Saturday of Lent 5

Saturday of Lent 5, March 24, 2018 Ezekiel 37:21-28

God will restore the kingdom through new hope and faith. According to chapter 34, it will be unlike any earthly dominion in that these will not be a succession of rulers, but only one Shepherd or King – God’s “servant David” Jesus Christ. His unending rule will claim the allegiance of the nations the world over. Jesus fulfills this prophecy of His messianic reign when He spoke of “one flock, one shepherd in John 10:16. (See Galatians 3:26-29)  1

The prophet foresees a time when the two divided kingdoms of the Jews (Israel/Ephraim and Judah, the Northern and Southern kingdoms) will be united into one and forever and when all those living abroad who belong to Israel will come back. This will be a feature of the Messianic age.

“I shall gather them together from everywhere and bring them home” a sentence which is echoed in the Gospel when John says that Jesus will die “not for the nation only, but to gather together in unity the scattered children of God”. They will give up all their sinful ways and all forms of idolatry and abominations, with which they had been plagued for so many generations, and will be cleansed by God.

Hymn: O Darkest Woe (Lutheran Service Book 448:6)
O Virgin Son,
What Thou hast won
Is far beyond all telling;
How our God, detested, died,
Hell and devil felling.

Almighty God, You alone speak the words of eternal life. Save us, Lord, for we cannot save ourselves. 

O Lord, in Your goodness You bestow abundant graces on Your elect: Look with favor, we entreat You, upon those who in these Lenten days are being prepared for You Holy Baptism, and grant them the help of Your protection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2

1  Lutheran Study Bible, © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

 q Collect for Saturday of Lent 5,  http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm