Jeremiah 31. 31“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. 33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbour, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

Hebrews 5.5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

John 12:20-33 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, 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. 225 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. 27 "Now my heart 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. 28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

“Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Winston Churchill.

Jeremiah was young when he received God's calling to be a prophet, a spokesman for God. He continually urged God's people to turn away from false worship and social injustice, and he encouraged the leaders not to rely upon political alliances. His warnings were ignored, the Babylonians invaded and deported many in 597BC.

Jeremiah struggled at times. He was imprisoned, persecuted, people planned to kill him, his message disregarded.

One commentator says of Jeremiah, "His character is most interesting. We find him sensitive to a most painful degree, timid, shy, hopeless, despondant, constantly complaining and dissatisfied with the course of events, but never flinching from duty. Timid in resolve, he was unflinching in execution; as fearless when he had to face the whole world as he was dispirited and prone to murmuring when alone with God.”

We see this in 20.7 You deceived me, Lord, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed. I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me. 8 Whenever I speak, I cry out proclaiming violence and destruction. So the word of the Lord has brought me insult and reproach all day long. 9 But if I say, “I will not mention his word or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. 10 I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side! Denounce him! Let’s denounce him!” All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying, “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.”

But the Lord is with me like a mighty warrior; so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced; their dishonor will never be forgotten. 12 Lord Almighty, you who examine the righteous and probe the heart and mind, let me see your vengeance on them, for to you I have committed my cause.

13 Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. 14 Cursed be the day I was born! May the day my mother bore me not be blessed! 15 Cursed be the man who brought my father the news, who made him very glad, saying, “A child is born to you—a son!”

One of the problems that Jeremiah faced was that God's people did not have the will to follow his leading, If they worshipped Him at all it was an outward religious duty rather than a life transformed by a relationship with God.

Yet Jeremiah looked to the future, especially in 31.31-34, one of the most significant passages in the Old Testament.

This looked forward to the new covenant that Jesus would bring in.

The old covenant or testament, involved God showing his grace, his undeserved favour by choosing to deliver a people, delivering them from slavery in Egypt, revealing His will to them through the law, and asking them to trust in His ways in gratitude. However, God's people were consistently unfaithful, ignoring His revealed will and even worshipping other, foreign gods.

A new covenant was needed. Jesus brought this in. He offered a better sacrifice, one which did not need to be repeated, when he died for the sins of the world on the cross. “the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” Hebrew 5.9.

There is more to this new covenant. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension to heaven, God poured out His Holy Spirit upon His disciples on the day of Pentecost, and has given His Holy Spirit to every believer since. So we have God living within us. Giving power to live for God, worship God, serve God, and become more like God, especially Jesus.

The Old Testament was written on stone. The New Testament is written in people's minds and on their hearts. It is embedded within them through God's Holy Spirit. We love God and His will for us!

God's new covenant was brought about through the suffering of Jesus that is mentioned in our Hebrews and John readings.

Hebrews 5. 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

In our gospel the disciples are approached by Greeks wanting to see Jesus. Jesus tells the crowd if they want to find out what he is like they can see him on a cross. It is through being lifted up on the cross that he will draw all men, Jews and Gentiles, to himself. On an instrument of torture, suffering and death God will disclose himself.

God in Jesus suffers, experiencing what it is like to be a person in every way. This is what the writer to the Hebrews was referring to when he wrote about the son earning through suffering and being made perfect. Complete may be a better translation, as this could imply that Jesus was not morally perfect before, and Jesus was. Otherwise he could not have offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to fulfil the law and bring in the new covenant that Jeremiah pointed to.

Jesus suffered physically and spiritually. As he hung there he cried “My God my God why have you forsaken me”. He experienced the separation from God that we deserve for our sins so we can be free from condemnation and know, worship and live for God.

To enjoy this new covenant, this wonderful opportunity to be united to God we have to respond. Like Jeremiah and Jesus, life will not be easy.

25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.

