... the grace which flowed from obedience to His Spirit



John 20:24 - 31
Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe."

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand [i]here,[/i] and put [i]it[/i] into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed [i]are[/i] those who have not seen and [i]yet[/i] have believed."

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.




Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
[originally When my eye-strings break in death]
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.



Tune: Redhead
[url=http://www.hymns-organ.com/Music.php?P=1&M=1173939829&S=112&U=1173939829]http://www.hymns-organ.com/Music.php?P=1&M=1173939829&S=112&U=1173939829[/url]

... giving a growing peace where there was conflict



How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him
Who brings good news, good news;
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness:
Our God reigns, our God reigns!

[i]Refrain[/i]
[i]Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns!
Our God reigns![/i]

He had no stately form, He had no majesty
That we should be drawn to Him.
He was despised and we took no account of Him.
Our God reigns, our God reigns!

[i]Refrain[/i]

It was our sin and guilt that bruised and wounded Him.
It was our sin that brought Him down.
When we like sheep had gone astray our Shepherd came
And on His shoulders bore our shame.

[i]Refrain[/i]

Meek as a lamb that’s led out to the slaughterhouse,
Dumb as a sheep before its shearer,
His life ran down upon the ground like pouring rain
That we might be born again.

[i]Refrain[/i]

Out from the tomb He came with grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive.
God loves us so, see here His hands, His feet, His side
Yes we know, He is alive.

[i]Refrain[/i]



[i]Our God Reigns © 1974, 1978 Leonard E. Smith[/i]



[url=http://www.cgmusic.com/potpourri/praise/ourgodreigns.htm]http://www.cgmusic.com/potpourri/praise/ourgodreigns.htm[/url]

[url=http://www.ltn.lv/~vdc/eng/miligi1.html]http://www.ltn.lv/~vdc/eng/miligi1.html[/url]




John 1:10 - 18
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.' " And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, [i]but[/i] grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared [i]Him.[/i]

... His continued grace in the details of practicalities




He brought me to His banqueting table,
His banner over me is love,
He brought me to His banqueting table
His banner over me is love,
He brought me to His banqueting table
His banner over me is love,
His banner over me is love.

He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love,
He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love,
He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love,
His banner over me is love.

Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love,
Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love,
Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love,
His banner over me is love.

I am the Lord's and He is mine,
His banner over me is love,
I am the Lord's and He is mine,
His banner over me is love,
I am the Lord's and He is mine,
His banner over me is love,
His banner over me is love.




Eleventh in leftmost column
[url=http://www.stmichaelshoughton.net/hymns.html]http://www.stmichaelshoughton.net/hymns.html[/url]




John 2:1 - 11
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do [i]it."[/i]

Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, "Draw [i]some[/i] out now, and take [i]it[/i] to the master of the feast." And they took [i]it.[/i]

When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, "Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the [i]guests[/i] have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!"

This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

... much practical progress - the outworking of His work in me



6 6 6 6--- 6 -6 -6 -6 -6---
I will rejoice in You and be glad.

6 6 6 6--- 7 7 -7 -6 6---
I will extol--- Your love more than wine---.

6 6 6 6 6-- 6 6 -6 4-- 4 4-- -4---
Draw me un-to You and let us run toge---th - er-.

5 5 5 5--- 5 -5-- 5 -4 4----
I will rejoice in You and be glad----.



Tune written in harmonica tabs (amen!)
[url=http://www.harptabs.com/song.php?ID=1596&PHPSESSID=38cfb5be4b9c87b2ac654e772162b79c]http://www.harptabs.com/song.php?ID=1596&PHPSESSID=38cfb5be4b9c87b2ac654e772162b79c[/url]



Revelation 14:4
These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.

These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

These were redeemed from [i]among[/i] men, [i]being[/i] firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.


Matthew 19:12
"For there are eunuchs who were born thus from [i]their[/i] mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake.

He who is able to accept [i]it,[/i] let him accept [i]it."[/i]


Hebrews 13:4
Marriage [i]is[/i] honorable among all, and the bed [u]un[/u]defiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

... an abundance of blessing in practical and spiritual places



Thou Christ of burning, cleansing flame,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
Thy blood bought gift today we claim,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
Look down and see this waiting host,
Give us the promised Holy Ghost;
We want another Pentecost,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!

God of Elijah, hear our cry:
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
To make us fit to live or die,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
To burn up every trace of sin,
To bring the light and glory in,
The revolution now begin,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!

’Tis fire we want, for fire we plead,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
The fire will meet our every need,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
For strength to ever do the right,
For grace to conquer in the fight,
For power to walk the world in white,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!

