A few years ago, through a unique set of circumstances, my wife and I found ourselves having dinner with a famous politician and his wife. Away from the crowds, the four of us just got to sit and talk. Based on their unique set of experiences, I made a conscious attempt to listen way more than I talked (for those of you who know me well, you know what a challenge this must have been 🙂 ). It was a joy to hear of their life story, how they came to faith in Christ, how they ended up running for office, and what their favorite accomplishment was during their public service. I was so encouraged to hear their account of their life, and its effect.
Have you ever had an opportunity like this? It was unique for me . . . and may never happen again. I really enjoyed that private access to this public person, though, and it allowed me to thank them personally for the impact they have had in our world.
I was thinking about that experience this week as I prepare for Sunday’s sermon. This week (week 2 in the “Defeating Death” sermon series) we will be looking at Matthew 26:6-13. In these verses, there is a private dinner party happening including 17 people. These 17 people were:
- Jesus of Nazareth (the featured guest)
- The Twelve disciples
- Mary
- Martha
- Lazarus (the former dead man)
- Simon (the former leper)
Just imagine that group. Jesus, eating dinner with a man He cured from leprosy, a man He resurrected from the dead, the dead man’s sisters (Mary and Martha), and twelve witnesses to ALL of the public ministry of Jesus. WHAT. A. SCENE. I so long to have been there for this meal. Seriously. How cool what that be?
What did they talk about? What did they do? Who did the talking?
Far more than just a famous politician, Jesus was the Son of God. Far greater than just being someone who had passed a few laws, He was the One who had fulfilled ALL THE LAW! Far beyond having just served society, Jesus had worked dramatic miracles in the lives of ALL PRESENT! Amazing.
Out of that dinner party, what do we learn for our lives today? This Sunday we will “listen” in on the transcript from that dinner, and watch the “video footage” of what happened as we think about how we might respond to the One who Defeated Death to provide a victory for you and me. Join us this Sunday (February 23) at Wildwood Community Church at 9:45 or 11:00 as we look at these verses together. Come . . . and bring friends! This is a passage of Scripture none of us can miss.
To listen to an Easter playlist connected to this series: