|
Today’s scripture is 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
First of all, Holy Communion is a significant ceremony to Christians because it helps us commemorate Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection. Through Holy Communion, Christians give thanks and remember the suffering for our sin and death on the cross by Jesus Christ. Jesus was crucified on the cross for every human’s sin. We could get salvation and eternal life when we believe in Jesus Christ. Holy Communion is for remembering this event. Second, we have to remind that evangelism is an all believers’ obligation, which includes the message of Jesus’s death when we have Holy Communion. According to 1 Corinthians 11:26, Holy Communion recalls us who join the table of bread and the wine to share the gospel all around the world. We need to don’t forget the fact that evangelism is an obligation of Christians. Lastly, Holy Communion provides a new aspect of worship. Holy Communion can provide another experience of worship. It is to taste the worship. It can help us understand the worship in a more holistic perspective of it. However, the most important thing is to remember the meaning of Holy Communion not only in the ceremony but also in everyday life. When we have a holy communion, we remember what Jesus said and were doing. When we join the Table, we have to remember that God called us to love and serve your neighbors in our daily life. And we should share the gospel with our neighbors. Today’s scripture is Mark chapter 14:3-9. When Jesus visited in the home of Simon the Leper for having a meal with them. And one woman came to Jesus and poured the pure nard perfume which was the so expensive and luxury. According to verse 5, it valued about 300 Denarius. It values now roughly 30,000 dollars. Some people who sew this situation blamed her. “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor.” that’s right. Why Jesus didn’t stop her doing? Jesus was the man who wants to take care of the poor. Jesus knew that if the perfume would sell, it helps Jesus to use a lot of money for those who have no money and no food people. Why did he let it go?
First, unlike the disciples who believe what they want, she was the only one who remembers what Jesus said. We know Jesus already said “I’m gonna captured by chief priests and died on the cross and will be risen in 3 days.” he had mentioned several times. But disciples didn’t remember it. Only the woman remembered what Jesus said. Jesus mentioned that “She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.” She was the only one who remembers and believed what Jesus said. It is faith. Faith is not what I wanna believe, but what I obey Jesus said. So Jesus emphasized that “I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” why did Jesus say so? She is the kind of model of faith. So we believe that the true faith is to follow what Jesus said in the Bible, not my mind. Second, she shows that it is good to worship’s model. The worship is to express how I love God. worship is the best way to love God. Love is dissipation. But it is beautiful and meaningful. It is worthy. In today’s story, what the woman did was holy dissipation. God deserves our worship. God made us, loves us, be with us. We know that we do not live anymore without his help and grace. So, The time and money we spent at the church is the holy dissipation. Remember two things, the faith is to believe not what I want, but what God want. Time and money we spend for the church is the holy dissipation. Today’s scripture is Mark chapter 12, 28-34. We dealt with the story about the most important commandment. Sometimes, we miss the most important thing. The most important thing in a hair shop is not interior, drinks, kindness, but the ability to taking care of hair. in Last Sunday’s story, One of the teachers of the law came and asked him “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus said, “The most important one is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” this line was quoted by Jesus Christ in the old testament from Deuteronomy chapter 6:4-5. the verses are called “Shema” means “hear, O Isreal.” Shema is one of the most significant teachings in the old testament. It is a kind of summary of the all commandments about God. And then Jesus said that “the second is Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
we have to remember two things in this sermon. First, these laws “love God and love your neighbor” is not two laws. It is just one law. That means, if you love your God, you have to love your neighbors. If you love God, but you do not love your neighbor like friends, family, even church members, it is the lie that you said “I love God.” we have to consider about it. Second, we have to be thinking of the answer to the teacher of the law. he said that “yes, you are right, To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” as you remember, that season was Passover which is the most important day in Israel. All of Israelite came to Jerusalem which is the capital city of Israel for the offering. But he realized that to obey God’s commandment “love God and love your neighbor” is more important than the offering. the offering was so significant ceremony which Israel people ought to follow, but the teacher of the law and Jesus Christ knew that the most important thing is not offering, but loving God and neighbor. That means intention, the motivation of worship is more significant than performing worship. we can attend the church and join the worship service without loving God. So, remember that two laws are just one law well-connected and motivation is more important than performing worship. |