SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 2024 | LENT - Fifth Sunday in Lent (B)

Texts

Old Testament Jeremiah 31:31–34

Jeremiah 31:31–34 NRSV

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

New Testament Hebrews 5:5–10

Hebrews 5:5–10 NRSV

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Gospel John 12:20–33

John 12:20–33 NRSV

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly, I tell you, 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. Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. “Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say—‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” The crowd standing there heard it and said that it was thunder. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not for mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler 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 indicate the kind of death he was to die.

Notes:

1. The New Covenant:

Jeremiah 31:31-34 This passage is a core prophecy about a coming new covenant. Unlike the old, this covenant will be written on people's hearts, ensuring a deep, internal knowledge of God and his laws. It highlights forgiveness of sins as a foundational aspect of the relationship between God and his people.Hebrews 5:5-10 Underscores Jesus Christ's role as the high priest of this new covenant. It emphasizes the once-and-for-all nature of his sacrifice that guarantees salvation.

2. Sacrifice and the Path to Salvation:

Hebrews 5:5-10 Jesus' obedience, suffering, and ultimate sacrifice are presented as the means by which he was made perfect and became the source of salvation for believers.John 12:20-33 Jesus uses the analogy of the grain of wheat dying to bear much fruit to symbolize his own death and the abundant life it will bring to those who follow him. This points to the necessity of his sacrifice in opening the path to eternal life.

3. Transformation and Knowing God:

Jeremiah 31:31-34 The new covenant promises not just legal obedience, but an internal transformation. It implies a direct, personal relationship with God where knowledge of Him is accessible to everyone.John 12:20-33 The Greeks seeking Jesus represent those outside of traditional Judaism longing for connection to God. Through Jesus' sacrifice, the way is opened for all people to know him.

Additional Notes:

These texts speak powerfully of God's initiative to restore humanity to Himself, bridging the gap created by sin.There's a strong emphasis on the personal and transformative aspects of faith in contrast to the legalism that had become dominant in some forms of Old Testament Judaism.

Themes focusing on the New Covenant

"The Law Written on Your Heart": The promise of an inward transformation where knowing God becomes intuitive and sin loses its grip."God's Unending Forgiveness": Explore the significance of God's forgiveness under the new covenant and its lasting impact on our lives."Intimate Connection with God": Highlight how the new covenant makes a direct, personal relationship with God possible for everyone.

Themes based on Sacrifice and Salvation:

"The Perfect Sacrifice": Explore why Jesus' sacrifice was necessary, unique, and sufficient for our salvation."Life Through Death": Use the powerful analogy of the grain of wheat to explain the necessity of Jesus' death to secure abundant life for those who believe."Following Jesus to the Cross": Challenge listeners to consider what it truly means to embrace self-sacrifice and follow in Jesus' footsteps.

Themes about Transformation and Knowing God

"Knowing God, Not Just Knowing About Him": Contrast the external knowledge prevalent under the old covenant with the true heart knowledge available through Christ."Becoming Children of God": Examine the implications of the new covenant for our identity as God's adopted children."Open Doors": Highlight how Jesus' sacrifice tore down barriers, allowing people from all nations and backgrounds to access God.

How to Enhance Your Sermon:

Storytelling: Find modern examples or personal testimonies that illustrate the heart transformation promised through God's forgiveness.Call to Action: Challenge your audience to surrender fully to Christ, embracing the transformation that the new covenant promises.Visuals: Use imagery of the heart, or of a broken/repaired object to symbolize the transformation from old covenant to new.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

"New" Covenant: The Hebrew word often translated as "new" is חָדָשׁ (ḥādāš), which can also imply "renewed" or "restored." This hints that the covenant isn't entirely novel but a fulfillment or deepening of God's original promises."Know" God: The Hebrew word for "know" is יָדַע (yāḏaʿ). It's more comprehensive than mere intellectual knowledge, signifying an intimate, relational experience of God.

Hebrews 5:5-10

"High Priest": The Greek word is ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus), literally meaning "chief priest." It emphasizes Jesus' supreme authority and unique ability to mediate between God and humanity."Made Perfect": The Greek τελειόω (teleioō) used to describe Jesus being 'perfected' doesn't imply flawlessness. Instead, it means being fully equipped or brought to completion for his role as the source of salvation.

John 12:20-33

"Hour": The Greek word is ὥρα (hōra), signifying a specific, appointed time, This highlights the divine purpose behind Jesus' death and resurrection."Lifted Up": The double meaning of the Greek word ὑψωθῇ (hypsōthē) is significant. It refers to both the physical act of crucifixion and Jesus' exaltation through his sacrifice and victory over death.

1. Emphasis on Old vs. New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34):

"New" Covenant: As mentioned earlier, the Hebrew word for "new" (חָדָשׁ - ḥādāš) can also imply "renewed" or "restored." Some translations may emphasize the entirely "new" nature of the covenant, while others may choose terms that capture the idea of a fulfillment or deepening of an existing relationship.

2. Interpretations of "Knowing" God (Jeremiah 31:31-34):

Hebrew for "Know": The Hebrew word יָדַע (yāḏaʿ) can have a broader meaning than just intellectual knowledge. It encompasses an intimate, relational experience of God. Translators may use different English words or phrases to capture this depth of understanding.

3. Nuances in Priestly Roles (Hebrews 5:5-10):

"High Priest": The Greek ἀρχιερεύς (archiereus) translates to "high priest." However, some translations may add explanatory phrases to highlight Jesus' unique and supreme role as the mediator between God and humanity.

