The chapel of Kiryu Tobu Church is presently being demolished for future renewal.
Sunday service is temporarily held in
Nijiiro Nursery School.
Nijiiro (Pronounced /Neejee-y-ro/) Nursery School (formerly called Takasago Nursery)
Address: Nakamachi 1-11-21 Kiryu
Sermon of the week :
Nothing is meaningless
John 12:1-8
The Bible says, “Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with pure and very costly perfumed oil of nard, and wiped them with her hair.” The Jews had a custom of washing the feet of guests who traveled and visited their homes. It is likely that her sister Martha had already washed Jesus’ feet. One liter is about 326 grams, which is equivalent to 300 denarii, or 300 days’ wages in those days in Judea.
The anointing of Jesus’ feet with that much oil was nothing but Mary’s gratitude to Jesus, which overflowed from within her. It was because Jesus had brought her brother Lazarus back to life.
However, there were those who condemned Mary’s act of gratitude. Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples. Judas pointed out that she should sell the expensive perfumed oil and give it to the poor. The point itself is not mistaken. But Judas seems to have had a different thought in mind. Judas was the treasurer of the band of Jesus’ disciples. But their finances must not have been rich, and they must have always had a hard time making ends meet. So when Judas saw Mary lavishly anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, he may have felt annoyed and wished that she would have given it to the poor.
However, Jesus accepted Mary’s act from the perspective of love. Today we observe Mother’s Day Adoration. What kind of mother comes to mind for each of you? Is she like Mary, who serves others without thinking of profit or loss? Nothing in our lives is useless or meaningless. Let us walk with faith in that.
( Pastor Kei Miura)