Lectionary for 5th of Lent B
Opening sentence. Jesus says: ‘Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.’ John 12:26
Collect.. Hear, O Father, the cry of your Son, who, to establish the new and everlasting covenant, became obedient to death upon the cross. Grant that, through all the trials of this life, we may come to share more intimately in his redeeming passion; and so obtain the fruitfulness of the seed that falls to the earth and dies, to be gathered as your harvest for the kingdom. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Reading. Hebrews 5:5-10. The position of High Priest seems unfamiliar to us but in Judaism it was the pinnacle of power and authority. The high priest was the only person who could enter the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifice at the festival of Atonement and so alleviate the sins of the nation. This was the highest office possible for a man to hold and gave to the one who held it not only power and prestige but the opportunity for immense wealth. In worldly terms it was a most coveted position.
In our reading from Hebrews we see Jesus Christ who was by nature God and also a human being appointed by God as high priest. The Son of God is appointed as High Priest forever. As high priest his sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin does not happen annually but is now continuously present. “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews is emphasizing that Jesus did not use his high position for himself but instead during his earthly ministry he was always obedient to the guidance of God. Though he was both God and high priest his life was lived always for God and Hebrews says, “in submission”
In worldly terms you expect high office to shield you from the pain and sufferings of life. To use a crass example in such a serious subject, when your income doubles you drive a better car, take more expensive holidays, perhaps move to more protected suburb. Jesus in the days of his flesh accepted no privileges from the moment his ministry began until his death. Despite his latent power he put his life into the hands of God in a complete way. Verse 8 says “Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;” We have no idea what that kind of suffering would be like for we have never had any real power so having always to restrain yourself from using your power must have been so testing. ‘The great agony of the Saviour of the World will ever remain a mystery to us in this life, and so will other aspects of his suffering. No -one can therefore, afford to be dogmatic concerning the meaning of this difficult phrase’ (commentary titled: Epistle to the Hebrews. By Hughes and Hewitt; 1960)
The prayers of Jesus were heard and so he was able to withstand the pain and temptations both in the garden of Gethsemane and also on the cross. His prayers did not help him to avoid the pain but to bear it for our sake. His obedience to the Father equipped him to be the source of forgiveness that continues to link us into a relationship with God. As we keep our hope fixed on Jesus he in turn gives us the power to live in obedience. Through his obedience, we are obedient and through his Salvation we are saved.
Prayer. Gracious God we come before you in prayer, amazed and yet humbled that Jesus so completely lay down his life in obedience to you for our sake. What amazing love that lets us live in a harmonious relationship with you. With shame we recognize how often we turn away from your love, forgive us and accept again our thanks and praise for all that in Jesus Christ you have done for all humanity. We pray in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen
Reading. John 12:20-33. John’s Gospel begins to describe the final acts of Jesus ministry. Our reading for today describes the situation after the “triumphant entry” into Jerusalem. Jesus is at the height of his popularity in Jerusalem and perhaps that is why some Greeks who have come to Jerusalem to worship, (Jewish proselytes?), wish to see him. John has already hinted that the crowd have suggested that Jesus is the coming king perhaps they are looking for something more than Judaism can give them. Gentiles could worship in the temple but only so far as the outer court, the court that Jesus had cleared of traders.
They approach Phillip who in turn approaches Andrew, therefore showing signs of hesitation, but in the end they both tell Jesus of the request. Scripture is silent as to the outcome of the request but John’s narrative is broadening out Jesus’ appeal to be more inclusive of other nations. In chapters 7 & 8 Jesus has said that his hour had not yet come but now Jesus declares that “The hour has come!” In other words the full revealing of Jesus as Christ and of his purpose is to be fully shown. The Pharisees have noted that “the world has gone after him!” (Verse 19) and it is for the world that Jesus will die.
Following on from this Jesus speaks directly of his disciples dying but it is a death that leads to growth as the example of the grain of wheat shows. Dying in this sense means living in obedience to Jesus and his ways and not in the world’s way. It is a way that leads to fruitfulness. This is the essence of discipleship, trusting and relying on Jesus leads on to a fullness of life which is wonderfully exciting.
This is an excitingly high point but immediately the mood changes as Jesus views what lies ahead for him. The hour that brings his full revelation also brings the hour of his sacrificial death. John’s Gospel is different from the other synoptic Gospels in that for John the glory of God is displayed in Christ on the cross. Here in this passage we touch briefly on the struggle of avoiding the cross contrasted with the essential reason that Jesus became “flesh and lived among us”. (John 1:14). Jesus was to embrace the darkness of disobedience and survive. In this embrace the world is to be judged and the evil rulers of the world will be defeated. This judgement which will wrestle authority from the “powers and principalities” and return complete authority to the Lord God is cosmic in nature for it changes the direction of the whole of creation. (Ephesians 6:12 & 1 Peter 3:22) Jesus remarks that God’s affirmation of him is not for his sake but for ours for in that voice is our assurance that God is with Jesus Christ as he lays down his life. Jesus’ message is clear, when he is killed by the forces of evil, (lifted up) he will claim sovereignty over all things.
Now is eternal life, if risen with Christ we stand, in him to life reborn, held firm within his hand;
no more we fear death’s ancient dread, in Christ arisen from the dead. (George W. Briggs)
Prayer. Lord as we begin in prayer before you, we thank you for the privilege we have to approach your throne of grace and place our day’s activities before you. We pray let us see Jesus, not as we want him to be but as he is; let us find Jesus not where we want him to be found but in all the places where he is at work. Let the truth of Jesus be for us as clear as it can be, so that our trust in him will be both sure and sincere. We thank you that through Jesus we know that we are always heard and that through your grace our needs are met. As this day unfolds we ask that we may walk ever closer to Jesus and that in his care we may journey safely and serve him well. In his Name we ask. Amen
Collect. Almighty God, you have appointed our Lord Jesus Christ as mediator of a New Covenant. Give us grace to draw near with full assurance of faith, and rejoice in our continuing covenant with you; through Christ your Son. Amen.
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