Pastor Biakson conducted pastoral prayers for the congregations, followed by a sermon from Pastor Thuamminlian Guite based on the theme “Giving willingly”.
Bible references- Luke 9:51, 52, 57-62, John 12, I Chronicles 29:14
Jesus steadfastly set his face for Jerusalem meaning his unwavering determination, so concentrated on his up-coming destiny. A certain man tried following Him but could not do so as he wants to go and bury his father first. Another man wants to go back and say goodbye to his family and follow Him. The worldly things - family, jobs and our involvement in the society etc. distracted us from following Him. Jesus says that no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God- looking backward will swerve our way to follow Him. There is a cost in following Jesus.
Martha complained that her sister Mary is not helping her in the kitchen but Jesus rebuke her saying that she is upset and worried about many things but Mary did the right thing by listening to Him, for he will not always be with them.
Mary poured expensive perfume at Jesus’ feet. She did so for she clearly knows who Jesus was. It was calculated to be worth a years’ pay. While Juda Iskariot, who hand Him over to his enemies, did not like what Mary did as the perfume can be sold and the money given to poor. He did not say this because he cared about the poor. He said it because he was a thief. But Mary did this because of her love for Jesus.
From the above, we can deduce the fact that our jobs, our family and what we have or our treasure etc are not unimportant but we should never forget to keep Jesus always at the centre.
All that we had and possess belongs to God. We are just the trustee of God’s treasure. We have to give willingly our everything-time, money etc. to God for He has done great and wonderful things for us. We must remember that He can withdraw or take back from us what He has already given us. Out of our love, His greatness and for all that He has done for us, we must give praise and give glory to Him.
As Matthew 6:19-20 says “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” let us set our face and store our treasure in heaven by giving willingly for the Lord’s and for His glory.