Lent is a time of preparation for Easter that enables believers to reflect on their lives, and to assess and make any changes that are needed with the help of God's Spirit.

Losing our life, with the pain and cost this brings will be painful, at times. But we have the blessing of knowing God. Having His love, joy, hope and peace within us. The support of God and of fellow believers. The certain promise of eternal life that runs through our three readings.

As we go through life, let us be emboldened to persevere in our walk with God, be enabled by His Spirit, and encouraged by the promise of eternal life, a life that starts here in earth.

Year B Lent 5 2/4/06 6 p.m. John 12:20-33

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see Jesus." 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 I tell you the truth, 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. 25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 "Now my heart 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. 28 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

 

Imagine you are expecting visitors who were visiting you for the first time. You would probably clean and tidy your front room, brush your hair, clean, your teeth and put on some smart clothes. You would want them to see you at your best wouldn't you ?

In today's reading some Greeks come to see Jesus. He refuses to see them and tells them if they want to find out what he is like they can see him on a  cross. It is through being lifted up on the cross that he will draw all men, Jews and Gentiles, to himself.

We are looking at this passage using three headings: We see the glory of Jesus on the cross;

His dying gives life to many others; To gain His life we have to die to ourselves.

We see the glory of Jesus on the cross.

It was the time of the Passover ("the festival"), and some Gentiles ("Greeks") travel to Jerusalem, probably because they believe in God. Known as 'God-fearers'. Their request "to see Jesus" is conveyed to him by "Andrew and Philip", the two disciples with Greek names. These Greeks clearly want more than to see Jesus. They may have heard of him or seen him from a distance and want to understand more about his message.

Jesus takes this opportunity to announce that his "hour", his time , has come.

When the Bible speaks of the glory of God it is talking about the disclosure or self-revelation of God. When Jesus is glorified, then all people will truly be able to see him. This revelation will be shocking to people who expect God to reveal himself in splendour, majesty, bright lights, a booming voice and in power. Probably in the way that Jesus was transfigured in front of some of the disciples

Jesus is saying, 'If you want to see me and what I am like look at the cross.'

Not splendour, but humiliation. Not majesty, but defeat. Not bright lights but darkness. No voice from God, but silence and separation. No power, only weakness. No hatred accompanied by military victory but love and apparent defeat.

God in Christ has come into the world to be rejected, falsely accused, murdered in a hideous way, so we could know what God is like and so we can be put right with God.

[ We see the glory of Jesus on the cross. ] His dying gives life to many others.

We live in a television culture where there is this assumption that journalists have the right to question who they like how they like. Jesus tells the disciples this is not the time for interviews.

By means of a parable, Jesus explains in verse 24 how his death will enable many people to receive life. 24 I tell you the truth, 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. This saying was probably a common proverb at the time. He uses an example from nature to speak of the significance of his death: the paradox that a "grain of wheat" (v. 24) only bears fruit after it seems to have died and has been buried.

The death of one person, Jesus, makes life possible for many others. He was dead and buried, trapped in the tomb by a stone and soldiers. But He broke free of death and physical constraints to a new, resurrection life. He offers that life to those who die to their old life.

Jesus crucifixion changed human history. There he was punished for the sins of the world. But in that act of self-sacrifice he forced the devil out of his position as prince of the world and he forces people to choose. The devil rules because people have delivered themselves into his power by becoming slaves to sin. Jesus has opened the gates to heaven and many people will be condemned because they chose to reject his offer of salvation. They will be condemned because they are too committed to the security of living life their own way, rather than putting Jesus first in their lives.

Others will be free. Free from the clutches of the devil. Free from an eternity with the devil. Free to serve and follow Jesus into heaven. This is a life we can experience for ourselves. It is a life we can offer to our friends, families, neighbours, and colleagues.

[ We see the glory of Jesus on the cross. His dying gives life to many others. ]

To gain His life we have to die to ourselves.

