Fifth Sunday of Lent - Sermon
Sermon
Location St. Luke – Date 3/29/2009
Fifth Sunday of Lent – Year B
Primary Text: John 12:20-33
This whole text seems to be speaking of death. Even the seemingly trivial parts of this text in some way deal with Christ’s death. The first verse says that there were some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. Now this seems, well, umm ok so they were Greeks. There are lots of Greeks around the whole region. But what it signifies is that Jesus’ message is being heard by those other than Jews. Which is exactly what the Pharisees are fearing before this text in verse 19. John 12:19 The Pharisees then said to one another, "You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!" This is just one more brick in the wall for the Pharisees. They now see that Jesus is drawing not only Jews to his teachings but also drawing Greeks and perhaps other groups as well. The Pharisee’s are concerned. They have seen how the Romans who control Israel at that time deal with what they see as insurrections.
The whole idea of Pax Romana, or the Peace of Rome, is a little misleading. There were no major wars or rebellions from 27 BC to 180 AD. But one main cause was that the Romans when any wind of a insurrection appeared they just went in killed any one they thought was causing trouble. The Pharisees are concerned that Jesus drawing more and more people to himself will in turn draw the attention of the Romans to Israel. The Pharisees’ plan is to get Jesus killed, hopefully removing the threat.
Jesus already knows of these plans and there seems to be a little understanding here between Phillip and Andrew that they also understand this. When they come to tell Jesus that Greeks are here and want to see him, Jesus does not answer telling them to bring the Greeks to him. Instead, he confirms their thoughts. “John 12:23 The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” He then gives them a mini parable. A grain of wheat unless it dies, remains a just a single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Jesus is relieving the fears that the disciples have that should he die the movement will also die with him. Jesus knows that his death will result in much growth, not the ending that the Pharisee’s hope for.
What does this all mean for us though? We already know that Jesus’ death is not the ending of the story. It seems as if we do not have the same fears that the disciples have. We are concerned about our own lives, the economic times we are in, wars in all parts of the world, issues of hunger close to home and abroad, conflict between family and friends, I could go on and on. But, really we do have the same fears. The disciples are concerned that should Jesus die everything will go with him. They will be forced to deal with all the situations that arise on their own. In that way we are the same, the issues are different, but the underlying fear is the same. What happens if we fail? I don’t know if I can deal with everything by myself.
There are Jesus words comforting us though, “John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” We also hear that the words from the voice from heaven are for our benefit, not Jesus.’ When Jesus is troubled, the words of comfort come not for him, but for us. His death and resurrection are not for him, but for us.” Last week, we heard Jesus say that he came to this world because of the great love of God. God loved the world and sent Jesus to us. In Christ’s death we are not abandoned but loved. We do not become orphans, but beloved.
Henri Nouwen says in the book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, “Home is the center of my being where I can hear the voice that says: “You are the beloved, on you my favor rests.” When I hear that voice, I know that I am home with God and have nothing to fear. As the Beloved of my heavenly Father, “I can walk in the valley of darkness: no evil would I fear.” As the Beloved, I can confront, console, admonish, and encourage without fear of rejection or need for affirmation. As the Beloved, I am free to live and give life, free also to die while giving life.”
It is in Christ that we are home, where we do not have to fear abandonment or loss. Through Christ, our death in Baptism results in a great harvest. In Christ, we are all equal, we are all free, we have all been given life.
Let us pray,
God of togetherness, hold all in your arms, especially those who may feel alone or abandoned. We ask you to be with all who are not with us today, give strength to those who are weak, food to those who hunger, and water to those who thirst. Bring your peace to all in this world.
Amen
Location St. Luke – Date 3/29/2009
Fifth Sunday of Lent – Year B
Primary Text: John 12:20-33
This whole text seems to be speaking of death. Even the seemingly trivial parts of this text in some way deal with Christ’s death. The first verse says that there were some Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. Now this seems, well, umm ok so they were Greeks. There are lots of Greeks around the whole region. But what it signifies is that Jesus’ message is being heard by those other than Jews. Which is exactly what the Pharisees are fearing before this text in verse 19. John 12:19 The Pharisees then said to one another, "You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!" This is just one more brick in the wall for the Pharisees. They now see that Jesus is drawing not only Jews to his teachings but also drawing Greeks and perhaps other groups as well. The Pharisee’s are concerned. They have seen how the Romans who control Israel at that time deal with what they see as insurrections.
The whole idea of Pax Romana, or the Peace of Rome, is a little misleading. There were no major wars or rebellions from 27 BC to 180 AD. But one main cause was that the Romans when any wind of a insurrection appeared they just went in killed any one they thought was causing trouble. The Pharisees are concerned that Jesus drawing more and more people to himself will in turn draw the attention of the Romans to Israel. The Pharisees’ plan is to get Jesus killed, hopefully removing the threat.
Jesus already knows of these plans and there seems to be a little understanding here between Phillip and Andrew that they also understand this. When they come to tell Jesus that Greeks are here and want to see him, Jesus does not answer telling them to bring the Greeks to him. Instead, he confirms their thoughts. “John 12:23 The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” He then gives them a mini parable. A grain of wheat unless it dies, remains a just a single grain, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Jesus is relieving the fears that the disciples have that should he die the movement will also die with him. Jesus knows that his death will result in much growth, not the ending that the Pharisee’s hope for.
What does this all mean for us though? We already know that Jesus’ death is not the ending of the story. It seems as if we do not have the same fears that the disciples have. We are concerned about our own lives, the economic times we are in, wars in all parts of the world, issues of hunger close to home and abroad, conflict between family and friends, I could go on and on. But, really we do have the same fears. The disciples are concerned that should Jesus die everything will go with him. They will be forced to deal with all the situations that arise on their own. In that way we are the same, the issues are different, but the underlying fear is the same. What happens if we fail? I don’t know if I can deal with everything by myself.
There are Jesus words comforting us though, “John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” We also hear that the words from the voice from heaven are for our benefit, not Jesus.’ When Jesus is troubled, the words of comfort come not for him, but for us. His death and resurrection are not for him, but for us.” Last week, we heard Jesus say that he came to this world because of the great love of God. God loved the world and sent Jesus to us. In Christ’s death we are not abandoned but loved. We do not become orphans, but beloved.
Henri Nouwen says in the book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, “Home is the center of my being where I can hear the voice that says: “You are the beloved, on you my favor rests.” When I hear that voice, I know that I am home with God and have nothing to fear. As the Beloved of my heavenly Father, “I can walk in the valley of darkness: no evil would I fear.” As the Beloved, I can confront, console, admonish, and encourage without fear of rejection or need for affirmation. As the Beloved, I am free to live and give life, free also to die while giving life.”
It is in Christ that we are home, where we do not have to fear abandonment or loss. Through Christ, our death in Baptism results in a great harvest. In Christ, we are all equal, we are all free, we have all been given life.
Let us pray,
God of togetherness, hold all in your arms, especially those who may feel alone or abandoned. We ask you to be with all who are not with us today, give strength to those who are weak, food to those who hunger, and water to those who thirst. Bring your peace to all in this world.
Amen
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