Daily Readings - Sun Mar 17 2024
Jeremiah
31Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:32Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:33But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Hebrews
7Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
John
20And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast:21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.27Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.28Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.30Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.31Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.32And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.33This he said, signifying what death he should die.
Sermon
The readings today guide us through a journey of covenant, obedience, and sacrifice, each weaving together to reveal God's plan of salvation. Jeremiah's promise of a new covenant highlights a deepened relationship with God, where His law is inscribed on our hearts, leading to a universal knowledge of Him. This covenant, born out of the old one's limitations, signifies a restoration and a closer bond with God's people. In Hebrews, we see Jesus as the embodiment of this new covenant, whose obedience and suffering pave the way for our salvation. His prayers and tears illustrate His humanity and reverence, yet His divine role as the source of eternal salvation is clear.
In John's Gospel, Jesus' conversation with the Gentiles and His subsequent discourse reveal the culmination of this covenant through His death. The grain of wheat metaphor teaches us that self-sacrifice is essential for bearing fruit, mirroring Jesus' own journey. His death, a necessary step in God's plan, draws all people to Himself, demonstrating that true life comes through surrender. The voice from heaven underscores God's glorification and the cosmic victory over evil, emphasizing the universal impact of Jesus' sacrifice.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to embrace a life of self-giving love and trust in God's plan. Just as Jesus trusted in His Father's will, we too can find purpose in our struggles. The new covenant calls us to live with God's law in our hearts, leading to actions that reflect His love. Let us remember that our challenges, like Jesus', can lead to greater good, drawing others to God. May we trust in His plan, knowing that through sacrifice, we find true life and honor from the Father.