April 4, 2025

Dear Friends,

On this 5th Sunday of Lent we will explore the account in John 12:1-11 of Mary anointing Jesus. What Mary does is a beautiful and extravagant act of worship, sacrificing an expressive ointment as a symbol of her gratitude and love towards Jesus. It fills the room with a beautiful fragrance. Mary is also prophetic as Jesus confirms that it is symbolic of his own upcoming trial, crucifixion and burial; in other words his own atoning sacrifice on our behalf to undo the power of sin and stench of death. Judas’ legalistic (and also hypocritical as John points out) criticism of what Mary has done as wasteful and useless is countered by Jesus point that  Mary’s extravagant devotion in no way contradicts the command to give alms to the poor. Indeed, the work of worshipping God enables service to the poor. She alone, among all the disciples seemed to perceive that Jesus’ glorification on the cross will be the necessary sacrifice recalling a “pleasing aroma” of the sacrifices in Leviticus.  It also exposes Judas’ own motivations and who he understands Jesus to be. Jesus will pay it all on the cross for the  forgiveness sin and the undoing of death. But what devotion will Judas give? What gratitude will Judas’ express for such sacrifice? As we come towards Holy Week and Easter it is a question we ask ourselves. What can we offer up in devotion and gratitude for what Christ has done for us? Please join me as we take a look at this moving story in a message entitled “ The Value of a Fragrant Life”.    

I want extend my blessings to Susan Leaper who on Sunday morning will be administered the  Sacrament of Baptism. It is my privilege to officiate at an adult baptism which speaks to the grace of God extended in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit to Susan who is making a public profession of her personal faith in Jesus as her Lord and Saviour.  We are so glad for Susan and her desire to follow and live as a disciple of Jesus Christ   

Blessings

Pastor Ian