During these times of meeting together online, we're using snail mail to post out a weekly devotion to those who don't have internet access. We thought we'd share it with those online too!
Weekly Devotion no 1
3 April 2020
Bible reading – Mark 14:1-11
Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were
only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were
scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. 2 ‘But not during the
festival,’ they said, ‘or the people may riot.’
3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the
home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive
perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his
head.
4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one
another, ‘Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a
year’s wages and the money given to the poor.’ And they rebuked her harshly.
6 ‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her?
She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you,
and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She
did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my
burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the
world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’
10 Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief
priests to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and
promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.
Reflection
This story reminds us of two reactions that people had to
Jesus. Firstly, the chief priests and teachers of the law were scheming to
arrest Jesus and kill him. They didn’t want him around to cause trouble during
the Passover. We see at the end of the story that Judas agrees to help them.
But we also see the beautiful and costly worship of the
woman who pours the pure nard on Jesus’ head. This was very expensive perfume
and seemed to some as an extravagant waste. But Jesus commended her for
recognising him for who he is – that he is only with them for a short time. He
also gives another hint of what is about to happen – that this anointing is in
preparation for his burial. Jesus already knew what the leaders were planning
because, for our sake, he would go willingly to his death, that we might have
life.
During this time of lent, and as we approach Easter, we also
have an opportunity to consider how we respond to Jesus. As we see the
behaviour of some degenerate into fighting over toilet paper and fear and anxiety
taking over for so many in these uncertain times, it’s maybe not a bad idea to
spend the quieter time that we have for now sitting at Jesus’ feet and
worshipping him. He will delight to have us doing this and will welcome us, as
he did this woman.
Hymn
Verse 1
When peace like a river
Attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot
Thou hast taught me to say
It is well
It is well with my soul
Chorus
It is well, it is well
With my soul, with my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Verse 2
Tho' Satan should buffet
Tho' trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ hath regarded
My helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood
For my soul
Verse
3
My sin O the bliss
Of this glorious tho't
My sin not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross
And I bear it no more
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord O my soul
Verse 4
And Lord haste the day
When the faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound
And the Lord shall descend
Even so it is well
With my soul
Prayer
We pray for all who are in trouble,
That those who are sick may be cared for,
Those who are lonely sustained,
Those who are oppressed strengthened,
Those who mourn comforted,
And that those who are close to death
May know their risen Lord.
This we ask in Christ’s name. Amen.