Pr. DFD : Thursday prior to Palm Sunday

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Thursday prior to Palm Sunday

John 12:20-43 – In the Gospel lesson Jesus suffers the death of the cross as we view the history of Jesus’ passion. The cross of Christ produces a response. It is not an ordinary death, which might cause only sympathy. There is a positive response by those with at least neutral eyes as expressed by a professional soldier, “Truly this was the Son of God.”

Jesus knew how awful His death would be but He also knew that it was His purpose and so rather than forgo it, rather than ask the Father to save Him from crucifixion, He chose to glorify Him. It is not a sin to feel the angst and difficulty of the sacrifices made for God. It is in remembering their purpose that we can go through it. That is how Jesus managed it. He took His eyes off Himself and put them on the big picture of God’s purpose, which is God’s glory. And the Father answered Jesus so that everyone could hear! “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” God was glorified in Jesus birth and life and He would be glorified in His death and resurrection. It wasn’t Jesus who needed the audible comfort. It was the listeners. Jesus continued teaching in verses 31-33.

“Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”[2]

Collect for Thursday of the week of Lent 5: Lord, come to us; free us from the stain of our sins. Help us to remain faithful to a holy way of life, and guide us to the inheritance you have promised. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. [3]

[1] Palm Sunday Images, © Ed Riojas, Higher Things

[2] https://www.donnalcampbell.com/salt--light-devotionals/john-1220-43-jesus-died-publicly-for-you-will-you-live-publicly-for-him