Sermon -- 5th Sunday in Lent (March 22, 2026)

THIS MAN HAS POWER OVER DEATH.

JOHN 11:17-27,38-45

In the name + of Jesus.

      It is almost impossible to underestimate how much went wrong back in the Garden of Eden.  Sin entered the world.  There were consequences to women, such as pain in child-bearing.  There were consequences to men.  The man’s role was to work and provide for his family.  But the Lord informed him, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.  It will produce thorns and thistles for you” (Genesis 3:17-18).  The earth was not merely plagued with thorns and thistles.  The ground would know earthquakes, wildfires, and pestilence.  The earth would know blizzards, hail, and tornadoes.  Bodies would experience broken bones, allergies, genetic disorders, and physical disabilities.  Sin has brought on a death march for every living thing.  To top it all off, the curse that comes with sin is eternal.

     When Jesus entered the world to be our Savior, it was not just to deliver us from hell.  The goal is not just to evade punishment.  Think of it this way.  A man steps out of a tavern, having had way too much to drink.  He gets in his car to drive home.  But he crashes through a fence, runs his car into a house, smashes into the living room, is severely injured and severely injures others.  When the man goes to trial, the case is dismissed because of some technicality.  The man goes free, breathes a sigh of relief, and says, “Thank God I am not going to jail!”  Nevertheless, the damage he did remains.  The home is still damaged.  The car is still totaled.  And everyone still faces surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, and counselling.  Would anyone conclude there was a happy ending because the man avoided jail, fines, and a criminal record?

     In the same way, if Jesus had done nothing but deliver us from hell, we would find some relief.  We might say, “No eternal punishment.  That’s good.”  But the damage done by sin would still affect our lives.  The world is still broken.  Hearts are still corrupt.  Words are still cruel.  Bodies still suffer pain, disease, and disorders.  And death still claims us all.  It is almost impossible to underestimate how much went wrong back in the Garden of Eden.  So also, it is almost impossible to underestimate how much Jesus does as our Savior.  Jesus has come to restore all things.  This man takes away the sin of the world.  This man will deliver us from all evil.  This man has power over death.

     Jesus got word that his friend Lazarus was ill.  In the days before modern medicine, even a fever could be life-threatening.  The message was an appeal for Jesus to bring the healing he had brought to so many others.  But Jesus delayed, and Lazarus died.  In Jewish culture, they did not waste time with burial.  Lazarus was wrapped in grave clothes and placed in a cave by that evening.  Lazarus’ body was already decaying by the time Jesus had arrived at Bethany.  Nevertheless, Jesus came for Lazarus because this man has authority over death.

     Death is cruel.  When Jesus came to the grave of Lazarus, he wept.  He felt the pain death inflicts on loved ones.  That pain is bad enough, but death is more cruel than that.  It does not care what schedule or responsibilities you have.  It does not respect feelings or friendships or fame.  Lazarus had two sisters, Martha and Mary.  It seems that they were both single.  If so, then Lazarus was responsible for their care and protection.  Lazarus’ death meant their lives would become a lot harder.  For Martha and Mary, Lazarus’ death was not merely the loss of a loved one; that was bad enough.  But now they had responsibilities thrust upon them that they were not prepared for.  Anyone who has had to pick up the pieces after the loss of a loved one can appreciate this.  Death of a loved one produces not only grief, but also additional burdens.

     “When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. …When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him…  Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died’” (John 11:17,20-21).  It does not seem that Martha was trying to lay a guilt trip on Jesus, as if to say, “Jesus, you failed us.”  Rather than an accusation, it was a confession.  “Lord, you have healed many people in Galilee and Judea.  I am sure that even with Lazarus at death’s door, you could have restored him to health.” 

     Martha’s confession continued, “‘Even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’  Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’  Martha replied, ‘I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the Last Day’” (John 11:22-24).  Martha confessed what we all confess: “We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come” (Nicene Creed).  We confess that because that is what our Lord tells us.  He has promised: “This is the will of him who sent me: that I should lose none of those he has given me, but raise them up on the Last Day.  For this is the will of my Father: that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life.  And I will raise him up on the Last Day” (John 6:39,40).  This man has power over death.

     Jesus gave Martha a different promise.  “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies.  And whoever lives and believes in me will never perish’” (John 11:25-26).  Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life.  He didn’t say someday she’ll see it.  He who is the resurrection and the life was standing right in front of her.  This man has the power to raise up Lazarus from the dead.  He not only could revive him, but he could renew him from decay and restore him to his loved ones.  He who created mankind can resurrect and re-create mankind.  This man has power over death.

     Out of compassion for those who were dear to him, “he shouted with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’  The man who had died came out with his feet and his hands bound with strips of linen and his face wrapped with a cloth.  Jesus told them, ‘Loose him and let him go’” (John 11:43-44).  He is the resurrection and the life.  His word overrules the stench, the decay, and the finality of death.  This man has power over death.   

     Although Lazarus was restored to his sisters and was able to continue caring for them, this was a temporary fix.  Lazarus was restored to a broken world.  He returned to a crooked and corrupt population.  In fact, when Lazarus’ resurrection resulted in more people believing in Jesus, the religious leaders deemed it necessary to kill off Lazarus, too.  Lazarus returned to live as a sinner among other sinners.  This return to life was temporary.  The grave would hold him again.

     For whatever reason, people are attracted to the idea of reincarnation.  Even Christians think returning to this world in another life is appealing.  But return to what?  This would still be a world of disease and disorder, corruption and chaos, war and poverty, trials and tears.  What is so attractive about reliving these things again and again? 

     God does not create people to be recycled.  You are a unique creation of our Lord.  You were placed in this world in a particular time and place on purpose, with your own interests, abilities, and personality.  God designed you to be you for eternity. 

     If there is anything about reincarnation we would agree with, it is that all people will be judged at the end of life.  The Lord who gives us life holds us accountable for how we live it.  Our Lord created a perfect world and put holy people in it.  Man’s sin has not changed God’s expectations.  Our Lord’s judgment will not be about a reboot so that we can try again to get it right, as if sinners will ever achieve holiness.  The Lord will call us what we are, and his judgment will be final.

     Jesus came to do more than give us temporary relief from sin and death.  While we are grateful for momentary relief and for happy times, Jesus came to deliver to us eternal joys and everlasting peace.  He came to rescue us from death and a damning judgment.  In order to do that, Jesus had to address the problem that started it all—our sinfulness.

     If this man will have power over death, then this man must also have authority to forgive sins.  That authority was earned by Jesus taking sin and death into himself.  This man stood in place of mankind to suffer what mankind deserves.  The Bible testifies, “God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Jesus became our sin and, therefore, had to suffer what sin brings—death and a damning judgment.  That is what Jesus endured on the cross.  When Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), it is because he was absorbing the torments of hell for every sinner who has ever lived.  No matter what disgrace has stood against you, Jesus has paid the price for it.  In turn, Jesus washed you clean of every spot and stain of sin when you were baptized into his name.  Now you bear a holy status.  So, at the final judgment, Jesus will call you what you are—a saint cleansed by his innocent blood. 

     This man has power over death.  Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me will live, even if he dies” (John 11:25).  Jesus is the resurrection.  He will raise you up on the Last Day, but not to come back to a world of sorrow, suffering, and loss.  The Lord Jesus will not only raise your body to be forever flawless, he will also restore this whole creation back to the Paradise he had intended it to be.  For, if sin is taken away, so are all the evils that come from it.  Jesus will bring you a new and holy creation. 

     This man has power over death.  Jesus is the life.  Jesus already calls you what you are—a saint cleansed by his innocent blood.  Therefore, consider this marvelous promise.  Jesus said, “Whoever lives and believes in me will never perish’” (John 11:26).  If you are cleansed of sin, then death cannot have you.  Life on earth may come to an end, but life in God’s kingdom will go on without interruption and without end.  For the Christian, death is but the gate to life in heaven.  When you close your eyes in death here, you will open them to see Jesus.  You will live with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.  You will take your place at the heavenly feast.  You will enjoy peace in a sinless existence, and death will flee away.  The man who has power over death gives you endless life.  He will restore all that went wrong because of sin, and he will make it all right.  Since it is almost impossible to underestimate what Jesus has done as our Savior, we will need eternity to rejoice in it and to sing in endless praise.  Thanks to Jesus, you will have it.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Worship Notes: Passiontide

            Sunday, March 22 is the 5^th Sunday in Lent.  This marks the beginning of Passiontide (the final two weeks of Lent), in which the Passion of our Lord intensifies.  Therefore, the Lenten fast also intensifies which we can observe in our worship setting.  The sights and sounds in God’s house are muted even more.  For the past number of weeks, our celebration has been muted in the following ways:

                              There are no Alleluias. 

                              We do not sing the Gloria in Excelsis after the Absolution.

                              There are no flowers on the altar.

