12:5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?"

12:6 (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.)

12:7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.

12:8 You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."

12:9 When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

12:10 So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well,

12:11 since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus.

Message:
Have you ever tried figuring out riddles? Sometimes it can be so challenging to picture the correct answer in your head. Some riddles are challenging because of when we imagine about the riddle that was never said, and isn’t true. Our mind likes to fill in the blanks of a story that is not completely told. When we focus on our own view it can make the riddle impossible, we need to try to see it a different way.

In this scripture we see people who are focusing on their own view, and unable to see the world any different. Judas is frustrated because money is being wasted. Was it because he was the treasurer and was stealing the money that they had? Was it because he was feeling guilty about what he was going to do, and wanted to point out the faults of others? Regardless, he couldn’t understand why such an expensive perfume was being used on Jesus, and why Jesus was allowing it when it could feed many hungry mouths.

We also see the high Priests plotting to kill Jesus and Lazarus… It’s been a while since I read this scripture… I don’t remember the Priests wanting to kill Lazarus, and in a way it’s almost comical. They have WAY missed the book. They are so focused on their mission to discredit Jesus, and to keep people from believing in Him that they miss their chance to believe! How could anyone think to themselves: “okay, so He raised this man from the dead, so we’ll have to kill him too.”

As we enter into Holy week, maybe we too need to see the world differently. Could we be focusing on ourselves so much that we miss the chance to help others in need. Have we decided what priorities should be for us, and missed what the greatest priorities should be? This week let us take a look at our own lives, let us remember Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and let us share that love with others.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, let our vision of the world be matched with Your vision. Let our hearts reflect that love that You have given us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.


The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
671 Lord Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh671.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.