5th Sunday in Lent: A NEW WAY OF SEEING

Scripture:   John 12:20-33 

Focus on the Word

All through His life the journey Jesus was on was taking Him to the cross.  He saw His death on the cross as the “purpose” for which He came (John 12:27, NASB).  He invites us into His journey.  He said, “if anyone serves Me, he must follow Me” (John 12:26, NASB).  It will be a costly journey for us as it was for Jesus.  At one point he prayed, “Father, save me from this hour” (vs. 27).  Then He yielded to whatever that hour might mean.  

We are invited, even called, to be with Jesus wherever He might be and in whatever He might do.  He said, “Where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serve Me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, NASB).  In His death He redeemed a world.  We cannot die for our sins so that they are forgiven.  We can come to be with Jesus so that in Him our sins are forgiven, our lives are cleansed, and our destiny redirected.

We are a Called-out people.  Jesus calls us to Himself so that in the brokenness of the world and of our own lives we are drawn to God.  

In Lent we are called to remember from whence we come.  We are called into a new way of seeing where we understand that in our lives, the good, the bad, and the broken, God is pleased to honor us.  Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26, NASB).  

Today’s Prayer

Lord, be with us this day,

Within us to purify us;

Above us to draw us up;

Beneath us to sustain us;

Before us to lead us;

Behind us to restrain us;

Around us to protect us.

(Patrick c389-461)