Bible notes
John 12.20-33; Jeremiah 31.31-34; Hebrews 5.5-10; Psalm 51.1-13 or Psalm 119.9-16
The reading from the Gospel: John 12.20-33
Jesus has arrived at the end of one journey - his ministry to the people of Galilee. Now the last journey of his earthly life is about to begin. It will take him to Golgotha - and a cross. John introduces Jesus' teaching by the request of some Greeks to meet Jesus. They represent the Gentiles, a significant part of the Church's mission when John was writing. The Good News is not only for the Jewish people. The events leading to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion are about to begin. Jesus' thoughts focus on his death. Pain and suffering have to be faced. He wants to plead with God to save him from the agony. Yet this is the very reason why ‘his hour has come’. When Jesus is lifted up on the cross, evil will be overruled and God will be glorified. The awful news of sin and judgement will become the good news of salvation. Forgiveness and eternal life will bring deliverance to all. Christ's death is inescapable if this is to happen. A single grain of wheat falls into the ground and, ‘dying’, produces a harvest of many grains. This is the path, not only for Christ, but for his disciples also.Those who follow him must walk in the light and shun the darkness.
The reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 31.31-34
This prophecy is set in the context of the hope that Israel will be delivered from exile and restored to its own land. The old covenant has been jeopardised because the people have disobeyed God. There is a journey to be made which will lead the people to forgiveness and a renewing of the covenant. God's law will be deeply etched on their hearts and a new life awaits them at the end of the journey. Jeremiah was thinking primarily of his own nation in relation to this promise. The young Church saw the life, death and resurrection of Christ as the fulfilment of this promise.
The reading from the Epistle: Hebrews 5.5-10
The writer of Hebrews sees Jesus as the one appointed to intercede for us with God. He is compared to the priests who offered sacrifices for the people's sins (in the tradition of Melchizedek, Psalm 110.4). Christ did not take this priesthood upon himself, but was appointed by God who called him ‘my son’. Christ is qualified for this role because he understands human weakness. He knows what it means to resist temptation. He knew the depths of suffering in the garden of Gethsemane. He learned what is involved in being obedient to God's will. Through his death and resurrection, he became the source of salvation for all who obey him. He is the great intercessor and mediator of God's grace and mercy.
Psalm 51.1-13 or Psalm 119.9-16