Daily Readings - Sat Apr 13 2019
Ezekiel
21And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:22And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:23Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.24And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.25And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.26Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.27My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.28And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
John
45Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.46But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.47Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.55And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.56Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?57Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages of hope, unity, and the profound mystery of God’s plan. The first reading from Ezekiel paints a vivid picture of a restored Israel, where God gathers His scattered people and establishes an everlasting covenant of peace. This vision of unity and redemption was a beacon of hope for the Israelites, who were then in exile, longing for a return to their homeland and a renewed relationship with their God. Ezekiel’s prophecy speaks of a time when division and suffering will give way to harmony and divine presence, with God’s sanctuary forever in their midst.
The Gospel reading from John shifts our focus to the growing tension surrounding Jesus. After the miracle of Lazarus’s resurrection, belief in Jesus spreads, but so does opposition. The Pharisees and high priests fear losing their power and their nation, leading them to plot Jesus’ death. Caiaphas, the high priest, unknowingly prophesies the heart of God’s plan: Jesus will die not only for the nation of Israel but to gather all God’s children into one. This passage reveals the depth of God’s love and the cost of unity, as Jesus’ sacrifice becomes the means by which all people are brought together under one Shepherd.
These readings remind us that unity and redemption are at the heart of God’s plan. Ezekiel’s vision of a restored Israel finds its fulfillment in Jesus, who gathers not just the scattered people of Israel but all humanity into one family through His death and resurrection. As we reflect on these passages, let us ask ourselves: How do we work toward unity in our own lives and communities? How do we embrace the sacrifices required to love and serve others as Jesus did? May we trust in God’s plan, even when it involves darkness and difficulty, knowing that His love ultimately triumphs. Let us strive to live as children of God, walking in His ways and keeping His commandments, so that we may truly be one people, united in Him.