A man was in his house while flood waters rose to his front door. He moved all his valuable possessions upstairs and waited. He listened to the news which predicted that the waters would continue to rise the next day, and that everyone should leave their homes. The next day a motor boat came to the man's window, offering him a lift to dry ground. He refused, saying that he wanted to stay with his home and possessions. He was found the next day. Drowned, clutching a piece of valuable china in his hand. He had lost his life through clinging to something that could not give him life.  

As those who seek to follow Jesus our security should rest in our relationship with Jesus and our devotion to his ways, not on popularity, wealth, possessions, pleasure or power.

25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. In verse 25 "Hate" is not such a strong word as in our language. It refers to loving less, or not caring too much. Just as Jesus died so his true followers have to die to themselves. They have to love themselves less than God and other people.

Yet we live in a world where the perceived rights and opinions of people are opposed to this. Some people feel that their opinions are more important than the will of God revealed in the Bible. Others twist the Bible and do theological somersaults to try to make it support their own position. Others try to avoid the challenge of Scripture by thinking that they know better, or by ignoring it.

Self-centredness ends up destroying a person. They effectively reject the life that God offers them because they want to be in control of their own life.

We live in a success orientated culture. This even affects the church which has been criticised for falling numbers in the press. Whilst it would be wonderful if all churches were dramatically increasing in numbers and in discipleship we shouldn't necessarily think we are failing if this is not the case. Being part of God's people will not always be easy or popular.

I suppose we have all heard the expression, ' no pain, no gain'. It may conjure up an image of a sweaty American aerobics instructor encouraging her out of shape class to greater feats of physical torture.

If it were possible we would all like to be super-fit and healthy without reducing our calories and without exercise ! But life isn't like that.

Those who follow Jesus are called to imitate Him, to suffer as part of our walk with him. We only have to think of Paul and the opposition he faced, the beatings, stoning and shipwreck. Yet through these experiences Paul learned, in increasing measure,  how he could trust in Jesus, and he learned that there was more to life than living.

We cannot enjoy the richest blessings that God has for us without denying ourselves. God may be calling us to give him time that we would otherwise spend watching television. Or to fast and pray rather eat. Or to submit ourselves to his word rather than thinking we have grown out of the need to obey him. Or to do something that will cost us financially. Or do something in the church when it would be easier to sit back and do nothing - except perhaps criticise. Or to regulate the amount of alcohol we consume, or whatever.

These things go against the way of the world.  They go against an easy life. But, if we have a Christian faith that makes no demands on our lives it is not really the Christian faith. If we have a faith that costs nothing, it is worth nothing.

26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. Just as Jesus died and rose again, so his true followers will die to their old way of life and live a new life in Jesus. Serving and following Jesus go together. How do we follow Jesus ? By copying him and obeying his teaching. There are no disciples where there is no discipline.

The voice from heaven in verse 28 reassures. Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." This reminds us of God declaring his love and approval for Jesus at his baptism, and when he was transfigured. Jesus life and teaching have been signs of God's glory, of his power and presence. God will act again in raising him.

When he is "lifted up from the earth" (v. 32), i.e. crucified and exalted in glory, salvation of 'all men' will be possible. In a sense Jesus is answering the Gentiles who had asked to see him. Jesus is saying that if they want to find out what he is like they can see him on a  cross. And that on the cross he is dying for everyone, not just the Jewish people.

This section is the conclusion of Jesus' public ministry in John's gospel. From now on John records Jesus teaching his disciples on the night of his betrayal, and Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection.

We see the glory of Jesus on the cross. His dying gives life to many others. To gain His life we have to die to ourselves.  Just as Jesus died and rose again, those who have died to their old life will be raised to a new life on earth, and a new life in eternity.

 

Year B Lent 5 6/4/03 6 p.m. John 12:20-33

Imagine you are expecting visitors who were visiting you for the first time. You would probably clean and tidy your front room, brush your hair, clean, your teeth and put on some smart clothes. You would want them to see you at your best wouldn't you ?

