Daily Readings - Sat Apr 01 2023
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 themes of divine providence, unity, and the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. The first reading from Ezekiel paints a vivid picture of God’s promise to restore Israel, gathering the scattered people into one nation under the shepherdship of King David. This vision, born out of the despair of exile, offers hope and renewal, emphasizing God’s enduring covenant with His people. The second reading from John’s Gospel shifts our focus to the escalating tension surrounding Jesus. The raising of Lazarus, a miraculous sign of Jesus’ divine authority, prompts the Pharisees and high priests to conspire against Him, fearing the loss of their power and Roman intervention. Caiaphas, in a prophetic statement, unwittingly foretells Jesus’ sacrificial death for the nation, a death that would ultimately unite not just Israel, but all of God’s children.
The connection between these readings is profound. Ezekiel’s vision of a unified Israel under God’s shepherd finds its fulfillment in Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His flock. Just as Ezekiel’s prophecy speaks of a new covenant and a sanctuary in the midst of God’s people, Jesus’ death and resurrection establish a new and eternal covenant, making His dwelling place in the hearts of believers. The Pharisees’ fear of losing their place and nation ironically sets in motion the very events that will secure salvation for all people, highlighting the mysterious interplay of human intentions and divine providence.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances seem dire. Like the exiled Israelites, we may face dispersion and fragmentation, but God’s promise of unity and restoration endures. As we navigate our own challenges, we are called to embrace the unity Christ offers, to live as one body in Him, and to be willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. Let us, therefore, walk in faith, trusting that God is always at work, even in the darkest moments, to bring about a greater good. May we, like Lazarus, emerge from the tombs of our own making, resurrected by Christ’s power, and may we, with renewed hearts, follow Him as our Shepherd and Lord.