Fifth Sunday in Lent

Timeless Wisdom

Imagine yourself embarking on a journey through a vast wilderness—a terrain marked by rugged terrain, towering trees, and winding paths. As you traverse through this untamed landscape, you encounter various obstacles and challenges along the way. Yet, amidst the trials and tribulations, you discover that the wilderness holds within it a profound lesson on embracing transformation.

At the outset of your journey, you carry with you a heavy burden—an accumulation of fears, doubts, and insecurities that weigh you down. But as you journey deeper into the wilderness, you begin to shed these burdens one by one, like the leaves falling from the trees in the changing seasons.

You come across a rushing river, its waters tumultuous and fierce. In the face of this formidable obstacle, you are confronted with a choice—to remain rooted in fear and uncertainty or to embrace transformation and forge ahead. Summoning courage from within, you wade into the river, feeling the icy waters rush against your skin. With each step forward, you feel a sense of liberation—a shedding of old fears and a newfound strength emerging within you.

As you continue your journey, you encounter a dense thicket of thorns blocking your path. Initially, you grapple with frustration and despair, unsure of how to navigate through this tangled maze. But then, a realization dawns upon you—perhaps the thorns are not meant to hinder your progress but to shape you into something stronger and more resilient.

With renewed determination, you begin to untangle the thorns, one by one, feeling their prickly embrace transform into a gentle caress. And in that moment, you understand that transformation often arises from the most unexpected places—the places of greatest challenge and adversity.

Finally, as you emerge from the wilderness, you find yourself standing at the edge of a vast expanse—a landscape transformed by the journey you have undertaken. You look back at the path you have traveled, marveling at the growth and transformation that have taken place within you. And with a heart full of gratitude, you embrace the wilderness as a sacred teacher—one that has guided you through the process of embracing transformation and becoming the person you were always meant to be.

As we continue our journey towards Easter, let us surround ourselves by the echoes of Jesus' final days on Earth, let us delve into the depths of His message, a message that speaks to us even now, amidst the wilderness of our own lives. Today, we focus on the theme of Embracing Transformation, drawing inspiration from the words of Jesus in John 12:20-33.

I. Desire to See Jesus

John 12:20–22 “Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.”

In the opening verses of our passage, we encounter a simple yet profound request: "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." This plea from the Greeks resonates with a universal yearning—to understand and connect with the Savior. Each of us, too, carries this desire within our hearts.

But do we merely wish to catch a glimpse of Jesus, or do we truly seek to know Him intimately? Brothers and sisters, let us reflect on the depth of our relationship with Christ. Are we content with a superficial acquaintance, or do we yearn for a deeper, more personal connection with Him?

II. Death Leads to Life

John 12:23–26 “Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, teaches us a profound truth through the metaphor of a grain of wheat. He illustrates the paradox that death leads to life—a truth epitomized by His impending sacrifice on the cross. Just as the grain of wheat must die to produce many seeds, so too must we die to self in order to bear fruit in abundance.

What must die within us, dear friends, for the seeds of righteousness to flourish? Let us examine our hearts and surrender our selfish ambitions, pride, and sin at the foot of the cross. For it is in losing our lives for the sake of Christ that we truly find life—life abundant and everlasting.

III. Divine Glory Through Suffering

John 12:27–28 ““Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.””

As Jesus contemplates the anguish of His impending suffering, He acknowledges the turmoil within His soul. Yet, in the midst of His distress, He remains steadfast in His commitment to glorify God's name. His submission to the Father's will, even unto death, is the very essence of His glorification.

Similarly, beloved, we are called to glorify God through our own trials and tribulations. In the midst of our suffering, let us trust in the sovereignty and goodness of our Heavenly Father. For it is through our unwavering faith and endurance that His glory shines forth, illuminating even the darkest corners of our lives.

IV. Drawing All to Salvation

John 12:31–33 “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.”

In His proclamation of judgment upon the world and the defeat of Satan, Jesus declares that His crucifixion will draw all people to Himself. The cross, the instrument of His sacrificial love, becomes the means of salvation for all who believe. Its magnetic power transcends boundaries, drawing people from every nation and tongue into the embrace of His grace.

As disciples of Christ, we are called to embrace the cross—not only as the symbol of our salvation but also as a beacon of hope for the lost and broken. Let us heed the call to share the message of redemption with boldness and conviction, that all may come to experience the transformative power of Christ's love.

Conclusion:

Friends, as we journey through the wilderness of life, let us heed the timeless wisdom found in the words of our Lord. May we actively seek Jesus, embracing the necessary deaths in our discipleship journey, finding purpose in suffering, and joining in His mission of drawing others to salvation.

Let us pray for the courage to follow Jesus' example, asking for the grace to let go of what holds us back, to endure trials with unwavering faith, and to live lives that reflect His love and sacrifice.

May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Call to Worship (based on John 12:20-33)

Leader: As we gather on this fifth Sunday of Lent, we recall the words of Jesus, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified."

People: We come, seeking to see Jesus, to know Him more deeply, and to follow Him more closely.

Leader: Jesus teaches us, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."

People: We come, ready to die to ourselves, to let go of what we hold dear, in order to bear fruit in His name.

Leader: "Whoever loves their life loses it, and whoever hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

People: We come, willing to lose our life for Christ's sake, that we might find true life in Him.

Leader: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

People: We come to worship, drawn to Jesus, lifted up, who calls us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

All: Let us worship God, who through Christ transforms death into life, and despair into hope. Amen.

Opening Prayer (based on Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Let us pray,

Gracious and Everlasting God, as we gather on this fifth Sunday of Lent, our hearts are turned towards the promise of a new covenant, one that You have written not on tablets of stone, but on the very fabric of our hearts. In the words of the prophet Jeremiah, we hear Your pledge to be our God and to welcome us as Your people, knowing You intimately and fully, from the least to the greatest among us.

Lord, we marvel at Your mercy, at Your willingness to forgive our iniquity and remember our sin no more. In this time of reflection and anticipation, we confess that too often we have strayed from Your ways, forgetting Your laws and ignoring Your voice that whispers in the depths of our souls. Yet, Your love remains steadfast, calling us back to You with cords of kindness and bands of love.

As we move closer to the mystery of the cross and the victory of the resurrection, renew in us the covenant You have promised. Write Your law within us, engrave it on our hearts that we might truly be Your people, reflecting Your justice, love, and mercy in a world desperate for signs of hope.

Help us, O God, to understand the depth of Your love and the breadth of Your forgiveness. Teach us to forgive as we have been forgiven, to love as we have been loved, and to extend the grace we have so freely received. May the knowledge of Your covenant inspire us to live lives marked by faithfulness, to seek justice, love kindness, and to walk humbly with You.

In this time of worship, open our ears to hear Your word, open our eyes to see Your presence among us, and open our hearts to receive the new thing You are doing. Transform us by the renewing of our minds, that we may discern Your will—what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We pray all these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who has sealed the new covenant in His blood, offering us the promise of life eternal. Amen.