Welcome to Glengormley Methodist Church
Part of the Methodist Church in Ireland
Early morning was the best time for Mary to fetch water, it was the coolest part of the day, but there was also less chance of meeting others. This suited Mary very well; she could not endure any more attacks on her son.
“I’m sorry-I’ve no right.” Mary reached for her.
“Please, talk to me.” Rebekah hung her head, but Mary immediately raised her face looking straight into her eyes.
“Why can’t you speak with me?”
Rebekah struggled to find her voice,
“My son…he was ….crucified beside your boy.”
Mary stretched forth her hand taking Rebekah’s hand in hers.
“Please, go on.”
“I was there on the hill and watched as friends comforted you; I had no one. As I watched, I saw my son turn to yours; it was difficult to make out what was said, but whatever was said my son smiled, he was at peace.”
Mary smiled. “Yes, Jesus had a great love for everyone.”
Rebekah spoke softly, “My boy was foolish, easily led into bad company; I wish he had met your boy sooner.”
Turning to leave Rebekah hesitated, “May I ask, who exactly was you son? People talk-so many things have been said; is he who he claimed to be?”
Mary spoke quietly and gently, Rebekah knew her scriptures, and could only nod in agreement. Mary continued, “All who believe in these truths will know eternal peace. Your son was not so foolish he realised before it was too late that Jesus was who He claimed to be. Today your boy knows no more pain or shame, he is free and resting in peace.”
Luke 23v42 ‘Jesus remember me…’
Throughout each of our lives we make many choices; and if we are honest, many are wrong choices that do little to enhance our own lives or those around us. Unfortunately in many situations we have to accept the consequences of these wrong choices. However, as we see from this scenario, the thief (who also made wrong choices) realising who Jesus was and is, makes a decision to turn to the Lord, who assures him that his faith has brought him into new life, life eternal.
Luke 23v43 “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” N.I.V.
In some ways the thief is a reflection of ourselves, in that we too need forgiveness for our sins. It is encouraging to realise that Jesus is willing to forgive us, regardless of how entrenched in sin we are; like the thief we need to turn to Jesus before our time runs out.
“I’m sorry-I’ve no right.” Mary reached for her.
“Please, talk to me.” Rebekah hung her head, but Mary immediately raised her face looking straight into her eyes.
“Why can’t you speak with me?”
Rebekah struggled to find her voice,
“My son…he was ….crucified beside your boy.”
Mary stretched forth her hand taking Rebekah’s hand in hers.
“Please, go on.”
“I was there on the hill and watched as friends comforted you; I had no one. As I watched, I saw my son turn to yours; it was difficult to make out what was said, but whatever was said my son smiled, he was at peace.”
Mary smiled. “Yes, Jesus had a great love for everyone.”
Rebekah spoke softly, “My boy was foolish, easily led into bad company; I wish he had met your boy sooner.”
Turning to leave Rebekah hesitated, “May I ask, who exactly was you son? People talk-so many things have been said; is he who he claimed to be?”
Mary spoke quietly and gently, Rebekah knew her scriptures, and could only nod in agreement. Mary continued, “All who believe in these truths will know eternal peace. Your son was not so foolish he realised before it was too late that Jesus was who He claimed to be. Today your boy knows no more pain or shame, he is free and resting in peace.”
Luke 23v42 ‘Jesus remember me…’
Throughout each of our lives we make many choices; and if we are honest, many are wrong choices that do little to enhance our own lives or those around us. Unfortunately in many situations we have to accept the consequences of these wrong choices. However, as we see from this scenario, the thief (who also made wrong choices) realising who Jesus was and is, makes a decision to turn to the Lord, who assures him that his faith has brought him into new life, life eternal.
Luke 23v43 “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” N.I.V.
In some ways the thief is a reflection of ourselves, in that we too need forgiveness for our sins. It is encouraging to realise that Jesus is willing to forgive us, regardless of how entrenched in sin we are; like the thief we need to turn to Jesus before our time runs out.