Grains of Sand

Google Images It was, by any standards, an enormously generous expression of gratitude. Just before the Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany to visit his friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. His last visit had been marked by a funeral and a celebration of resurrection life. The Lord has brought Lazarus back from the death and all three were grateful. We don’t know how Lazarus expressed his personal gratitude to the Lord and we have only a glimpse of how Martha did it. But Mary, well, Mary found a special way to say thank you for her brother’s life. John 12:2 tells us that a special dinner was held in Jesus’ honour when he arrived in Bethany. That was Martha’s expression for thankfulness. Serving was her forte and this time, I suspect, she did it with a spring in her step and joy in her heart. But Mary, who had been commended for sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to what He had to say, what was she to do to say thank you? It was customary to make guests comfortable. Since people rec...

Wendy Farha, singer, comedienne, Cancer survivor " There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good " (1 Corinthians 12:4-7, NIV). The instructions have been given and now the work begins. Moses sends out the call for everyone to contribute whatever he can to the construction of the Tabernacle that will become the place of meeting with God. Those who can give are to do so (Exodus 35:4, 5). Those who can do are to do (35:10). There were some like Bezalel and Oholiab who were especially skilled, but no one was exempt from service simply because they were just "ordinarily" gifted. The lesson is simple—we all have a contribution to make to the " common good " of the body. Whether that contribution be big or small it's still ne...