To make our weak hearts strong and brave,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
To live a dying world to save,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!
O see us on Thy altar lay
Our lives, our all, this very day;
To crown the offering now we pray,
Send the fire, send the fire, send the fire!



Tune: News
[url=http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/a/whatnews.htm]http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/w/h/a/whatnews.htm[/url]




Acts 2:1 - 4
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.


Exodus 19:16 - 20
Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who [i]were[/i] in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai [i]was[/i] completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice. Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.


Hebrews 12:18 - 24
For [b]you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. (For they could not endure what was commanded[/b]: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow." And so terrifying was the sight [i]that[/i] Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.")

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn [i]who are[/i] registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than [i]that of[/i] Abel.

... grace and strength



Head of Thy Church triumphant,
We joyfully adore Thee;
Till Thou appear, Thy members here
Shall sing like those in glory.
We lift our hearts and voices
With blest anticipation,
And cry aloud, and give to God
The praise of our salvation.

While in affliction’s furnace,
And passing through the fire,
Thy love we praise, which knows our days,
And ever brings us nigher.
We clap our hands exulting
In Thine almighty favor;
The love divine which made us Thine
Shall keep us Thine for ever.

Thou dost conduct Thy people
Through torrents of temptation,
Nor will we fear, while Thou art near,
The fire of tribulation.
The world with sin and Satan
In vain our march opposes,
Through Thee we shall break through them all,
And sing the song of Moses.

By faith we see the glory
To which Thou shalt restore us,
The cross despise for that high prize
Which Thou hast set before us.
And if Thou count us worthy,
We each, as dying Stephen,
Shall see Thee stand at God’s right hand,
To take us up to Heaven.


[i]Charles Wesley[/i]


Tune: Lostwithiel
[url=http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/t/c/htctrium.htm]http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/t/c/htctrium.htm[/url]



Acts 6:8 - 15
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon [i]him,[/i] seized him, and brought [him] to the council.

They also set up false witnesses who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Acts 7:1, 2 ... 47 - 60
Then the high priest said, "Are these things so?" And he [Stephen] said, "Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father ... But Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
'Heaven [i]is[/i] My throne,
And earth [i]is[/i] My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the LORD,
Or what [i]is[/i] the place of My rest?
Has My hand not made all these things?'

[i]You[/i] stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers [i]did,[/i] so [i]do[/i] you. Which of the prophets did your fathers [b]not[/b] persecute?

And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept [i]it."[/i] When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with [i]their[/i] teeth. [color=006699]But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" [/color]

Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast [i]him[/i] out of the city and stoned [i]him.[/i] And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on [i]God[/i] and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Today I am praising God for what I do not see...

As my children face the difficulties that adult/family life brings...and I see their concern and listen to the tears; I am thankful that I can rest assured God is in the midst of what they face and will do His Perfect Work to bring about His Image in them from their trials, just as He has done with all of us who have surrendered to His Will.

And I am so incredibly thankful that at the end of every one of my kids' expressions of pain and suffering, they always end it with, "But I know, Mom, it will be okay...Jesus will do what He has designed, thru this."
Now THAT is reason to rejoice...
My children KNOW that their Hope is in God and He will not leave them cast down forever....

Afterall...
We serve a Risen Savior
who is Forever Faithful
and
We walk by Faith NOT by sight!

Bonnie

... a very swift answer to a personal prayer 8-)



'TIS the church triumphant singing,
Worthy the Lamb!
Heaven throughout with praises ringing,
Worthy the Lamb!
Thrones and powers before Him bending;
Odours sweet, with voice, ascending;
Swells the chorus never-ending,
Worthy the Lamb!

Every kindred, tongue, and nation,
Worthy the Lamb!
Join to sing the great salvation,
Worthy the Lamb!
Loud as mighty thunders roaring,
Floods of mighty waters pouring,
Prostrate at His feet adoring,
Worthy the Lamb!

Sing with blest anticipation,
Worthy the Lamb!
Through the vale of tribulation,
Worthy the Lamb!
Sweetest notes, all notes excelling,
On His love for ever dwelling,
Still untold, though ever telling,
Worthy the Lamb!



Tune: by James Mountain (Redemption Hymnal)
[url=http://hymnal.net/Hymns/Hymnal/midi/e0181_i.mid]http://hymnal.net/Hymns/Hymnal/midi/e0181_i.mid[/url]

Tune: Ar Hyd Y Nos (Welsh traditional)
[url=http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/f/f211.html]http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/f/f211.html[/url]

Choose the first 'Melody'
[url=http://ingeb.org/songs/sleepmyc.html]http://ingeb.org/songs/sleepmyc.html[/url]



Revelation 5
And I saw in the right [i]hand[/i] of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"

And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals." And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:

"You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth."

