Witness Express 7 (March 2010)

 

Making Jesus Smell Good

The Gospels tell the story of Mary and Martha who lived in Bethany (about two miles from Jerusalem). Jesus visited them when He came to the Jerusalem area. There were at least three in the family-Martha, her sister, Mary, and a brother, Lazarus. These were people whom Jesus loved and enjoyed visiting. We have accounts of three incidents in their relationship.

One time when Jesus was visiting, Martha wanted to put on a big dinner; it may be that some of the disciples were going to eat with the family. Bustling around in the kitchen she was irked that Mary had chosen to sit with Jesus and entertain Him by listening to His stories and conversing with Him. Martha had more than her share of Jewish chutzpah (nerve) she approached Jesus and told Him to tell Mary “to get up and help me with dinner.”  Jesus’ response was not what Martha expected but it was typical ‘Jesus.’ He said, “Martha! Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. There’s only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42). What do you think that ‘one thing’ is that Jesus was referring to? I think it was a relationship with Jesus-spending time with Him! Do you suppose that Jesus (and God the Father) is more pleased with our spending time in prayer and meditation with Him than in some sacrifice we might offer Him?! While Martha wanted to make Jesus feel good by putting good food into His stomach; Mary was making Jesus feel good spiritually by interacting with Him about faith, hope and love-spiritual truths and eternal values.

Now Martha was a true believer in Jesus. We see that in the second recorded incident that brought them together. (I am sure there were other times that Jesus visited with them at Bethany.) In the first incident we do not encounter Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha. But he is the occasion for the second event. Lazarus died. Some people have equated this Lazarus with the beggar of Luke 16 but we have no way of verifying that. Lazarus might have been a common name. So I think that there were two Lazaruses. In any case Lazarus became seriously ill. His sisters sent for Jesus because they knew that He had healed people and He could heal Lazarus of any illness. Jesus was teaching and healing on the east side of the Jordan River. He had left Judea because the Jewish leaders were trying to kill Him. (John 10:39). Even after Martha and Mary sent to tell Jesus of Lazarus deathly illness, Jesus did not respond right away. There was a purpose in His wait as He told His disciples -“Lazarus has died, but I’m glad that I wasn’t there so that you can grow in faith.” (John 11:13).  Two days after receiving the message He began the journey back to Bethany (two miles from Jerusalem) to raise Lazarus (John 11:7-11).

When Martha heard that Jesus was coming she ran to meet Him. In their conversation she expressed her faith in Jesus’ ability to heal, in His relationship with God, and in His being the Messiah with the power of life and death. (John 11:20-27). Martha accepted Jesus’ claim “Your brother will come back to life. I am the one who brings people back to life, and I am life itself. Those who believe in Me will live even if they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” She then ran back to the house and told her sister, “The Teacher is here, and He is calling for you.”

Mary ran to Jesus and knelt repeating through her tears the same complaint as Martha-“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus was deeply touched by her tears and He also wept. He asked, “Where did you put Lazarus?” Mary and the crowd of mourners with her took Jesus to the cave with the stone blocking the entrance. “Take the stone away,” Jesus commanded. Martha, who had rejoined the group, reminded Jesus that “Lord, there must already be a stench. He’s been dead four days.”  Jesus had the stone moved and said an audible prayer so that those standing there knew that He was talking to God, His Father. He then shouted loudly, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus appeared still wrapped in the cloths they had put on his body. Jesus commanded, “Free him and let him go.” They did and many people believed on Jesus because of this miracle. (John 11:1-45).

Jesus left the area going to the small city of Ephraim. Later the Jewish Passover drew near (the annual celebration of the deliverance of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery). All able Jewish men were to come to Jerusalem and worship with a sacrifice at the Temple. Jesus also came the week before the celebration and was having a meal in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man He had healed of leprosy. Lazarus was also at the dinner. While Martha was serving it Mary came in with one of her prized possessions, a bottle of very expensive perfume made from pure nard (worth hundreds of dollars). Breaking the bottle she poured some on Jesus‘ head and some on His feet. She then wiped away the excess drying his head and then His feet with her hair. Everyone noticed what she was doing partly because the pungent perfume filled the room, and the entire house. Judas led some in complaining that this was a waste. The perfume should have been sold and the money used to feed the poor. While thieving Judas had an ulterior motive Jesus addressed their reasoning, “Leave her alone! She has done a beautiful thing for me. You will always have the poor with you and can help them whenever you want. But you will not always have me with you. She did what she could. She came to pour perfume on my body before it is placed in a tomb.” (He was referring to His coming death by crucifixion. In the process of preparing dead bodies they wrapped them in strips of cloth with spices and perfume.) He added, “Wherever this story of Good News is told in the world, her story will also be told as a memorial.” (John 12:1-8; Mark 14:3-9; Matthew 26:6-13).