4. Interpretations of Jesus' "Perfection" (Hebrews 5:5-10):

"Made Perfect": The Greek τελειόω (teleioō) can have various interpretations. While some translations render it as "made perfect," others might use "brought to completion" or "fully equipped" to emphasize Jesus' role as the source of salvation.

5. Understanding the Significance of "Hour" (John 12:20-33):

"Hour": The Greek word ὥρα (hōra) signifies a specific and appointed time. Translations may highlight the predetermined plan behind Jesus' death and resurrection by using words like "appointed hour" or "ordained time."

6. Double Meaning of "Lifted Up" (John 12:20-33):

"Lifted Up": The Greek ὑψωθῇ (hypsōthē) has a double meaning. It refers to the physical act of crucifixion and also Jesus' exaltation through sacrifice and victory over death. Translators may need to choose words that capture both aspects.

Jeremiah 31:31-34

The New Covenant: The idea of an internalized, transformational covenant where God's law is written directly on the heart. This stands in contrast to the external focus of the Mosaic Covenant.Forgiveness as Foundational: Emphasizes forgiveness of sins as a core principle of the new covenant. It shows God's desire to restore his relationship with His people despite past failings.Intimate Knowledge of God: Promises a direct and personal relationship with God. This shift towards greater accessibility is a key hallmark of the new covenant.

Hebrews 5:5-10

Jesus as High Priest: Underscores Jesus' role as the perfect and eternal high priest of the new covenant. It establishes Him as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.Obedience and Sacrifice: Highlights Jesus' obedience to God, even through suffering, as the path to becoming the source of eternal salvation.Completion, Not Flawlessness: The concept of "being made perfect" (teleioō) in Jesus refers to His complete equipping for the role of salvation, rather than implying any previous deficiency.

John 12:20-33

Sacrifice and Fruitfulness: The analogy of the grain of wheat symbolizes the necessity of Jesus' death and resurrection in bringing about new life and abundance for believers.Universal Salvation: The Greeks seeking Jesus represent the extension of God's salvation beyond traditional boundaries to all who seek Him.The Divine Plan: The emphasis on Jesus' "hour" signifies the predetermined and purposeful nature of his death for the redemption of humanity.

Overall Importance of these Concepts

These texts collectively contribute to several central themes within Christianity:

God's Salvific Plan: They paint a vivid picture of God's ongoing plan of redemption, culminating in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.Transformation and Restoration: The promise of the new covenant and Christ's atoning sacrifice highlights the possibility of personal transformation and restoration of relationship with God.Faith as Relational: Emphasizes a faith that moves beyond legalistic observance to a direct and intimate connection with God.

Good morning,

A covenant written on our hearts - sounds nice, doesn’t it? Sure, we still need the written ones, in and out of the church, as God’s kingdom is yet to be fully realized and we often sttruggle to do the “right thing” on our own. We do need external laws and as I mentioned previously the ten commandments alone can be considered guidelines for basic humanity that shouldn’t be too hard to achieve, but....again, we are fallible humans under some less than ideal living/working conditions. The extended version of these commandments are then to be found in the Hebrew Bible, as well as the failures to follow them (e. g. in Judges) and good example of usage (e. g. in Ruth).

And then we have the new covenant, at whose heart is forgiveness of sins, restoration and reconciliation, and a direct and intimate relationship with God. They don’t cancel each other, but rather complement each other. At the forefront of this shift is Jesus, exemplifying these values - mediating God’s mercy and forgiveness to those that need it the most, repairing the breach of hurt and pain of the world by restoring people via their health, social standing, dignity…and finally by exemplifying the kind of relationship with God that is available to all - direct, intimate, and loving.

It makes me think about Differences in Perception of Power (Eric H. F. Law and G. Hofstede):

In low power distance societies, everyone should be equal, power should be legitimized, most people believe they can change things as an individual....and then you have a high power distance society, where it is generally accepted that some people have more power than others, powerful people don’t need to justify anything, and most people do not believe they can change their environment. I think Jesus was really presenting a vision of low power distance kingdom, all the while rest of the society operated on high power distance - there was a big difference between a wealthy Roman citizen or a Jerusalem religious leader and an ordinary Jewish fisherman or carpenter from Galilee. There were a lot of layers between a person and justice, a believer and God etc. And suddenly, there is this carpenter from Galilee with a bunch of fishermen and women in tow, who says God is near and approachable? Say whaat? It was a big deal.

In the Western society, including the U. S., we like to think that there is relatively low power distance and sure, we are no Russia, where presidential elections are more of a security forces exercise than anything. But at the same time, here in the U. S., the idea of a big middle class is just that - an idea. More and more people cannot afford to rent, let alone own; education is increasingly becoming only accessible to the affluent and rich; and the freedoms to make decisions about themselves and their environment is tied up in qualifiers like gender identity, ethnicity, or location. And then the images of God follow as well - God as a “tough love” father that is quick to reach for the belt and makes “endless” demands on what should we do to earn His love and acceptance. I like how one theologian said that if our view of God is masculine, then that influences the rest, including the understanding of what sin is!

Jesus provides us with a richer image of God than that -God that loves and cares for us with understanding and compassion, God that wants equal opportunities for everybody according to their gifts and callings,....in short, God that wants all God’s children to realize their potential and thrive in wholeness. In God, there is no class, no borders, gerrymandering, or mountains of debt, just grace upon grace. Now let us go and try to live into that! Amen.

Send off for Lauren and Rev. Dámaris:

Farewell and Godspeed

Eternal God, we thank you for Lauren and Pastor Dámaris and for our life together in this congregation and community, as well as their sharing of gifts while here. Now bless and preserve them at this time of transition.

As Lauren and Pastor Dámaris has been a blessing to us, so now send them forth to be a blessing to others with their talents and steadfast and joyful witness; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.