March 28, 2011

Yesterday was a busy day with Sunday School and Church, Isaiah Nolte from Fargo spoke to us about his desire to go to Nicaragua, he has been there 8 times, but feels God calling him to go back and start churches.  Jerry said he was interesting and he is.  Jerry, I  am not sure if that is the word you used.  We are way to stoic here, to much Scandinavian influence.  He will fit in with the people there.  It is obvious that God has called him and that is what counts.  If we were really focused on Jesus we might be a bit more exuberant, too.  After wards came home and rested and then went to family service for Carolyn, visited with some who had come from a distance for that occasion.  I have highlighted a couple of paragraphs, because if we want to hear from Jesus and to really sense his voice we have to take time to listen and focus and then do what he says.

Mary Listened
~

"Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on
Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the
fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later
to betray him, objected. 'Leave her alone,' Jesus replied. 'It was intended that
 she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.'"

--John 12:3-4, 7

For weeks, Jesus had been telling His disciples that He would soon be crucified
and taken from them. Judging from their confusion after His death, it's obvious
they did not listen. But one person listened, really listened to the words of Jesus.
It was Mary, the sister of Martha.

I'm sure that the Lord was deeply touched by her demonstration of devotion, the
pouring of perfume on His feet. What may have touched him more, however, was the
 knowledge that Mary was doing this as a preparation for His burial. Perhaps she
 realized that crucified criminals were not permitted to be anointed for burial;
 perhaps this act of devotion was her way of offering, in advance, what might not
be permitted after His death.

How did Mary know all this? She sat at the feet of Jesus and drank in His every
word. She pondered the things He said, weighing everything, considering it all.
The disciples failed to genuinely listen and missed the chance to minister to the
Lord before He went to the cross.

We bring so much delight to the Lord when we sit at His feet and consider all the
things He says. Others may miss the point or bypass the lesson. But for those who
hang on His words, to them, God reveals His secret plan and purpose.

Lord, today I sit at Your feet to listen. Oh, may I genuinely hear what wonderful
things You have to say.