And we are retelling the story again. Jesus came to earth to give His life as a “sweet-smelling sacrifice to God” for us (Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29; Isaiah 53:10; Matthew 3:17; 12:18; 17:5). Mary sacrificed something very precious to her. They all knew what she had done but Jesus explained why she had made this extravagant expression of love. Then they understood how much she loved Jesus! I wonder if people around us can readily tell how much we love Jesus! And we might ask ourselves, “How much do I love Jesus; do I love Him enough to make a sacrifice of my most precious possession to Him?” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16; Philippians 4:18)

Ann Ortlund in a book on worship published by Gospel Light Publications wrote of this event. “Many [people] who file into church…have Jesus inside of them. Jesus!-precious, exciting, life giving. But most of them keep Him shut up, contained, enclosed all their lives. And the air is full of NOTHING. They come to church and sit –these long rows of cold, beautiful alabaster vases! Then [they] get up and march out again, silently-or maybe talking their cold alabaster talk-to repeat the ritual week after week…The need for Christians everywhere (nobody is exempt) is to be broken. The vase has to be smashed! Christians have to let the life out! It will fill the room with sweetness.” The eternal, holy God says “I live in a high and holy place. But I am with those who are crushed and humble. I will renew the spirit of those who are humble and the courage of those who are crushed [broken].” (Isaiah 57:15).

Scriptures in this article are from God’s Word translation.

Christian Union Youth Camps – 2010 Version Coming Soon!

Indiana

• Junior Camp for ages 7-14: June 21-24. Camp Woodsmoke, near Clarksburg, IN. Director Don Fuchs. The theme is “A Time for Everything”. Registration and worker forms will be available in April. Camper registration forms are due June 3.  Worker forms are due May 13. The fee for campers is $30 and for workers is $15.  This includes a T-shirt.

Iowa

• Junior Camp: June 21-25.  Jericho Hills,  Lucas, IA. Chuck Whitmire, speaker. The theme is “Do Right.”  Cost $120.

Missouri

• Junior Camp for ages 8-12: June 14-17. Inspiration Hills, Polo, MO. Ron Ratliff, speaker. Contact Pat Polo at 816-296-3051.

Ohio

• Senior High Camp: July 12-17. Greenfield, Ohio.  Director Mike Anderson. Marty Ford ‘Experience’ Band, new classes & activities.
• Beginner Camp: July 19-24. Director John Dotson.
• Junior High Camp: July 26-31. Director Jeremy Davis.

Oklahoma

• Day Camp for ages 6-12: June 7-9, June 14-16, and June 21- 23. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. daily. Camp Clearview. Director Sam Young. The theme this year will be “Olde Time, God Time” with various speakers scheduled during the three different weeks. This year, to avoid scheduling conflicts, the kids are encouraged to come any of the 3 different weeks.
• Junior Camp for ages 8-12: July 19-22. Director Bryan Baldwin. The Theme this year will be “ Looking for Him in 2010” The Chapel speaker will be Noah Wickham, and our Missionary speaker will be Richard McCool. Children ages 8-12 will enjoy a week of overnight camping in rustic cabins located at Camp Redlands in Stillwater, OK. There will be games, Missionary studies, Chapel services, and Bible lessons focusing on looking for our Savior in everything we do.

Tri-State

• 2010 Camp for ages 13-18: July 19-23. Lake Maurer, Excelsior Springs, MO. Director Jim Eschenbrenner. The theme is “Chasing Lions.” Planned activities include archery, basketball, drama, golf, softball, volleyball, and worship. Open recreation will include paintball, pool, and video games. An internship program is available for those who are at least 16 years old and have been at camp for at least one year. Mike Colaw and his friends will be with us to lead in worship. This will be their fourth year and everyone has learned to appreciate both the quality and intensity of being led to recognize the Presence of God who is always with us. Mike and his friends are more than “the band.” They are partners in ministry with counselors and workshop leaders who help us all explore the wonders of worship.

