Sisters and brothers,
Happy Monday to all! Yesterday was a good day of worship and fellowship as we thought about the hope we continually have in Jesus. We looked at the importance of understanding correctly Jesus’s death on the cross. We contrasted Mary’s anointing of Jesus with her most precious treasure of very expensive perfume and Judas’ betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. Each of them saw Jesus’ upcoming death in a different way. Mary saw Jesus’ death through faith and Judas saw Jesus’ death through his own ambition and greed. Do you understand Jesus’ death and what it truly means? If you miss what Jesus’ death on the cross was all about, you miss Jesus. Mahatma Gandhi said this about Jesus’ death: “I could accept Jesus as a martyr, an embodiment of sacrifice, and a divine teacher, but not as the most perfect man ever born. His death on the Cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it my heart could not accept.” Is that how you see Jesus’s death? Or do you see His death as the only way anyone can be saved? Are you hardened and unbelieving about His death as one of the world’s most meaningless events or the world’s greatest tragedy? Are you disillusioned about His death and see Jesus only as a martyr or good example? Or do you see Jesus’ death as the death of the very Son of God sent to save you from your sin? Will you believe and honor Jesus today, as the true and living Savior, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world? Jesus’ death to each of us is either one of the most meaningful or the most meaningless events in history.
Sunday, March 1 at 6:00 PM, we will have a hymn sing. This is an informal time of sharing what the Lord has done for us and for singing some of the hymn that are our favorites. Hope you will plan on being here.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church