Crossroads Community Church

May 13, 2015 · 0 Comments

Sunday May 10th, 2015
With hearts of gratitude we entered the Lord’s presence to thank Him for our Mothers. We came to honour all women whether they birthed us, adopted us or were a mother figure to us, they are all worthy of respect and recognition. Pastor Don prayed over our service,” Dear Father God, thank you for the women who care for us, you created them to nurture the world around them, their love, grace and training is indispensable. We thank you for hearing their prayers and gathering their tears over their loved ones, help us be gracious to them and forgive them for their shortcomings in Jesus name, Amen.
We can agree that all women are called to mother someone, nurturing is in their DNA. God created men and women to equally reflect Him to the world, one is not of more importance than the other, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them,” (Genesis 1:27). When Jesus was on earth he attributed high importance to women just as he did to the men that were in his entourage. In that day it was unheard of that women would be educated by a Rabbi, but Jesus did just that. When he delivered Mary Magdalene of 7 demons, she quickly became a disciple, when he went to Lazarus, Mary and Martha’s house, he didn’t only speak and teach Lazarus, we know Mary sat at his feet listening, (Luke 10:38,39). When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him, the men were quick to judge and humiliate her, however why did they not bring the man who was with her? After all it takes two to tango does it not? Jesus did not condemn her, he was gracious and forgave her then told her to sin no more, (John 8:3, 4, 11).
For the Jews of the day it was sacrilegious to speak to Samaritans much less a woman, but Jesus broke the norm, one day He sat at a well, spoke to a Samaritan woman and politely asked her for a drink. He considered her worthy of respect, ministered to her and she went and converted her whole town! Jesus knew women are just as capable of preaching as men are, (John 4:7, 39). Jesus also healed a woman who would have been considered unclean because of her blood issue, she touched his robe but He did not rebuke her instead He praised her for her faith (Matthew 9:20, 22).
Jesus definitely proved that He valued women, at His resurrection he revealed himself first to a woman, (Mark 16:8). But perhaps His highest display of respect for women was towards His mother, His first miracle was done out of respect for her. Jesus and his disciples were celebrating a wedding in Cana, his mother was there too. The host unfortunately ran out of wine, in Jewish culture this was breaking the rules of hospitality therefore quite embarrassing. Mary seeing the great need approached her Son to let him know of the situation. Jesus told her it wasn’t yet his time but being obedient to the “5th Commandment of Honouring His mother” he conceded to her request. Mary trusted her Son to do the right thing despite what he told her, she directed the servants to look to Jesus and to do whatever he said. When Jesus turned the water into wine, it was the best Wine which is normally served at the beginning of a wedding, Jesus doesn’t only fulfill our needs, he always gives His best, (John 2:1-11)
Beloved today we are called to do the same, “Look up to Jesus and do whatever He asks.” It may be difficult sometimes, and it may get worse before getting better, consider Joseph who was thrown into jail before God elevated Him to power. How about Peter, he certainly had his trials and shortcomings but he kept looking towards Jesus and he became the leader of the first century church. Jesus Himself was nailed to a cross, died as a sacrifice for us but He entrusted himself to the Father before being raised and seated at his right hand. Today many of us may be in that dry season of lacking spiritual wine. We long to be filled and be in that state of plenty but God sometimes lets us go through times of need so that we will look to Jesus to be our all in all. Jesus will fill us with the best of Himself. However we don’t need to wait to be at that point of emptiness to be filled with Jesus, when we trust and believe in Him; He will fill us daily, He will give us a life of love, joy, and contentment we need to live a fulfilling purposeful life whether we are in plenty or in want. Jesus who comforts and shelters us beneath His wings like a mother hen longs to give us purpose and peace…Look to Him today, Asherey Shalom!