Are You Interested In Short Term Missions?

Would you like to go do something worthwhile for the Lord this summer (or sometime soon)? Here are some contacts for such an opportunity:

• Teen Missions International (info@teenmissions.org or 321-453-0350) for both youth and adults in the U. S. and international.
• Hope Mission International (hmomhr@grm.net or 660-425-2277) in the US or Haiti.
  Mission Teams are made up of ordinary people who have committed themselves to one week or more of service to God in a place called Haiti. There are many avenues of service available to the volunteer. As you look over the opportunities available, you may find yourself drawn to more than one area of the work. That’s alright, you can divide your week however you feel led. You may serve part of the time on one team and then switch to another team. Flexibility is the key to a successful experience. Who knows, you may just find that God has a whole new plan for your life that is just waiting to be discovered in Haiti. Open yourself to the possibilities as you examine the various teams. Just click on one of the team buttons above to see how some other people followed Gods leading by serving on a team. Your experience may be similar, or God may have some surprises just for you. In any case, your life will never be the same again.
• Hope Mission (Ralph Morris, mrrevbjeepin@yahoo.com), Haiti.
• Word of Life, Nehemiah Network (nnetwork.wol.org), short term missions for adults.
  The Nehemiah Network is a service ministry of Word of Life Fellowship.  Through the Nehemiah Network, we conduct Short Term Mission Trips all around the world (domestic and international).  The Nehemiah Network desires to enlarge the missionary vision and outreach of churches and individuals by connecting them with the needs of missionaries around the world.  We want to assist the local church in accomplishing the great commission through Short Term Missions.
• Word of Life, Youth Reachout (reachout.wol.org), short term missions for teens.
  Word of Life is a huge worldwide ministry in over 58 countries. Come and catch a first-hand glimpse of world missions! Reachout is targeting hundreds of locations in many countries with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Prepare to be stretched as you share your faith and use your talents and abilities in a variety of cross-cultural settings. Experience the thrill of proclaiming Christ in the open-air, churches, youth rallies, and anywhere God opens the doors through drama, music, testimonies, and preaching the Word of God.
• SCORE International (scoreinternational.org), teens and adults.
  The purpose of SCORE International is to evangelize, encourage missionaries, and equip participants to do the work of foreign missions.
• R-VICS, Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service (www.rvics.com) for retired people in U. S.
  RVICS is a non-donominational Christian organization for couples with a heart to serve the Lord during their retirement years.  Teams of 5 or 6 couples provide a wide variety of maintenance, service, and construction assistance to needy non-profit Christian children’s homes, schools, colleges, camps, conference centers, and churches.  Each work project is 3-1/2 to 4 weeks long, scheduled in warmer climates during the winter months, and cooler locations the remainder of the year.  Members are encouraged to serve a minimum of 3 projects, or up to 8 or 9 projects a year, January through November, with a 3-to-4-week Christmas furlough.  Summer projects are scheduled for those who can serve at that time.
• Youthworks (youthworks.com) for teens age 12-19 within the U. S.
  Quite simply, our purpose is to provide life-changing, Christ-centered youth mission opportunities. This is our reason for being. We create extraordinarily fun and significant mission adventures, targeted to the needs and capabilities of youth, ages 12-19. By crossing borders of race and culture, and by placing students outside their comfort zones, we find something wonderful happens: God gets their attention! Without the distractions of everyday life, God uses YouthWorks to work in the lives of thousands of teenagers. By attempting to be faithful to our purpose, we find God is also at work in each of the communities we serve. Yea God!
• HBCGlobal (President Don Callison, dcallison@avmi.org), international teams via Missions.
• European Christian Mission (Clair Longuevan, 970-210-5594), international.

There are many others.

General Council (Our National Conference)

Date: June 8-10, 2010

Location: Historic Excelsior Springs, Missouri…a spa city founded by Dr. J.V.B. Flack, Christian Union leader, pastor and evangelist. Meeting in the church he founded now called Flack Memorial Christian Union Church, 1300 Tracy Street, Excelsior Springs, MO.

Theme: Following Christ… eye-level, face-to-face, heart-to-heart

Speaker: Doug Grogan, Pastor, Church Planter, Church Leader, Avid Fisherman and Outdoorsman.

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