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice:

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!"

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

"Blessing and honor and glory and power
[i]Be[/i] to Him who sits on the throne
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!"

Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

... sunshine, blue skies and many practical blessings :-D



O Thou Who camest from above,
The pure celestial fire to impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
Upon the mean altar of my heart.

There let it for Thy glory burn
With inextinguishable blaze,
And trembling to its source return,
In humble prayer and fervent praise.

Jesus, confirm my heart’s desire
To work and speak and think for Thee;
Still let me guard the holy fire,
And still stir up Thy gift in me.

Ready for all Thy perfect will,
My acts of faith and love repeat,
Till death Thine endless mercies seal,
And make my sacrifice complete.



[i]Charles Wesley[/i]


Tune: Wilton
[url=http://www.hymns-organ.com/Music.php?P=1&M=1176348511&S=419&U=1176348511]http://www.hymns-organ.com/Music.php?P=1&M=1176348511&S=419&U=1176348511[/url]




Hebrews 9:1 - 17
Then indeed, even the first [i]covenant[/i] had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. For a tabernacle was prepared: the first [i]part,[/i] in which [i]was[/i] the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which [i]were[/i] the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.

Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing [i]the services.[/i] But into the second part the high priest [i]went[/i] alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and [i]for[/i] the people's sins [i]committed[/i] in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.

It [i]was[/i] symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience -- [i]concerned[/i] only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

But Christ came [i]as[/i] High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

[b]And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance[/b]. For where there [i]is[/i] a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

Hebrews 10:1 - 10
For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, [i]and[/i] not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

But in those [i]sacrifices there is[/i] a reminder of sins every year. For [i]it is[/i] not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.

Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
In burnt offerings and [i]sacrifices[/i] for sin You had no pleasure.

[b]Then I said,
'Behold, I have come --
In the volume of the book it is written of Me --
To do Your will, O God.' "[/b]

Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and [i]offerings[/i] for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure [i]in them"[/i] (which are offered according to the law), then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." [b]He takes away the first that He may establish the second[/b]. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [i]for all.[/i]

... an earthly reality check with eternal repercussions



My song is love unknown,
My Savior’s love to me;
Love to the loveless shown,
That they might lovely be.
O who am I, that for my sake
My Lord should take, frail flesh and die?

He came from His blest throne
Salvation to bestow;
But men made strange, and none
The longed for Christ would know:
But O! my Friend, my Friend indeed,
Who at my need His life did spend.

Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
And for His death they thirst and cry.

Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run,
He gave the blind their sight,
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
Themselves displease, and ’gainst Him rise.

They rise and needs will have
My dear Lord made away;
A murderer they saved,
The Prince of life they slay,
Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,
That He His foes from thence might free.

In life, no house, no home
My Lord on earth might have;
In death no friendly tomb
But what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav’n was His home;
But mine the tomb wherein He lay.

Here might I stay and sing,
No story so divine;
Never was love, dear King!
Never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in Whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.



Tune: Love Unknown
[url=http://www.hymns-organ.com/Music.php?P=1&M=1166528383&S=306&U=1166528383]http://www.hymns-organ.com/Music.php?P=1&M=1166528383&S=306&U=1166528383[/url]



Luke 7:18 - 23, 29, 30, 33 - 35, 36 - 50
Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples to [i]him,[/i] sent [i]them[/i] to Jesus, saying, "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" When the men had come to Him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?' " And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that blind see, lame walk, lepers are cleansed, deaf hear, dead are raised, poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is [i]he[/i] who is not offended because of Me."


And when all the people heard [i]Him,[/i] even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

[Jesus said] "John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by all her children."

Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat. And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that [i]Jesus[/i] sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind [i]Him[/i] weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped [i]them[/i] with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed [i]them[/i] with the fragrant oil.

Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw [i]this,[/i] he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman [i]this is[/i] who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it."

"There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the [i]one[/i] whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."

Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped [i]them[/i] with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, [i]which are[/i] many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, [i]the same[/i] loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."


John 12:1 - 6, 37 - 50
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's [i]son,[/i] who would betray Him, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.


But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?"

Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:
"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with [i]their[/i] eyes,
Lest they should understand with [i]their[/i] hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them."

These things Isaiah said when he saw His glory and spoke of Him. Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [i]Him,[/i] lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. I have come [i]as[/i] a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him -- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own [i]authority;[/i] but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."