John 12:1-7

John 12:1-7
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived,
whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor.
Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume.
She poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair.
And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
“Why wasn’t this perfume sold, and the money given to the poor?
It was worth a year’s wages.”

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief;
as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume
for the day of my burial.”

---

How fragrant are your promises to us, Lord Jesus!
May the fragrance of your love inundate us
as ambassadors of your grace.

May the extraordinary forgiveness of your precious blood
be a reminder to us
that forgiveness is a gift of your grace.
May we find hope and encouragement, like Mary,
pouring out our all
and emptying ourselves before your throne of grace.

May you always be a welcome guest at our tables,
in our homes, and the places we work and play.
May we find ourselves reclined
in your bosom of never-ending joy and peace.

May your holy presence order our steps
so that we are always in lockstep with the Prince of Peace.
May the aroma of your goodness
always permeate our being
as grace overflows our hearts
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

John 16:33

John 16:33
[Jesus said] “These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation,
but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

---

Job spoke in scripture
that “a man born of a woman
is of a few days and full of trouble.”
But listen, my friends: as Jesus reiterates,
in this world you will have trouble.
But take heart.
Jesus says, “I have overcome the world.”

Hallelujah! That is good news.
Don't let this world overcome you
and take your eyes off Jesus.
Jesus has already, on our behalf, overcome the world
with all its troubles and heartache and disappointment.

Jesus tells us
not only does he have the world under his control,
but he has us, and he is our peace.
Jesus is our peace,
and he tells us repeatedly that he will never leave us.

We are not without a God,
not without a Comforter,
not without the Spirit of truth.

He reminds us: it is in him that we have our peace,
not the things that are advertised about
on the television or the radio.
It's not the human-made things that we worship,
but Jesus is the Savior who enfolds us
into his awesome presence of peace and joy
and goodness and grace.

And he calms our fears.
Because Jesus lives in me and in you,
we are not afraid.
Jesus is our peace
and we are encouraged, because we know
that he has already conquered the world!

And we give thanks In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

John 14:27

John 14:27
Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor afraid.

---

Loving Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
We, your people, come simply to say thank you for the “transplant”--
Thank you for removing
the heart and the spirit of fear that has gripped us.
Thank you for infusing our souls
with new life and new hope and new dreams.

A new life where fear is not even in the vocabulary!
I thank you that we are not orphans, not knowing who will take us in,
and instead you allow us a place at your table.
Instead, we sit around your table of grace!

Jesus calmly and firmly tells us,
“I leave my peace with you,
and I give my peace to you.
And my peace will not look like the world's peace.”

My peace, Jesus is saying,
my peace will calm your greatest fears
and soothe any of your uneasiness and lingering doubt.

Come to Jesus, my friends,
and bask in the peace that only Jesus can offer.
Sit in the presence of Jesus and listen for Jesus' voice
to calm the troubling waters of your soul.
Jesus is speaking to you and to you
and to you, to bless abundantly.

O Lord Jesus,
we’re your people who patiently wait for you.
May you pour gently the waters of baptism over us,
that we may open our eyes and see afresh and anew,
see people differently?
See you differently.
That we may be transformed
because your presence sticks out all over us
and we thank you for that!

In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.