Our 40th wedding anniversary
Siân and Martyn celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with some wonderful friends with an afternoon tea party in St Pierre due Perray. Here are a few photos:
Siân and Martyn celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with some wonderful friends with an afternoon tea party in St Pierre due Perray. Here are a few photos:
This song describes how Jesus’s feet, when he was on earth, paved the way for Christians to follow him. He walked the earth to teach people about the truth that we need to know so that we can be set free from the consequences of sin. He announced that he was the Messiah: the Savior, and that mankind needs forgiveness and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so we can worship him and follow Jesus now and throughout eternity!
The second verse mentions Jesus washing his disciples’ feet the night before his death. He took on the role of a servant, inviting his friends to love one another in the same way. On the same evening Jesus broke the bread and poured the wine and he explained how he would die sacrificially, shedding his blood for the forgiveness of our sins.
The chorus is a reminder of the importance of thanking and worshiping Jesus for who he is and what he suffered to set us free from the consequences of sin: punishment and death. ‘Help me to be like you all the days of my life’ should not be sung indifferently! To be like Jesus is to put him and others before ourselves and to be ready to suffer as we continue the mission of Jesus: bringing the good news of Jesus to those who do not know him.
Jesus’ feet attached by nails to the cross would have been torn and bloody but at the same time beautiful because his suffering demonstrates his great love for mankind, which none of us deserves! Quite a long time before Jesus’ death a ‘sinful woman’ kissed Jesus’ feet and wet them with her tears and then wiped them with her hair and poured perfume on them (Luke 7:36-50 ). Jesus declared at this time that her sins were forgiven. This incident reminds us that forgiveness for her, and for us all, is only possible thanks to the brutal cruelty inflicted on his feet and on the rest of his body. The woman poured out her love for Jesus, expressing deep emotion as she wept and she poured expensive perfume over his feet, showing how much she valued him. Do we approach Jesus in a similar manner or do we take him for granted? This incident is not in the song, but I think that it is important to refer to it to help describe Jesus’ ‘beautiful feet’ with more detail from Scripture.
The resurrection was glorious! Jesus triumphed over death so that believers can enjoy abundant life on earth in and through Jesus, continuing eternally with him in heaven. Seeing the holes in Jesus’ feet was important proof, helping not only the disciples to believe that Jesus had truly risen from the dead, but also helping future generations of Christians to believe.
The final verse: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news…’ refers to Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15. The song challenges us to be like him and to continue his ministry of sharing the good news of Jesus, proclaiming peace and salvation. The Apostle Paul makes it clear in Romans 10:14 that Christians need to be active in sharing the good news about Jesus: ‘And how can they hear without someone preaching to them.’ Preaching necessitates delivering the truth about Jesus clearly and directly so that there is no doubt to the hearer that Jesus is the one and only Lord and Savior. May Jesus call our feet ‘beautiful’ as we proclaim the truth ourselves and also support those who preach Jesus, sometimes in dangerous places, where persecution is likely.
This song was inspired by John chapter 4, when Jesus spends time with a Samaritan woman. He breaks all social norms by speaking with a woman from a region that was looked down upon by the Jewish people. Jesus tells her that if she were to ask Him for a drink of water, He would give her “living water” (verse 10), satisfying her deep spiritual needs and “springing up into eternal life” (verse 14).
The woman recognizes that Jesus prophetically knows about her troubled past and her relationships with multiple men. Jesus is not put off by her behavior or her ethnicity. He cares about her enough to offer her an amazing relationship with Himself. He shows her that He is much more than a prophet. He explains to her that the only way to worship God is in spirit and truth. She recognizes that only the Messiah, God’s anointed Savior, would know such deep truths. When Jesus reveals that He is the Lord’s anointed, she must surely have fallen to her knees in awe. Initially, she is surprised that He actually speaks to her. How much more amazed she must be when she discovers who He is!
The song *Marvelous, Wonderful Jesus* expresses her delight at being approached by Jesus and being offered a relationship with Him that would transform her life far more than a physical drink of water. Without fresh water, she could not survive. With Jesus’ water, she would not only survive but thrive in a relationship with Him for all eternity. Her sins were forgiven by Jesus, the Creator and Savior. Her enthusiasm bubbled over and led her to tell her neighbors all about the One who knew everything about her. The woman’s excitement had an impact on many others, who undoubtedly saw a change in her after her encounter with Jesus. They too rushed to meet Him, and many believed because of His own word (verse 41).
Have you received the abundant new life that Jesus offers you? He wants us to be forgiven and refreshed by Him. His Spirit lives in all true believers when we accept the “water” He offers us. Do you want to stay the same, or do you believe that the marvelous, wonderful Jesus can transform your life and that of your neighbors and family too? He is the Lord of all, and He loves us just as He loved the Samaritan woman.
If you would like to read the full passage for yourself, see John 4:1–42.
This week, during our weekly visit to the local retirement home, Cèdre Bleu, we presented the story of Philip and the Ethiopien Eunuch.
We were blessed with a beautiful afternoon with some amazing kids to learn more about the bible message about Zachaeus. We also enjoyed a lovely tea, some fun games and amazing crafts