Mary was a loyal disciple. At a dinner, she took expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet and then wiped his feet with her hair. It was more than a tender act of love, though. Symbolically she was preparing him for death.
Sermon Texts
What should a farmer do with a fig tree that doesn’t produce figs? Or a peach tree that doesn’t produce peaches? Or a pecan tree that doesn’t produce pecans? Or, what should God do with a Christian that produces no fruit? Fortunately for Christians we can change.
The Bible has a few feminine images of God. Jesus described God as a mother hen trying to protect her chicks. They scurried about unaware danger was nearby. They represented the people of Israel who were unaware of the dangers they faced. Next Sunday will take us from the wilderness temptations to the holy city of Jerusalem.
This Wednesday our Lenten journey begins with these words: “Remember, you are dust and to the dust you shall return.” It is a sober reminder of the fleeting nature of life and a challenge to engage the things that matter most. This Sunday will take us to the wilderness and the temptations of Jesus
People of my generation likely think of Charlton Heston descending Mt. Sinai as Moses in the movie The Ten Commandments. His hair and beard had turned white. His face shone brightly. What were the biblical writers trying to communicate about Moses? And God? And then Jesus?
We often hear it at weddings: “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous….” But this instruction was not just for marriage. It was intended for all of us. And there is great power in it.