            During Passiontide, you will note these additional practices.

                              The Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) is omitted from the Psalms

                              All artwork or icons have been removed or veiled.

                              The ringing of the church bell ceases.

                              All music is muted except for the support of congregational singing.

            Our services will practically be barren of celebration, but that is the point.  We are fasting.  We are penitent.  We are intently focusing on the sufferings and death of Jesus.  Ceremony and celebration will return with vigor on Easter Sunday when we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord which declares that sins are forgiven and that death is destroyed.

Worship Notes: Passiontide

           The 5^th Sunday in Lent (April 4) begins the season of Passiontide (the final two weeks of Lent), in which the Passion of our Lord intensifies.  Therefore, the Lenten fast also intensifies which we can observe in our worship setting.  

          The sights and sounds in God’s house are muted even more.  For the past number of weeks, our celebration has been muted in the following ways:

          There are no Alleluia's.
          We do not sing the Gloria in Excelsis after the Absolution.
          There are no flowers on the altar.

            Now, you will note these additional practices.

          The Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) is omitted from the Psalms
          All artwork or icons have been removed or veiled.
          The ringing of the church bell ceases.

            Our services will practically be barren of celebration, but that is the point.  We are fasting.  We are penitent.  We are intently focusing on the sufferings and death of Jesus.  Ceremony and celebration will return with vigor on Easter Sunday when we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord which declares that sins are forgiven and that death is destroyed.

Sermon -- 5th Sunday in Lent (March 17, 2024)

JOHN 12:20-33

THE HOUR HAS COME FOR THE SON OF MAN TO BE GLORIFIED.

In the name + of Jesus.

      The Gospel of John records Jesus being particularly focused on his appointed hour.  Throughout his ministry, there were people who wanted to hasten Jesus’ appointed hour.  It began already at his first miracle.  The Virgin Mary informed Jesus that the wedding had run out of wine.  She seemed to think that this was the opportune time for the kingdom of God to burst forth on the world.  Perhaps she had in mind the prophet Joel who had said, “So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain.  And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.  And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord” (Joel 3:17-18).  Whether she was thinking of that or not, Jesus’ reply was straight forward: “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). 

     Later on, Jesus’ own brothers encouraged him, “‘Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing.  For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly.  If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’  …Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come…’” (John 7:4-6). 

     Jesus had made several bold claims that he is divine.  These often stirred up the wrath of the Pharisees and the priests.  A few times they had attempted to stone him to death, but Jesus avoided all their attempts.  John explained why Jesus could make such strong claims and avoid their threats.  He wrote, “These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come” (John 8:20). 

     Jesus was always focused on his appointed hour.  And he was firmly in control of it.  Jesus’ arrest did not come as a surprise to him, and he made no attempt to escape it.  Jesus was not surprised by who betrayed him.  Rather, Jesus encouraged him to do what he had come to do.  The Sanhedrin thought that they were in control.  Although the Sanhedrin was determined to kill Jesus, they also wanted to use caution.  They said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people” (Matthew 26:5).  But Jesus was in control of his appointed hour.  When the Passover lambs were to be slain, so was Jesus.  That was his appointed hour.  He was committed to completing the task given to him by his heavenly Father.

     Now we get to the portion of John’s Gospel which we read earlier.  Some Greeks had come to Jerusalem for the Passover.  If they “went up to worship at the feast” (John 12:20), then they were converts to Judaism and they were waiting for the promised Messiah.  They were likely convinced that Jesus was the Christ, which is why they were eager to meet him.  As John records it, it is a strange introduction.  There are no cordial greetings, not even an exchange of names.  That’s not to say it didn’t happen, but John cuts right to the chase in his Gospel.  You want to see Jesus?  Well, this is what you should be paying attention to.  This is what matters.  “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23).  After the long wait, the appointed hour was at hand.  It was the beginning of Holy Week, and Jesus was ready to be slain as the chosen Lamb which covers over our iniquities and delivers us from death.

     Jesus explained why his death was necessary.  “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).  Jesus could have lived his perfect life in peace.  By doing so, he would have earned God’s favor.  Jesus would have been the one holy man who kept the Commandments.  Presumably, he would not have died because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  At some point, the Father would have assumed Jesus bodily into heaven apart from death.  If he had no sin, there would be no death.  Jesus would have been the one perfect man who entered the glories of God the Father.  And if that is all Jesus was, then we can only look to him as an example of how to win God’s favor. 

