Rev. Ron Beaton, Sermon, 4.6.25, “Beautiful Things Out of the Dust

Sermon April 6, 2025, “Beautiful Things Out of the Dust,” Sunday at Manchester UMC | John 12:1-8 Sermon Our sermon draws from John 12:1-8, where Mary pours an extravagant amount of perfume on Jesus’s feet and wipes them with her hair. In this bold, intimate, and deeply prophetic act, we see a foreshadowing of Jesus’s death—and a glimpse into the prodigal love of God. Just as Lazarus was raised from the dead and joined Jesus at the table, we’re reminded that Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Even in the face of death, new life is possible. In this sacred space, we sing, serve, mourn, rejoice, and pour out our love for Christ—just like Mary did. Because love, when freely and extravagantly given, is never wasted.