In today's reading some Greeks come to see Jesus. He refuses to see them and tells them if they want to find out what he is like they can see him on a cross. There he will be seen naked, injured, apparently helpless and defeated. It is through being lifted up on the cross that he will draw all men, Jews and Gentiles, to himself.

After the anointing of Jesus and his entry into Jerusalem, there follows an episode which deals with the contrasting reactions of Gentiles (v.21) and of Jews (v.19) to the impact of Christ on Jerusalem.

It was the time of the Passover ("the festival"), and some Gentiles ("Greeks") travel to Jerusalem, probably because they believe in God. Known as 'God-fearers'. Their request "to see Jesus" is conveyed to him by "Andrew and Philip", the two disciples with Greek names. Philip hesitated because he knew that Jesus had come primarily to the Jews. These Greeks clearly want more than to see Jesus. They may have heard of him or seen him from a distance and want to understand more about his message.

Jesus takes this opportunity to announce that his "hour", his time , has come.

When the Bible speaks of the glory of God it is talking about the disclosure or self-revelation of God. When Jesus is glorified, then all people will truly be able to see him. This revelation will be shocking to people who expect God to reveal himself in splendour, majesty, bright lights, a booming voice and in power. Probably in the way that Jesus was transfigured in front of some of the disciples

Jesus is saying, 'If you want to see me and what I am like look at the cross.'

Not splendour, but humiliation. Not majesty, but defeat. Not bright lights but darkness. No voice from God, but silence and separation. No power, only weakness.

We live in a success orientated culture. This even affects the church which has been criticised for falling numbers in the press. Whilst it would be wonderful if all churches were dramatically increasing in numbers and in discipleship we shouldn't necessarily think we are failing if this is not the case. Being part of God's people will not always be easy or popular.

We live in a television culture where there is this assumption that journalists have the right to question who they like how they like. Jesus tells the disciples this is not the time for interviews.

By means of a parable, Jesus explains in verse 24 how his death will enable many people to receive life. 24 I tell you the truth, 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. This saying was probably a common proverb at the time. He uses an example from nature to speak of the significance of his death: the paradox that a "grain of wheat" (v. 24) only bears fruit after it seems to have died and has been buried.

The death of one person, Jesus, makes life possible for many others.

25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. In verse 25 "Hate" is not such a strong word as in our language. It refers to loving less, or not caring too much. Just as Jesus died so his true followers have to die to themselves. They have to love themselves less than God and other people.

Yet we live in a world where the perceived rights and opinions of people are opposed to this. Some people feel that their opinions are more important than the will of God revealed in the Bible. Others twist the Bible and do theological somersaults to try to make it support their own position. Others try to avoid the challenge of Scripture by thinking that they know better, or by ignoring it.

Self-centredness ends up destroying a person. They effectively reject the life that God offers them because they want to be in control of their own life.

I suppose we have all heard the expression, ' no pain, no gain'. It may conjure up an image of a sweaty American aerobics instructor encouraging her out of shape class to greater feats of physical torture.

If it were possible we would all like to be super-fit and healthy without reducing our calories and without exercise ! But life isn't like that.

It is the same spiritually. We cannot enjoy the richest blessings that God has for us without denying ourselves. God may be calling us to give him time that we would otherwise spend watching television. Or to fast and pray rather eat. Or to submit ourselves to his word rather than thinking we have grown out of the need to obey him. Or to do something that will cost us financially. Or to regulate the amount of alcohol we consume, or whatever.

These things go against the way of the world. They go against an easy life. But, if we have a Christian faith that makes no demands on our lives it is not really the Christian faith. If we have a faith that costs nothing, it is worth nothing.

26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me. Just as Jesus died and rose again, so his true followers will die to their old way of life and live a new life in Jesus. Verse 26 tells us that serving and following Jesus go together. How do we follow Jesus ? By copying him and obeying his teaching. There are no disciples where there is no discipline.

God knows everything that we think and do. If we follow Jesus this will be honoured by the God the Father (v. 26).

How will we be honoured ? Well, the Bible teaches that there will be different rewards in heaven.