     But this would make our lives all the more frustrating.  Just because we have an example does not mean we can copy it.  Why not say, “In order to win God’s favor, you need to paint like Rembrandt, compose music like Mozart, and run like Usain Bolt”?  Watching YouTube instruction videos for hours will not get me close.  Just because they excelled does not mean I can. 

     In regard to holiness, it gets worse.  Even when we want keep the word of the Lord, we lose our patience and snap at other people.  We say that we are too tired to carry out our responsibilities and neglect them.  We claim that we don’t have time to read the Bible at home or to pray, but we always seem to have time for scrolling on our phones.  If you decided to wear one of those What Would Jesus Do bracelets and let that guide you, you would still be burdened with fears and doubts because you don’t know what Jesus would do.  When your co-worker decides to blame you for a task that was fouled up, would Jesus shame your co-worker in front of everyone and yell, “Liar”?  Would Jesus give a few bucks to everyone he saw holding up a cardboard sign at an intersection?  How much would he give?  What would Jesus do?  The biggest lesson you will learn from this is that you are not like Jesus.

     When Jesus declared, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John 12:23), he did not have in mind another example for us to follow.  Rather, he went there to make an exchange—his holiness for our sins.  By going to the cross, Jesus would make the payment for all of our sins.  That does not mean our sins are excusable; it means that they are taken away from us.  Jesus’ innocent life was given in exchange for our sinful lives.  The righteous one died for the unrighteous.  He took on the curse of God so that we would receive God’s favor and blessings.

     The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  That glory is revealed in Jesus’ sufferings and death.  That is where the Lord atones for the sins of the world.  And upon dying, Jesus’ lifeless body was laid in a tomb.  He was planted there like a seed.  If Jesus did not come to suffer and die for us, he would have remained the only holy man—like a seed that was never planted.  “But if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). 

     When a seed is planted, it germinates and sprouts.  It produces far more than just one seed to replace itself.  Think about a sunflower.  One seed is planted, and a giant stalk comes up.  Then when the flower blooms, you can seek all kinds of sunflower seeds in that blackened center.  If you don’t plant the sunflower seed, you will only have the one seed.  But if that seed is buried in the ground and dies, an abundance of seeds will result.

     So it is with Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.  The man who overcame the grave shows what is in store for you.  Jesus is the first to rise from the dead and to live forever.  Since Jesus has mastered death and the grave, death and the grave must obey Jesus’ command.  When he comes again on the Last Day, Jesus’ voice will summon all people out of their graves.  Those who believe in Jesus will be raised up to live in glory forever more.  This is the reason Jesus came.

     But there would be a cost for this, and Jesus knew it.  Sins are wicked.  They demand justice.  They have earned God’s wrath because God does not treat his word lightly.  To go against God’s word is to attack God himself.  This cannot be overlooked or go unpunished.  So, Jesus came to take the punishment for us.  And he knew it would be intense torment.  It would mean the eternal pains of hell absorbed by the eternal Son of God.  Therefore, Jesus said, “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say?  ‘Father, save me from this hour’?  But for this purpose 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” (John 12:27-28). 

     The hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  And in doing so, God the Father was glorified too.  The glory of God is not that he is holy or almighty.  He is those things, but that does not save us.  The glory of God is that he loves and saves sinners.  God the Father revealed his mercy by sending Jesus to redeem us.  The Son of Man secured God’s mercy for us by going to the cross to die for our sins.  This was the whole purpose Jesus came into this world.  This was his appointed hour, and everything in history centers on this moment. 

     God from eternity entered the world at a specific time.  His years of life, his teaching, and everything else he did were focused on this hour.  This is the moment when the Son of Man redeemed us from an eternity of divine rejection and opened up the kingdom of heaven to us for everlasting peace and rest.  The Gospels record many things Jesus said and did, and we do well to be familiar with them.  But like those Greeks who came to see Jesus, we need our focus to be on Jesus’ sufferings, death, and resurrection.  That is where he makes his glory known.  That is where he makes our salvation known.

     The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  We are just a week away from Holy Week.  We have entered Passiontide, and our Lenten fast has intensified.  It is probably unsettling to you to see the walls barren, to see the crucifix veiled, and to have the organ muted.  You might even hate it.  But by scaling back our festive mood and putting away our vivid art, we are highlighting our own lack of beauty and glory.  We are sinners.  We are not worthy to look upon Jesus who suffered and died for us.  If the hour has come for the Son of Man to be slain, it is not appropriate for our worship to be exuberant.  It is subdued as we recognize the solemnity of the hour.

