From the Pastors Desk - March 01, 2026
Friends, I believe Jesus loved all people equally. Yet, Jesus was willing to identify with the common working person. In the Gospels we are told that Joseph was a carpenter. Wouldn’t you like to have been able to spend time in Joseph’s little shop and watch Jesus use the carpenter’s tools?
Sometimes we forget that Jesus was human as well as divine. He had calluses on His hands. If the chisel slipped and cut His finger, His blood was red and warm like ours. He knew what it meant to work long hours, to come home at night tired and weary. That may be one of the reasons Jesus could say with such appeal, “Come unto Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28).
I also believe the greatest work Jesus did was not in the carpenter’s shop, nor the marriage feast in Cana where He turned the water into wine. The greatest work that Jesus did was not when He made the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the mute to speak, nor the dead to rise. The greatest work that Jesus did was not even when He taught as One having authority.
What was His greatest work? Jesus’ greatest work for our redemption was achieved on Calvary and in the resurrection. On the cross, during those dark hours, He endured a burden that no other person in all the universe has ever experienced. 1Peter 2:24, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness…” He bore your sin, my sin, on the cross.
Think of it. The nails driven into His hands and feet by the Roman soldiers could not hold Him there. There was something else which caused Jesus to stay on the cross when He could have come down from it. It was His love for you and me. The world has never seen such a manifestation of selfless love as was demonstrated on Calvary. Jesus, bearing our sin on the cross, frees us from all condemnation and guilt. The Bible is clear on that fact. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 8:1). No condemnation. None. Zilch. Nadah.
My friend, as you continue your journey through Lent, please reflect on how much you are truly loved by your Creator. Such unselfish love should inspire deep gratitude in us, produce submissiveness to the Savior and prompt you and me to live for the One, the only One, who died for us and freed us by His death and resurrection. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Your Activities Committee has planned some future activities:
March 29, Perry High School “Grease” Lunch To Be Determined
April 29 Kingwood Center Gardens in Mansfield. Lunch at Pine Tree Barn.
May 20 Glamorgan Castle tour in Alliance. Lunch To Be Determined
July 15 The Ohio Star Theater production of “Elijah, Prophet of Fire” Lunch at Der Dutchman before the show.
Please mark your calendars for these great times together– Blessings—Eli
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