A man goes to heaven and St. Peter is explaining to him that there are rewards in heaven for doing good things and punishments for doing bad things. As he is explaining this the man sees an old man holding hands with a blonde, attractive young woman. 'What did he do right', he gasps in amazement. St. Peter looks at his list, ' Ah ! I think it is more what she did wrong', he replied.

This joke makes many wrong assumptions about what heaven is like and how we get there. We get to heaven through God's grace, but He expects us to respond to that grace in gratitude and obedience.

2 Corinthians 5:10, 'For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.'

If we glory in Jesus' name we will suffer in Jesus' name. If we suffer in Jesus' name we will be exalted with him in heaven.

27 "Now my heart 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. In v. 27, Jesus struggles with his impending death. We read of a similar dilemma in Gethsemane just before Jesus is arrested. Should he ask the Father to free him from the need to suffer and die? No, he says: such avoidance would negate his mission; his death is God's will (v. 28a).

Verse 28: "Father, glorify your name" : Jesus prays that he may completely accept his Father's will. In the Old Testament, both the glory of God and his "name" are means whereby God is revealed. God will, therefore, make himself known through the death of Christ.

Sometimes those who follow Jesus are called to suffer as part of our walk with him. We only have to think of Paul and the opposition he faced, the beatings, stoning and shipwreck. Yet through these experiences Paul learned, in increasing measure, how he could trust in Jesus, and he learned that there was more to life than living.

The voice from heaven in verse 28 reassures. This reminds us of God declaring his love and approval for Jesus at his baptism, and when he was transfigured. Jesus life and teaching have been signs of God's glory, of his power and presence. God will act again in raising him.

Verse 29: "thunder": In the Old Testament, thunder is recognized as the voice of God: Gentiles would also recognize thunder as an omen.

The crowd miss the point of the message (v. 29), so Jesus tells them that God has spoken so that they may believe that he comes from God. This is not for Jesus' benefit! He is already certain of and secure in his own identity! His certainty and security come from his relationship with God the Father and by following His way, even though this involves suffering and rejection. A man was in his house while flood waters rose to his front door. He moved all his valuable possessions upstairs and waited. He listened to the news which predicted that the waters would continue to rise the next day, and that everyone should leave their homes. The next day a motor boat came to the man's window, offering him a lift to dry ground. He refused, saying that he wanted to stay with his home and possessions. He was found the next day. Drowned, clutching a piece of valuable china in his hand. He had lost his life through clinging to something that could not give him life.

As those who seek to follow Jesus our security should rest in our relationship with Jesus and our devotion to his ways, not on popularity, wealth, possessions, pleasure or power.

Jesus crucifixion changed human history. There he was punished for the sins of the world. But in that act of self-sacrifice he forced the devil out of his position as prince of the world and he forces people to choose. The devil rules because people have delivered themselves into his power by becoming slaves to sin. Jesus has opened the gates to heaven and many people will be condemned because they chose to reject his offer of salvation. They will be condemned because they are too committed to the security of living life their own way, rather than putting Jesus first in their lives.

Others will be free. Free from the clutches of the devil. Free from an eternity with the devil. Free to serve and follow Jesus into heaven.

When he is "lifted up from the earth" (v. 32), i.e. crucified and exalted in glory, salvation of 'all men' will be possible. In a sense Jesus is answering the Gentiles who had asked to see him. Jesus is saying that if they want to find out what he is like they can see him on a cross. And that on the cross he is dying for everyone, not just the Jewish people.

This section is the conclusion of Jesus' public ministry in John's gospel. From now on John records Jesus teaching his disciples on the night of his betrayal, and Jesus' arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection.

To summarize today's passage:

- If we know what God is like we can see this in Jesus' death for us on the cross.

- If we want to be rescued from the kingdom of the devil we have to die to our old selves and live for God. Just as Jesus died and rose again, those who have died to their old life will be raised to a new life on earth, and a new life in eternity.

PRAY