     Our celebration is muted for a while, but not for long.  For the seed was planted in the earth.  It has sprung forth on the third day.  It will produce an abundant harvest of people who will be raised from the dead to live forever.  Then, our celebration will be limitless in its joy and in its duration.  But for now, let’s focus on the appointed hour.  As Jesus said, “For this purpose I have come to this hour” (John 12:27).

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Worship Notes: Passiontide

NOTES FOR PASSIONTIDE

On Sunday, March 17, the 5th Sunday in Lent, we begin the short season of Passiontide (the final two weeks of Lent).  Just as the Passion of our Lord intensified the closer we get to Holy Week, so also our Lenten fast intensifies.  We will notice this in our worship as the sights and sounds in God’s house are muted even more. For the past number of weeks, our celebration has been muted in the following ways:
               All Alleluias have been withdrawn from the service.
               We do not sing the Gloria in Excelsis.
               There are no flowers on the altar.

Next week, you will note these additional practices.
               The Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) is omitted from the Psalms.
               All artwork or icons have been removed or veiled.
               The ringing of the church bell ceases.
               All music is muted except for the support of congregational singing.

Our services will practically be barren of celebration, but that is the point. We are fasting. We are penitent. We are intently focusing on the sufferings and death of Jesus. Ceremony and celebration will return with vigor on Easter Sunday when we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord which declares that sins are forgiven and that death is destroyed.

Worship Notes: Passiontide

          Sunday, March 26 is the 5^th Sunday in Lent.  This begins the season of Passiontide (the final two weeks of Lent), in which the Passion of our Lord intensifies.  Therefore, the Lenten fast also intensifies which we can observe in our worship setting.  The sights and sounds in God’s house are muted even more.  For the past number of weeks, our celebration has been muted in the following ways:

          All Alleluias have been withdrawn from the service.
          We do not sing the Gloria in Excelsis.
          There are no flowers on the altar.

          During Passiontide, you will note these additional practices.

          The Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) is omitted from the Psalms.
          All artwork or icons have been removed or veiled.
          The ringing of the church bell ceases.
          All music is muted except for the support of congregational singing.

          Our services will practically be barren of celebration, but that is the point.  We are fasting.  We are penitent.  We are intently focusing on the sufferings and death of Jesus.  Ceremony and celebration will return with vigor on Easter Sunday when we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord which declares that sins are forgiven and that death is destroyed.

Worship Notes: Passiontide

         Next Sunday (April 2) is the 5th Sunday in Lent.  This begins the season of Passiontide (the final two weeks of Lent), in which the Passion of our Lord intensifies. Therefore, the Lenten fast also intensifies which we will observe in our worship setting. The sights and sounds in God’s house are muted even more. For the past number of weeks, our celebration has been muted in the following ways:
                    There is no Alleluia in the Verse of the Day.
                    We do not sing the Gloria in Excelsis after the Absolution.
                    There are no flowers on the altar.

          Next week, you will note these additional practices.
                    The Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) is omitted from the Psalms
                    All artwork or icons have been removed or veiled.
                    The ringing of the church bell ceases.
                    All music is muted except for the support of congregational singing.

          Our services will practically be barren of celebration, but that is the point. We are fasting. We are penitent. We are intently focusing on the sufferings and death of Jesus. Ceremony and celebration will return with vigor on Easter Sunday when we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord which declares that sins are forgiven and that death is destroyed.

Worship Notes: Passiontide

PASSIONTIDE

This coming Sunday (March 21) is the 5th Sunday in Lent which marks the beginning of the season of Passiontide (the final two weeks of Lent), in which the Passion of our Lord intensifies.  Therefore, the Lenten fast also intensifies which we can observe in our worship setting.  The sights and sounds in God’s house are muted even more.  For the past number of weeks, our celebration has been muted in the following ways:
> There is no Alleluia in the Verse of the Day.
> We do not sing the Gloria in Excelsis after the Absolution.
> There are no flowers on the altar.

Starting now, you will note these additional practices.
> The Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father) is omitted from the Psalms
> All artwork or icons have been removed or veiled.
> The ringing of the church bell ceases.
> All music is muted except for the support of congregational singing.

Our services will practically be barren of celebration, but that is the point.  We are fasting.  We are penitent.  We are intently focusing on the sufferings and death of Jesus.  Ceremony and celebration will return with vigor on Easter Sunday when we rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord which declares that sins are forgiven and that death is destroyed.