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Looking for spiritual refreshment? God Pause e-mail devotions are short, meaningful reflections on
the following Sunday's lessons and gospel delivered directly to your e-mail box.
By Sunday, you'll be ready for an extra meaningful worship experience.
Our devotion writers are Luther Seminary alumni/ae. Their reflections are a
gift to you and to the church.
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Sunday, 3/21/2010
John 12:1-8
"The boldness of it! Of course Lazarus and his sisters knew Jesus was on the most-wanted list. The authorities were trying to arrest him, and that family threw a dinner party for him! Who did they think they were? Word had it Lazarus would be on that most-wanted list, too. And who'd save him from death this time, with Jesus executed as well?" Can't you just hear it? Local gossip, fear and jealousy. Yet, Lazarus, Mary and Martha put their loyalty and gratitude to Jesus right out there. They invited him to be among them instead of turning him over to authorities. Have you ever expressed your loyalty and gratitude in a way that flouted public opinion?
Lord God, you have created us to live out our love and gratitude for all your gifts, in easy circumstances and in difficult ones. Help us remember Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Strengthen us with the fullness of life so we may trust you and show our gratitude for all your gifts to the world. Amen.
Sarah Henrich
Professor of New Testament, Luther Seminary
John 12:1-8 (NRSV)
1 Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
2 There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him.
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.
4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,
5 "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?"
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.)
7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.
8 "You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me."
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Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian
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